
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.
"This process was your classic slow and steady wins the race," says hairstylist, makeup artist and model Ashley Paige (@spanishdreamgirl) of ETCH Salon, Scottsdale, AZ. "This took a long time to get where I wanted, but the ...




"This process was your classic slow and steady wins the race," says hairstylist, makeup artist and model Ashley Paige (@spanishdreamgirl) of ETCH Salon, Scottsdale, AZ. "This took a long time to get where I wanted, but the integrity of my hair is amazing thanks to great stylists and great products."
Here she shares the journey:
JANUARY:
"The first process was done in January. "My natural color is a level 5 mid lengths to ends I was a 6 gold due to pre lightening. Hours before this before photo I had Redken Shades 6t+9t on my prelightened hair for a grey hair look. We used Pravana Color Remover to give us a clean base. Then the before photo was taken and this process began!"
HOW TO:
Blend 1 scoop Wella Blondor Lightener + 20 volume + 1/8oz Olaplex. A free handed balayage application was used, starting at the back working up in 1/4" sections. Process for 60 minutes, room temperature. Tone with 1/2 tube 10/6 Wella Colortouch for 10 minutes.
Color done by Stuart Macaulay (@stustustustudio), ETCH Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.
JANUARY TO APRIL:
HOW TO:
2 Stand Alone Olaplex treatments were done on the hair between services and Paige used the No. 3 at home care.
Stand Alone formula-- 1/2 oz. Olaplex No.1+ 3 oz. water.
Apply to dry hair and comb through. Process for 5 minutes. Do not rinse. Apply No. 2 over the top of No.1. Process for 20 minutes. Shampoo, and apply Malibu C Protein Builder Deep Conditioning Treatment.
APRIL:
"The next process was one at the beginning of April. This was to bring the blonde higher up, as my natural hair had grow out about 5 inches."
HOW TO:
1 scoop Schwarzkopf Blonde Me 9 level lift lightener with 20 volume + 1/8 oz Olaplex.
In foils, starting in back, apply color in free hand painting techinque. Keep one inch off root to maintain a faux root. Foils are used to produce natural heat for lift. Apply to midlengths first then go back to apply to some to the ends for brightness.
2nd bowl of Schwarzkopf Blonde Me 9 level lift lighter with 20 volume + 1/16 oz Olaplex.
Tone for 10 minutes with Wella 10/6 Colortouch.
Done by Lindsey Olson (@lgolson89) at ETCH Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.
At this time Amy Rudd at Dre's Salon in Scottsdale, AZ (@amyruddesigns) installed 3.5oz. 22" Virgin Indian Hair in colors #613 and #22. Hair provided by Sunny's Hair & Wigs in Mesa, AZ. "Hands down the best blonde hair I have ever used and I am an extension specialist with 7 years experience!" Extensions were applied using a flat weave technique with cold fusion beads.
MAY:
"In May, there were still a few inconsistencies in my own hair color, pieces of warm tones, and not quite as bright as my extensions. I formulated a base color and highlight to correct. Color applied by Teresa Young (@mamatesa) of ETCH Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.
HOW TO:
Highlights with foils applied first using a painting technique to lift any yellow still left in crown area and to lighten midlengths and ends in the front hairline.
FORMULA: 1 scoop Schwarzkopf Blonde Me 9 level lift lightener with 7 volume + 1/16 oz Olaplex.
Then apply:
Base color- 1oz 7.21+ 1oz Activator Colorwear by Alfaparf Milano
Process 45 minutes at room temperature.
Tone- 1/2oz 9.21 + 1/2oz 10.21+ 1oz. Activator Colorwear by Alfaparf Milano. Process for 20 minutes.
Extensions were then trimmed by Jillian Mac (@biglonghair) at ETCH Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.

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

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