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The MODERN Artist Ellie Block: Believe in Yourself and Build a Career You Love
Ellie 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.
August 11, 2026
"Whether you can or you can't, you're right. You have to believe in yourself first!" — Ellie Block
2 min to read
- Ellie Block emphasizes the importance of self-belief and technical expertise in building a rewarding beauty career.
- With 18 years of experience, she is an Austin-based colorist who prioritizes education and meaningful client relationships.
- Her career approach focuses on gratitude and maintaining family-first boundaries.
*Summarized by AI
Ellie Block: Believe in Yourself and Build a Career You Love
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.
Artist Snapshot
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
Q&A
Three words that describe you?
Happy. Creative. Hardworking.
What's the best career advice you've ever received?
My mom once told me, "Whether you can or you can't, you're right." You have to believe in yourself first!
What's something you wish every beauty professional knew earlier?
You can create your dream clientele through social media. Utilize it! And always set some money aside to pay your taxes.
What's one habit that's contributed most to your success?
Being grateful for the life I worked hard for and used to pray for.
What's one mistake you see beauty professionals make repeatedly?
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.
What's one investment that paid off more than you expected?
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.
What's something you've changed your mind about during your career?
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!
What's inspiring you right now?
I love that people are embracing warmth more. I think it flatters most people's coloring, as opposed to really ashy tones.
What should our industry be talking about more?
Putting down our phones and talking to our clients and coworkers. This should be fun! I've seen too many silent appointments.
What skill will matter most over the next five years?
Communication and the client experience.
Karaoke song?
One last piece of advice for the MODERN SALON community?
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.
Topics:artist connective
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