Dorothy would be proud to be from Kansas these days. From Wichita, Kansas City and Topeka to small rural communities, Kansas’ mix of urban and metro lifestyles means beauty professionals are found everywhere from uber-chic salons, to neighborhood beauty shops.
ROCA Salon was voted “the Best Salon in Kansas City” and took third place in Salon Today magazine’s “Salon of the Year in 2012.” Stylists in the salon have graduated from beauty schools in London, Paris, Chicago, Beverly Hills and other famous cities. With over 25 years in the industry, ROCA Salon is a premier salon offering technical experience, exceptional artistry and top-notch service.
Bijin Salon in Prairie Village offers a variety of spa packages, specializing in hair care and wellness. Beauty experts offer services within the salon’s sophisticated facility or in the comfort of the client’s home.
Regardless whether you choose to be a hair stylist, manicurist, or esthetician, you will find opportunities in luxury salons such as these or in more modest shops that serve a loyal base of regular clients.
To become a beauty professional in Kansas, you will need to receive the proper training and become licensed in your field through the Kansas Board of Cosmetology.
 | Becoming a Cosmetologist in Kansas |
| Becoming a Manicurist in Kansas |
| Becoming an Esthetician in Kansas |
| Becoming an Electrologist in Kansas |
| Becoming a Barber in Kansas |
Becoming a Cosmetologist in Kansas
As a cosmetologist in Kansas, you’ll offer the full suite of beauty services, from hairdressing and nails, to skincare and cosmetic application. Though cosmetology school will prepare you to provide all these services, most cosmetologists focus on hairdressing.
Cosmetology Schools in Kansas
To become a cosmetologist in Kansas, you must complete 1000 hours of cosmetology coursework or 1500 apprenticeship hours and be at least 17 years of age.
The typical curriculum found in cosmetology school will consist of the following:
- Shampoo – 40 hours
- Hair color, bleaches, rinses – 130 hours
- Hair cutting, shaping – 130 hours
- Permanent waving, relaxing – 125 hours
- Hairsetting, curling – 225 hours
- Comb outs, styling techniques – 105 hours
- Scalp treatments and diseases – 35 hours
- Facials, eyebrow, arches – 40 hours
- Manicuring, hand and arm treatment – 110 hours
- Cosmetic chemistry – 25 hours
- Fitness center – 245 hours
- Sales, shop management – 10 hours
- Sanitization and sterilization – 30 hours
- Anatomy – 20 hours
- Kansas state law – 10 hours
- Miscellaneous – 220 hours
Examination Requirements
Upon completion of training, a staff member from your school will perform an exit interview at which time you will complete the Practitioner Licensure Application on a computer. The Kansas Board of Cosmetology does not accept hand written applications.
Exam provider, Ergometrics, administers state licensing exams in Kansas. Exam applications are available through the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. There are three test locations throughout the state located in Wichita, Topeka and Great Bend. Practice exams and exam guides are available through Ergometrics.
Employment Opportunities
Working as a cosmetologist in Kansas will allow you a variety of career options. You will be able to choose to specialize in one aspect such as skin or hair care or be a jack of all trades in a salon that offers a vast array of services. You will also be able to choose whether you want to work full time, part time, weekends, nights or a mixture of all. The great thing about the beauty industry is that people need these services at all hours, so you can choose what works best with your lifestyle.
The Eric Fisher Salon, which has four locations throughout Kansas, has won numerous industry awards. Recognitions include being named one of the “Top 30 Salons in America” by Color & Style Magazine and being voted one of the “Top Educators of the Century” by Modern Salon Magazine as well as many others.
Other award winning salons in Kansa include:
- Salon Sophia in Kansas City
- Bell Epoque in Kansas City
- Egos Salon and Day Spa in Topeka
Becoming a Manicurist in Kansas
If you choose to become a manicurist you will want to be comfortable dealing with hands and feet. You will also want a steady hand to be able to paint the polish and perfect the delicate nail art that’s all the rage. Superior service will play an important role in how much you can earn in tips.
Nail Technician Schools in Kansas
The state of Kansas requires you to complete 350 hours in a nail technician school in order to become a manicurist.
Coursework will include the following as well as additional subjects:
- Nail Growth and Regeneration
- Nail Irregularities and Diseases
- Hand and Arm Massages
- Skin Structure and Functions
- Manicuring Skills
- Manicuring procedures
- Repairing Techniques
- Hand and Arm Massages
- Application of Polish
- Purpose and Effect of Artificial Nails
- Kansas Laws, Rules, and Regulations
Examination Requirements
Third party exam provider, Ergometrics, provides licensing exams for nail technicians in Kansas. Exam applications are available through the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. There are three test locations throughout the state located in Wichita, Topeka and Great Bend. You must pass the written and practical exams with a minimum score of 75%.
Job Opportunities
As a manicurist you will have the opportunity to really get to know your clients. You will be sitting and facing your customers, which allows for some great conversations while doing the work you love. You can also bring out your artistic side with some fabulous nail art.
West Plaza Nails in Kansas City is the winner of Kansas City Best’s Manicure & Salon for 2008, 2009 and 2011. The salon has a thoroughly experienced staff and offers appointments seven days a week.
Additional nail salons in Kansas include:
- Sunset Nails in Topeka
- Solar Nails in Kansas City
- Polished Nail Salon in Kansas City
Becoming an Esthetician in Kansas
As an esthetician you will be trained in skincare, which will include providing facials, microdermabrasion, skin-cleansing, and waxing. You may also be required to learn eyebrow and eyelash services as well.
Education Requirements
To become an esthetician in Kansas, you are required to complete either 650 classroom training hours through a licensed beauty college or 1000 apprenticeship hours.
Examination Requirements
Third party exam provider, Ergometrics, provides licensing exams for nail technicians in Kansas. Exam applications are available through the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. There are three test locations throughout the state located in Wichita, Topeka and Great Bend. You must pass the written and practical exams with a minimum score of 75%.
Job Opportunities
Estheticians can typically enjoy a mostly stress-free job. Your clients will mainly be lying down in a room while you perform their chosen skincare service. Playing soft music will allow for maximum relaxation not only for your client but also for you. You will also have the option of working in a salon or in a medical office, such as for a dermatologist.
Fresh Spa Market in Wichita nourishes its customer’s skin with only natural and gentle products. It also offers body products that are paraben free and vegan. Other top salons offering esthetician services as well as medical offices include:
- Par Exsalonce Salon & Day Spa in Overland Park
- Skyline Downtown Salon in Kansas City
- Sunflower Dermatology in Kansas City
Becoming an Electrologist in Kansas
Electrologists are hair removal experts. As an electrologist you will be removing unwanted hair, changing hairlines and shaping eyebrows. You will learn to do this by using an electric current, so professional training is essential.
Education Requirements
In the state of Kansas you are required to clock 500 hours of classroom instruction or 1000 hours as an apprentice to become a licensed electrologist. On-line or home study courses are not accepted for state licensing in electrology.
You will be required to take classes in the following areas of study for this license:
- General theory
- Basic Science
- Introduction to electrolysis
- Psychology
- Professional considerations
- Clinical practice
Examination Requirements
Third party exam provider, Ergometrics, provides licensing exams for nail technicians in Kansas. Exam applications are available through the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. There are three test locations throughout the state located in Wichita, Topeka and Great Bend. You must pass the written and practical exams with a minimum score of 75%.
National organizations like the American Electrology Association (AEA) can help further your career by offering the Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) credential. Opting to receive that credential will allow you additional opportunity to keep current in new electrology tends and equipment.
Job Opportunities
Joining the Kansas Association of Professional Electrologists will allow you to network with other electrologists in the state as well as provide continuing education opportunities. Many electrologists work as independent contractors within private offices are salons. These include places like the following:
- Sandra Schallenberg at Styling Studios Salon in Overland Park
- Barbara’s Electrology Clinic in Topeka
- Apple Electrolysis in Overland
- Perfect Impressions in Wichita
Becoming a Barber in Kansas
Barbers learn to use clippers, scissors and razors to perfect men’s grooming. Men’s hairstyles can vary from complete shaves to styled cuts of all lengths. As a barber you will help each client find their own look.
Education Requirements
The Kansas Board of Barbers website has a full list of approved schools for licensing. Barber schools offer programs that are 1500 hours in length. You will typically adhere to the following course outline:
- History of Barbering and Scientific Fundamentals – 350 hours
- Practical work – 1000 hours
- Shop management -150 hours
Examination Requirements
Barbers are required to have a minimum score of 80% on each of the three portions of the Kansas Barber License Examination. The exam consists of:
- Practical exam
- Written NIC Barber Styling Theory exam
- Written Kansas Rules and Regulations exam
Exams are given through the Kansas Board of Barbering. Applications and exam procedures are all provided by the board on its website.
Job Opportunities
Barbers in Kansas can work in many different types of shops. Gills Barber Shop in Kansas City, for instance, offers a classic barbershop experience to neighborhood clients. If you want something with a little more bustle, working at a larger shop or salon like Endicott Barber and Salon in Kansas City might be more up your alley. Or find something in between like Joses Barber Shop in Kansas City.
Whichever type of shop you prefer, you will have plenty of options to choose from. Additional barbershop in Kansas include:
- Rick’s Barber Shop & Salon in Shawnee
- Purple Label Luxury Barber Shop in Overland Park
- Downtown Barbershop in Lawrence