
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.
MODERN Facebook fan Katie Haddon, a stylist at Charisma Salon in Wichita, Kansas, loves creating updos. When she shared these six braided looks with us, we knew we had to track down the how-tos!
MODERN Facebook fan Katie Haddon, a stylist at Charisma Salon in Wichita, Kansas, loves creating updos. When she shared these six braided looks with us, we knew we had to track down the how-tos!
"I love doing updos that any stylist can learn to do and ones that don't take very long but look intricate," she says. "I always say: 'With bobby pins, a comb and hairspray, you can do anything!"
NOTE: It's always difficult to explain a braid without a photo for each step, but she did her best! Thanks to Katie for sharing!
WE WANT TO SEE YOUR WORK! Want to be modernsalon.com's next featured artist? Send your work, and info on how you did it (color formulas, steps on styling or cutting method, etc) to MODERN's Alison Shipley ashipley@vancepublishing.com.

TOP LEFT: Create a standard French braid against the head and isolate a 1/2-inch section of hair on the side of it. After you braid, take a tiny strand from the 1/2-inch isolated section and loop it through a bobby pin put through a strand in your braid. Pull part way through, then pull gently as it makes a loop until it as big of a bow as you desire. You can continue this in a spaced out fashion to show more of the braid or put them close together as I did.

TOP MIDDLE: Leave out the front half side of hair, put the rest up in high ponytail. Start a French braid with the part you left out and, with each section you add in, begin adding in a slice of the ponytail to the braid. When you run out of hair from the front section, still keep adding hair from the ponytail as you round around the head and finish by tucking the braid in on the top where you started. No one will be able to see where you started or ended!

TOP RIGHT: This is a basic fishtail braid but French style! Split the hair in half diagonally across the back and begin on the top right section. French braid across to the left ear and then start incorporating the bottom section. Continue across, tuck in the end and bobby pin.

BOTTOM LEFT: Begin by backcombing the top middle section, twist sides back into middle, section off under the poof and braid Dutch style across the poof in the back. Bobby pin to secure. Twist sections randomly underneath the braid as needed to fill space.

BOTTOM MIDDLE: Section off the sides above ears diagonally, isolate. Dutch braid down the middle, secure as bottom. Pancake out the braid until it is big and lays flat. Twist the sides across the braid and tuck and pin under the Dutch braid at the bottom. This one is so easy!

BOTTOM RIGHT: To create this look, I backcombed the top, curled the ends, then looped the curls together, and bobby pinned as I went. Literally just tied the curls together loosely like you are tying your shoes but without the bow part. Keep tying random ones together and securing as needed. Tying them together makes it look more natural.
MORE UPDOS TO LOVE!

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