In the professional salon world, the members of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team are acknowledged as embracing and celebrating diversity, sharing techniques and trends for every client to the more than 45,000 beauty professionals working under the Ulta Beauty umbrella.

MODERN gathered five members of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team to demonstrate some of the freshest looks seen on the floors of Ulta Beauty salons. Joining the MODERN photoshoot team in the Water Street Studio in New York City were Nick Stenson, VP salon services and trend; Ammon Carver, chief artistic director; Sonya Dove, Wella global ambassador; Sean Godard, Redken global artist; and Carmody Homan, Redken Artistic Squad.

Three models were transformed by the team with an emphasis on texture, color and style. For this collection they call, “Breaking Through Beauty,” models were positioned in a torn backdrop, strategically in Ulta Beauty’s signature shades.

HOW TO:
STRETCHED TEXTURE

“Many hairdressers use a micro-crimping iron to get volume,” Ammon Carver says, “but if you do a pre-stretch on a client with tightly textured hair, you will get the same effect.” Carver has found that this gentle drag along the lengths is a way to get that perfect editorial and moldable texture.

“But, you must earn your way to the roots by holding the ends of the hair in a brush or comb attachment on your dryer while blow drying along the mids and working toward the scalp,” he says. The goal is to maintain texture in the hair, but stretch the coils so they almost have the micro-crimped effect.

 “Do not smooth all the way,” Carver says. “I like to soften tightly curled hair just a little to allow it to blossom and bloom. Then you can play with shapes and move the hair around.”

For this feature, Carver smoothed the texture while keeping the volume, leaving enough size to create a fuller silhouette. A second asymmetrical finish was created by moving a hairpiece off to one side.

“I decided to add hair with the same texture to create an extra-dramatic shape and volumized effect with minimal effort,” Carver says.

STEP 1. Take large sections and pull out from the head. Brush from mid-lengths to ends; finish with a smoothing technique.
STEP 2. Create a jagged section, below the crown, parting from ear to ear.
STEP 3. Isolate the top and twist the lower section into a knot. Secure with pins.
STEP 4. Take a prepared hairpiece, and place over the lower section. Secure.
STEP 5. Take the top section, and direct over the piece. Style as desired.

HOW TO:

METALLIC DUSTY PINK
Pink hair has been having “a moment” for years now—but Sean Godard says to make it fresh there should be dimension and definition.

“Creating contrast makes pink modern,” he says. Godard keeps his pinks a bit more metallic this season by not diluting with Clear. “It’s stronger,” he says. “I like it smokier, relevant and dusty, not as soft as something I would have done months ago.”

STEP 1: Take a diagonal-back section working around the hair to create softening in the face frame
STEP 2: Apply Redken Shades EQ 010VV inside the foils from base to ends. This will create a brighter lavender blonde.
STEP 3: Apply root shadow formula Redken Shades EQ 06T to all remaining hair and between foils.
STEP 4: Color is placed as shown for a soft blend.
STEP 5: Apply Redken City Beats City Ballet Pink on remaining mids and ends. Process 20 minutes.

Hair: Ulta Beauty Pro Team members Nick Stenson,
Ammon Carver, Sonya Dove, Sean Godard, Carmody Homan
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti
Makeup: David Maderich
Fashion stylist: Rod Novoa
Prop stylist: Jen Daniels
Nail artist: Armani Je’ton

PRODUCTS & TOOLS
Color: Redken Shades EQ and City Beats
Hair dryer: Dyson Supersonic Pro
Brush: Curious brush by Nick Stenson
Stylers: L’Anza Color Illuminator spray and Lustrous Finishing Spray
Color brushes and foil: Framar
Hair piece: True and Pure Texture/Jasmine Coil
Fashions: Miu Miu top and See by Chloe skirt; Saint Laurent suit;
BCBG pant and Black Halo top;  Halston dress