You’ve probably driven past it. If you live in Wichita, specifically near the Bradley Fair area or the East Side, Identity Hair & Spa is sort of just... there. It’s part of the landscape. But in an industry where salons pop up and vanish like seasonal allergies, this place has managed to stick. Why? Honestly, it isn’t just about the haircuts or the fact that they use Aveda products. It’s about the weirdly specific way they’ve nailed the "luxury but local" vibe in a city that usually smells like cattle and aviation fuel.
Finding a stylist is a nightmare. Truly. You walk into a new spot, pray they don't butcher your fringe, and hope the small talk isn't excruciating. Identity Hair & Spa has built a reputation on minimizing that anxiety. They’ve been around long enough to see the rise and fall of the "Rachel" cut, the ombré obsession, and now the lived-in blonde era. They aren't just a shop; they are an institution of Wichita’s beauty scene.
What Identity Hair & Spa Gets Right About the "Experience"
People talk about "self-care" until the word loses all meaning. It's basically a marketing buzzword now. But at Identity, the concept feels a bit more grounded. They are an Aveda Concept Salon. If you know anything about the beauty world, you know that comes with strings attached—the good kind. Aveda salons have to hit certain benchmarks for sustainability and botanical-based services. It means when you walk in, you aren't getting hit in the face with a wall of ammonia and harsh synthetic perfumes. Instead, it’s that earthy, herbal scent that basically signals your brain to stop vibrating with stress for an hour.
The layout isn't cramped. That matters. Nobody wants to have a deep conversation with their colorist while being elbow-to-elbow with a stranger getting a blowout. The space at Identity Hair & Spa is designed with enough "breathing room" to feel private, even when the books are full on a Saturday morning.
The Service Menu is Actually Decent
Most people go for the hair, obviously. They do the whole gamut—precision cuts, balayage, highlight refreshes, and those fancy botanical repair treatments that make your hair feel like it hasn't been fried by Kansas wind and sun for twenty years. But the "Spa" half of the name isn't just an afterthought.
They offer:
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- Customized facials that don't feel like a chemistry experiment.
- Massage therapy that actually targets tension rather than just rubbing oil on your back for forty minutes.
- Manicures and pedicures that focus on nail health, not just slapping on some gel polish and calling it a day.
- Waxing and brow shaping for when you've neglected the maintenance for a bit too long.
It’s a one-stop-shop. That sounds like a cliché, but for a busy person in 67206, it’s a logistical godsend. You can get your roots touched up and your stress levels lowered in a single afternoon without moving your car.
The Aveda Connection: Is it Just Hype?
Let’s be real. Aveda is everywhere. You can find it in malls, airports, and upscale salons across the globe. So, what makes Identity Hair & Spa’s use of it special? It’s the training. Aveda stylists go through a specific type of education that focuses on "The Rituals."
If you’ve never had an Aveda service, it usually starts with a sensory journey. They give you a few essential oils to sniff, you pick the one that doesn't make you sneeze, and they use it for a scalp or hand massage. It’s a bit "woo-woo" for some people, sure. But in a world where everything is automated and rushed, having someone spend five minutes just making sure you’re relaxed before they pick up the shears is... nice. It's human.
The products themselves are famously 90% or more naturally derived. For people with sensitive scalps or those who are genuinely worried about the environmental impact of their beauty routine, this is a major selling point. Identity has leaned into this hard. They aren't trying to be the trendiest, most "Instagram-aesthetic" neon-lit salon in town. They’re trying to be the consistent, high-quality option that uses stuff that won't make your eyes water.
Why Location in Wichita Matters
Identity Hair & Spa is positioned in a sweet spot. Being near the upscale shopping districts means they attract a certain clientele, but they haven't become so snooty that a regular person feels out of place. It’s a weird balance to strike. Kansas is a place where people value authenticity. If a business feels "fake," people sniff it out and stop going.
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Identity has avoided this by keeping a core group of stylists who have been there for years. In the salon world, turnover is usually insane. Stylists jump from chair to chair every six months. Seeing the same faces at the front desk and at the stations for five, ten, or even fifteen years says a lot about the management. It creates a sense of community. You aren't just "Client #402"; you’re the person who likes their coffee black and is currently trying to grow out a bob.
Breaking Down the Cost
Is it cheap? No.
Is it overpriced? Not really, especially when you consider the cost of fixing a bad $20 haircut.
Identity Hair & Spa operates on a tiered pricing system. This is pretty standard for high-end salons. Newer stylists (who are still incredibly talented but have less "bench time") cost less. Master stylists, the ones who can look at your face shape for two seconds and know exactly where the layers should hit, charge a premium.
This makes the salon accessible. You don't have to be a millionaire to get a service there, but if you want the absolute best of the best, you have the option to pay for that expertise. It's transparent. No "surprise" fees at the checkout because you had thick hair or wanted an extra rinse.
The Reality of Salon Maintenance
A lot of people think a spa day is a luxury. It is. But it’s also maintenance. Your skin is an organ. Your hair is an expression of your identity (hence the name). Taking care of these things isn't just about vanity; it's about not feeling like a haggard mess.
When you go to a place like Identity Hair & Spa, you’re paying for the lack of mistakes. You’re paying for the fact that they use high-quality lighteners that won't snap your hair off at the root. You’re paying for an esthetician who knows the difference between dehydrated skin and oily skin—and yes, you can have both at the same time.
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What to Expect on Your First Visit
If you’re a newbie, don't just walk in and ask for "a change." That’s a recipe for disaster anywhere.
- Book a consultation. Most of the time, they’ll do this for free or for a small fee that goes toward your service.
- Bring photos. But be realistic. If you have jet-black hair and want to be platinum blonde in one sitting, they will tell you no. Trust them. They’re saving you from yourself.
- Be honest about your routine. If you won't spend more than five minutes on your hair in the morning, tell them. They’ll give you a cut that actually works with your laziness.
The vibe is professional. It’s polished. You’ll get offered tea or water. You’ll sit in a comfortable chair. It’s exactly what you expect from a top-tier salon without the "Mean Girls" energy that some high-end places accidentally project.
Addressing the Critics
No business is perfect. If you look at reviews for any long-standing salon, you’ll find someone who had a bad day or a stylist who missed the mark. It happens. Hair is subjective. However, the mark of a good salon like Identity is how they handle it. They generally have a "satisfaction guarantee" window. If something isn't right, they want to fix it. They’d rather you come back and let them tweak the toner than have you walking around Wichita telling everyone they ruined your hair.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Appointment
If you're looking to refresh your look or just need a break from the chaos of life, here is how to handle your visit to Identity Hair & Spa like a pro.
- Schedule in Advance: The popular stylists stay booked out for weeks. Don't call on Friday afternoon expecting a Saturday morning spot. It won't happen.
- Try the Dual-Service: If you’re getting color, which takes time to process, ask if they can squeeze in a brow wax or a quick manicure during the "downtime." It’s an efficient way to pamper yourself.
- Check the Specials: Occasionally, they have promotions for new guests or seasonal spa packages. It’s worth a quick look at their social media before you book.
- Invest in the Aftercare: There is no point in spending $200 on hair color if you’re going to go home and wash it with $5 drugstore shampoo filled with sulfates. Listen to the stylist's recommendation on products. They aren't just trying to upsell you; they want the color they worked hard on to actually last.
- Be Specific About Your "Vibe": Tell them what you do for a living. Tell them how often you work out. All of this dictates how your hair and skin should be treated.
Identity Hair & Spa isn't reinventing the wheel. They’re just doing the basics—customer service, technical skill, and quality products—at a very high level. In a world of "fast beauty," that's becoming a rare find. Whether you need a full-blown makeover or just a place to hide from your phone for an hour while someone scrubs your scalp, they’ve got you covered. It’s reliable. And in 2026, reliability is basically a superpower.