Hair Stylist Resume examples & templates
Copyable Hair Stylist Resume examples
Ninety-one percent of consumers believe their hairstylist is a trusted confidant — making hair stylists more trusted than therapists, financial advisors, or even personal trainers! Behind the chair, we're not just cutting and coloring; we're building relationships that keep clients coming back for years (sometimes decades). The average stylist retains about 68% of their clients year-over-year, creating a stable client base that grows primarily through word-of-mouth and social proof. This relationship-driven industry has seen a fascinating shift lately, with the rise of specialized services like custom color formulation and curl-specific cutting techniques replacing the one-size-fits-all approach of previous generations.
The stylist's toolkit has expanded too. Beyond scissors and combs, today's professionals are expected to master social media marketing, booking software, and even basic photography skills to showcase their work. As salons bounce back from pandemic closures (with a surprising 12% increase in new salon openings since 2021), stylists who blend technical expertise with business savvy are positioning themselves for careers that offer both creative fulfillment and financial stability in the years ahead.
Junior Hair Stylist Resume Example
Mia Rodriguez
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8762 | mia.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/miarodriguez
Passionate and creative Junior Hair Stylist with 1+ year of salon experience and formal cosmetology training. Skilled in current cutting techniques, color treatments, and styling trends with a growing clientele base. Strong communicator who connects with clients to understand their vision while providing style recommendations that complement their features and lifestyle.
Experience
Junior Hair Stylist – Bloom Salon, Philadelphia, PA
March 2023 – Present
- Perform 6-8 client services daily including cuts, styling, color, and treatments while maintaining 87% client retention rate
- Assist senior stylists with complex color processes and chemical treatments, gaining hands-on experience with balayage and foiling techniques
- Conduct thorough consultations to understand client needs, resulting in consistent 4.8/5 client satisfaction ratings
- Manage appointment scheduling and product recommendations, generating $1,250+ in monthly retail sales
- Maintain clean, sanitized workstation and tools in compliance with PA health regulations
Salon Assistant – Luxe Hair Studio, Philadelphia, PA
September 2022 – February 2023
- Supported 4 senior stylists by preparing clients, mixing color formulas, and performing shampoo services
- Maintained organized front desk operations, handled phone calls, and scheduled appointments using Salon Iris software
- Processed retail transactions and restocked product displays, contributing to salon’s 12% increase in retail sales
- Performed basic blow-dry styles and finishing techniques under stylist supervision
Cosmetology Student Intern – Shear Perfection, Philadelphia, PA
May 2022 – August 2022
- Completed 300-hour internship providing hands-on experience in a professional salon environment
- Assisted with client intake, shampooing, and basic styling under supervision
- Observed advanced cutting and coloring techniques while learning salon workflow and operations
Education
Cosmetology License – Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
License #CL-123456 – Issued August 2022
Diploma in Cosmetology – Philadelphia Beauty Academy
1,250 hours completed – Graduated May 2022
Additional Training:
- Wella Color Certification (Basic), January 2023
- Modern Cutting Techniques Workshop, Bloom Salon, April 2023
- Men’s Barbering Fundamentals, Philadelphia Beauty Academy, March 2022
Skills
- Hair Cutting & Styling
- Basic Color Application
- Blow-dry Techniques
- Foil Highlights & Balayage
- Client Consultation
- Product Knowledge
- Salon Iris Software
- Basic Men’s Cutting
- Appointment Scheduling
- Sanitation Protocols
- Social Media Content Creation
Mid-level Hair Stylist Resume Example
Sophia Jenkins
Phone: (415) 555-8976 | Email: sophia.jenkins@email.com | Portland, OR 97214
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophiajenkins | Instagram: @sophia_styles_pdx
Creative and detail-oriented Hair Stylist with 5+ years of experience specializing in color techniques, precision cuts, and client relationship management. Known for building a 78% client retention rate through personalized consultations and exceptional service. Skilled in current trends while maintaining technical excellence across diverse hair types and textures.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Stylist | Halo Hair Studio | Portland, OR | May 2021 – Present
- Manage a clientele of 95+ regular customers, averaging 8-10 appointments daily
- Developed and implemented a new balayage technique that increased color service bookings by 32% in 6 months
- Train and mentor 2 junior stylists on advanced coloring techniques and client consultation skills
- Generate $7,200+ in monthly retail product sales through personalized hair care recommendations
- Collaborate with salon owner to create seasonal promotional packages, boosting off-peak bookings by 24%
Hair Stylist | Luxe Salon & Day Spa | Portland, OR | August 2019 – April 2021
- Built a loyal client base of 60+ regulars within first year through referrals and social media marketing
- Performed 25+ weekly services including cuts, colors, styling, and specialized treatments
- Assisted with coordination of 3 bridal parties monthly, managing tight timelines and special requests
- Maintained detailed client records to track hair history, formula preferences, and styling notes
Junior Stylist | Cut & Color Collective | Seattle, WA | March 2018 – July 2019
- Completed 400+ hours of hands-on apprenticeship under master stylists while building initial client base
- Mastered foundational cutting and coloring techniques while assisting senior stylists
- Managed front desk operations part-time, handling scheduling, retail sales, and client check-ins
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Cosmetology License – Oregon Board of Cosmetology, 2019 (License #OR95632)
Cosmetology Program – Portland Beauty Academy, Portland, OR, 2018
L’Oréal Professional Color Specialist Certification – 2020
Wella Master Color Expert – Phase 1 Completed, 2022
Brazilian Blowout Certified Stylist – 2019
ADVANCED TRAINING
Balayage & Foilayage Techniques Workshop – Bumble and bumble, New York, 2021
Curly Hair Cutting Specialist Training – DevaCurl Academy, 2020
Bridal & Special Event Styling Masterclass – Kevin Murphy, 2019
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Color Techniques: Balayage, ombré, foiling, color correction, fashion colors
- Cutting: Precision cuts, texturizing, dry cutting, razor techniques
- Styling: Blowouts, updos, bridal styling, thermal styling, extensions
- Treatments: Keratin treatments, Brazilian blowouts, deep conditioning
- Product Lines: Oribe, Kérastase, Kevin Murphy, Redken, Wella, Pulp Riot
- Business: Salon Iris booking software, retail sales, inventory management
- Social Media: Content creation, before/after photography, Instagram marketing
Senior / Experienced Hair Stylist Resume Example
Michelle Rodriguez
Portland, OR | (503) 555-8214 | michelle.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/michellerodriguezhair
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Creative and detail-oriented Hair Stylist with over 10 years of experience creating customized looks for diverse clientele. Known for building lasting client relationships that have resulted in a 92% retention rate. Strong technical skills in cutting, coloring, and styling techniques paired with excellent interpersonal abilities. Currently managing a team of 4 stylists while maintaining a personal client base of 175+ regulars.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Stylist & Team Manager | Fringe Hair Studio | Portland, OR | March 2019 – Present
- Oversee daily operations and mentor a team of 4 stylists, increasing overall salon revenue by 27% in 2 years
- Manage a personal client base of 175+ regulars with an exceptional 92% retention rate
- Introduced specialized bridal and event styling packages that brought in $43,500 additional revenue in 2022
- Collaborate with salon owner on seasonal promotions, retail selections, and pricing strategies
- Pioneered “Color Correction Clinic” workshops for the team, reducing color correction appointment times by 35%
Senior Stylist | Elevate Salon & Spa | Seattle, WA | June 2015 – February 2019
- Built a loyal clientele of 130+ regular clients through referrals and exceptional service
- Specialized in balayage, ombre, and creative color techniques, becoming the salon’s most requested colorist
- Participated in 2-3 photoshoots annually for salon marketing materials and social media
- Trained and mentored 7 junior stylists in advanced coloring techniques and client consultation
- Managed inventory for color supplies, reducing waste by 18% through improved tracking system
Stylist | Clips & Curls | Portland, OR | August 2013 – May 2015
- Performed 8-12 services daily including cuts, colors, and styling for diverse clientele
- Built initial client base from 0 to 85+ regulars within first 18 months
- Assisted with salon’s social media presence, growing Instagram following from 230 to 1,875
- Participated in quarterly continuing education to stay current with industry trends
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Cosmetology License – Oregon Board of Cosmetology, Current
Advanced Color Certification – Wella Professional, 2017
Diploma in Cosmetology – Portland Beauty Academy, 2013
Balayage Master Class – L’Oréal Professional, 2016
Bridal Hair Styling Certification – Beauty Bride, 2019
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Advanced Hair Cutting (precision, texturizing, razor)
- Color Formulation & Application
- Balayage & Color Correction
- Extensions (tape-in, micro-bead, sew-in)
- Bridal & Special Event Styling
- Salon Management Software (Salon Iris, Square)
- Social Media Marketing
- Inventory Management
- Client Consultation & Retention
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer stylist for “Look Good Feel Better” cancer support program (2017-Present)
Featured in Portland Monthly “Top Stylists to Watch” (2021)
Fluent in English and Spanish
How to Write a Hair Stylist Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect salon job starts with a resume that showcases your unique blend of technical skills and creative flair. As someone who's reviewed hundreds of stylist resumes for top salons, I can tell you that hiring managers spend about 7 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to call you in. Your resume needs to make those seconds count!
This guide will walk you through creating a resume that highlights your styling expertise, client relationship skills, and the special touches that make you stand out in a competitive field. Whether you're fresh out of cosmetology school or have been behind the chair for years, these tips will help you craft a resume that gets noticed.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and easy to read—just like a well-executed haircut! Aim for 1-2 pages max, with the most relevant information up front.
- Choose a simple, professional font (Calibri, Arial, or Gaelic work well)
- Use 10-12 point font size for body text, slightly larger for headings
- Include plenty of white space—crowded resumes are hard to scan
- Consider adding a small pop of color in headings to show personality (but keep it subtle)
- Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format (this preserves your formatting)
For stylists, a chronological format usually works best, showing your most recent experience first. If
you're changing careers or have gaps, a combination format might better highlight your transferable skills.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary is like your signature style—make it memorable! In 3-4 sentences, capture who you are professionally and what makes you special.
Don't say you're "passionate about hair"—every stylist is! Instead, be specific about what drives you, like "Precision colorist specializing in corrective work and natural-looking balayage who thrives on transforming clients' confidence through personalized color services."
Include your specialties (color, cutting, bridal, etc.), years of experience, and one standout achievement or skill. If you have a large social media following or portfolio, mention it here too.
Professional Experience
This section should showcase what you've actually accomplished, not just list duties. For each position, include:
- Salon name and location
- Your title and dates employed
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements
- Specific numbers when possible (client retention rate, retail sales, etc.)
Example of a strong bullet point: "Built a 93% client retention rate and $749 weekly retail average by creating customized home care plans for each client"
Weak version: "Responsible for cutting hair and selling products"
Education and Certifications
Our industry values ongoing education, so don't skimp here! Include:
- Your cosmetology school, graduation date, and license number
- Advanced certifications (Vidal Sassoon, Wella Master Color, etc.)
- Recent workshops and continuing education (last 2-3 years)
- Any specialty training (extensions, bridal, etc.)
List these in reverse chronological order, with most recent first. If you're just starting out, put education before experience.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger salons and chains use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers:
- Include keywords from the job posting (techniques, products, skills)
- Mention specific product lines you're trained in (Redken, Aveda, Olaplex)
- List technical skills clearly (balayage, precision cutting, razor work)
- Avoid images, text boxes, and unusual formatting
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume to demonstrate expertise (but only if you truly have these skills):
- Technical skills: balayage, foiling, ombré, shadow root, precision cutting, texturizing
- Business skills: client retention, prebooking, retail sales, social media marketing
- Soft skills: consultations, client relationships, trend forecasting
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling errors in technical terms (it's "balayage," not "bayalage")
- Using a generic objective rather than a targeted summary
- Including outdated techniques without showing you've kept up with trends
- Forgetting to mention retail sales experience (huge for salon owners!)
- No mention of client retention or rebooking rates
Remember, your resume is your professional introduction. Make it reflect the same level of polish and attention to detail that you bring to your clients' hair. Good luck landing that dream salon position!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Hair Stylist resume
- Active listening – putting away my phone and giving clients my full attention as they describe what they want (and don’t want)
- Conflict resolution – turning disappointed clients into loyal ones through problem-solving and finding middle ground
- Client memory – remembering personal details about regular clients’ lives beyond just their hair preferences
- Time management – juggling walk-ins with appointments while still taking proper breaks (something I’m still working on!)
- Tactful honesty – finding gentle ways to tell clients when their Pinterest inspiration isn’t realistic for their hair type
- Stress management – maintaining composure during busy holiday seasons or when running behind schedule
Hard skills for your Hair Stylist resume
- Precision cutting techniques (bob, pixie, layered, textured)
- Advanced color application (balayage, ombré, color correction)
- Salon management software (Salon Iris, Vagaro, Square)
- Natural and synthetic extension installation and maintenance
- Thermal styling for multiple hair textures (fine to 4C)
- Chemical treatments (Brazilian blowouts, perms, relaxers)
- Scalp treatment protocols for various conditions
- State cosmetology license with color specialist certification
- Inventory management and product knowledge