
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.
Hair how-to’s for TV brunettes whose shows have had their series endings: Betsy Brandt, Jennifer Carpenter, Tina Fey, Jenna Fischer, Katherine McPhee.
With Breaking Bad and Dexter both wrapping up in recent days, we want to honor actresses who brought pretty brunette looks to the small screen in shows we won’t be seeing anymore except in reruns—and, in the cases of Breaking Bad and Dexter, in our nightmares.
Betsy Brandt
Breaking Bad

Betsy Brandt (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Stylist Sean James with Betsy Brandt
Compared to Walter White, Betsy Brandt’s character, Marie Schrader, wasn’t so bad. Celeb stylist Sean James had the privilege of styling Betsy for the series. Luckily, Betsy is still on TV as Mike Henry's wife on the Michael J. Fox Show. Sean’s styling how-to:
STEP 1: Distribute a tennis-ball size of Rene Furterer Volumea Mousse throughout the roots and mid-lengths.
STEP 2: Dry the hair thoroughly using the Rusk CTC blow dryer and a large-barrel Spornette Porcupine brush until you begin to form the desired lift and shape.
STEP 3: Taking vertical sections, wrap hair around a 1'' barrel BaBylissPro Nano Titanium curling iron, winding away from the head to form sausage barrels. Let the hair sit and cool.
STEP 4: When hair has cooled, loosen with fingertips and spray into shape with Rene Ferterer Vegetal Finishing Spray for a light hold.
Jennifer Carpenter
Dexter
and
Tina Fey
30 Rock

Jennifer Carpet (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Tina Fey (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)
WireImage
As Dexter’s sister Debra, a police officer, Jennifer Carpenter eventually had to cope with conflicting loyalties. Perhaps that dual affection was reflected in her ombre waves.
Liz Lemon brought a sexy vibe to glasses, wit and awkwardness—which Tina Fey, who wrote and played Liz, does as well. We didn’t have to wait to see Fey for too long; she just hosted Saturday Night Live’s 2013-2014 season opener, and her chocolate locks looked great.
Check here for Goldwell Lead Artistic Director John Simpson’s tips on creating a classic ombre look.
Jenna Fischer
The Office

Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer’s Pam is another comedy favorite who combined cute with smart. Here she is at a SAG Awards ceremony toward the end of the sitcom’s run. The side bun, still a red carpet fave, was designed by Bertrand W. of Tracey Mattingly. Here’s the how-to:
STEP 1: After blowing the hair out straight, angle a part from the forehead to the back.
STEP 2: Sweep hair sideways, and spritz it with a glossing spray while making sure the stays just a little loose.
STEP 3: Brush the hair from left to right, form a low, side ponytail and tease it to create a strong base.
STEP 4: Brush along the part of the ponytail to smooth the hair and give it shape. Secure with bobby pins, and repeat the glossing spray spritz to tame flyaways.
Katherine McPhee
Smash

Katherine McPhee (Photo by Marc Stamas/Getty Images)
The musical show didn’t run long for the American Idol runner-up, but she wore some great hair while it lasted. To create one of Katherine’s signature topknot looks, check out the How-To from a similar look crafted by celebrity stylist Ryan Trygstad.

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!
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