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.
by Anne Moratto
Holiday Cover Story: Winning Design
Luis Alvarez, co-founder and vice president/creative director for Aquage, explains the techniques used to create three grown-out haircuts that are trending this holiday season.
August 7, 2014
1/6
3 min to read
Last year’s holiday season was all about the pixie cut,” Luis Alvarez says. “What we’re teaching at the Aquage Academy and what’s trending right now are three grown-out haircuts where the internal lines are purposefully, strategically disconnected. There’s always a geometric structure, but the shape holds together without looking like it is a fresh haircut.”
The three cuts are the longer, looser pixie; a short-to-mid-length, tousled disc bob; and longer, looser, layers.
“The result is a casual look that is very modern,” Alvarez explains. “It dresses up well for holiday styling and celebrations. The key is that the stylist and ultimately the client will do most of the shaping during the finishing stage.”
For the cover model’s long pixie style, Alvarez, who is co-founder and vice president/creative director for Aquage, used a diffuser to allow the hair to dry softly and organically. Then he went back in to tousle and shape with his latest innovation, the new Biomega Freeze Baby hair spray from Aquage.
“We’re using hairspray as a texturizing product to make hair look effortlessly random but controlled,” he says. With the right product, it is easy to educate the client to use hairspray to style and get volume, lift and texture simultaneously; it’s easier for them to retouch the look when they’re out.
Alvarez emphasizes that the look still requires a great haircut with enough internal disconnection so hair will behave properly. “You can’t do it with a really clean bob or to last year’s over-texturized designs and get the same effect,” he says. The fact that Freeze Baby also “holds hair on contact” is also key.
“Freeze Baby holds on the first burst, without being sticky, so you can move it around,” he explains. “You lift the hair where you want it to be locked in, whatever the shape is. Freeze Baby incorporates a new resin system, new technology so that no matter how you use it, it’s going to hold hair but still let you adjust.”
To see Alvarez creating the MODERN SALON Holiday cover look, check out the video below.
Another trend Alvarez is spotting for this holiday season is all about creating simple, elegant contrasts that make a big impact. You don’t always need an extravagant updo or a lot of bling to craft a striking holiday statement, he says.
“Imagine putting up a blonde ponytail-based updo, but wrapping with a few strands of a black hair weft to accent your client’s little black dress,” he says. “Or the opposite—blonde wefts interwoven into a brunette design. It’s a cool, special-occasion look that lets clients dial up drama without a big investment or commitment.”
This holiday styling tip was inspired by a more intricate concept of contrast that Aquage Show Production Manager Nicole Gary developed for her NAHA-winning submission in the 2014 NAHA Student Hairstylist of the Year category. See two of her images in “Black Lace: Always in Season,” on page 56, and the entire collection at modernsalon.com/naha. Gary will also be featured in the NAHA winners portfolio insert in the September issue of MODERN SALON.
Excerpted from MODERN SALON HOLIDAY 2014, an exclusive custom edition with CosmoProf and Armstrong McCall to help salon pros plan and grow holiday business. See the complete digital edition at modernsalon.com/holiday.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Career
AI Won't Replace Your Voice—Unless You Let It
"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
by Anne Moratto
50 Smart Things Beauty Educators Have Told Us
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
by Anne Moratto
What Salon and Spa Professionals Need to Know About Skin Longevity
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.
Financial Educator Anna Manukyan Launches Masterclass for Early Career Stylists
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.
6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Heads to Austin: One-Day Beauty Business & Career Education Event for Beauty Professionals
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
How Michelle Bowden Had a Breakout Year (and How Other Stylists Can, Too)
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.
Ulta Beauty and Beauty Changes Lives Launch “The Possibilities Are Beautiful” Cosmetology Student Scholarship
This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.
A Path for Everyone: Great Clips Salons Offer Diverse Career Opportunities
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
Are Salon Suites Becoming Too Cheap? The Hidden Risks of Low Salon Suite Rent
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.
Magical Creatures: Why These Stylists Love Creating Fantasy Hair Color
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
by Anne Moratto
Keratin Complex Launches KC on Tour 2026 with Tabatha Coffey
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.
by Anne Moratto
Why Soft Skills and Client Communication Matter More Than Ever in the Beauty Industry
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.
by Anne Moratto
Author Daniel Cubillo Drops the Blueprint for Building a Career in the Content Arena
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.
What Custom Notifications Tell Us About the Personalized Future of the Salon Client Experience
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.
Beautiful Careers Happen Here
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