
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.
Learn more about secret obsessions and superpowers from Pravana's Color Collective Head Colorist.

With her signature close crop, flawless cat eye and always-stellar set of ten pretty pointers, Presley Poe has personal style, for days. A stylist for seventeen years, Poe is the Head Colorist for Pravana’s Color Collective, an elite team of artists. Her Instagram feed features gorgeous haircolor and style finishes, beautifully captured, and at over 73 thousand followers, is a sure-bet for colorists seeking inspiration. “Social media has been an amazing catalyst for my career but I didn’t even have an Instagram until I started working with Pravana,” says Poe. “It has been a great platform to elevate people.”
Here’s a little bit about a very visible presence in our industry who says that vibrant onstage persona is balanced by a much-more reserved and private side.
Born and raised: Shawnee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and I now live in Portland.
I would love to make over: Amy Allen from The Dead Files. She is always changing her look and I would love to be the one who did it for her next. I’m such a fan!
Favorite item in my wardrobe: I have a shirt that is basically one giant ruffle. It’s pale yellow and makes me feel like a fluffy cupcake in the best way.
My mentors: I have always been a loner in my 15-year search for mentor, until I found the amazing Michelle Chandler, general manager of Pravana. She took me under her wing and has shown me the way to success, driven with heart and passion.
My first tattoo: Let’s just say that I’m currently trying to figure out how to remove it.
My guilty pleasure: CheezBalls!
If I hadn't become a hairdresser: I would have been a mechanic.
The superpower I would most like to have is: Being omnipresent!
Every beauty professional should: Every beauty professional should do some personal digging and find their core mission as an artist, then try daily to personify that in their work.
Advice for stylist just starting out? Don’t give up! This can be a tough career choice and it’s only going to become more demanding. Take care in finding the balance between work and self-care, and don't pass up an opportunity to further educate yourself!
Most people would be surprised to learn: That I am actually very shy.

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.