
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
Beth Minardi offers us this step-by-step on how to "sneak in" richer tones to create a beautiful blonde without deepening the hair.

Beth MInardi
Nothing exudes glamour like a gorgeous blonde! The artistry lies in choosing the correct way to lighten the hair so that unwanted orange or bright golden tones are eliminated while simultaneously maintaining hair condition.
Today, we have a number of creme and oil lighteners intended to be used as "on scalp" lighteners. Most contain very important conditioning ingredients that keep hair moist and strong, even as the hair is decolorized. (I like JOICO Creme LIGHTENER mixed with 20 volume Veroxide.
HOW TO:
If the current natural base is lighter than level 5, and if the client has blue or gray eyes, you will most probably be able to use a level 10, 11, or 12 "highlift' permanent shade to lighten the base shade.
STEP 1: Mix the color according to manufacturer's instructions and apply in 1/8 inch sections, taking care to thoroughy saturate the hair.
STEP 2: While hair is processing at room temperature, protect and condition the hair lengths with a special pre-wash treatment. Minardi PreWash Therapy is what I use to completely beautify hair lengths.
STEP 3: When the lightening process is complete, you may choose to use a very pale acidic demi permanent toner to "finish" the blonding service. Apply this to the scalp area first and bring through the ends of the hair only during the last 90 seconds or so.
STEP 4: To further enrich your blonde creation, You may choose to scatter very tiny lowlights throughout the nape and back of the crown, as well as in the hair directly above the ears. Make certain that your sections are TINY. Use a very LIGHT demi-creme to do this. I developed my new BETH MINARDI DEMI CREME in 10BB precisely for this purpose-- pale vanilla blonde with out deepening the hair significantly. A wonderful way to personalize the beautiful salon blonding you proudly create!

"Cate Blanchett's gorgeous, luscious, healthy and shiny DIMENSIONAL, modern blonde at the Golden Globes! Celebrity color shines as she steps into the spotlight. There's nothing like shimmering blonde to catch the eye!" --Beth
GETTY IMAGES

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic

Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.

Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.

Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.

From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.

From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.

This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.

Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips

Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.

These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.

Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.

Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.

In his new book "The Creative Mastermind," a writer and creative executive behind brands such as "Top Chef," "Fear Factor," and "Real Housewives," shares his insider knowledge for navigating today's chaotic content landscape.

Personalization is no longer just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae. If clients don’t feel like you designed and personalized the experience just for them, they’ll find a salon that does.

Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty