Artist Session is MODERN’s community-building seminar designed to guide top salon professionals in a quest to build a portfolio, enter the session world and, ultimately, get more recognition and money for styling work as a salon stylist or freelance hairdresser. The program is open to all licensed stylists and has welcomed dozens of professionals from recent beauty school graduates to NAHA winners, as well as recognized cover artists. Attendees both support and guide each other while bonding and sharing. Great friendships, both personal and professional, have resulted from attendance at Artist Session (the next one will be held October 1-2).

It is because of that community that Danielle Keasling, MODERN’s cover artist, has participated in two sessions. “I learned so much from my first Artist Session and was able to turn that experience into something much bigger and better,” she says. “I held back at the first session and, although I was pleased with my look, I knew I could create something stronger.”

So for this, her second session, Keasling came with a plan. “My inspiration for this shoot was the timeless and sexy Brigitte Bardot. I wanted to create sexy, wearable hair that stood the test of time.” To achieve the look, Keasling used a Sedu Revolution clipless iron (from her Artist Session goody bag) and curled 1.5˝ sections throughout the hair to create a strong base. Each section was sprayed with Matrix Design Pulse Iron In. Hair U Wear clip in extensions in Buttered Toast were added for bulk. After styling and pulling up the hair, a Jessica Simpson piece was added to create more lift in the crown. L’Oréal Professionnel Infinium #4 Finishing Spray was sprayed over the surface to set the look.

But, admits Keasling, the best part of Artist Session was meeting and spending time with the other hairdressers in attendance. “I met so many amazing people. I am still on a hairstylist’s ‘high.’ For me, this was a life-changing experience.” And a cover-worthy experience as well.