What Should Be in Your Hairdresser’s Toolkit?

Although hairdressers are at times a counsellor, a friend and a listening ear, you’re also a professional. It’s important for professionals to have all the right tools at their disposal. The items you use to treat, cut and style someone’s hair are very important, and ensuring you have the best toolkit out there is the ideal way to be totally prepared for any type of situation. Because hair is so unique, it’s likely you’ll come across a huge variety of hair types. So what have you got in your hairdresser’s toolkit? What do you need to update or replace? Is there anything that you think should be in a hairdresser’s toolkit that we haven’t mentioned?

Basic Tools

The basic tools that each hairdresser should have to start off with include:

• Flat iron – A flat iron has many different uses. The first is to straighten many types of hair, but you can also use a flat iron to curl hair. The best way to use this iron is to separate your hair in multiple sections, starting with the bottom layer and then slowly releasing more hair to curl or straighten. When curling your hair, only curl small amounts of hair. This straightening iron will not produce tight curls, however, it will produce a wide range of waves, depending in how you use the item.
• A brush – Some hairdressing experts state that the wet brush is one of their favourite to use. A wet brush can be used for multiple hair types and the bristles allow for the untangling of hair to be pain free. Ideally, when buying a brush, the best type is one that can be used for multiple hair types.
• Velcro rollers – If your customer wishes for nice bouncy waves, Velcro rollers will give the best result. When blow drying someone’s hair, include some rollers on the top of your hair. Blow-drying the hair while the rollers are still in will allow for waves that last all day.
• Tangle teaser – A tangle teaser is ideal for untangling knotty and weak hair. Instead of pulling on all strands with a brush, the tangle teaser allows for work to be done on small areas of hair.
• Blow dryer – A blow dryer is used in every salon. After you’ve washed your customer’s hair, you can quickly dry their hair so they aren’t leaving with a wet mess. The blow dryer also allows for hair to be neatly brushed and untangled after a wash.
• Curling iron – A curling iron is a basic tool to use when a client wants tighter curls than the flat iron can achieve.
• Shears/scissors – Any hairdresser should always have their hands on a decent pair of shears or scissors that will trim hair into any style. There are multiple types of shears, and it’s best to invest in multiple pairs if you wish to cut and style multiple types of hair.
• Setting lotion – A setting lotion is ideal for curly hair, as it reduces the amount of frizz within the hair and allows for natural curls to be evident.
• Hairspray – Hairspray is very important for any type of hair, especially if you are styling a client’s hair for an important event. Hairspray allows the hair to stay in place and not move out of place during activities.

Tools for Thin Hair

When working on a client who has thin or very fine hair, a fine tooth comb is ideal. This allows for hair to be neatly brushed or be teased, depending on the situation. Hot rollers are also best for this hair type if you wish to achieve a relaxed, wavy look. Unfortunately, Velcro rollers will tend to pull and rip this type of hair. If you have a customer who has thin hair, ensure that you have thickening shampoo and conditioner nearby! A good hairdresser always knows products they can recommend for clients with all different hair types.

Tools for Wavy and Curly Hair

The best tools for wavy and curly hair start with a diffuser. A diffuser can be attached to a blow dryer and allows you to more quickly dry curly hair. A specialist smoothing shampoo and conditioner is also best used when you wish to style and cut this type of hair, as it allows for the hair to be smooth and clean before you begin trimming. Duckbill clips are also essential when trimming or drying this hair, as you may need to separate the hair into sections before you can begin work.

Tools for Thick Hair

A curling iron can actually be very essential for thick, curly hair; as it allows for unruly curls to be defined and untangled. It’s also best to wash this type of hair before you begin work as curly hair can tend to be frizzy if not washed properly. When drying this client’s hair, using a diffuser is the best option.

What’s in your hairdresser’s toolkit? We think the most important item in any toolkit is several pairs of high-quality scissors. We recommend that you build your toolkit by investing in scissors that will last you for many years – and you can start by buying them right here.

We only stock the best hairdressing scissors, and you’ll have peace of mind that you’re getting the best for an amazingly low price, with a flexible returns policy and customer service that’s second to none. Don’t delay – start now!