
My First Time: A Razor Cut with Nick Arrojo
In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.
If there's a term to describe 2015, it has to be "on-demand."Mobile phones have made a huge impact in customer expectations across the board. Netflix first gave us movies and shows in our mailboxes, and now Roku and Fire TV options ...






Instagram @blohaute
If there's a term to describe 2015, it has to be "on-demand."
Mobile phones have made a huge impact in customer expectations across the board. Netflix first gave us movies and shows in our mailboxes, and now Roku and Fire TV options made it so that we didn't even have to walk that far. Chains such as Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, Roti and more allow you to build and personalize your meal as they make it in front of you.
The beauty industry has started to listen. Vênsette and Glamsquad are NY-based apps that allow clients to order hair and makeup services to their homes, and more recently, Chicago-based Blohaute has popped up.
Founder Amanda Diedrich (pictured right) is still relatively new to this; she just started developing the idea in summer 2014. But already the beauty on-demand app is taking off, and it's not hard to see why in the current cultural climate.
"I started to realize how big of an inconvenience it was just to go get a simple, quick salon service," Diedrich says. She was working at a salon in the Chicago suburbs but had built up clientele in the city—and when the commute is longer than the salon service, the woe is understandable.
"Not many things in a big city are convenient," Diedrich says. "With Blohaute, you book on the app, have the ability to cancel right on the app, and you don't even have to make one single phone call. Not only that, but you don't have to even leave the comfort of your own home."
Diedrich points out that staying home is a major perk for many women. Moms no longer have to find a sitter, businesswomen can stay on their laptops through services, and girls' nights are easy to facilitate.
With city commutes come city accidents, and the weekend before America's Beauty Show in Chicago, a driver opened her car door immediately in front of me while I was cycling home in a bike lane. A trip to the ER later, I was generally okay but without the use of my hand for more than a month after—my right, dominant hand.
As odd as it sounds, I didn't anticipate how difficult everyday activities would be without being able to use my now-mangled right hand. Showering was a nightmare; with one hand, I never got all the soap out, and I missed spots. I could hold a blowdryer with my left hand, but I didn't have a hand with which to hold a brush. Painting my nails? Liquid eyeliner? Yeah, right.
Trade shows are extremely important as an editor in the beauty industry. I have non-stop meetings and events to cover, and I need to look and feel my best. I have enough to focus on without the distraction of realizing halfway through the day that I missed a chunk of hair when I was rinsing out my conditioner.
I set up a Blohaute appointment and met Amanda the morning of the trade show to have my hair done. I told her how excited I was to have my hair properly washed for the first time in a week (two hands > one hand) and that I was hoping the style would last all three days of the show. We had a brief consultation, and I told her I liked a little wave in my ends; I have naturally wavy-curly hair, and stick-straight hair just doesn't feel right to me.
All in all, the process took less than an hour, and a lot of that time was likely due to how chatty Amanda and I were. She used Fave4 Texture Takeover to give me lift at the root and hold. I went straight to the show after, and the style lasted all weekend, thank goodness. I didn't even have to think twice about whether my hair looked good.
Blohaute has a solid team of five stylists now, but Diedrich says they're growing every day.
"I'm a firm believer in not just hiring to have a big team, but rather waiting until we have the demand and absolutely have to bring on more stylists," she says. "I want every stylist to always have a full schedule and constantly be building her name as well. Plus, the busier the Blohaute team is, the more we learn and continue to perfect our skills."
And they are busy; in addition to contributing to desireehartsock.com and a partnership with Fave4, Diedrich is manning a blossoming Instagram account and following. Blohaute currently has 35,800 followers, and Diedrich is a big advocate of the platform as a business-builder.
"I truly believe social media is a hairstylist's/beauty brand's best friend," she says. "Especially Pinterest and Instagram. Being a beauty brand, I strive to really showcase the work that Blohaute does, and nothing says it better than a picture."
Blohaute offers blowouts, braids, updos and keratin treatments. For more info, download the Blohaute app or visit blohaute.com, and take a look at some of our favorite Blohaute looks below!
[[photogallery:30640]]

In an anniversary year for the Arrojo NYC brand, on an early Monday morning, Nick Arrojo used a razor on my hair. And I liked it.

Join us in congratulating this year's list of hardworking, game-changing individuals.

With more than four decades in the industry, hairdresser and MODE Education founder Stan Newton has built a career around the art and discipline of cutting hair, learning the rules so he can break them.

Ashley Leoncini believes success in beauty is built through genuine connection, resourcefulness and the willingness to evolve. A bridal specialist with 17 years in the industry, Leoncini has created a career by making clients feel valued, investing in hands-on education and redefining success to include a healthier work-life balance.

Able to create a shag with gorgeous texture on anyone, Stephanie Carrillo has found her calling within the beauty industry. Now she teaches shag cutting techniques herself, inspiring countless other stylists to fall in love with creating the popular look.

When you think of Stephanie Geib, think bold color. Think beautiful dimension. Think...your hairstylist best friend. As a 2017 Honoree of the MODERN SALON 100, Geib is the perfect example of being a positive force in the beauty industry, advising that being kind to others and sharing your knowledge is the real success.

Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.

Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.

Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.

North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.

For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.

Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.

Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.

For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.

Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.

Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.

For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.