Modern Salon Media was featured on the “Docu-Reality” show Jerseylicious this past week with a new episode appearing this Sunday, June 24, 8 p.m.   Representing Modern in each episode: ME! The episodes are about Modern scouring New Jersey looking for salons that best express that HOT IN JERSEY vibe. As we all know, New Jersey is “HOT” right now, so the timing is great.

So, since that first “Modern” episode aired this past Sunday, my phone has been ringing and my email box has been overflowing. Who knew so many people watched Jerseylicious! Turns out, it is the highest rated show on the Style Network, so the answer is: lots. Not only have I heard from my industry friends, but tons of non-salon people watch as well. My former step-class instructor is beside himself and my daughter’s college roommate now thinks I’m a star.

Okay….so here’s the scoop. For ALL of you who have been asking me about my Jerseylicious experience, I will fill you in. Well, KIND of fill you in. I signed a bunch of papers keeping me from sharing too much info, so I will share with you what I CAN.

Here are the most frequently asked questions and the answers:

ARE THESE PEOPLE REALLY HAIRDRESSERS?:  Yes…each and everyone working as a hairdresser IS a licensed hairdresser.

DO THESE SALONS REALLY EXIST?: Yes…and they are functioning. Highly functioning. Jerseylicious is filmed just a fraction of the year and these professionals have REAL jobs doing hair and make up.

ARE THEY ANY GOOD?: I have worked in the past with both Gayle and Anthony. Both are FANTASTIC hairdressers and knowledgeable , talented and professional salon owners. These two know what they are doing. That’s not to say the others DON’T, but I have not worked with the others. I do know that Alexa had/has a very successful wedding make up business in New Jersey.

ARE THE THREE SALONS PROFILED NICE (OR EVEN LEGIT)?: Yes…what you see is what you get. These are great spaces. Gatsby is a top notch suburban salon offering great services, ARS is a beautiful space with a great flow (love the yellow accents) and the Glamfactory is just adorable in a cool real factory building in the very trendy Hoboken.  It’s all so “Jersey”.

ARE THESE PEOPLE FOR REAL?:  You mean the big hair? The tans? The long, scary nails? The over- the-top animal print EVERYTHING? The tight clothes and cleavage? Come on…..it’s FUN! I sense these people ARE like this in real life and just add a little oomph for the show. From what I understand, the regulars get paid quite a pretty penny to be cast members and now get other perks like “appearance” fees, front row seats to things…etc. so that little “oomph” may be worth it!

HOW MUCH WERE YOU PAID TO DO THIS SHOW?: The priceless opportunity to represent Modern Salon Media.  Also, dinner was provided.

HOW WERE YOU SELECTED TO DO THIS?: It was the Jerseylicious salon professionals that actually told the Jerseylicious producers that “Modern is the industry Bible”, “Modern is the salon industry authority” and that “Modern is the most important magazine and website in the salon world”. According to the cast, if any magazine or media company should be invited to be part of the show, "it should be Modern"!  (I loved hearing this!) Fortunately for ME…I LIVE in New Jersey. Case closed.

WAS IT FUN?: YES YES YES. I LOVE salon professionals and hanging out in salons anyway, so it was a great fit! The whole process was fascinating. While I got the sense this can get a bit “long” for the regulars, it was a great time for ME.

FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT NEW JERSEY:

1.  New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S. An average 1,030 people per sq. mi., which is 13 times the national average.
2.  Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Redman, Das EFX, John Travolta, Sugar Hill Gang, Lords of the Underground, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifa, Shaq, Judy Blume, Arron Burr, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Frank Sinatra, Grover Cleveland…so many more…. all New Jersey natives.
3.  The light bulb, phonograph (record player), motion picture projector were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park laboratory. You’re welcome.
4.  It is illegal to pump your own gas in NJ, and it is (comparatively) fairly low priced.
5.   New Jersey boasts tourism as it’s second largest industry. While most of the Jersey Shore people are NOT from New Jersey, ALL of the Jerseylicious folk live and work in this lovely state.

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HOT IN JERSEY