From blunt bobs to striking layers, this stylist knows how to make an impression.

What did you want to be when you were ten years old? We don’t all choose our career paths in childhood, but Nick Flores knew exactly what his future held. From the time he held his first pair of shears, Flores dreamed of working in a high-end Los Angeles salon — or perhaps opening his own. Fast forward to present day, and with a lot of hard work, he’s made that dream come true.

With a client list that includes Jenna Dewan, John Mayer, Lisa Rinna, and Zac Efron, Flores has made a name for himself as a go-to stylist among the Hollywood elite. His knack for creating dramatic yet effortless styles has earned him an impressive social media following. As he embarks upon a new chapter — his own salon — let’s look back on how he turned a flair for hair into a thriving career.

Making a childhood dream come true

Most 10-year-olds don’t spend their free time practicing for their future careers, but most 10-year-olds aren’t Nick Flores. After getting his first pair of clippers as a gift, Flores honed his craft by styling his friends’ hair. He dreamed of working under the “who’s who of Hollywood” and moved to Los Angeles when he was 21. After graduating from cosmetology school, his big break came when he was hired as an apprentice at the legendary Sally Hershberger salon.

There, he honed his technical and artistic abilities under the guidance of Hershberger, as well as notable stylists Matthew Shields and Teddy Antolin. After spending three years as an assistant, he was promoted to full-time stylist. He specialized in cutting and styling both men and women, gaining a reputation for “creating dramatic transformations” like blunt bobs and extreme layers. 

From Sally Hershberger to a salon of his own

Flores spent another decade at Sally Hershberger after his promotion and dedicated himself to his craft. As he told Voyage LA, “Over the last ten years, there haven’t been many vacations… I never say ‘No’ to anything work-related.” While he acknowledges that the path to career success hasn’t been easy, “I love what I do and wouldn’t change anything as it shaped me into who I am today.”

In early 2024, Flores announced that he was leaving Sally Hershberger after 13 years. In November, he revealed his next chapter: Flore Los Angeles, a new hair salon in the heart of Hollywood. While Flore’s official opening date is still under wraps, Flores has been hard at work — if the salon’s Instagram is any indication. Among his first clients under the new branding was “beauty ‘it girl’” Simi Khadra of SimiHaze Beauty, who can be seen sporting the blunt bangs and effortless-looking long locks that Flores is known for.

Mastering the dramatic transformation

“Effortless” and “dramatic” aren’t adjectives that typically go together, but combining those philosophies has become Flores’ signature. His Instagram is a testament to this philosophy, showcasing everything from pin-straight, waist-length extensions to razor-sharp bobs. His secret is creating “a customized, effortless look” that’s “easy to maintain and meets [the client’s] lifestyle.”

His signature look, however, is beachy waves. “I love how natural texture looks,” Flores explains in a TikTok tutorial. By curling the hair to match its natural texture and making some sections wavier than others, he creates a breezy style that pairs with jeans and a T-shirt as well as it does a cocktail dress.

After decades of honing his craft and styling A-listers for photo shoots and red carpet events, it’s safe to say that Nick Flores has achieved his childhood dream. And his journey is just getting started; with the impending opening of Flore, the next chapter might be his most exciting yet.