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
How To Cut Thinning Hair To Make It Look Thicker and Fuller
How often are you asked for advice by your balding clients? Androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss affecting up to 70% of men and 40% of women. Yes, there are fantastic growth products out there, as ...
February 16, 2015
3 min to read
How often are you asked for advice by your balding clients? Androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss affecting up to 70% of men and 40% of women. Yes, there are fantastic growth products out there, as well as great powder cover ups, but YOU are also in the position to cut and reshape the hair to make it look thicker and fuller. To best address this senstivie subject, you can actually begin with terminology. Andrew Carruthers, Director of Education for Sam Villa, makes it simple, referring to balding spots as ‘light areas’.
Here he offers tips on making the hair look thicker and fuller:
1. How to make thinning hair look thicker: "First and foremost, product is not an option, it’s a necessity," he says. Carruthers applies Redken Cerafill Dense Fx™ for thinning hair to his client’s wet hair. "The beauty of this styling product is that it plumps up existing hair to increase each hair’s diameter. The end result is like gaining 9000 more hairs! The product is applied at the scalp in the area where hair loss is evident and massaged gently at the roots. Then, it’s blow dried into hair using fingers, creating a more exposed cuticle, which gives the illusion of thicker hair."
· Begin in the crown and blow dry hair toward the back of the head with the Sam Villa Light Professional Ionic Blow Dryer with concentrator nozzle to direct the airflow
· With fingers, lift hair up and off the scalp while blow drying
· As hair dries, it starts to fill in and mask the balding areas
2.How to balance the dense and thinning areas: Most often the light area is in the crown and above the parietal ridge. "It's usually contrasted by density at the parietal and below, so it's important to use a tool that can visually balance the light and dense areas of the hair. The Sam Villa InvisiBlend Shear is designed to safely and softly eliminate density leaving the ends of the hair very soft and light. No two hairs are cut to the same length, which eliminates all cutting lines."
· Working with the teeth of the InvisiBlend Shear toward the head, go through the dense area to remove some of the bulk – the direction of the teeth influences the direction the hair moves
· The goal is to achieve balance of the dense and thinning areas for an airy look and feel
· Use a point cutting technique for cutting into the crown to avoid any blunt hard lines
3.How to finish thinning hair: "When hair is dry, apply a product with a matte finish and hold factor like Redken For Men outplay texture putty to accent texture and hold volume. Rub a small amount of product into the palms of hands and barely touch the top of the hair to apply product to the ends. Note: Don’t apply product on the scalp and don’t use oil-based products that can weigh hair down."
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