Salon Apprentice/ Stylist in training

Job Description

Aura & Mane Hair Studio is looking for a licensed cosmetologist who is passionate about hair, eager to learn, and ready to grow into a confident stylist behind the chair.

This is a paid, approximately six-month training/apprenticeship position working directly alongside the owner of Aura & Mane. The goal is to extensively train the right person in our techniques, standards, client experience, salon culture, content creation, and day-to-day operations, with the potential to transition into taking your own clients at Aura & Mane once training is successfully completed and you have demonstrated that you are ready.

This is not a position for someone simply looking for a part-time job or salon assistant role. I am looking for someone who genuinely wants to build a career, develop their craft, grow a clientele, and become part of Aura & Mane long-term.

Applicants must currently hold a valid cosmetology license.

About Aura & Mane

Aura & Mane is a solo-owned salon suite focused on creative, dimensional, transformative, and affirming hair care.

We are proudly an LGBTQ+ safe and affirming space and are committed to creating an environment where every client feels respected, comfortable, heard, and free to express themselves through their hair.

Creativity and individuality are a huge part of the Aura & Mane environment. I want someone who brings their own personality and creative perspective while also being excited to learn the techniques and standards that have built the Aura & Mane brand.

What You’ll Be Doing

This position will begin with extensive assisting, observation, education, and hands-on training. Responsibilities will increase as your skills and confidence develop.

Duties may include:

Assisting during color, blonding, vivid, dimensional, corrective, and transformational services
Shampooing, conditioning, blow-drying, and styling
Color preparation, mixing, application assistance, and other licensed services as directed
Learning color theory, formulation, placement, sectioning, timing, and technique
Observing and learning client consultations and service planning
Learning how to create an affirming and personalized experience for each client
Preparing and resetting stations between clients
Maintaining sanitation and cleanliness throughout the studio
Laundry, organization, inventory assistance, and general salon upkeep
Assisting with maintaining a smooth client experience during busy or complex appointments
Practicing techniques through education, mannequins, and models
Participating in continued education and skill development
Gradually performing more hands-on work as competency is demonstrated
Helping photograph and film client transformations and salon content
Capturing quality before-and-after photos and videos
Assisting with short-form content for Instagram, Reels, TikTok, and other social platforms
Basic editing of photos and videos
Learning how to use social media to showcase your work, build a portfolio, and eventually grow your own clientele

Who I’m Looking For

Technical skills can be taught. Work ethic, reliability, creativity, attitude, and a genuine desire to learn are incredibly important to me.

The ideal person is:

Currently licensed in cosmetology
Passionate about hair and genuinely excited about this industry
Interested in building a long-term career behind the chair
Creative and willing to think outside the box
Excited about color, transformations, dimensional work, creative hair, and affirming hair care
Highly receptive to constructive feedback, correction, and coaching
Willing to ask questions and learn rather than pretending to know something they don’t
Reliable, punctual, and consistent
Professional and respectful while still having personality
Self-motivated and able to take initiative
Detail-oriented and takes pride in their work
Comfortable working closely alongside another stylist
Kind, inclusive, and comfortable working with clients of different identities, backgrounds, and styles
Comfortable with social media, photography, and content creation
Comfortable filming and being on camera when needed
Familiar with basic video editing or genuinely willing to learn
Interested in learning how to market themselves and build a clientele through social media
Willing to practice outside of simply watching services and put real effort into improving their craft
Able to receive feedback without becoming defensive and apply that feedback moving forward

Training & Growth

The first approximately six months will be focused heavily on training and development.

You will work directly alongside the owner to learn not only technical hair skills, but also consultation, client experience, professionalism, content creation, personal branding, and what goes into building and maintaining a successful clientele.

As your skills develop, you will gradually receive more hands-on responsibilities.

Six months is not an automatic guarantee of advancement. Transitioning into taking your own clients will depend on demonstrated technical competency, reliability, professionalism, client communication, consistency, and overall readiness.

For the right person who successfully completes training, the goal is to transition into a stylist position at Aura & Mane where you can begin taking your own clients, building your clientele, and continuing to grow within the studio.

Requirements

Valid cosmetology license — REQUIRED
Approximately 15–25 hours of availability per week
Reliable transportation
Dependable and punctual
Comfortable working in an LGBTQ+ affirming environment
Comfortable assisting with and participating in salon content creation
Willingness to learn, practice, and receive ongoing feedback
Genuine interest in pursuing hair as a long-term career

Compensation

Starting pay: $13/hour

Part-time: approximately 15–25 hours per week

Schedule will be discussed during the interview process and may vary depending on salon bookings, training needs, and availability.

A Note From the Owner

I am not looking for someone who already knows everything. I am looking for someone who wants to learn everything they can.

Im needing someone creative, passionate, dependable, and excited about the possibility of growing alongside Aura & Mane. You don’t need to have perfected every technique yet. You do need to show up, be willing to work, take feedback seriously, practice, ask questions, and care about becoming great at what you do.

If you’re looking for an environment where you can develop your skills, express your creativity, learn hands-on, and eventually build a clientele of your own, I’d love to hear from you.

Please apply with your resume and, if available, links to your professional hair portfolio and/or social media showcasing your work or creative content.

Pay: From $13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 30.0 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount
Flexible schedule
Opportunities for advancement

Work Location: In person