Alison Alhamed

Editor in Chief, MODERN SALON

As Editor in Chief, Alison Alhamed shapes the content and voice for MODERN SALON's social media platforms, digital channels and monthly print magazine. Alison collaborates closely with salon professionals, social influencers, brands and industry personalities to connect them with our community of readers and followers. As a beauty editor, public speaker and licensed cosmetologist, Alison was named one of Folio magazine's 13 Under 30 emerging leaders in publishing. She regularly judges industry competitions; presents on how to build a following on social media; collaborates with brands on photoshoots, marketing and advertising campaigns; and is passionate about the professional salon industry.

Alison Alhamed wrote

Tabatha Coffey Spends a Day with Matrix Mannequin Mania Winner and First Chair

Tabatha Coffey Spends a Day with Matrix Mannequin Mania Winner and First Chair

by Alison Alhamed

Wow, what a truly amazing experience I had at The Beauty Schools of America in Miami Beach, FL, visiting Matrix's Student Mannequin Mania winner Terell Gardner at his academy's member school. Not only is this facility incredibly beautiful, it's packed with energetic, enthusiastic and highly motivated students who couldn't wait for Terrell to claim his prize. Not only did he win $25,000 (OMG!!!), but he also won the chance to spend a full day with industry star Tabatha Coffey! How did he choose to spend his time? By sharing her with his school!

Winners from P&G's Student Stylist Competition at ABS!

by Alison Alhamed

Finalists from nine cosmetology schools competed on March 14, 2011 in P&G Salon Professionals first student stylist competition held in Chicago at America’s Beauty Show. The first place winners haled from beauty schools across America. First place winners for each PGSP category took home $1,000, education classes from The Sassoon Academy and P&G Salon Professional, a PGSP Stylist Kit and a first place trophy for PGSP’s Next Generation of Stylist Student Competition.

241 Hours to Go!

241 Hours to Go!

by Alison Alhamed

Someone once told me, beauty school students don't think in terms of weeks or days—they think in terms of hours... and, when you're 241 hours away from graduation, I've found that this statement couldn't be more true! That's right, guys. I'm 241 hours away from being a licensed cosmetologist (given that I, hopefully, pass my state boards!)! It's been such an incredible journey. I remember my first day—I was so nervous/excited/anxious to get going. I remember sitting in the classroom, looking around at all the strangers... never did I imagine that I would grow SO close to this group of people, and I had no idea how much I would learn!

Brushing Up on Make-Up

by Alison Alhamed

Renowned Make-up Artist Sonia Kashuk says taking care of your brushes and your case is critical. Here, she offers up some tips on how to properly care for your make-up supplies.

Student Day at America's Beauty Show in Chicago, March 14! See you there!

by Alison Alhamed

As an editor in the beauty industry, I very much believe in, support and acknowledge the power of the future generation of hairdressers—the students. As an actual cosmetology student, I crave, need and very much want information that will help future professionals to succeed in this booming industry!America’s Beauty Show, produced and owned by Cosmetologists Chicago, gets it too. That’s why Monday, March 14, of America’s Beauty Show is dedicated to students—full of education, seminars, panels and assemblies specifically for future hairdressers!

How Beauty Changed Clare Racette's Life

by Alison Alhamed

As First Chair's distribution has grown, so has its popularity--students and new professionals are reading the articles, passing the magazine along to classmates and other new stylists, and are sharing the information found in the pages of First Chair on their Facebook pages and blogs. One student, in particular, found the Beauty Changes Lives page to be of particular interest, and felt compelled to send me her story. And I, after reading it, felt compelled to share it with you... meet Clare Racette. NOTE: How has beauty changed your life? Send your story to me, Alison Shipley ashipley@vancepublishing.com, and I'll gladly post it. Be sure to send a picture of yourself and the name of your beauty school!

Just Finished Phase 3... One More Phase To Go!

Just Finished Phase 3... One More Phase To Go!

by Alison Alhamed

Guess what?! I just finished Phase 3 of 4 in beauty school! That’s right! I passed my written exam and practicals and am headed into my next phase. Phase 4 consists of two-weeks of final testing and additional practicals, and then, I head back on the salon floor to service clients and practice on my mannequin until I reach my 1,500 hours! WOO WOO! I can’t even believe I’ve already completed more than 1,000 hours in beauty school.

Videos! Meet The Winners of Matrix Spread the Love!

Videos! Meet The Winners of Matrix Spread the Love!

by Alison Alhamed

The six winners of this first-ever Matrix competition get to travel around the country for six months, all expenses paid, visiting schools, salons, traveling with DSCs, attending beauty shows and networking with the best of the industry -- all they need to do in return for the experience is to SPREAD THE LOVE! The winners will be receiving laptops, iPhones, cameras and all the tools they will need to be social networking, industry icons! Blogging, video chats, Facebook and Twitter updates, you name it, these six folks will be typing and taping their way through the next six months sharing and spreading their love for the industry.

Cosmetology in Trinidad and Tobago

Cosmetology in Trinidad and Tobago

by Alison Alhamed

Across the globe, beauty is defined differently by various cultures. How beauty is taught in international cosmetology schools is very different as well! We talk to Rosemary Costa, Pivot Point International Academy salon essentials division manager for Trinidad and Tobago, about what it?s like to be a beauty school student in the southern Caribbean.

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