Associate Stylist Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Benefits:

• Employee discounts
• Training & development

About F|S Cut & Color

F|S Cut & Color Irvine is a Redken salon and barbershop. We serve men, women, and families with a full-service menu — cut, color, styling, and barbering — delivered at a level of care that outpaces our price point. We call it affordable luxury, and it shows up in how the room looks, how the phone is answered, and how every guest is walked to the door.
Our team is built for people who want to grow. New licensees here get real mentorship, real education, and a real path to the chair.

The Role

This is a dual role built for a newly licensed cosmetologist or barber who wants to earn while they learn. You will spend part of your day at the front desk running the guest experience, and part of your day on the floor assisting our stylists with licensed technical work. It is the fastest way to learn this business from both sides — the craft and the operation behind it.
If you are the kind of person who notices an empty water glass, remembers a guest's name on the second visit, and wants to be trusted with real color work, this is your seat.

Guest Experience & Front Desk Responsibilities
•     Greet every guest warmly on arrival, offer refreshment, and communicate wait times honestly.
•     Answer incoming calls promptly and professionally; book, confirm, reschedule, and follow up on appointments.
•     Manage the appointment book — fill last-minute openings, work the waitlist, and protect stylist productivity.
•     Check guests out, process payments accurately, and rebook the next visit before the guest leaves.
•     Recommend take-home product with confidence; keep retail shelves stocked, faced, priced, and clean.
•     Respond to online booking requests, text messages, and voicemails within the same business day.
•     Maintain accurate guest records, including service notes, color formulas, and contact preferences.
•     Keep reception, retail displays, and the waiting area spotless and consistent with our brand standards.
•     Complete opening and closing duties, including cash handling, end-of-day reporting, and station readiness checks.

Salon Floor Responsibilities (Licensed)

•     Shampoo, condition, and perform scalp and treatment services.
•     Blow-dry and finish guests to a polished, photo-ready standard.
•     Mix and apply color and lightener under the direction of a senior stylist.
•     Time, rinse, tone, and remove foils; assist with color removal and corrective work.
•     Prep and reset stations, tools, and the back bar between guests.
•     Maintain the dispensary — inventory, labeling, mixing supplies, and back bar stock.
•     Sanitize implements, stations, and shared surfaces in full compliance with California State Board requirements.
•     Support the salon side of the floor as needed, including towel service and station turnover.
•     Take guests of your own as skills and availability allow, with manager approval.

Training & Growth Path

•     Redken education and in-house training in cutting, color theory, formulation, and consultation.
•     Assigned mentorship with a senior stylist, plus model and hands-on practice.
•     Structured progression to a full stylist position — hours behind the chair increase as your skills and book grow.
•     Formal check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days, then quarterly performance and progression reviews.

What We Are Looking For

•     Current California cosmetology or barber license in good standing. Licensure is required before performing any service on a guest.
•     Genuine warmth with people — you are often the first and last impression a guest has of us.
•     Comfortable and confident on the phone, including with a full lobby and a ringing line.
•     Organized and detail-oriented; you can hold the book, the floor, and the front desk at the same time.
•     Coachable. You want feedback and you act on it.
•     Reliable and punctual, with dependable transportation.
•     Professional, polished personal presentation consistent with our brand.
•     Experience with salon booking or point-of-sale software preferred.
•     Retail or hospitality experience a plus.

What Success Looks Like at 90 Days

•     You know our regulars by name and their standing appointments by heart.
•     You are trusted to run the desk independently, including open and close.
•     You are shampooing, blow-drying, and applying color for our senior stylists.
•     You are consistently rebooking guests and recommending take-home product.
•     You have a clear, agreed-upon plan for moving behind the chair.

Compensation & Benefits

•     Hourly wage of $16.90.
•     Commission on retail sales.
•     Service commission on any services you perform once approved to take guests.
•     Tips.
•     Paid sick leave in accordance with California law.
•     Redken and in-house education provided at no cost to you.
•     Generous employee discount on services and retail product.

Physical Requirements

This role requires standing and walking for extended periods, frequent use of hands and arms, reaching overhead, bending, and lifting up to 25 pounds. The position involves regular exposure to salon chemicals, with appropriate ventilation and personal protective equipment provided.