
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.
Laura Halasz, a full-time makeup artist at Yellow Strawberry’s Bee Ridge Salon in Sarasota, Florida, says working in a salon doing makeup gives you a great opportunity to build strong relationships with clients. Knowing what her clients ...

At Yellow Strawberry Salon in Sarasota, Florida, Laura Halasz retails about $2,000 a month in cosmetics sales. (photo credit: Richard Weintraub)
Laura Halasz, a full-time makeup artist at Yellow Strawberry’s Bee Ridge Salon in Sarasota, Florida, says working in a salon doing makeup gives you a great opportunity to build strong relationships with clients. Knowing what her clients want includes off ering a high-quality brand with built-in, broad-spectrum sun protection. It also means encouraging clients to get makeup touch-ups after any hair service.
“We have in-house contests for who can refer the most clients to me,” Halasz says. “Yellow Strawberry has a complete brow bar and lash extensions service, which can also lead to retail sales.” Here, Halasz shares her tips for success:
Always collaborate with the stylist or colorist so your team can demonstrate and fully refl ect your culture. “One of the biggest mistakes salon makeup artists make is not having a clear vision when collaborating with the stylists,” Halasz says.
Prior to applying makeup, be sure the eyebrows have the perfect shape to enhance the client’s bone structure.
Remember that highlighting and contouring accentuate facial features. Showcase the cheekbones and highlight underneath the eyes.
Never allow a client to leave the chair without color on her lips. Even if it’s just a gloss, it brings color back to the face.
To attract and retain clients, create the perfect environment with the most fl attering lighting possible. Ask the client what she wants—it’s critical she has a voice.
The best way to close a sale is to ask clients, “What is the one product that is going to make you feel confi dent?” Let them know there is a product that can do this, and show it to her.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

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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!
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