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SEARCHSee what a day in the life of an Ulta Beauty Elite Stylist and Design Team Member looks like! Follow Brittany Prater as she takes us through her whole day.
Brittany Prater, Ulta Beauty Elite Stylist and Design Team Member
Working at Ulta Beauty as an Elite Stylist is a lucrative career--many Ulta Elite Stylists achieve six figures each year. But did you know that the job offers even more exciting opportunities? For example, the Elite Stylist status qualifies stylists to apply for a spot on Ulta's award winning Design team when auditions come around.
Brittany Prater (@bee.hair.day) is one such member of the Design Team, which means she gets to travel the country for special projects, photoshoots, education, and events. She loves her fulfilling career so much that we wanted to see what a day in her busy life is like, particularly when she's working on a shoot! Join us as we explore a Design Team day in Brittany Prater's life:
4:30am: Time to wake up! Photoshoot days often have early call times. I like to give myself plenty of time to catch up on my socials before getting ready.
6:00am: Dressed, ready, and out the door! One of the cool things about traveling for work is spotting local coffee spots while walking to set.
6:30am: Time to grab breakfast. We always have the yummiest catering on set, including tons of plant-based options for vegetarian/vegans like me. The chia seed pudding is my favorite!
7:45am: Team meeting. We always have a meeting before we get started that helps us create an action plan for working on models and how we can support each other. This is such an important part for our team collaboration.
8:00am: Models arrive, let’s get to work!
11:00am: Time to check in! There are a lot of moving parts to these photoshoots. Checking in with production, marketing, makeup, wardrobe, etc., is the best way to keep things running smoothly.
12:00pm: Lunch Time! The vegan brownies are a must.
12:30: And…we are back to work! One of our photoshoot product must-haves is mousse. Prepping the models with mousse in the morning ensures our styling lasts ALL day.
2:00pm: To maximize our time with the photographer, we will often do a style and a set change for the second half of the day. This helps us get different combinations of looks to use.
3:30pm: Time to run out and pick up some supplies. We often will need certain products or accessories we didn’t plan for. Having a local Ulta Beauty close by is so helpful for last minute extras!
4:00pm: Snack Time, and yes…more coffee!
5:00pm: Polishing last looks, taking hairpins and extensions out so models can head home.
6:00pm: That’s a wrap! These are some of my favorite work days filled with teamwork, learning, and seeing work on screen that we can be so proud of.
7:30pm: Time to catch a flight home. I love spending time with my team, they are like my second family. There is something so magical about flying through the clouds and hearing the pilot say… “Welcome to San Diego, folks.” Can’t wait for the next adventure!
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.
