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: New-Mom Red
Nato VanDine (@re_nato_v) of Bardo Salon and Spa, Boca Raton, FL (also a Brand Educator for Wella Professionals) had a fun opportunity with a friend."She recently had a child and was dealing with some regrowth and brassy ends," VanDine ...
June 9, 2015
3 min to read
Nato VanDine (@re_nato_v) of Bardo Salon and Spa, Boca Raton, FL (also a Brand Educator for Wella Professionals) had a fun opportunity with a friend.
"She recently had a child and was dealing with some regrowth and brassy ends," VanDine says. "She has always been a fan of reds in every tonal family but acknowledged that the maintenance and upkeep on reds for a new mom could be daunting. Luckily, I am also a HUGE fan of reds and we both decided to go for it, taking into consideration her new lifestyle."
Both VanDine and the new mom decided that a sombre would be best for maintenance and time. "Her ends were already close a to a level 7 (and 8 in some areas) so I just needed to go in and blend her root and mid-shaft to her ends," VanDine says. "For this to be achieved with the softest results, I chose to use the balayage technique."
Get the color: Balayaged red
STEP 1: Using Wella Blondor Soft Blonde Cream and 3% (10 volume) Koleston Creme Developer in a 1:1 ratio, take 2-inch wide sections that were 1-inch deep starting at the nape up into the occipital in a very loose bricklayer pattern. "On most sections, I created a V-shape with the corner of my brush from the mid-shaft to ends, only saturating the very ends on every other section, and feathered up into the root from the mid-shaft using any excess lighter left on the brush," VanDine says. "Wherever there was too much negative space, I would turn the brush horizontal and feather the lightener up to blend. Above the occipital, I took larger partings and feathered the lightener to about 2.5 inches from her root."
Step 2: Process for 35 minutes in open air with no heat. "That resulted in very coppery highlights, creating a perfect canvas for our end result," VanDine says. "This was largely made possible by the density of her hair and the fact that I only saturated the top of each section, using tension from pulling on her ends to place the lightener."
Step 3: Shampoo with Wella Brilliance for Color Treated Fine/Normal Hair. Follow with Wella Color Post Treatment for 5 minutes. Towel dry.
Step 4: On towel-dry (damp; not soaking wet) hair apply Wella Color Touch 66/45 (6/Red Violet) with 4% (13 volume) Color Touch Emulsion (developer) from root to newly lightened mid-shaft. (All Color Touch in 1:2 ratio.) "This gently softened and saturated her root without changing her level drastically," VanDine says. Process for 10 minutes before applying second formula.
Step 5: Leaving an inch between the newly lightened hair and ends, apply Color Touch with 77/44 (7/Red Red) 1.9% (6 volume) Color Touch Emulsion, pulling through to the ends. After this is complete, turn the brush vertically and feather the second formula into the first to blend. (Total processing time: 25 minutes from start.)
Step 6: Wet and emulsify for 5 minutes. Rinse until water is clear. Do not shampoo. Finish with Wella Color Post Treatment for 5 minutes. Rinse, towel dry, trim and blowdry with Wella Velvet Amplifier and finish with Wella Mirror Polish Serum.
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