In this episode, we’re sharing our real favorite things: the hair products, tools, and everyday essentials we reach for constantly. From behind the chair must-haves to the random life upgrades that genuinely make our days better, this one is a cozy, chatty roundup of things we truly love (and would absolutely repurchase).

Just some honest favorites from two licensed yappers. 💬✨

Things We Mentioned

Hair Products

• Heart of Glass (incl. Beautiful Things Leave-In Mask)

• NaturalTech (Replumping Superactive, Renewing Conditioning Scalp Treatment)

• MINU

• Replumping

Hair Tools

• Bio Ionic curling iron

• BaByliss Rapido blow dryer

• T3 Aire 360

• Voloom

• Dom Dom velcro rollers

• Clips: Kristen Ess, SSEN, YS Park

• Bleach brush

• BABE brush

• Bay Area Beauty Engineer brush

• YS Park cutting comb

• Cricket XL foiling comb

• Davines disposable capes (discontinued — RIP 😭)

Beauty + Skincare

• IMAGE Pure Mineral Tinted Moisturizer

• Dieux moisturizer

• Cetaphil moisturizer

• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter swivel stick

• Dove unscented soap

• Thrive Causemetics mascara

Life Upgrades

• Bombas socks

• Kiziks shoes (with inserts)

• Pillow Cube pillow

• Paper Mate felt-tip pens

• Sugar Paper Planner

• Beats Studio Pro headphones

• The Comfy

Wellness

• Dr. Berg electrolytes

• Nello Super Calm

• Magnesium glycinate

• Vitamin D + Vitamin K

Books

• Fourth Wing series

Season 2 of Rooted & Rising is officially here.

In this premiere episode, hairstylists and co-hosts Quinn and Josie share major career and life updates, including moving to new salons, leveling up their education, and stepping into new creative opportunities since Season 1. This episode sets the tone for a new season focused on growth, professionalism, and real conversations in the beauty industry.

We talk about what inspired our salon moves, what we learned through the transition, and how those changes are shaping our work behind the chair — and the podcast itself. We also share recent career highlights, including working on an indie film set, advanced color mentoring in NYC, and international color education in Montréal.

You’ll also hear what’s coming in Season 2 of the podcast: more personal stories, thoughtful industry “tea,” client-focused conversations around maintenance, expectations, and pricing, plus interviews with experienced beauty professionals.

Plus, we introduce our Licensed Yapper merch!

If you’re a hairstylist, salon professional, or creative looking to grow personally and professionally, this season is for you.

If you’ve been here since Season 1 or you’re just finding us now, welcome to the new era.

Let’s stay connected: Follow the podcast and our IG @rootedandrisingbeauty, subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and share this with a friend who loves real conversations in the beauty industry. Leave a review — it helps more than you know. And as always, send us your questions, topics, or salon tea you want us to cover.

In this episode of Rooted + Rising Through the Beauty Industry, Josie Aldrich and Quinn Mattingly sit down with stylist Sam Vimbela, Quinn’s “same-day salon sister”, to talk about the first two years of life behind the chair.

Sam shares her honest highs and lows, from tough pricing conversations and busy books to the lessons she’s learned about client communication, active listening, and building consultation confidence. We also unpack how Gen Z is influencing the beauty industry through individuality, authenticity, and a refusal to “just do it the way it’s always been done.”

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why people skills > perfect layers in your first years

• How to build consultation confidence and lead conversations

• The Gen Z perspective on individuality, authenticity, and breaking salon stereotypes

• Common misconceptions about younger stylists and how they see it

• Real highs & lows: busy weeks, after-photo guilt, and system gaps with pricing

• A current Gen Z vocabulary list that “no man deserves”.

This is a must-listen for new stylists, salon assistants, and salon leaders mentoring Gen Z talent.

🔗 Connect with us on Instagram

@lighten.with.josie | @quinn_does_hair | @hairbysamijoe | @rootedandrisingbeauty

gen z hairstylist, new stylist advice, salon consultation tips, hair industry podcast, stylist mindset, client communication hair, early career hairdresser, beauty industry education, behind the chair advice, stylist growth journey