
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
Heather Lankford (@heatherpaigelankford), a Sebastian Educator on the Urban Team, works at Panther City, Fort Worth, Texas. When we saw this AMAZING transformation on Instagram we had to know more. Here Lankford shares the details on this first ...




Heather Lankford (@heatherpaigelankford), a Sebastian Educator on the Urban Team, works at Panther City, Fort Worth, Texas. When we saw this AMAZING transformation on Instagram we had to know more. Here Lankford shares the details on this first time client. "She requested to be blonde again," says Lankford. "And she understood it might not happen in one day, but she wanted to pursue with a color correction to get the most progress out of it and potentially be a step closer. She has BABY fine hair. My goal was to skip that awkward brassy stage and pull to some kind of blonde." Lankford learned that this client had been blonde for years and adds "It almost seems that no matter what you tone/ color with, gold just sticks to her hair. Lucky for her, it suits her well! Her old Stylist colored over her hair with level 4 brown permanent color 3 times. She told me that when she would get her hair colored, it would appear 'black' for a few weeks before it faded."
Here Lankford shares how she brought this client back to blonde in one service:
Step1: Lift all over with your favorite lightener and 20 volume, blended with Olaplex. Processfor 30 minutes.
Step 2: Rinse and apply step 2 Olaplex Mask. Dry thoroughly.
Step 3: Apply full foil highlights with lightener and Olaplex with 20 volume. Between foils apply Wella Illumina 8/69. Process for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Shampoo and condition with Sebastian Penetrait.
Step 5: Tone highlights with Wella Innosense 1 part 10/88 with 3 parts Pastel Developer.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic

Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.

Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.

Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.

From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.

From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.

This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.

Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips

Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.

These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.

Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.

Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.

In his new book "The Creative Mastermind," a writer and creative executive behind brands such as "Top Chef," "Fear Factor," and "Real Housewives," shares his insider knowledge for navigating today's chaotic content landscape.

Personalization is no longer just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae. If clients don’t feel like you designed and personalized the experience just for them, they’ll find a salon that does.

Ulta Beauty is always innovating to meet professionals where they are. Amazing transformations happened at The Salon at Ulta Beauty in 2025, and Ulta Beauty artistry and education will be everywhere you want to go in the year ahead. Come see all The Salon at Ulta Beauty has planned for you in 2026!
Sponsored by Ulta Beauty