the salon stylists

alicia

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2010
joined bijin in 2010

Alicia graduated from B Street Design and then completed bijin’s Associate and Studio b programs. She was trained by New York Stylist, Nick Berardi and attended the Vidal Sassoon Advanced Workshop. Alicia relies on her sharp listening skills to give the client “exactly what they want in order to make them happy with the service.”

Fun fact: “I have a degree in Dietetic and Public Health Nutrition from Kansas State University.”

amber

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2008
joined bijin in 2008

Amber graduated from the Regency Beauty Institute and has advanced her haircutting skills by attending Saco Salon Workshop, Vidal Sassoon Workshop by their International Creative Director Mark Hayes, Men’s Hair Cutting by American Crew, and V76 Men’s Hair Cutting by Vaughn Acord. Amber has a versatile and eclectic style. She specializes in long layer, creative and classic haircuts and loves the creativity of hair coloring and highlighting. She enjoys creating natural looks like Ombre and Ecaille achieved with Balayaging.

Fun Fact:  “I was obsessed with Ziggy (David Bowie) as early as first grade.”

amy

studio b manager and education director
master stylist
stylist since 1998
joined bijin in 1998

Amy has completed classes with Sam Villa, Kris Sorbie, Oscar Bond, Vaughn Acord, Jill Leitz, Justin Issac and Dhaniel Doud. She has participated in the Wella Color Correction Class in L.A. (as well as in-salon workshops) and Vidal Sassoon’s ABC Cut Course and additional workshops with Traci Sakosits, Richie Rivera and their International Creative Director Mark Hayes.  At Bumble & Bumble University (NYC), Amy participated in Styling your Career/Color Workshop, Network Educator I and II/Design Workshop and Design Studio.  She has also attended NAHA (“the Academy Awards of Hairdressing!”), BTC Cut and Color in NOLA and the Chicago Hair Show numerous times. Amy is passionate about getting the details right and consulting with clients which enable her to fine-tune a specific look from a photo to suit her clients.

Fun Fact: “I went to State Typing Competition in high school. 80 WPM!”

austin

senior stylist
hair stylist since 2008
joined bijin in 2008

Austin attended Cosmetology School at Xenon International Academy (Olathe, KS) and Bumble & Bumble University for Haircutting (NYC).  In addition, she acquired certification in Coppola Keratin Services in New York and completed the Bumble & Bumble Long Layer Class.  Austin has trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. Austin loves doing hand-painting with Balayage and enjoys styling for a night out on the town to more formal affairs! 

Fun Fact: “I grew up in Kansas City. I love going to the Royals games and supporting all our home teams!”

brooke

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2007
joined bijin in 2012

Brooke’s background includes: Wella Color Class, Vidal Sassoon Cutting Class taught by their International Creative Director Mark Hayes, Fringe Bang Class with the Kérastase International Creative Director Nina Dimachki, Vaughn Acord’s Men’s Cutting Class, Jeff Haymes' Women’s Cutting Class, Kelly Cardenas’ Salon Business Class, Kérastase Product Knowledge and Alexandra Matiz’s Wella Color Class. Brooke loves to do dry cutting (once the haircut is established) so she can “see where the hair will naturally lay—everyone’s hair lays uniquely different.”

Fun Fact: “I have a fun ‘happy dance’ — for limited viewing only.”

chloe

master stylist, educator and retail consultant
hair stylist since 1996
joined bijin in 2000

Chloe received her Cosmetology degree from the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, CA; shortly after, she took on an apprenticeship at Doyle Wilson Salon (on Melrose Avenue) in Los Angeles. Chloe has attended numerous courses at Bumble & Bumble University (NYC) including Educator Workshops and worked at Planet Salon on Melrose Avenue in Beverly Hills until relocating to Kansas City. She has also trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. Chloe has been an integral part of bijin’s Advanced Training Program and continues to teach several classes a year.

Chloe is passionate about hairstyling and cutting and is an expert on advising her clients on the products that are best-suited for them.

Fun Fact: “Many celebrities frequented Doyle Wilson Salon where I worked early on—Faye Dunaway, Charlize Theron, Winona Ryder, Beck, Dixie Chicks…”

colby

senior stylist and educator
hair stylist since 2006
joined bijin in 2006

Colby’s background includes the Paul Mitchell Hair Camp, Bumble & Bumble Color Class, Bumble & Bumble Network Education, Bumble Razor and Styling, Redken Color with Chris Sorbie, Vidal Sassoon, ABC Cutting Class and Antoinette Beenders Up-do Class.  She has also trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. Colby simply “loves to do hair!” Weddings, up-do’s and color are her passion.

Fun Fact: “I won the D.A.R.E. Bear award in 5th Grade.”

heather

senior stylist
hair stylist since 1997
joined bijin in 1999

Heather attended Labaron Cosmetology School and Bumble & Bumble University. She participated in Vidal Sassoon Cutting Class, Vaughn Acord’s Men’s Cutting Class, Mark Hayes Cutting and Color, Razor Cutting, Advanced Color, Wella Corrective Hair Color, Redken Advanced Color Theory and Oscar Bond Women’s Cutting Class. Heather also attended the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas and has trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. She is “HotHeads” hair extension certified.

Heather enjoys tailoring specific looks for clients and event styling. She also loves to create period/era-related styles.

Fun Fact: “Halloween is my favorite holiday! And I go all out!”  (If you book an appt. on Halloween you can catch her “show!”)

jacob

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2011
joined bijin in 2011

Before coming to bijin, Jacob was a Recruiter at the Paul Mitchel School. He has attended many hands-on classes such as Color and Cut by Vidal Sassoon’s International Creative Director Mark Hayes, Bumble & Bumble Styling, Wella Coloring workshops and a Men’s Haircutting Class from Vaughn Acord. Jacob has a strong background in haircutting and loves to incorporate the elements of art and creativity into his work. Paying close attention to detail and listening to what his client wants is very important to Jacob. “I care a lot about what I do and take the time to do my best.”

Fun Fact: “I do ceramics on the side!”

jenny

senior stylist and educator
hair stylist since 2001
joined bijin in 2005

Jenny’s background includes Cut and Color Class by Vidal Sassoon’s International Creative Director Mark Hayes, Creative Color Class by Wella and V76 Men’s Haircutting by Vaughn Acord. Jenny has trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. Jenny is Curly Girl certified and loves to help clients discover “how to love their curls!”

Fun fact: “I was called ‘Wagon Woman’ because I carried my drum kit to school in my little red wagon that I’d hook up to the bike rack.”

julianne

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2014
joined bijin in 2014

Julianne came to bijin in 2014 with a degree from the JCCC School of Cosmetology. She is Keratin certified, has taken a Martin Parsons Upstyling Class in Austin, TX and has participated in the Wella workshops offered through bijin’s Associate program. Julianne enjoys tuning in to webinars—specifically, Balayage webinars. Julianne loves creating haircuts with styles built into them as well as finding that perfect customized hair color for her clients. “I love big, sexy hair! Long layered styles are my fave!”

Fun fact: “I never missed watching these TV shows as a kid: Tiny Toons, Golden Girls and the Chicago Bulls!”

kati

advanced stylist
esthetician since 2013
joined bijin in 2013

Kati attended Paul Mitchell School in Houston, TX as a “Phase II” Honor Student. She has continued her education through various classes such as the Fringe Bang Class with the Kérastase International Creative Director, Kérastase Styling Class, and Vidal Sassoon Color and Cutting Classes. Kati also attended BTC’s Color Show in Nashville (2013) and competed in Wella Trend Vision 2015. Kati has learned great coloring tricks from famous stylists Beth Minardi and Kim Vo and loves hand painting color.  Kati enjoys working with the clients’ natural skin tones to enhance color, resulting in unique and amazing looks.

Fun Fact: Kati has a Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Design.

lance

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2013

joined bijin in 2018

After graduating from cosmetology school, Lance has worked as a hair designer and color educator, both in salon and for Aveda. He has trained in Hair Color Magic and Deva Curl and assisted Robert Grimes during his NAHA (North American Hair Stylist of the Year) photo shoot. Lance is highly trained in hair color theory and precision application. He understands cutting, focusing on the best shape, structure and texture of hair for each client. He has been published in Vogue Italia and also nominated as a 30 under 30 finalist by The Colorist Magazine. Lance thrives on textured hair cutting and also has a “high passion for styling hair.”

Fun Fact: “I won my high school geography bee two years in a row.”

livia

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2011
joined bijin in 2012

Livia graduated from Xenon International Academy and has completed several classes including: Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatments, Vidal Sassoon Cut and Color Class with Mark Hayes, Kerastase Styling and Fringe Bang Class with International Creative Director Nina Dimachki, Wella color training class with Global Artist Sonya Dove, Vaughn Acord Men’s Cutting, R+Co and Oribe styling classes and Cutting Class with Hatori Hanzo educator and Elevation H International Creative Director, Cole Thompson. She also attended the American Crew Men’s Workshop. Livia specializes in Coppola Keratin services and is very knowledgeable about the best type of treatment for each client’s hair needs. She also loves styling hair for special occasions.

Fun fact: “My other passion in life besides my family is horses. I grew up competing in eventing and hunter/jumpers, and am currently working to get back into it!”

madison

associate manager
senior stylist
hair stylist since 2005
joined bijin in 2005

Madison has taken advanced courses in cutting, coloring and styling. She participated in color classes from Redken and Wella’s Essential Coloring class in Los Angeles, as well as classes taught by renowned artists including Dhaniel Doud, Kris Sorbie and Jill Leitz. She completed the Fierce Conversations and Styling Your Career courses through Bumble & Bumble University in NYC and Men’s Haircutting Techniques from American Crew and Vaughn Acord. Madison has taken workshops with Vidal Sassoon’s International Creative Director Mark Hayes, Fringe Bang Class with Kérastase’s Nina Dimachki and Advanced Coloring Techniques with Wella’s Alexandria Matiz. Madison is passionate about her profession and enjoys thorough consultations so “the hair fits the lifestyle.”

Fun fact: “I’m the youngest of six kids!”

mandy

senior stylist
hair stylist since 2000
joined bijin in 2000

Mandy’s background includes: Advanced Color Training from Justin Isaac, Redken, Bumble & Bumble, Color Correction from Wella, and Hair Cutting with Sam Villa, Oscar Bond and Mark Hayes. She participated in a four-day Cutting Class from Toni and Guy (Dallas, TX) and Vaughn Acord’s Men’s Cutting Class at bijin. Mandy loves highlighting to achieve natural, well-blended blondes and has a passion for doing hair coloring. She likes doing short haircuts, creative cuts and different-length bobs as well.

Fun Fact: “In high school, one of my drawings from art class was chosen to be shown at the Hidden Glen Art Festival.”

mary jane

master stylist
bijin co-founder, 1988

Mary Jane’s experience is extensive— some of her background includes: Vidal Sassoon Academy 3-Day Haircutting Course (Chicago), Bumble & Bumble Razor and Scissor 3-Day Cutting Course (NYC), London International Hair Show, Vidal Sassoon London Academy Teach-In, Chicago Midwest Annual Educational Conference, Sebastian 5-Day Cutting Course (L.A.), Bumble & Bumble in-salon Classes, Vidal Sassoon in-salon Classes. She’s also styled hair for numerous fashion shows and photo shoots. Mary Jane loves to “wow the client” and enjoys giving “it’s-all-about-you” kind of service. She works with all types, textures and lengths of hair on women and men—and enjoys doing precision cutting or textured cutting on both short and long hair.

Fun Fact: “I cut George Clooney’s hair while he was in Kansas City shooting a movie.”

megan

senior stylist and educator
hair stylist since 2006
joined bijin in 2008

Megan received her Cosmetology license from the Aveda Institute in New Jersey. She has completed a six-week Cutting Course with Vidal Sassoon in Santa Monica, CA and a Color Class at Bumble & Bumble University in New York. In addition, she has participated in bijin’s in-salon workshop with Vidal Sassoon’s International Creative Director Mark Hayes. Megan relies on her long-training with Vidal Sassoon and expertise in precision cutting.

Fun Fact: “I sang Billy Corgan (lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins) Happy Birthday at his home!”

mersades

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2013
joined bijin in 2013

Mersades graduated from the acclaimed Eric Fisher Academy in Wichita, KS where she also grew up. She was a standout in the school and was chosen to enter the student competition in the North American Hairstyling Awards.  Mersades has attended cutting workshops with the International Creative Director for Vidal Sassoon, Wella Color Workshops with Alexandra Matiz, Sonya Dove, and Sassoon's Ritchie Rivera. She was an assistant and make-up artist at the National Wella Trend Vision 2015. Mersades stays up on the latest trends (and sets them!) for haircuts, color and fashion by constantly researching and remembering to always be a student. Currently she is mastering hair painting and Balayage methods with sun-kissed colors.

Once you meet Mersades it is no surprise she was Homecoming Queen in high school and also won the "Best Hair Award" her Senior year!

Her Motto: “I'd rather live than worry.”

michelle

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2006
joined bijin in 2010

Michelle is “HotHeads” hair extension certified and Keratin Smoothing Complex certified. She has continued her education through various classes including Wella Color classes, the Fringe Bang Class with the Kérastase International Creative Director, R&Co product knowledge, the Fudge Razor cutting class (Dallas, TX), and a color class taught by Sonya Dove. She approaches each client with an open and honest attitude and is passionate about learning more!

Fun Fact: “I’m Mexi-CAN, not Mexi-CAN’T!”

mischa

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2011
joined bijin in 2011

Mischa was trained in the Sassoon Method at Z Hair Academy in Lawrence, KS. She has completed many classes including Wella and Redken Color, L'Oeal Professional Color, American Crew Men's Method, Aquage Occasion Styling, Vaughn Acord’s Men’s Technique and Mark Hayes Advanced Sassoon Technique. Mischa's background is in fashion, film and print. She loves to create "period hair" from different decades (pin-up, rockabilly, old Hollywood, etc.) and is versed in Balayage—creating signature looks. She prides herself in being detail oriented, up on the latest trends and loves to show her clients how to style their cut in multiple ways.

Fun fact: “I have thousands of vinyl records—and the collection is growing!”

nani

master stylist and educator hair stylist since 1999
joined bijin in 1999

Nani has extensive cutting and coloring training—attending workshops from New York to San Diego, Chicago and LA as well as local, in-house workshops. She attended Bumble & Bumble University, Redken Exchange, Wella Color classes and the Chicago Midwest Show. She has participated in workshops with Laurent Philippon, Howard McClaren, Mark Hayes, Oscar Bond, Jill Leitz, Justin Issac, Dhaniel Doud, Sam Villa, Chris Sorbie, Nick Berardi, Vaughn Acord, Nina Dimachki and Alexandra Matiz. Nani has trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. In addition, she has styled for KC Weddings dress magazine, Fashion for a Cause and Tomboy Fashion Show. Nani has been a Network Educator for Bumble & Bumble and an Educator for bijin Studio wigs and toupee Stylists. Nani is passionate about making each client feel beautiful and confident, creating the “whole or complete experience; from start to finish.

Fun Fact: “I drive the lawn tractor in exercise clothes and my Fatbaby cowboy boots.”

natalie

senior stylist
hair stylist since 2005
joined bijin in 2007

Natalie graduated from Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy in Dallas, Texas. Her background includes Men’s Haircutting with celebrity stylist Vaughn Acord, Photoready with Eli Mancha, Classic Coloring with the Doves, Styling by Bumble & Bumble and Balayage with Kris Sorbie.  She is certified in Arrojo American Wave and Arrojo Hair Painting as well as Razor Cutting/Nick Arrojo. She competed in the North American Hairstyling Awards in 2012 and has completed both Wella Color Correcting and Wella Creative Color classes. Natalie has attended the Nick Arrojo Expo in NYC, the Sam Villa Contemporary Color and Vidal Sassoon workshops.

Fun fact: “I am a tap dancer!”

raymond

senior stylist/artistic director
hair stylist since 2011
joined bijin in 2011

In 2010, Raymond earned a degree in Chemistry from the University of Missouri, KC. When turning his focus to this industry, he trained at Paul Mitchell (Overland Park) and Vidal Sassoon (Santa Monica). He has expanded his craft through various workshops and competitions including: Vidal Sassoon Color (NYC), Vidal Sassoon Creative Cutting (Santa Monica), V76 Styling with Vaughn Acord (NYC), Caper Paul Mitchell (Las Vegas), Kérastase Styling (Nashville) and Barbering with the Clipper Guy (Chicago). He has also trained with celebrity stylist Garren at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL. Raymond was the Bronze winner at 2015 Wella Trend Vision Color Competition in Minneapolis and attended the International Wella Trend Vision Competition in Berlin, Germany. Raymond is inspired by his travels and enjoys exploring culture through food and style.  He loves doing“lived-in” color that looks natural—as if “the sun itself did the highlight” and incorporating barbering with hair styling.

Fun Fact: “I was prom king!”

samantha

senior stylist
hair stylist since 2003
joined bijin in 2003

Samantha’s background includes Sam Villa Cutting and Styling class, Bumble & Bumble Color and Styling class (NYC), Tony and Guy Advanced Cutting Classes (Dallas) and Redken Workshop (Chicago). She has also participated in bijin’s guest artist workshops. Samantha specializes in fine, natural high-lighting (on all hair types) and especially loves working with long and thick hair.

Fun Fact: “I love Jessica Simpson and was a finalist on MTV’s ‘Fanatic,’ where I got to meet her and Nick Lachey!”

shaina

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2014
joined bijin in 2014

Shaina’s styling experience includes: Sam Villa Bobology Cutting, Aquage Free-Form Cutting, Wella’s Advanced Color Workshop by Sonya Dove, Advanced American Crew Cutting and Vidal Sassoon Color and Cutting. She assisted in the USA Trend Vision Championship in Las Vegas 2015. Shaina says her specialty is working with blondes and she loves to do blowouts.

Fun Fact: Shaina is obsessed with pizza and pugs!

stacie

senior stylist
hair stylist since 2003
joined bijin in 2004

Stacie’s extensive background includes the following: Cosmetology degree from Superior School of Hairstyling, Goldwell Advanced Color Workshop, Eric Fisher Hair Show in KC, Michael Cole (Step-Up) Seminar, Wella Advanced Cut and Color, Redken Symposium in Las Vegas, Chicago Midwest Show, Vidal Sassoon Class, L’Oréal Professional SOHO Academy (NYC), World Famous Edward Tricomi Dry Cutting and Up-do, Bumble & Bumble University (NYC), Redken Platform Artist (Sam Villa, Kris Sorbie, Nick Berardi workshops), Miami Color Show with celebrity stylist Kim Vo, American Crew Workshops and “Fashion for a Cause” Charity event in KC. Stacie has trained with celebrity stylist Tom Priano at the R&Co Education Center in Miami, FL and also has completed the Vidal Sassoon Advanced Cutting Workshop with Mark Hayes, Vidal Sassoon Advanced Color with Richie Rivera, the Vaughn Acord V76 men’s cutting class at bijin. She is American Wave certified (Chicago).

Fun Fact:  "I put KETCHUP on my KETCHUP!"

taylor

advanced stylist
hair stylist since 2012
joined bijin in 2013

Taylor has attended numerous workshops and classes in her short tenure: Aquage workshops, American Crew Men’s Cutting, L’Oréal Professionals Color Workshop, Americas Beauty Show (Chicago), NAHA winner Lisa Vann Trends Class, Allen Ruiz Styling Class, Celebrity Stylist Tippee Shorter Texture Hour Styling Class, Curly Girl, Aveda Color Trends Workshop, Wella Color Workshops, Mark Hayes from Vidal Sassoon’s Cutting Class, R & Co Styling Workshop, was Bronze medal winner in National Wella Trend Vision  2015, Sassoon’s Richie Rivera Color Class in New York and International Wella Trend Vision in Berlin, Germany. Taylor is also certified in Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatments. Keeping current with the trends is important to Taylor. She loves customizing her work to each specific client whether it is a cut or color and enjoys hand-painting (Balayaging) and dry cutting.

Fun Fact: “My Mom named me Taylor after Taylor Dayne (the singer) and my Dad liked the name because of TaylorMade golf clubs!”