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
Nicole Rechelbacher: Healthy Habits
Nicole Rechelbacher talks about Intelligent Nutrients, a company founded by her late father Horst Rechelbacher to develop beauty products free of chemicals and toxins.
June 16, 2014
2 min to read
Nicole Rechelbacher
It’s in Nicole Rechelbacher’s blood to protect the health of the hairdresser. The daughter of the late iconic industry “ecopreneur” Horst Rechelbacher, Nicole is carrying on the mission of her father through her position as co-president of product development at Horst’s company, Intelligent Nutrients. Nicole says she’s been doing hair since she was 13 and soaked up the beliefs of her father, who also started Aveda.
Founded in 2009, Intelligent Nutrients develops certified-organic health and beauty products that are free of chemicals or harmful toxins and produced with a minimized environmental footprint. The skin care formulas contain plant stem cells and are safe enough to be edible.
“My father wanted the products USDA-certified as food grade,” Nicole Rechelbacher says. “That’s the only certification we have in the U.S.; there’s no beauty product certification. So ‘food grade’ certification really validates what we are putting on our body.”
She says that hairdresser health isn’t about feeling guilty about bad habits.
“Use a positive approach,” Rechelbacher advises. “Don’t get negative about any unhealthy habits, but think about what’s good about having healthy habits.”
For example, she suggests considering whether you’re breathing the particles that come out of your spray cans and checking the safety of the ingredients of the formulas you work with. Of course, you also want the products to be useful.
“We’re all about performance,” Rechelbacher says. “That’s why working with third parties makes sure we’re getting the best of the best. They go in and audit and make sure everything is done according to our standards and to their standards. We develop products for the user to feel good internally and externally.”
This month, Intelligent Nutrients is partnering with Oncology Esthetics to conduct a one-day Hair Care workshop on June 21 as well as a three-day Intensive Esthetics Certification program on June 22-24 for spa pros serving clients who are undergoing cancer treatment. Both workshops will take place in Minneapolis. For information on attending, go to the Intelligent Nutrients website.
For a salon professional, regarding health seriously, Rechelbacher says, means “looking at your own health and relaying your knowledge to your clients so that they can be healthy, too.”
See a video of Nicole Rechelbacher and Co-President/Creative Director Kiran Stordalen talking about Intelligent Nutrients.
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