
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.
You spend all day making your clients look great and helping them feel great, too. Everything from your technical service to your caring consultation to your professional product recommendation is focused on creating a great experience. This all ...

You spend all day making your clients look great and helping them feel great, too. Everything from your technical service to your caring consultation to your professional product recommendation is focused on creating a great experience. This all takes a great deal of physical and emotional strength.
That’s why October's Healthy Hairdresser Challenge, presented by sponsor Great Clips, is all about identifying what makes you feel great and replenished.
According to a 2014 Healthy Hairdresser survey of salon professionals, at least one in 10 hairdressers say mental and emotional health issues are a primary area of concern.
The Mindset Matters feature in the Healthy Hairdresser Guide shared strategies on using mindfulness techniques (like meditation, visualization, breathing exercises) to help manage unhealthy levels of stress, citing that one’s thoughts are proven to affect everything from moods to motivation to overall physical condition.
People who are emotionally healthy are better able to handle life’s challenges, build strong relationships and recover from setbacks. But just as maintaining physical health takes commitment, so does building emotional and mental health.
Spending time doing what you value can ease stress, as can improving your daily mindset. A simple first step is to find your “great”—an experience, moment, setting or activity that brings you joy or peace. Then, do your great every day, even when you don’t have time for the actual activity or experience. Visualize what you love, close your eyes and imagine it. Engage all your senses. If your great is a walk in the woods, then listen to the crunching leaves under your feet, smell the damp soil, feel the breeze. Use this me time to refresh and refocus.
Last but not least, share your great. Take the October Healthy Hairdresser Challenge at modernsalon.com/healthy. It’s an easy, five-minute process and will help you take time for great every day. 10 lucky participants will get a new Fit Bit from Great Clips.
For details, go to modernsalon.com/healthy. For more information and resources, sign up for the Great Clips Talent Community at salonjobs.greatclips.com.

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