The Cowgirl who wears many hats

BY KILEY MORGAN / Multimedia Journalist

Kinlie Brennise is what some would call an all-around cowgirl. She is a student rodeo athlete at Tarleton State University, breakaway roper in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and small business owner. 

Brennise is originally from Craig, Colorado, but found her love for Texas roughly four years ago. 

She moved to Weatherford, Texas where she attended cosmetology school at Weatherford College for two years. After graduating cosmetology school, Brennise went on to Tarleton where she will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s in business. 

Since moving to Stephenville, Brennise has competed on the Tarleton Rodeo team for three years and opened her own business, Luxury Aesthetics.  

“It’s kind of a funny story. I never pictured myself owning my own business. I went to cosmetology school basically just to have a job while I went to college,” Brennise said.  

While in cosmetology school, Brennise met her best friend, Grace Seargeant. At the time, Seargeant was cutting hair at a local salon in Stephenville, where Brennise would soon open her own lash bed. 

“I was interested in permanent makeup, so I got Grace to go with me to do a class on permanent makeup,” Brennise said. “After we got certified, we learned that since permanent makeup was a tattooing service, we could not do it in the same room as any other cosmetology service.”

After hitting this bump in the road, Brennise went on a search for a small building to open her own salon with Seargeant. After searching, Brennise finally found a building where they could offer lash extensions, permanent makeup and spray tan services. 

Brennise eventually moved the business to its current location at 2301 Northwest Loop, Unit 103 in Stephenville. A year ago, Brennise and Seargeant became co-owners of Luxury Aesthetics. 

“We basically do everything but hair and nails here. We do permanent makeup, facials, lashes, face waxing, teeth whitening, an injector who does botox and lip injections, spray tans and makeup services for events and such,” Brennise said. 

Juggling school, rodeo and a business is challenging for Brennise. 

“I don’t always do the best job at juggling it all,” she said. “I actually really like Tarleton’s program because I have been able to be online my entire school career here, so then it’s just my fault when I don’t balance everything and get my work done.”

Having school online, and owning her own business makes it easier for Brennise to be able to rodeo at both the collegiate and professional level. 

“I started my college career team roping, goat tying, breakaway roping and running barrels,” she said. “This is the first year that I have only entered the breakaway.”

Not only is Brennise about to start her spring semester of college rodeos, but she is also about to compete in one of the biggest professional rodeos, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR). 

“I am really, really excited to compete at FWSSR,” Brennise said. “Last year was the first year I stepped out of my comfort zone and went rodeoing… I went for a few solid months on the road. I actually qualified for Fort Worth through the WPRA Finals (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association). It is definitely cooler to make it to Fort Worth while you are in school because then they are like ‘Oh Tarleton State’.” 

Brennise will compete at the FWSSR on Jan. 27 and 28 in the breakaway roping, so go show the Tarleton cowgirl some support.