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SEARCHEllie Block believes a fulfilling beauty career starts with self-belief, strong technical knowledge and the confidence to build a life on your own terms. An Austin-based colorist with 18 years of experience, Block has created a career rooted in education, gratitude, meaningful client connections and family-first boundaries.
"Whether you can or you can't, you're right. You have to believe in yourself first!" — Ellie Block
*Summarized by AI
Ellie Blockknows that success behind the chair takes more than talent. It requires technical knowledge, patience, strong communication and the confidence to create a career that reflects your priorities.
An Austin-based stylist specializing in lived-in color and brunettes, Block has spent 18 years building her expertise and clientele. Named to the MODERN SALON 100 in 2021, she encourages beauty professionals to master their color lines, use social media intentionally and remember that life—and this industry—is supposed to be fun.
Name: Ellie Block
Location: Austin, Texas
Salon, Studio or Business: Image Studio
Years in the Industry: 18
Specialty: Lived-in color and brunettes
Instagram:@xoxo_balayage
MODERN SALON 100: 2021
Happy. Creative. Hardworking.
My mom once told me, "Whether you can or you can't, you're right." You have to believe in yourself first!
You can create your dream clientele through social media. Utilize it! And always set some money aside to pay your taxes.
Being grateful for the life I worked hard for and used to pray for.
Jumping into booth rental immediately after finishing school. Assist someone for at least a year, and wait until you have a solid clientele before making that move.
Color knowledge, inside and out.
Whatever line you're using, study it! This should never be a guessing game. You should know the outcome of what you're using.
Working weekends and late nights.
I stopped doing both because family comes first. It took me 10 years to get there, but I finally did it!
I love that people are embracing warmth more. I think it flatters most people's coloring, as opposed to really ashy tones.
Putting down our phones and talking to our clients and coworkers. This should be fun! I've seen too many silent appointments.
Communication and the client experience.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Do what makes you happy, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Life is short, and it's supposed to be fun.
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai
Entries are now open for the industry's most prestigious creative competition, marking the return of Nail Professional of the Year while celebrating the artistry that defines professional beauty.
Are your blondes feeling blah? Give ’em a lift with LightDimensions SilkLift Strong
Sponsored by Goldwell
If you can help a client in the early stages of hair loss, you not only help preserve their hair but also their relationship with you is preserved. We hear from certified trichologists on some myths, early warning signs, plus a launch that will help stylists support their clients with an easy solution.
Discover everything you need to fight frizz, seal in shine, and leave hair looking silky-soft all summer long. From cleansing to styling, each step of Aluram's High Shine collection helps deliver luminous, humidity-resistant results without weighing hair down.
Sponsored by Aluram
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LifeSpa leader Ali Yanez explains why strong mentorship, predictable income, meaningful recognition and the right work environment help beauty professionals build careers that last.
Aqua Hair Extensions educators Emily Duchenne and MacKenzie Moore chat with Nicole about a couple of the brand's extension options.
The FutureIQ™ biomimetic hair longevity serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula, powered by K18’s proprietary MultiVital™ technology, designed to simultaneously support hair retention, scalp vitality, and pigment longevity through biology-first intervention.
Sponsored by K18 Hair
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.
Whether a beauty professional chooses a commission salon, booth rental, salon suite or salon ownership, the common thread is having more choices than ever before.
