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 get men to try hair color
Don't assume men don't want hair color. Many of them will try it if your salon does it right.
by Staff
July 11, 20113 min to read
Q: How do you get your male clients to try hair color?
deb-gavin145
Deb Gavin:
"Simply put, most stylists never educate their male clients on their color options," says Deb Gavin, Goldwell's North American Guest Artist and owner of Fresh Hair Studio in Southampton, Pennsylvania. "Men tend to be afraid to ask their stylist about hair color so we just assume they would not be interested. However, there are three leading concerns men have with regards to hair color:"
"The first is, ‘How will my hair look when it grows out?' I share with them that there are many options and we can create a natural out growth by using the right tool, so they won't have a heavy line of demarcation. They also ask, ‘Will it look natural?' I tell them, absolutely, through proper formulation, like taking all or some of the ‘N' out of your formula, you can create a more slate-based color. They also ask, ‘How long will I have to sit in the salon?' With products like Goldwell Men ReShade, the color service can be done at the shampoo bowl in as little as five minutes. With Goldwell's Hybrid Foam Technology it looks more like shampoo then hair color.
"To enhance the male client experience, create an area that caters more toward them. Things like magazines geared toward what they like to read help. Men need to compete and stand out more then ever. The days of a power suit getting you by are gone. It's about having signature hair color and a more youthful look."
aura-friedman145
Aura Friedman: "There are several ways to introduce men to the wonderful world of hair color," says Aura Friedman, celebrity colorist for Wella Professionals. "Although women enjoy a distinguished look, everybody-male or female- wants to look and feel youthful."
"With men the most important thing is to look natural. There are a few ways to achieve that. One way is to leave the gray temples out and to start the color right behind them. The gray temple looks distinguished and camouflages color re-growth, allowing more time in between color processes. Short men's cuts can be tricky when it comes to coloring due to the fact they need more frequent touch ups. Keeping some well-placed grays in the hair can give a man's hair color longevity.
"Another natural way to blend away grays is painting in darker pieces. The best type of color to use for this process is a new Koleston Perfect color called Pure Naturals. It's great when coloring men's hair because their grays tend to be coarse and pull warm tones. "Another option is to use a demi-permanent color, such as Wella Professionals Color Touch. Color Touch is a non-ammonia, deposit-only color when used with the 1.9 percent (6 volume peroxide). It is best to apply the color starting at the nape, which will make the hairline appear lighter and softer - emulating nature. This works well on men because it avoids any lift in the natural color and the translucency assures gray blending. My goal when coloring male clients is to avoid an unnatural opaque or "shoe-polish" finish. The key to successfully introducing men to color is to be thoughtful with your color placement, considering their ability to maintain the color while keeping it as natural as possible."
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