When it comes to creating a variety of hair cuts and styles for men and women, there are certain vital tools that get the job done. Tools that can either alter different shapes and textures and tools that make the hair stylist a true artist. These next top 10 tools are a must to be able to execute many different styling, cutting and coloring techniques.
The 10 must-have tools every professional should own are, a pair of haircutting shears, a pair of thinning shears, a blowdryer, a flat iron, curling wand, hair clippers, detailer clippers, an 8-inch haircutting comb, sectioning clips, and a cutting cape.
These tools are most crucial in the art of hairdressing, styling, and cutting. They can be used together and in conjunction with each other to create an array of different looks and create a multitude of different looks. Each has its own special reason for being important in the art of hairdressing and when one goes or breaks down it will be needed to be replaced to continue to serve in a busy environment. When starting out, these top 10 are going to be the most important tools you will need to build your professional career.
You will be prepared to tackle any texture any haircut and any style. The tools will be explained as to why they are needed and when you are to use them to create the look your client is asking for.
While products, coloring supplies, and chemicals are just as important in the hair transformation the main focus will be to explain the uses of the top 10 tools. Without these tools creating, cutting, and styling won’t be the same and it is important to know why.
1. Shears
Haircutting shears are the tool that cuts the hair and sets the base for the new look. Shears can come in many sizes and are made from many different materials and are ergonomically designed for right and left-handed stylist. They instantly change a look and can give confidence to someone looking for a change, create major makeover moments or just keep hair in a neatly trimmed fashion.
The size of the shears is a personal preference for the professional. A shorter blade shear will use frequent strokes to cut while a longer blade shear will cut a section in one shot. When purchasing great professional shears, German and Japanese steel are the top leaders for great shears. Shears can also come indifferent colors and designs to fit the hairstylist choice and needs.
Shears are probably the most expensive of your professional investment but will be worth every penny spent. Shears can range from $25- 500 USD and even more than that. When starting out try not to spend too much money on them because caring for them will be the biggest lesson. dropping them can be crucial and create nicks in the blade that can ruin them. An experienced blade sharpener can fix them but good blade sharpeners are hard to find. It will be devastating ruining an expensive pair so gain experience first and then invest in more quality shears as you grow and as your experience grows.
2. Thinning Shears
Thinning shears are the tools that reduces the thickness and creates texture in hair cuts. With a comb blade on one side and a blade on the other, this tool is a must to detail designs in haircutting. When using to remove bulk from hair the stylist will strategically use this shear to eliminate unwanted thickness. Using this tool at the root creates the most disappearing of effects for the thickest heads of hair. When using on bulky sections where softer textured looks are desired, a stylist will remove bulk from half the hair shaft down to create height but discreet movement in the hair.
Another great way to use thinning shears is after a blow dry to feather and detail tips of the hair and remove mild thickness and keep hair full but soft with a grown out razored look. This tool can be used wet or dry and can make the thickest heads of hair more manageable and wearable for a specific look. Thinning shears are also used on barbering techniques removing harsh lines and creating flawless blending transitioning from clipper cuts to longer looks as well.
Like haircutting shears keeping them safe from falling on the ground is the key to keeping expensive cutting tools in optimum shape. As you grow in your career and when you know how to take care of them you can invest in more expensive and sharp cutting tools
3. Blow Dryer
A great blow dryer will not only alter strands but will quickly dry hair into the shape needed to complete the look. A blowdryer can straighten out curly locks, smooth out frizzy hair and can add height to flat lifeless hair.
Before the use of blow dryers, it was impossible to have the fast results we crave. You can physically cut dry and style in under an hour. Prior to handheld blow dryers, air drying or hooded dryers were used to dry looks which took forever. The birth of the blow dryer cut time considerably and gave clients the instant gratification they were looking for. Not to mention the natural look they crave.
The blow dryer I prefer is one that has fast speed and had has different heat settings for different textures. The one that has served all my needs to blow dry very curly hair to straight textures is the Porcelain Ceramic by Babyliss Professional. The hottest setting can straighten even the tightest curly hair, however, you must know how to blow dry properly to not create heat discomfort or burn the hair. You must know how to maneuver the blowdryer to work effectively. By setting the blow dryer to gentler heat setting, you can easily give straight hair the polish it needs without the heat.
Also, it is very important you use the nozzle attachment that comes with the blow dryer to prevent any scorching of the hair. Using the blow dryer with the attachment can leave grill marks on the hair or worse break hair off.
4. Flat Irons
Flat irons are the tool that gives you super straight flat looks the hair trends require. Flat irons are responsible for the sleek polish extra curly hair needs to maintain straight hair. They should be used on dry hair only and should be used sparingly to avoid excessive heat damage. slow controlled strokes need only 1-2 passes of the tool. Going over strands quickly and more than 5 strokes are unnecessary. They create severe heat damage and cause hair to break from overexposure to high heat. Also holding on a spot too long can create breakage and can pop off especially if the heat setting is set on high for delicate hair.
The Nano Titanium by Babyliss Pro-1-inch Flat Iron is my iron of choice . With a variety of heat settings, you can straighten the curliest of hair that needs more heat. The heat settings can also be reduced to cater to fragile, color-treated or delicate hair that needs little to minimal heat the fact that that heat setting can be altered is what makes this iron great. The hotter setting does not mean the better setting or more straightening.
Flat irons can also be used to curl hair as well. With a 180 twist of the wrist then sliding down can make curls and waves as well making the flat iron a must for hair professionals. Bigger plate irons can be used as well still creating bigger waves and straight as well, but I find the one-inch model to detail hairlines, nape hair and getting super close to the scalp more easier with a thinner 1-inch model.
5. Curling Wand
Curling wands are a fantastic tool when beach waves and curls are needed for specific looks. They can make straight hair have a messy tousled look or make it have a tight curly look by how you wrap sections on iron. It is also very easy for clients to recreate the looks as well
For loose curls and waves wrap hair a few inches away from roots and ends for a beachy softer look. For a more curly and spiral looking effects wrap sections from roots to tips. Since the tool requires you to get very close to roots and tips, gloves can be used to protect fingers from getting burned.
Furthermore, curling wands help make hair look fuller and give a straight hair another option to create a multitude of looks. wands can vary in sizes and some models can be cone shaped for tapered curls and waves. My preferred wand is the 1-inch Jose Eber curling wand. It heats up immediately and makes curls in seconds. For shorter hair or delicate tresses 5 seconds or less is ideal. Leaving on too long can result in too tight of a look or to much heat for fragile hair. Very long or strong virgin hair does best from 10- 15 seconds depending on the texture.
6. Clippers
Clippers are used by barbers and stylist when close even effects are needed for different looks. Most commonly used for fading undercuts and close military cuts. Clippers quickly cut hair and leave hair in an even canvas.
Clippers use attachment guards that regulate different lengths for varying looks. The attachment guards can be as big as 2 inches and be as tight as 1/8 of an inch. Lighter hair can appear shorter so depending on the look desired to start off a bit longer and bring shorter if needed. Also, thinner hair can appear very short as well when cut with clippers so start off with larger attachments.
My favorite model of clippers is the Wahl Senior. It has a power cord that keeps the speed consistent and color-coded plastic attachments to regulate the different sizes and has been a stylists’ and barbers’ favorite for years. Some models come cordless which require you to keep them charged, however, I prefer the consistency of the power cord version.
7. Detailer Clippers
These clippers are what makes the effects of barbering and detailing professional and crisp. Detailers can be used to define sideburns, square or round out necklines or stencil in effects in the hair. They are the closest cutting you can get with a clipper. These can also be used when a bald look is wanted to leave you clean to the scalp.
Detailers can also be called edgers, outliners, and finishers. There are many models and different companies available. The leaders in these close cut clippers with an exceptional reputation and preferred by barbers and stylist alike are the models by Andis, Oster, and Wahl.
8. Cutting Comb
A cutting comb is a sturdy 8-inch comb used to carve out sections and to detangle sections of hair. The comb is used to create uniform sections to cut and to create various shapes in haircutting.
When using these combs they allow you to get clean tight sections and separate the hair you are working with from the hair you want to leave alone. A cutting comb can be used to detangle as well which is needed after a good wash and condition.
Combs is the wand to the hair and manipulate what direction to move hair too. Combs can be used to slick wet hair back into a tight ponytail and used to guard where to cut for bob cut effects on the nape. Combs are used by barbers, stylist, and braiders. Without them, neat and concise work would not be possible. Combs are used for clipper over comb cutting techniques and keep even sections when cutting short hair as well. Layering hair is also made possible by the use of a comb. Gliding pie sections into many different degrees for different layering techniques. When used for braiding the comb allows you to keep sections you are working with to remain perfect and allow you to section in straight lines circular patterns and zigzag effects.
9. Sectioning Clips
Sectioning clips are needed when working on designated areas. They are used in haircutting, styling, coloring, highlighting blowdrying and anywhere where you need to keep the hair you are working with separate from the hair you are not working g with.
Sectioning clips allow you to stay in a designated area and keep working in a section neat from any other hair distractions. Using sectioning clips when blowdrying keep the wet hair neatly sectioned off from the dry hair you are blow drying. When using for chemical work as well, it keeps the hair you are treating away from the hair that will be treated next. Sectioning clips provide you a great hold to keep work neat and allow for full detailing on sections you are working on
Sectioning clips can come in large plastic clips, medium curved jagged claw clips and aluminum duckbill clips. Some jagged clips can have an extra jagged claw as well to grip very thick hair as well.
Bigger softer clips are used with chemical treatments and are soft to be able to pull and drop sections easily without having to use your other hand. The medium sized sectioning clips with the jagged claw are used to keep sections tight and away while working but require you to disassemble and re-wrap for tight sectioning again.
The aluminum duckbill clips are used for fine thin hair separation and styling and also for holding a thermal curl in place. a stylist will take a section curl with a curling iron or curling wand and secure sections in a pin curl to cool. Using the duckbill sectioning clip will keep the curl tight and in place until it cools down. Once it cools down the sectioning duckbill clip will be removed to reveal a longlasting curl pattern.
10. Cutting Cape
Cutting cape will be used to keep the client protected from having hair fall on their clothes and to keep products and tools from contact with the client. Capes also make the client remain calm and relaxed while you work on them.
Capes can come in many different materials. Vinyl ones are used for shampooing. plastic ones are used for coloring and keeping capes durable for multi-use and protecting clients clothes underneath. Durable waterproof fabric materials are used for cutting capes to keep clients dry and comfortable during wet haircuts and blow-dries when wet sections rest on shoulders. One that I recommend is Betty Dain Super Size Barber Cutting/Styling Cape.
Capes are the ultimate professional tool and are synonymous with professional salon work in all aspects.
These top 10 tools, you are the best and most needed tools for the professional stylist. With these tools, you will be able to do most any hair texture and any haircut possible. The heat tools are also great for altering all textures and creating the opposite texture for each client. You can do men’s hair cutting and you can style hair professionally in many ways.
If you’d like to see a full list of my recommended hair tools and accessories (and why I loved them!) You can check them here.