
How to Build a Sustainable Beauty Career Without Burning 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.
Lauren Grzeszczak found her power as an artist when her salon switched to IGORA VIBRANCE® demi-permanent hair color and the rest of the Schwarzkopf Professional® line. Get all the details on her journey, as well as this ravishing red refresh.


The vibrance, creative options, customizability and ease of Schwarzkopf Professional® IGORA VIBRANCE® demi-permanent hair color and the rest of the Schwarzkopf Professional® line gave Lauren Grzeszczak the power to create the color her clients crave. Hair: Lauren Grzeszczak @Designbehindachair)
Lauren Grzeszczak’s passion for hair color is limitless. But the Master Stylist at Cactus Salon in Commack, NY was frustrated with her salon’s color lines—she felt they did not allow her to deliver the highest quality results. “I felt powerless as a colorist,” she admits. Then Lauren and the rest of the pros in the Cactus Salon group got exciting news. The salon was switching to the ultra-versatile IGORA VIBRANCE® demi-permanents, along with the rest of Schwarzkopf Professional® hair color. “I was very excited and ready!” says Lauren, “because Schwarzkopf Professional® is a ‘true colorist’ line.”

“Using Schwarzkopf Professional® IGORA VIBRANCE® has makes me feel much more confident about promising an ideal end result to my clients,” says Lauren Grzeszczak.
COLORING WITH PRIDE AND CONFIDENCE
The results of working with IGORA VIBRANCE® demi-permanents, she says, have exceeded her expectations. “I love that IGORA VIBRANCE® is just that—vibrant,” she says. “I know that when I use it, I can expect true-to-tone color as well as thorough pigmentation and incredible shine. I love that I can choose to use a gel or a cream depending on the consistency I need for what I’m looking to achieve. I also love that IGORA VIBRANCE® has such fantastic grey coverage while simultaneously making the hair feel soft and full of shine.”
One of Lauren’s “pain points” with the previous lines was the quality of the chocolate tones. “That was really something the other lines were lacking,” she notes. “But with IGORA VIBRANCE® the chocolate tones are stunning--the best I’ve ever worked with!”
Ultimately, she says, “I felt so often that I needed something which did not exist within the other lines’ capabilities. Switching to IGORA VIBRANCE® has completely erased that issue for me and using Schwarzkopf Professional® has made me feel much more confident about promising an ideal end result to my clients.”
CLIENT SATISFACTION
Even though clients are typically unaware of the type of color used in the salon, clients at Cactus Salons have responded positively to Schwarzkopf Professional®. “I find the longevity of IGORA VIBRANCE® to be a major upgrade and a huge benefit,” says Lauren. “For my clients with extremely thick hair, even leaving our previous demi on for 15+ minutes wouldn’t fully penetrate the cuticle and it washed out after a few shampoos. IGORA VIBRANCE® doesn’t do that. When IGORA VIBRANCE® does begin to oxidize, it still looks beautiful throughout the entire process and really holds onto its core pigment. With my last demis, my clients’ hair became dull and brassy by the time they come in for a refresh. It faded so much faster. They really see the difference! They also love the way it smells. Combined with my own enthusiasm about the switch, they say they feel they are getting a better-quality result.”
OFF-THE CHARTS VIBRANCY

Before and After (hair by Lauren Grzeszczak @Designbehindachair)
Vibrancy is a hallmark of Schwarzkopf Professional® color, and when it comes to the red shades, that vibrancy is off the charts, says Lauren. “I also really appreciate how easy it is to tailor and fine-tune the reds, to get exactly what I want,” she says. For this stunning red refresh, Lauren turned to the following formulas:
Root Refresh: IGORA ROYAL® 7.77 40g + 6.0 10g + 7.55 10g + 15 volume IGORA ROYAL® Oil Developer
Root to Ends: IGORA VIBRANCE® 40g 7.77 + 10g 7.55 + 10g 7.0 + IGORA VIBRANCE 1.9% (6 Vol.) Activator Gel
MAKING THE SWITCH
Switching color lines is a journey, and Lauren offers some insights into that journey based on her experiences with IGORA VIBRANCE®. “The upgrade was a no-brainer,” she shares. “My previous demis did not hold up nearly as well over time. One of the three I was using was much more translucent and I could never even think to use it to cover grey. Yet I can still achieve translucence with IGORA VIBRANCE® with proper formulation.
“Switching to IGORA VIBRANCE® was very straightforward,” she adds. “My only choices with the previous lines were mixing with a cream developer. Now I love having the choice between gel or cream, so I get the consistency I need for what I’m looking to achieve.”
Once Lauren embraced IGORA VIBRANCE®, moving onto the rest of the Schwarzkopf Professional® line was easy. “IGORA VIBRANCE® really compliments IGORA ROYAL®,” she reveals. “When I use IGORA VIBRANCE® over an IGORA ROYAL® color service, it stays true to the permanent color and also really enriches it. And when I use IGORA ROYAL® and IGORA VIBRANCE® on the mid-lengths and ends, I get a seamless blend that stays true to the color I’m looking to achieve. Having IGORA VIBRANCE® and IGORA ROYAL® together in my color arsenal is an absolute must for me!”
Ready to find your color power? Visit Youtube.com/schwarzkopfprofessionalusa

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.

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.