
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.
Michelle Zapanta (@michelle.zapanta), a stylist at Salon 25 (a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon), Cypress, CA, had a client looking for the very on trend silver finish. "She actually had to come in to get her hair lightened twice before since we ...

Michelle Zapanta (@michelle.zapanta), a stylist at Salon 25 (a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon), Cypress, CA, had a client looking for the very on trend silver finish. "She actually had to come in to get her hair lightened twice before since we had to make sure we get as much of the yellow out as possible," says Zapanta. "We actually did a test strand first to make sure that her hair is ready to go silver/gray. By the third visit she had about an inch of regrowth with a natural level 2. The canvas was sitting at a level 9 from the previous lightening. Also her previous toner faded out so her hair had some yellow tones in it."
Here she shares the HOW TO:
Step 1: For the regrowth area apply Paul Mitchell Synchro Lift with 30 volume cream. "The reason why I used 30 vol was because I add about 7 drops of coconut oil which would dilute the lightener. Her scalp got really itchy last time so we used coconut oil in the lightener and she said she didn't feel itchy or any kind of discomfort" Feather in the lightener to prevent any line of demarcation. Lift to a level 9.
Step 2: After processing apply Awapuhi Kera Triplex Treatment to restore the hair and prep for toning.
Step 3: Tone with UTP and 10 volume Clear for about 15 minutes processing to a very pale yellow. Shampoo and dry the hair.
Step 4: Tone to the Silver/Gray using Paul Mitchell The Color UTP+UTA+8A+20 volume and for the Ash Gray Balayage parts we went in with 8A+20 Vol. Process for the full 35 minutes.
Step 5: Shampoo and then apply PM Shine 9A for 10 minutes. Finish with a Paul Mitchell Marula Oil blowout.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

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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!
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