Hairdresser / Cosmetologist

Braids a client's hair with box braids. Applies a chemical relaxer to a new client. Colours hair with highlights. Installs a lace front wig. Gives a deep conditioning treatment. Styles hair for a wedding with an updo. Advises a client on hair care products. Manages the salon — ordering supplies and scheduling.

Hairdressing is one of the largest personal services trades in Kenya. Salons are everywhere — every estate, every market. Key context: hair care is a major industry for Kenyan women — braiding (most common — box braids, cornrows, twists), relaxing (chemical straightening — still popular despite natural hair movement), weaving and wigs (growing — lace fronts, closures), colouring (growing), and treatments (conditioning, scalp care). Key products: hair extensions (imported — X-pression, Darling — major brands), relaxers (Dark and Lovely, Olive Oil), hair dyes, styling products, treatments. Key training: beauty colleges (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu — offer certificates in hairdressing and cosmetology), apprenticeship (most common — learning at a salon), and brand training (Darling, X-pression — product training). Key challenges: high competition (salons everywhere), chemical safety (relaxers and dyes — burns, allergies), keeping up with trends (styles change rapidly), and product costs (extensions and products are expensive). Growing trends: natural hair movement (growing — fewer relaxers), wig installations (lucrative — KES 5,000-20,000+ per installation), premium salons (higher prices, better experience), and mobile salon services. Salary: entry KES 15,000-30,000 (helper or informal), mid KES 35,000-80,000 (established stylist), senior KES 90,000-250,000+ (salon owner with staff). Per-service earnings: braiding KES 1,000-5,000, relaxing KES 1,500-4,000, weaves KES 3,000-15,000, colouring KES 2,000-8,000.