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SEARCHFor 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.
"I love seeing brides move away from stiff updos in favor of soft-drama styles with movement and volume. I also enjoy learning techniques from educators across Europe and adapting them into my own signature approach."--Angelica Tanta
*Summarized by AI
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. Today, she brings more than 20 years of experience to her work at Life Time Spa Lake Zurich, where she's known for creating beautiful bridal styles, balayage and customized color.
Named to the MODERN SALON 100 in 2021, Tanta believes lifelong learning is the key to career growth. Whether she's taking online classes from educators around the world, investing in continuing education or encouraging stylists to believe in their potential, she says consistency, curiosity and confidence are what turn big dreams into reality.
Name: Angelica Tanta
Salon: Life Time Spa Lake Zurich
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Years in the Industry: Over 20 years
Specialty: Bridal hairstyling, balayage, color and cutting
Instagram:@angelicaromanianhairstylist
MODERN SALON 100: 2021
Dedicated. Uplifting. Joyful.
My mission extends beyond creating beautiful hair, I want every client to leave feeling valued, confident and filled with joy.
Practice makes perfect.
My mentor guided me online even though we'd never met in person and spoke different languages. I practiced the same hairstyle over and over until I mastered it, and that experience taught me that dedication and repetition lead to excellence.
Never stop learning.
The more you learn, the more successful you'll become. Social media can also be a powerful learning tool. If I hadn't started my Instagram page, I may never have been nominated for competitions or connected with so many opportunities.
Making time to practice.
After my family went to bed each evening, I spent hours working on mannequin heads; coloring, styling and refining my skills. It became my favorite way to relax while continuously improving.
Procrastination and being afraid to try new techniques or products.
Continuing education and coaching.
I'm also always excited to invest in new tools that help me improve my craft.
The value of social media.
Following educators from around the world has helped me learn new bridal techniques, color formulas, haircutting methods and product knowledge every day.
Soft, romantic bridal hair.
I love seeing brides move away from stiff updos in favor of soft-drama styles with movement and volume. I also enjoy learning techniques from educators across Europe and adapting them into my own signature approach.
Supporting hairstylists' mental and physical well-being.
Depression, anxiety and the physical demands of working behind the chair deserve more attention. Encouraging movement, wellness and self-care can make a meaningful difference.
Communication and client experience.
Helping clients understand how to care for their hair at home is just as important as the service itself. Great communication builds trust and helps clients achieve lasting results.
"Dragostea Din Tei."
It's a fun Moldavian song I'm always happy to sing.
Believe in your potential and stay consistent.
That's the fuel that turns big ideas into reality. I never give up.
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