
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.
THE EVENT: America’s Beauty Show 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago, March 12-14. THE DETAILS: More than 70,000 salon pros and owners, students, educators, product manufacturers and more attended this year’s show. The exhibit ...









A model on the Hairtalk extensions stage on the show floor.

THE EVENT: America’s Beauty Show 2016 at McCormick Place in Chicago, March 12-14.
THE DETAILS: More than 70,000 salon pros and owners, students, educators, product manufacturers and more attended this year’s show. The exhibit hall contained more than 400 companies spanning the entire McCormick West Hall. Noteworthy breakout categories were ABS Nails Central for nail techs and the ABS Barbers Gallery, which featured dozens of workshops and education from a variety of brands.
MODERN once again hosted Healthy Hairdresser Day on Sunday; the first 500 professionals to come by the Healthy Hairdresser booth on Sunday received a Healthy Hairdresser water bottle and goodie bag. Additionally, MODERN hosted ColorFest on Monday to share techniques, trends and tips from elite colorists—plus research from our annual PROCESS supplement.
On Sunday night, BeautyBash was held in a ballroom at McCormick Place. Dancers kicked the night off, Nick Arrojo won the Jerry Gordon Salon Business Leadership Award, and models were presented on stage.
Other new and noteworthy events were TexturedHairFair on Monday, moderated by Michelle Breyer of naturallycurly.com, and the Great Beauty $how Buy Off $ale on Monday, which featured big product discounts for pros.
THE TRENDS:
RETRO
Sexy Hair, American Crew, Candy Coat Beauty Waxingand Beauty & Pinups all focused on era-inspired hair and vintage looks with modern twists. Classics like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley apparently never go out of style!
BARBERING
Last year we saw a big increase in men’s cut, style and color on the show floor, stages and in classrooms, but this year, many educators focused their clippers on women’s cuts. The barber-inclined booths also got noticed with larger-than-life presentations featuring DJs, motorcycle helmets, half-pipes and more.
EXTENSIONS
Keep an eye out for extensions becoming bigger than ever. For another year, this category made its mark on the show floor. Related brands focusing on hair health, thinning hair and scalp concerns also made waves.
SAVE THE DATE: America’s Beauty Show 2017 will be March 25-27, 2017, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
[[photogallery:35940]]

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