
My First Time: A Razor Cut with Nick Arrojo
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.
Salon Owner Nicole Strachan examined all her systems and thought about ways to integrate luxury into her client experience. Here, she shares her top tips.






Christina Saburro
Part of delivering a luxury experience is making it look effortless. Nicole Strachan, owner of The Vault by Nicole Strachan, is in the heart of Fairfield County, CT, in a community that is used to the finest of everything. So, when Strachan designed her salon, she had to make sure the experience was unlike any other.
Strachan decided to get rid of the things that interrupt a lavish experience, and highlight the things that "wow, heal and pamper." There is not a frantic receptionist answering phones…no mismanaged appointment times or wrestling with staff/guest communication or compatibility. Stylists are clear on the skill, time and tools needed to meet, even exceed, expectations and guests are at the center of a meticulously planned, personalized, lux experience.
“My inspiration was the old school barber/salon community where people came to socialize and connect, mixed with a chic, vintage, Vegas vibe where everything is taken care of for you,” explains Strachan.
Digital Consultations - Consultations start the second a new guest contacts the salon. They fill out a new client intake form (with current hair pictures and inspiration images) which saves a ton of time and ambiguity at the first appointment. At the end of each day, Strachan reviews, sorts and assigns each guest to a stylist based on the digital consultation, the guest’s expectations and skill level/personality of the stylist.
Personalized Experience – Each stylist interfaces directly with their guest which cultivates a personalized concierge type of experience. Guests are asked to prebook appointments and have a salon email address for their stylist for open communication. Without a receptionist, disruptions from ringing phones and click clacking of computer keyboards are dramatically reduced promoting a highly focused guest-driven environmen
Hair Health – A #1 priority, the extensive list of remedies ranging from In Common reconstructive treatments toMalibu-C detoxifying to Kevin.Murphy anti-aging/thickening to Davines Nauraltech healing – every problem has a solution.
Enhanced Value
A luxury blow out with a Freestylist Support System is included with all services. It’s a WOW factor, something new and cool that looks expensive and fancy that no other salon in the area has.
All new color clients are demineralized to remove mineral, product and chemical deposits that could negatively affect color results. Strachan also specializes in corrective color.
All highlighting services include an in-salon Olaplex bond builder treatment to repair/strengthen and add shine/reduce frizz.
Strachan is Invisible Bead Extensions, Habit and Great Lengths Certified. All seamless and great for adding volume to thin hair, correcting a bad haircut and adding length.
“I want guests to feel pampered at all times. Cultivating the personal relationships between stylist and guest builds a sense of community and trust. And, because each service is mapped out prior to the appointment, each party is 100% clear on all expectations of time, results, products and tools, that’s what allows us to go above and beyond delivering a luxury experience, while making it look effortless,” adds Strachan.
About Freestyle Systems:Freestyle Systems is a leading technology provider of patented health-conscious solutions for salons and spas. Their products elevate décor, aesthetics and function, as well as provide solutions to problems that can threaten stylists’ careers. The Freestylist Support System is the world's first and only weightless blow drying system. Thousands of stylists rely on it to reduce repetitive stress injuries, eliminate cord tangles and optimize blow drying efficiency for longer healthier careers.
Originally posted on Salon Today

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.