
My First Time: A Razor Cut with Nick Arrojo
In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.
Colombia-born Nubia Rezo is a master hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product manufacturer.







*This profile was originally shared in August 2021.
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and a good time to get to know LatinX beauty brand founder Nubia Rëzo. A master hairstylist with more than 40 of experience in the haircare industry, Rezo could often be found with a pair of scissors in her hands as soon as she could walk!
Born and raised in Colombia, Rezo moved to the U.S. in 1975. As a young stylist, she was formally trained by well-respected hair educators from top brands including Goldwell, L’Oréal, Wella, Vidal Sassoon, DevaCurl, Ouidad, Aveda, Paul Sebastian, and Mazella & Palmer. Today Rezo has success as a salon owner, product formulator, and curly-haircare educator.
Rezo developed her own unique haircutting technique with her signature rezoCut. The V-sectioning technique is cut in a circular motion to help maintain hair length while delivering body, balance, and shape to bring out the natural beauty of the client’s curls. This specialty cut draws curly-haired clients from around the globe to visit her New York Cty salon, rëzo Hair Salon, established in 2020.
Seeing the demand for further education surrounding textured hair, Rezo began teaching her own curriculum at Rëzo Academy, a four-phase class structure featuring curl-specific cut, color, and styling courses. At the academy, hairstylists receive in-depth education on texture, density, hydration, drying methods, and the craft of diffusion.
Rezo also recognized the need for salon-grade products that her clients could use at home. She launched Rëzo Haircare in 2019 with four core products—Curl Control Shampoo, Curl Control Conditioner, Curl Define Hair Gel, and Curl Define Hair Serum. This 100% vegan haircare line is free from sulfates and parabens and infused with plant-based ingredients like the growth-promoting antioxidant, black tea, and aromatherapeutic Rosa Rugosa flower extract. The expanded line offers a lightweight, collapsible diffuser perfect for travel, along with a plush microfiber towel that cuts drying time in half while reducing frizz, breakage, and heat damage.

In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.

Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.

With more than four decades in the industry, hairdresser and MODE Education founder Stan Newton has built a career around the art and discipline of cutting hair, learning the rules so he can break them.

Ashley Leoncini believes success in beauty is built through genuine connection, resourcefulness and the willingness to evolve. A bridal specialist with 17 years in the industry, Leoncini has created a career by making clients feel valued, investing in hands-on education and redefining success to include a healthier work-life balance.

Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.

When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.

Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.

Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.

Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.

North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.

For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.

Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.

Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.

For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.

Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.

Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.

For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.