
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.
Modern Salon asks celebrity hairstylists about which decade had the best hair. Brig Van Osten, Suzie Bond and Amit Abraham share their thoughts.

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Brig Van Osten:
"Late '50s early '60s because there were so many new concepts. The glamor, the mod, the chic … it had it all.
Brig Van Osten lived in relative obscurity at her P!ay Hair Lounge in Simi Valley, California, before she was named the winner of Shear Genius 3. Since then, Van Osten has been traveling the country appearing at beauty events and on television shows sharing her magic and energy with fans and fellow salon professionals. For this session she decided to take two models and "Brig them out." The results are simply amazing. "It's so important that everyone know this is a team effort," says Van Osten as she looks around her salon and at the group of people that helped create the look. "And this is a great team."
Suzie Bond: "The 1920s were pivotal in the hair world-women cut their hair off! Since the freedom of the first bobs, clients started experimenting with color perming, setting and general fun!"
Amit Abraham: "The '60s. During that decade, styles were a work of art-literally gravity-defying sculptures."
L'Oréal Professionnel Portfolio Artist and top color educator, Suzie Bond, owner of Perfect 5th in Mooresville, North Carolina, has taught color trends and technique around the world on platform and in salon. This month, she worked with Amit Abraham of the Anthony DeFranco salon in Huntington Station, New York. Abraham trained in Israel, and in addition to his international platform work, he can be found at multiple shows as a key stylist behind scenes at NY fashion week.

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George Papanikolas: "The '60s. Vidal Sassoon revolutionized cutting and styling by bringing modernism to the medium of hair. It was also an economic revolution, creating a new definition of a hairstylist as someone who can influence business, not only through cutting and styling but in product development as well."
Joico celebrity colorist George Papanikolas successfully transforms celebrities, socialites and clients daily whether on set, on the road for Joico or at the Andy Le Compte Salon of West Hollywood where he is based. "My favorite transformation of all time is when I took Nicole Richie from blonde to brunette last year," he says.
Brian Smith and Sandra Smith: "I like the '60s. The hair was big, voluminous and fun."
Husband and wife team, and Matrix guest artists, Brian and Sandra Smith were named as two of the top 75 Educators of the Century in MODERN SALON, and have won multiple awards including the Canadian Mirror award, NAHA and the AIPP award. They have worked on various fashion shows, including Karl Lagerfeld, Moschino and Cesar Galindo.

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

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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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