Modern Salon
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

One on One with Luis Alvarez

Want to be a platform artist for a professional beauty company? Industry-leading hairdresser, photographer and creative director Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Aquage,  shares his tips here.

October 1, 2015
One on One with Luis Alvarez

Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Aquage

2 min to read


Want to be a platform artist for a professional beauty company? Industry-leading hairdresser, photographer and creative director Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Aquage, shares his tips here, in a column sourced from his active Facebook page and originally posted in the CosmoProf shopping guide.

Facebook Favorite

Ad Loading...

Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Aquage, is constantly in touch with salon professionals on Facebook. On his personal page, he regularly shares scenes from his and the Aquage artistic team’s beauty journey—samples of his artistic inspiration and vision, as well as interesting visuals from cross-country and world travels doing education and photo shoots for Aquage.

He’s always sharing and chatting with stylists just like you! Here’s an excerpt of a Q&A exchange on his Facebook wall from aspiring platform artist Karen C.

Karen C: Hi Luis, I want to know how you landed your first photo shoot?

Luis Alvarez: By being at the right place at the right time! But most importantly, by being kind. Someone asked me after a competition to come to a photoshoot (I didn’t know at the time it was for Cosmopolitan magazine).  I was just one year out of cosmetology school and didn’t even know what that meant. But, I said yes, with a smile…and the rest is history.

Karen C: If you could choose only one product for a photoshoot, what would it be?

Ad Loading...

Luis Alvarez: I’d choose our new Volumizing Fix Hairspray. It instantly creates that Victoria Secret kind of hair that customer’s crave. With this spray, you can do it all in seconds, without having to use any thermal appliances. It’s magic!

Karen C: What’s your go-to texturizer for all the amazing cuts and styles you create at the Academy?

Luis Alvarez:Transforming Paste has been my go-to product for 15 years. But, recently, we launched a new lite version of this classic. It’s an ultra-light, easy to spread, creamier formulation. I’m sure the new Transforming Paste Lite will become another

stylist favorite. It’s perfect for texturizing short fine hair and even medium to long lengths because it has half the grip and twice the slip of the original version.

Have a question?

Ad Loading...

Just ask Luis on Facebook!  Search for Luis Alvarez, Aquage Co-Founder, and join in the conversation. You can also follow Follow Aquage @aquagehaircare,  CosmoProf  @cosmprofbeauty and MODERN SALON @modernsalon for style inspiration!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Career

Ad Loading...
Michelle Bowden works on a hair piece on a mannequin
Career|Articles|Apr 15, 2026

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.

Ad Loading...
Career|Articles|Jan 9, 2026

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

Ad Loading...