
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.
Enter the Trilogy Collection—Yamamura’s reflection of art expressed through beauty via Silk, “more is better,” conservative to represent the classic era; Metal for the futuristic modern era; and Nylon, post-modern’s “less is more” concept.





METAL HEAD

BE IT THE RUNWAYS OF FASHION WEEK, architecture, the heart of a buzzing city, music or art, inspiration comes from many sources. When Japanese-based hairdresser Kazushi Yamamura was conceptualizing his latest photoshoot, he was inspired by the arts.
The classic, modern and post-modern art movements from the 1900s to the 2000s triggered an idea: how can these eras be translated to hair?
Enter the Trilogy Collection—Yamamura’s reflection of art expressed through beauty via Silk, “more is better,” conservative to represent the classic era; Metal for the futuristic modern era; and Nylon, post-modern’s “less is more” concept.
Featured on the cover of this issue is, of course, Metal. At the dawn of the modern era, Yamamura says, traditional classic fashion and architecture had already begun to change little by little.
“People were growing tired of the classic style and were switching to a much simpler style,” he says. This style would become that of the Modern era. “To express that modern atmosphere, I used only monochromatic colors in this work,” says Yamamura, who used Manic Panic color to create the muted pastel on our cover. “You can feel the elegance of the image in the simple black dress, the clear bijoux and the rubber gloves. You can feel the strength in the sharp lines composing the nose and chin, and the softened mood through the spare use of color: white, silver and black. To help me capture all this, I hired a model whose poses helped me capture the smooth curves of my ideal.”
The cut frames the color in the form of a modern bob. “It’s a style that has endless possibilities, and the fun can only increase as you try the style with different colors,” Yamamura says.

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