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SEARCHThink back to the last time a little experimentation helped you discover the best approach to balayage, or that appointment when you trimmed a client’s fringe into the most perfectly blended face frame. What prompted you to try that technique? What influenced you to push your comfort boundaries?
Think back to the last time a little experimentation helped you discover the best approach to balayage, or that appointment when you trimmed a client’s fringe into the most perfectly blended face frame. What prompted you to try that technique? What influenced you to push your comfort boundaries?
We often hear how beauty professionals draw inspiration for haircolor placement through nature’s coloring of flower petals, birds or even the way the sun lights up a child’s hair. Photoshoots are inspired by music and culture, landscapes and skylines. And trends are triggered by celebrity, film and even the economy.
When MODERN’s team of editors and designers began the process of refreshing the look and feel of the magazine’s design, we took a similar approach—pulling our inspiration from what’s trending in beauty. We were inspired by nail lacquer lines, makeup palettes, swatch books and the clean design of salon and home décor. The process was eye-opening—and dared us to push our creative energy to the next level.
As the summer sun continues to shine bright, it’s tough to imagine that fall is right around the corner, and with it comes the annual rite of fashion shows featuring the latest in trend and design. Make sure you pay attention to what comes down those runways: Your clients look to you for cues on fashion and beauty—even at your clothing and accessories. So it’s important that you stay up on trends and continue to dress the part.
Twice a year, at Lux Salon in Fullerton, California, the team creates their own collections on models the salon brings in. “It’s been a transformational process,” says co-owner Wade Zylstra. “Our staff is paying closer attention to the trends going on around them. We’re seeing staff members change their own looks with patterned tights, new nail designs and color techniques. It’s incredible what small changes do to promote trend conversation with guests—it dares clients to try something different.”
For the artists featured in this issue of MODERN, the creative influences come from everything they see and experience in the world around them.
Cover artist Kazushi Yamamura draws influence for his extreme finish from art movements of the 1900s to the 2000s—looking at the futuristic, monochromatic styles of the modern era for hints on color diffusion.
Mizani educator Evie Johnson is inspired by primary shapes in and clean lines when she created her geometric silhouettes featured in Blended Shape Methodology—merging three dimensional shapes with precision haircutting.
And in Fashion Infusion, see how jcp salons Artistic Director Nick Stenson gets creative by looking at playful runway fashions and graphic-inspired prints and patterns.
As you get inspired by the talent and beauty on these pages, I encourage you to step out of your own comfort zone and experiment a little bit. The looks may not all be winners—but, as I’ve frequently heard in this industry—try to fall in love with the process and the results will come.
As musician Frank Zappa once said, “A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it’s not open.”
Anny VanDriel, owner of Be Rosie Salon and creator of Pricing Isn’t Personal, volunteered to share a pricing presentation to beauty school students a year ago, and ended up learning more than she expected.
From the launch of the Ulta BeautyArtist Collective to the evolution of Trendspiration, celebrating stylists is what The Salon at Ulta Beauty does best.
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty
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.
Beauty professionals should evaluate each service based on its popularity, profitability, and alignment with current trends. Conducting client surveys and analyzing booking data can provide insights into which services are in demand and which might be phased out.
LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.
Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.
Sport Clips Haircuts will host its inaugural "Level Up Live," a first-of-its-kind virtual event that combines live haircutting education, career inspiration, product knowledge, and employment opportunities for licensed stylists and cosmetology students nationwide.
Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
Salon suite pioneer Karen Kaminski argues that the next evolution of independent beauty businesses won't be defined by beautiful spaces alone, it will be driven by smarter systems that help professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients.
At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.
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.
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.
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
