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SEARCHKATTIA SOLANO - Owner, Butterfly StudioWHY I CHOSE BEAUTY: “In Costa Rica, where I was born, my grandfather was a very well-known barber. And here in the US, where my family moved when I was still a child, my aunt used ...
KATTIA SOLANO - Owner, Butterfly Studio
WHY I CHOSE BEAUTY:
"In Costa Rica, where I was born, my grandfather was a very well-known
barber. And here in the US, where my family moved when I was still a
child, my aunt used to take me to beauty school with her at night-and I
loved it! I still remember the smell of the Queen Helene setting lotion,
and those crazy roller sets. It turned out she wasn't very good at
cosmetology and ended up dropping out, but I was lucky enough to use her
equipment, and at the age of 12 started my own ‘salon' at home, doing
hair and make-up for my family."
"I decided to pursue my passion and attended a vocational high school
where I spent all my time in the beauty department, doing every type of
hair I could get my hands on. My favorite pastime was giving the
football team crazy hair cuts-it was the '80s, so everyone wanted to
look like MC Hammer. It was fun and great practice.
Kattia Solano
"Eventually, I enrolled in the New Jersey beauty school, Artistic Academy, and in no time was hired to work at Depasquale, one of the best salons in the state. It was there that I got an education in the business end of the field, and at the same time learned how to be a platform artist for Sebastian. Six years later I had become a top stylist, and decided to move to New York City to pursue the next stage of my career, as an editorial stylist."
"In 1993 I began working for Frédéric Fekkai at his salon on 57th Street. I was able to develop my own style, and felt an even greater urge for success. After an amazing time working for Frédéric, I moved to the John Barrett Salon at Bergdorf Goodman to help develop John's education team."
"It took me two years to make the jump, but in 2001, Butterfly Studio opened its doors, operating out of my live-in loft space in a lower-midtown building surrounded by carpet stores. This was not a desirable neighborhood for our clients, and everyone thought I was crazy moving downtown from such an upscale salon. But I knew we had amazing clients who would support us no matter what."
"Two years later, we moved from our 1,500-square-foot loft space with six employees to a 5,000-square-foot Fifth Avenue space with 36 employees. Butterfly Studio became the flagship salon for Kérastase L'Oréal; and in 2007 2008, I worked with L'Oréal to launch the Shu Uemura luxury product line. This gave me the chance to educate some of the best stylists in the US."
"Our business continues to grow, with new opportunities each day."
Maya Smith, CEO, Founder and Creative Director of haircare brand The Doux, sits down with Nicole to chat about the brand's new Roblox game, My Salon Empire, inspired by salon entrepreneurship and celebrating all hair textures.
This global competition celebrates the artistry, energy, and creative PULSE of the professional beauty community.
Sofia Vergara, Lucy Hale, Alison Brie, John Salley, Brian Austin Green and more honored the best achievements in Science Behind Beauty, Health & Wellness at this glittering event.
Stress was the factor respondents blamed most often when their skin worsened, cited by 54%, followed by diet at 37% and hormones at 35%.
This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.
The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.
Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.
Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.
Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.
As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.
The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
