
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.
Simply Smooth co-creator and global creative director, Doreen Guarneri, recently joined forces with stylist Mauro Palmieri and designed new looks to showcase Simply Smooth texture management.
Simply Smooth co-creator and global creative director, Doreen Guarneri, recently joined forces with stylist Mauro Palmieri and designed new looks to showcase Simply Smooth texture management. The vision was to unmask how Simply Smooth treatments can be used on all hair types and textures. These two new beautiful looks demonstrate Simply Smooth’s versatility.
“Not all keratins are created equal. When it comes to keratin, most people think only straight. Not true,” says Guarneri.
Simply Smooth keratin treatments and xtend maintenance products are designed to work with all hair types to eliminate frizz, add shine and reduce texture, but not necessarily to eliminate curl.
Thanks to Simply Smooth, girls with curls can reap the benefits of keratin enriched, healthy, hydrated and shiny hair.
To prep Ashley’s hair, we shampooed and conditioned with Simply Smooth keratin replenishing shampoo and conditioner. After the conditioner, on damp hair we applied Simply Smooth xtend keratin replenishing spiral gel and blew it dry with a large round brush. Next, we set the hair in a round iron set using Simply Smooth xtend keratin replenishing humidity shield aerosol spray. Curls were released to produce a very natural wave pattern.
If sleek, smooth and straight is where you’re at, let Simply Smooth pave the way! Simply Smooth keratin treatments provide safe smoothing and are designed to create the absolute smoothest surface and texture. Here, Guarneri and Palmieri shampooed only (no conditioner), using Simply Smooth xtend shampoo (Tropical). After the hair was towel dried, they applied Simply Smooth touch of keratin and blow dried it. Hair was then cured at 400 degree with a Simply Smooth cure tools flat iron.
Hair: Doreen Guarneri, co-creator and global creative director, Simply Smooth
Mauro Palmieri, Artistic Director, Simply Smooth
Makeup: David Maderich
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti of Roberto Ligresti Photography

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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