
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.
The Keratin Complex KCEXPRESS Service has been a game changer for my business. KCEXPRESS is a super-fast keratin color sealing service that banishes frizz and leaves hair smooth and manageable.



Before and after the 15-minute KCEXPRESS treatment from Keratin Complex
You love doing hair and you love your clients, so what’s another 12-hour day six days in a row? Sigh. But what if there was a super quick add-on service that not only boosted your income SUBSTANTIALLY so you could work fewer hours, but also truly maintained and transformed every client’s hair color and texture? Sound too good to be true? Believe it, says DeAndra Giselle of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. “The Keratin Complex KCEXPRESS Service has been a game changer for my business,” she declares. “It has increased my revenueand at the same time, my clients get the benefit of locked-in color plus healthy, shiny hair. Every hairstylist, no matter what their specialty, should be offering this service!”
Less time in the salon but more money in your bank account? Do the KCEXPRESS math!
Thanks to the KCEXPRESS Service, DeAndra now works just three days a week (and never on weekends) and earns more than when she worked five days a week, 12 hours a day. Plus her clients are over the moon with the quality of their hair and hair color. So what’s the story? Let’s take a look.
SEAL IN COLOR, ELIMINATE FRIZZ
KCEXPRESS is a super-fast keratin color sealing service that banishes frizz and leaves hair smooth and manageable. It’s done after a color service, takes just 15 minutes and can add as much as $75 to the overall service charge. It can also be offered as a one-hour stand-alone service, depending on the length and density of the client’s hair. “There isn’t a single client or hair type that can’t benefit from a KCEXPRESS service,” says DeAndra. My clients are diverse—straight to curly and everything in between—and I recommend this treatment to every one of them. I even suggest it to my clients with extensions to protect their hair from heat styling damage.”

“Every color client in my chair gets a KCEXPRESS treatment,” says DeAndra Giselle, “and it has been a game changer for my business.”
15 MINUTES IN THE SALON
Here’s how it works. “If I’m doing a color service, for example,” says DeAndra, “I first complete the color service 100 percent, and that includes toning. Then I shampoo the hair with any Keratin Complex Shampoo, rinse completely and then lightly shampoo with the KC PRIMER. I do not condition the hair. Next, I apply the KCEXPRESS formula onto towel dried hair and blow dry until it’s completely dry. Finally, I polish the hair with a flat iron to lock in and activate the treatment.”
The most critical aspect of the service, says DeAndra is the consultation. “I believe a thorough consultation is what has made me successful with this service,” she notes. “Most clients have heard about keratin and keratin treatments but are often misinformed about the benefits and about what these services actually do. So I educate them on what keratin is, why their hair needs it, and how KCEXPRESS will benefit them based on their specific needs. Once they understand, they’re in. That’s why I feel the consultation is key!”
WHY KERATIN?
Keratin is part of the natural structure of healthy hair. It’s essential for hair strength and health. It also forms a protective shield around hair that helps prevent damage. But over time, due to factors like heat styling, chemical services, dry or humid weather, aging, and other extreme conditions, keratin can become depleted. This leads to dry, brittle, frizzy, and dull hair. Keratin Complex has developed a restorative ingredient called Signature Keratin that can repair and strengthen the bonds of the hair. It’s found in all of the company’s products. In treatments like KCEXPRESS, you first prep your client’s hair, apply the keratin treatment, and then seal it in with heat. A Keratin Complex smoothing treatment can give your client the benefit of soft, silky, shiny, and smooth hair that lasts from six weeks up to five months, depending on the treatment used. A keratin treatment can eliminate frizz, protect the hair from humidity, strengthen the hair shaft, reduce texture, lock-in color services, add shine, and increase styling manageability. Once you share this simple explanation on the importance, power and benefits of keratin, your client will be onboard with the treatment you recommend.
KCEXPRESS FOR DAMAGE CONTROL
“Every client in my chair going through a color process will get KCEXPRESS,” says DeAndra. “This is a standard I have created. Why is it important? Here’s an example. I have a client with wavy, natural level 2 hair color. She loves vivid color and wears these shades 99 percent of the time. She has been pink, blue, green, purple, and blonde. Although she changes her hair color all the time, there are long stretches between her appointments, which means I am starting over every time I see her. I must remove the existing color, then apply highlights or balayage and finish with the vivid hair color of her choice. This means her hair goes through the wringer, but it remains strong, long and beautiful. It’s soft and shiny and never feels gummy despite all the processing. Why? Because she understands that for these transformations to be successful a KCEXPRESS treatment is required!”
MEET THE ENTIRE KERATIN COMPLEX FAM
Once you’ve experienced the profit and benefit of KCEXPRESS, there’s nothing stopping you from getting to know the rest of the Keratin Complex family. Every product—including treatments, care and styling products—contain the Signature Keratin ingredient. Plus there’s a full range of treatment options for every type of hair and every need, including smoothing, straightening, frizz control, curl refinement, strengthening and repair, color longevity and more.

“My clients love KCEXPRESS,” says DeAndra. “They call it ‘magic in a bottle’ because they can manage their hair better, keep their extensions in longer and they notice their hair color doesn’t fade as quickly. This has led to more referrals and requests for the full range of Keratin Complex keratin treatments!”
It’s time to give yourself a raise. Learn how to earn more in less time with KCEXPRESS. https://keratincomplex.com/pages/keratin-smoothing-treatment-services

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.

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.

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.

This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.

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

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.

These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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