
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.
"With this client, it took about a year to achieve her look," says Kimemily Pham (@kimwasabi) of Excellent Hair Salon & Spa Inc., Fremont, California (@excellenthairsalon). "Her hair is a natural level 2, which she previously ...

"With this client, it took about a year to achieve her look," says Kimemily Pham (@kimwasabi) of Excellent Hair Salon & Spa Inc., Fremont, California (@excellenthairsalon). "Her hair is a natural level 2, which she previously box dyed black. She then tried to go blonde at some point. When she came to me for the first time, she had so many different shades in her hair. We took it slow, in 5-6 weeks increments, with a lot of intensive hair treatments in between. We finally reached our goal-silvery blonde with a subtle lilac tone." Here Pham offers the HOW TO:
Matrix Professional hair color formulas:
Natural/Starting level: 2 at the new growth. Mid-lengths and ends were a level 8 gold
Formula A (New growth, retouch): Matrix Lightmaster lightener + 40 volume developer and 1/4 Olaplex + 1 teaspoon of scalp ease.
Formula B: Matrix Lightmaster lightener + 20 volume developer + 1/4 Olaplex + 5 drops of the Matrix WonderOil
Formula C (glaze): Matrix GlossSync SSHV 2 oz. + 9V 2 oz. + 10 volume developer +1/8 oz of Olaplex + a pea size of 1A Matrix colorSync
Formula D (tone): Matrix ColorSync SPV 4 oz. + 10 volume developer + 1/8 olaplex
Step 1: Apply formula A to new growth. Starting at the back first and taking paper thin sections. "Be careful not to overlap."
Step 2: Process for 40 minutes at room temperature.
Step 3: Apply formula B to mid-lengths and ends at the sink for 10 minutes. Rinse well, towel dry, apply Olaplex N.2 treatment for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Apply formula C to the entire hair from root to ends. Process for 10 minutes at the sink. Then rinse well, towel dry and apply Olaplex N.2 again but do not rinse. Then blow dry hair about 90%.
Step 5: Apply formula D to the entire hair from root to ends. Process for 20 minutes at room temperature. Rinse well and treat with Olaplex N.2. Shampoo with Matrix So silver, condition, then style.



Client one year before

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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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!
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