
How to Build a Sustainable Beauty Career Without Burning Out
LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.
Brittany Fritchley (@britts_hair__art) of Exclusive Beauty Salon in Stockton, CA. says she is "not your average hair stylist. I see myself as a non-conventional colorist who likes to break the rules. Not everyone would go about this color ...


BEFORE
Brittany Fritchley (@britts_hair__art) of Exclusive Beauty Salon in Stockton, CA. says she is "not your average hair stylist. I see myself as a non-conventional colorist who likes to break the rules. Not everyone would go about this color the same as I did. But thats the beauty of this business/industry, there is no right or wrong, everyone's talents and past experiences with hair make them the stylist they are today."
Fritchley has doing this client's hair for about 5 years now. "This client was a virgin to color just 2 short years ago," she says. "With her natural level 5, I slowly took her lighter and lighter. The first few times I colored her hair we started subtle with just heavy highlights all over with a low volume developer. We then turned those highlights into an Ombre for lower maintenance. Just 3 months ago she came in wanting something wild and I couldn't wait! We deepend her base with a beautiful deep dark plum color (Pravana 5.7 mixed with Pravana 4.4) and then followed her ends up with a few different tones of purple. We both fell in love. Now, 3 months later we were left with all the purple washed out and her base now a washed out level 6 or 7 with gold and red undertones. Last week she came in wanting something different, high fashion, something created just for her, that no one else could have."
According to Fritchley, having the purple in her hair made her more adventurous for the 2nd round. "She came to me with no idea on what she wanted but insisted on going as light as possible so she could play with all the fashion colors down the line if she wanted. I had been dreaming of all the beautiful greys, silvers, pinks and purples that I had been seeing all over the fashion industry so I told her I had something in mind. She fully trusted my judgment and left the rest up to me."
Here Fritchley offers the HOW TO:
Formula 1: Base color, 20 vol developer with Pravana 8.11 and ASH by Pravana
Formula 2: Foils, 30 vol developer with B Diamond bleach
Formula 3: Painted on, 30 vol developer with B diamond Bleach and 1oz 000 from Pravana
Formula 4: First Toner, 10 vol and Pravana 8.11
Formula 5: Second Toner, mixed 3oz. of Pravana Clear, 1oz. of Joico Titanium, 1/2 oz. Joico Purple and conditioner ("Helps the porosity or her hair, applies more evenly, and dilutes the color just enough to achieve the light color I wanted")
Technique:
Step 1: Create a T-part. Apply formula 1 to base starting at the darkest point (the back). Once fully applied, comb down 2 inches for blending.
Step 2: Apply formula 2 taking diagonal sections starting from the back sections. Lightly paint on balayage highlights to break up the base a little and move the line of demarcation up an inch or 2. Repeat with same diagonal sections in front with same formula (freshly mixed) and make sure to leave pieces out around the face to balayage later.
Step 3: After all foils are in place, free hand paint on formula #3 on all the remaining hair left our of foils and add balayage pieces around the face. "By this time I knew most of her color has had ample time to process so Formula 3 would not have to be on long. My goal was to go as light as possible but I did not want to risk the integrity of her hair. She has a massive amount of beautiful healthy hair and I wanted to keep it that way. That is why I chose to mix a lightener booster 000 from Pravana to help with a little extra lift at the end...breaking the rules!)"
Step 4: Process at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 5: While at the bowl rinse and emulsify. "She was still left with gold and yellow hues, which we wanted to get rid of because she wanted to prep her hair for fashion colors later on, like the pastels or neons from Pravana that she plans to try next."
Step 6: Shampoo well and prepare to tone to get the last little unwanted tones out before applying the final color. Towel dry.
Step 7: Generoursly apply formula #4 to get any unwanted gold and yellow tones out, making sure to concentrate it in those areas. Process for 2-3 mins and then rinse and towel dry.
Step 8: Apply formula #5 on damp hair. "I did not completly dry her hair before applying because she wanted her hair to still be considered 'in the blonde family'. We just wanted a light faint tone of the color."
Step 9: Process with low heat for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Step 10: Finish with Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Conditioning treatment for 10 minutes.

LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.

Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.

Sport Clips Haircuts will host its inaugural "Level Up Live," a first-of-its-kind virtual event that combines live haircutting education, career inspiration, product knowledge, and employment opportunities for licensed stylists and cosmetology students nationwide.

Orthopedic PT reveals three daily exercises plus ergonomic advice that can help salon professionals avoid the aches and injuries caused by standing, bending and repetitive overhead work.

Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!

Salon suite pioneer Karen Kaminski argues that the next evolution of independent beauty businesses won't be defined by beautiful spaces alone, it will be driven by smarter systems that help professionals spend less time on administrative work and more time serving clients.

At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.

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.

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.

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.