Do you need a haircut to keep your hair healthy from split ends? How often do you need to trim your bangs? How often do you need to upkeep a short back and sided barber style? All the answers to these questions would be vastly different. Some people's hair naturally grows faster than others and you especially notice this when you have short hair.
Where long hair may need a trim quicker then another person due to poor maintenance at home like, not using a heat protectant or not treating your hair properly at home which results in the hair splitting quicker and you needing to go and get a haircut sooner than most.
We will go through all different scenarios for you to hopefully answer everyone's question on "how often you need your haircut".
Long hairstyles
Long hairstyles are the easiest hairstyles to maintain because out of all the different hair lengths and hair types.. Long hair generally can wait longer between haircuts.
Long hair necessarily only needs to be trimmed the moment you find the ends to become dry and split at the ends. If your hair is naturally in good condition you can really space out a hair trim anywhere between 3-6 months.
The 3-6 month time frame really consists of the health of your hair, how well you maintain the health at home and of course when you notice those split ends showing up.
Medium length hair
Much like long length hair, medium length hair requires less maintenance. The only difference is that a medium length hairstyle may grow out faster which means getting a haircut closer to every 3 month rather than 6 months would be more ideal.
If you have a medium hair length hair style that grows out of shape quicker than 3 months then you would just get a cut sooner.
If you're trying to grow your hair from medium to long hair, it's recommended that you get baby trim (small amounts off the ends) every 8-10 weeks. This is so that even before the split ends start forming and travelling further and further up the hair shaft, you are able to catch that before it happens.
When you have baby trims more frequently instead of normal trim's less frequent this means the hairdresser will not need to cut off as much, resulting in your hair growing faster.
Short hair styles
Short hairstyles' are a harder one to maintain as you notice the haircut grows out of shape much faster than any other style.
This is not a hairstyle you need to cut to maintain split ends, this is a hairstyle you cut to maintain the shape of the hairstyle, so that it's easier for you to manage.
Maintaining a short hair style would need to be cut anywhere between 4-6 weeks and even sooner if your hair grows fast. But on average most people upkeep their short hairstyles every 4-6 weeks.
Shaved barber styles
Ever seen those cool skin fades or really short barber hairstyles that look so crisp cut and clean, well these hairstyles are the most work out of all the hairstyles to maintain. You could call these customers "high maintenance".
These sorts of hairstyles require you to get a haircut every 1-2 weeks. Yes, you heard us correctly! every 1-2 weeks.
Why so often you are probably thinking.. well it's simple really when the hair is this short you notice in a week any hair growth. For a haircut like these the aim of the game is to always keep it at its shortest, so you have to keep going back.
Fringe trims
Now when it comes to cutting your fringe then the time frame on this one comes down to personal preference and again how fast you hair grows.
If your fringe is short enough to be above your eye level and you hate the hair being in your eyes then you may want to get a fringe trim every 2-3 weeks.
If your hair sits below your eye level and you don't mind when it grows out then you could really push out a fringe trim for anywhere between 3-6 weeks.
If your fringe is below your jawline and more like a face frame rather than a fringe, then you could really wait until next time you get a haircut.
Curly hairstyles
When it comes to having spiral curly hair it's important that you use lots of home moisturizing hair treatments in between cuts.
The first thing a curly hair god or goddess will notice is their ends becoming dry which will prompt them to go get a haircut. We would recommend you get a trim every 3-4 months to keep the life and shape to those curls.
When your hairstyle grows out of shape someone with curly hair would not really notice or focus on this unless they get a bad haircut. A bad haircut and the shape growing out faster would mean that the layers were not cut in properly and the haircut starting to resemble a triangle shape.
So if the hair is starting to literally grow outwards out of shape then you may go and get your layers fixed sooner.
Thick hair type
Thick or coarse hair is another one that's dependent on so many different factors.
Firstly if you have super thick hair texture that also grows fast then you may find that you need that hair thinned out again around the 8-10 week mark. Sometimes your previous hairstylist may not have thinned out as much as you normally like or need which would mean you would need to go back sooner.
Then you may be someone with thick hair that doesn't thicken up as quickly as others which means the 3 month time frame between haircuts would be perfect timing for you.
Damaged hair
Having damaged hair can be a stressful problem to have, especially if you're not willing to lose the length to try to somewhat grow it out or start again.
Unfortunately there's no quick fix for damaged hair, if your hair has been chemically damaged or burnt from heat styling then the affected area does need to be cut off.
From there you would find the split end would over time start to travel further up your hair shaft so we would recommend going back to your hairstylist in 4 weeks to start having trims. This will take some time going back every 4-6 weeks for baby trims but over time your hair will be able to get back to its natural health again.
Until the end..
Getting a regular trim is always a recommendation but sometimes the frequency of a haircut is really dependent on the person.
If you have a great relationship with your hairdresser that has really been able to get the time to learn and understand your hair, this would be a time when they would most likely be able to tell you how often you should be seeing them.
What we may all agree on is that the more often you get your hair trimmed, the more likely you are to have beautiful and healthy hair.
]]>As an apprentice you don't need the best of the best when it comes to your tool's especially when you are learning with them. If you invest in your expensive hairdressing scissors too early then you will find that you may drop them or damage them, as learning to cut can be an extremely awkward experience at first.
An apprentice needs affordable hairdressing scissors that can either serve the purpose while learning or carry on until you start cutting in the hair salon full time.
So today we have decided to give you some tips on what you should be investing in when you are trained, what is the most comfortable shear for a training hairdresser and just general tips that every apprentice needs to know.
What and Why to buy an apprentice starter kit
It's always a great idea to start off with buying an apprentice kit because firstly it's a cheaper way to get the main tools you will need and it's just a no brainer.
A starter kit will equip you with all the standard tools you need to kick start your learning.
Here at Scissor Tech we offer a starter barber kit that includes a standard comb, two pairs of scissors, barber razor, shaving brush and accessories to maintain your scissors. This is perfect for training barbers as you are getting a good quality pair of scissors and accessories that you will need to learn.
Why to buy a scissor set
It's always smart to buy a scissors set because you are getting more out of your money. Hair cutting scissors set's will normally include two different sized hair cutting scissors and Thinning scissors too.
If you are a hairstylist that is learning or upgrading their apprentice hairdressing scissors then a scissors set is the way to go, as normally investing in one pair of scissors at a time can be very costly.
When you're learning or still an apprentice and have started to work in the salon full time then a scissors set will have all the standard sizes and comfort you will need to be able to learn and grow as a hairstylist.
Only as a fully qualified hair stylist will you maybe start to spark interest in any specialized hairdressing scissors or even ergonomic hairdressing scissors that you may have to change out over time if you develop aches or pains.
For now the set is the best way to go and maybe even a newer set or an upgraded set could be something you choose to do in the future, as most stylists just see the value in sticking to a set.
Most recommended apprentice hairdressing scissors
It always comes down to design and price when it comes to choosing the best shear for you. It comes down to price when buying your first set of apprentice scissors. An apprentice may not be able to afford the most expensive hairdressing scissors first off, but that's okay because overspending at this point in your career would be a waste of money.
Below we have listed just some of our top picks for design and price for our Apprentices.
As discussed previously this kit is a really great kit to buy for aspiring barbers.
Not only is this kit good value for money but the larger barber scissors in the kit are really designed for a training barber. The barber's hair scissors have a micro serrated edge on the blade which means it grips the hair for you better while learning all the new hair cutting techniques.
Micro serrated scissors are ideal for a training stylist and you will either stick to that style as you progress or you will change out the hair scissors after sometime to a standard blade.
Serrated are best for blunt cutting and not slide cutting, when you learn you will be doing more blunt cutting anyways.
SOZU ORIENTAL SCISSORS TRIPLE SET
Sozu is a brand that is great value for money, this is because you get good quality Japanese steel but somehow at a fair price. If you're not aware, Japanese Steel is the best steel in the world for Haircutting Scissors, so for this price it's a steal!
The Sozu hairdressing scissors have an Ergonomic offset design which means they are comfortable while learning and comfortable for years after. Although a lot of aspiring hairdressers tend to choose this brand and design, a lot of other senior stylists tend to love this design and brand too.
This Jaguar design is perfect for an aspiring hairdresser as the classic design handle is suggested as being the most comfortable style for a hairstylist learning to cut. A classic handle will give you more control over any other type.
Jaguar are well known in the industry for making world class professional hairdressing scissors from German steel, so your shears will be strong and robust. A strong shear will be able to be able to keep up with the rough nature of an aspiring hairstylist.
To see all of our best hairdressing scissors for our apprentices, please click here and follow the link to our website.
What size hairdressing scissors are best for you
Size does matter when it's choosing the right size of scissors for you or for the type of hair cutting you will be doing.
When looking for barber shears the size of these hair cutting scissors could be anything that's 6 inches to 7.5 inches and sometimes longer. For salon cutting these scissors will be from 4.5 to 6 inches.
Now you're probably thinking that's a wide range of sizes for each type of shear and naturally what is best for you?
Well the best size for you all comes down to the size of your hands. So if you have smaller hands for salon cutting scissors, then you may find that 4.5-5 inches is the most comfortable. The standard size that most stylists find the most comfortable to work with is 5.5 inches. A 6 inch blade would really be for those who prefer a longer blade than usual or if you have naturally larger hands.
The same rules apply for Barber scissors really.. So if you have smaller hands or find working with a longer shear extremely awkward that a 6 inch barber shear is actually very popular and easy to work with. If you have a little more experience behind you or have a larger hand then anything 6.5 inches or larger is the best size shear for you.
But not always can a size of a shear be based on the size of your hands, very rarely can it be that a certain size way is what is most comfortable to you. So if your colleagues are so kind, ask to take a look at their scissors and try them out to see what will work best for you.
]]>Before we talk about the hair razors you need to have, let's take a look at razor cuts, and why you should be offering them to your clients!
A haircut done with a razor is a must for texture. It's a great way to add a tone of texture and movement to any haircut. You can do a whole haircut with a razor to achieve a very messy, shaggy look or you can use your hairdressing razor to add texture to any regular cut. It's also a great tool to use to create soft face framing layers or carefully remove bulk and straight lines from a blunt hair cut.
To use a hairdressing razor to cut hair you can use similar sectioning to that of a regular scissor cut. Using your hair razor in downward motions, while being sure to move your hand and wrist in long cutting motions will help remove length while also creating that razored texture we all know and love. To get the perfect look the best hair for this cut is thick hair.
If you're wanting to use a hair razor to create texture at the end of a haircut, there are many different texture techniques you can use.
Taking large sections and just razor cut the thick pieces at the end, or even just hitting the ends of the hair with the razor, will help you to create a shattered look. These types of texturising techniques can even be done on thin hair, if you're careful of course!
A hair razor can be dangerous when in the wrong hands. If not used correctly it can leave split ends and a not so great haircut. It's recommended to use a hairdressing razor on wet or damp hair. And of course, to make sure you are using your hairdressing razors on the right hair type and texture ! It is best to avoid dry, frizzy hair when using a razor.
The best and most popular hair razor is the feather razor. A feather razor is a razor with a straight handle attached to a blade. These blades have a guard attached to them with ridges, or teeth, similar to thinning scissors. These textured razor blades not only help protect your hands when cutting but also help to create more texture when cutting.
You will find that most scissor sets from Scissor Tech will come with our Matsui Razor and matching razor blades. This razor is a great choice for any hairdresser. It has an ergonomic handle and comes with replacement blades. It is a must have for razor cutting !
If you're a hair razoring pro, you may want to try using a straight razor. Straight razor blades will have no guard attached, which means you must be careful when using them. The benefit of using straight razor is that you have more control with the texture you add. A straight razor can also be less damaging to your clients hair if used correctly. If you're confident in your razor cutting skills you can find an assortment of shavettes and straight razors HERE at Scissor Tech
is a game changer! And here at Scissor Tech we are happy to supply you with the best razors to help you deliver the best hair cuts !
]]>Thinning shears can be a hairdresser's best friend, if you understand them and use them correctly. They are usually a 5.5-6 inch scissor. One blade is straight while the other blade has teeth. For thinning shears they can be listed by how many teeth they have ( for example: The Jaguar Smart 39 Tooth thinner) or by the percent of hair they cut. Most standard thinning shears remove between 30-40% of the hair that is cut. You can find thinning shears ranging in amount of teeth from 25- 40 teeth. More teeth will give a more subtle finish.
Thinning shears have a large range of usage in our everyday lives behind the chair. They can be used to remove excess weight, texturize, blend and even soften lines of a haircut.
Thinning shears are a great tool to have but we have all heard a client complain about that one hairdresser who used them and destroyed his or her hair. This is often an issue when a stylist is not educated in using thinning shears. Every experienced hairdresser should know how to use all of their cutting scissors properly!
Like most things in life, thinning shears are best used in moderation. It is far too easy to over thin hair. This is why its important to use hair thinning scissors with the correct hair texture. Thinning scissors are great to use in thick hair. Using thinning shears on very thin hair should be avoided. Frizzy hair and very curly hair should also be avoided when using your hair thinning scissors.
It is also important to remember to use your thinning shears on dry hair. When hair is wet it will stick together more and you may remove too much hair. Always remember to not cut hair strands too close to the root. You want to remove weight from the interior of the cut. When thinning longer hair you shouldn't remove weight past the mid shaft. This ensures that the hair will still lay nice and smooth. If you use thinning scissors on finer hair it is best to use them just for blending or to remove weight from the ends of the hair. Fine hair is more likely to be thinned out too much, or stick up easier if it is thinned out further up the hair shaft.
Texturizing shears can be a bit intimidating to look at. Similar to a thinning scissor they have a straight blade and one with teeth. These teeth are much wider and are more spread out. Texturizing shears have between 5- 14 teeth, like our 14 Tooth Matsui Chompa. Texturizing shears usually come in sizes 5.5 or 6 inches.
Texturizing shears are used to create texture. I know we said you could do that with thinning shears but texturizing shears will give you a different type of texture. Texturizing scissors will create more visible texture. The fewer teeth they have the chunkier texture they will create, as they remove hair in larger "chunks". The main uses for texture shears is to create texture ( and lots of it !) and to remove weight.
Texturizing shears leave little room for error. They remove a lot more hair and in bigger pieces. So it is important to remember not to use them on fine hair or thin hair types. Thicker hair will work best with a texturizing shear.
Texturising scissors are also meant to be used on dry hair. Wet hair will stick and remove more hair. They are best to be used at the end of a haircut to add texture and remove weight.
a thinner or texturizing shear. Well we think both scissors are a great addition to any hairdressers collection. They each have a special place in a haircut. And now that you know the right way to use them, you can guarantee your clients will love their end results ! Check out are large variety of thinning and texturizing shears HERE. Of course if you have any questions - we are always here!
]]>Here are a few things to add to your workspace to make it more kid friendly.
While it may seem daunting to parents, and you to have a child coming in often for a trim, it may actually benefit you all. The more a child sits in your chair, the more comfortable they will become. Getting a haircut regularly will not only keep their hair in the best shape, but also help get them used to getting their hair cut.Some clients will wait until a child is one to get their first cut. It is important to encourage parents to try to get them in a chair as young as possible and as often as possible.
When cutting kids' hair in a salon it is important to remember that speed is a priority. Ask any parent of young kids and they will tell you - most children can not sit still for a long period of time. You may choose to point cut long hair instead of blunt cut it to ensure you get a straight line without the time it takes to make it perfectly blunt. This works wonders for saving time and keeping long hair looking its best. Again when cutting short hair you may want to encourage the use of clippers. You can use a longer guard length to get a little more length, saving the time it takes to scissor over comb boys' hair. You may also want to consider using thinning scissors or texturising scissors to add texture to a kid's hair. This can save you time when finishing a cut.
We know that as a hairdresser you are a perfectionist! And that's what we love about you! But sometimes with a kids haircut we exchange perfect for quick and basic! So most cuts you will come across will be a basic trim. Try to keep it as quick and simple as possible. If a haircut takes too long a young child may begin to get very squirmy and move a lot. This makes everything so much harder, and more dangerous for you! So best to skip the fancy cut and still to a trim! Many young girls will have bangs. When we cut bangs we need to make sure we are very careful. It is not recommended that you cut super straight bangs on their forehead. Using your fingers or a comb to slightly elevate the bangs will keep the hair off the forehead and ensure that if the child moves quickly you won't accidentally cut them. It also gives them nice textured bangs!
and cutting kids' hair won't be the hardest part of your job! In fact you may find that once you learn the best and quickest way to cut a child's hair, they will always favour you as their stylist !
]]>Hair straighteners can scare those that have fine, thin, easily damaged hair. Heat is not always their best friend. That is why when choosing a hair straightener it is important to find one with different temperature settings.
If a client has long, thick hair or frizzy hair, coarse hair you can use a higher heat setting, for those with fine hair or previously damaged hair, the less heat you use the better. This is why having multiple heat settings is so important. Heat is not one size fits all. And as a hair stylist part of your job is helping to protect the integrity of your clients hair.
This is a common question amongst clients and hairdressers alike. Which is better?
Ceramic plates are the most common plates available. They are known for heating up quickly and for their even heat distribution. This means you will get smooth, straight hair every time. Even heat distribution is important for preventing damage as well. You will also find cheaper hair straighteners out there made with ceramic coated plates. Coating can flake off over time, so finding real ceramic plates is a must!
Titanium plates are more pricey. They can achieve the highest temperature settings, and very quickly at that ! Most titanium plates can be passed over the hair once, to achieve quicker and smoother results. They also heat up quickly which is great if you're in a rush. However, if you decide on a titanium hair straightener it is important to make sure it has variable temperature control. Titanium metal plates can get very hot very quickly , which can be bad for finer hair.
Tourmaline plates are another option you will find for hair straighteners. Tourmaline is a semi- precious gemstone that is used in hair straighteners, hair dryers and other heat tools. Tourmaline heats up more gently and also leaves the hair looking its shiniest!
When you're looking at hair straighteners you may notice a difference in the edges of the plate. Some may have more rounded edges. These rounded edges are perfect for curling hair. Flat plates are used just for achieving straight hair. You may find you have more versatility with rounded plates and can achieve softer finishes than you would with flat plates. Gone are the days of poker straight tresses! Rounded plates are definitely the more popular option these days as they don't only straighten hair but can give it waves and body too!
Now this isn't really a question of which one is better. They both have their special place. If you have clients with shorter hair you will want narrow plates. If you're dealing more with long hair then wide plates are your best choice. Both can be used for different hair textures and to achieve both straight and wavy finishes.
Here are a few fan favourites to help you decide!
We hope we have helped you choose the best hair straightener for you and your clients. Remember not all hair straighteners are created equal, just like not all clients' hair types are created equal. May the best hair straightener win!
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Learning to use a traditional straight razor aka the cut throat is an incredible feat! These razors are not for the faint of heart. They take a lot of skill to perfect, even knowing how to sharpen them correctly is a talent in itself.
Why should you use a traditional straight razor? Traditional straight razors not only look cool, but they give the closest shave you will ever have. Learning to use one is a real art form. Most men who have had a straight edge razor shave at a barbershop want to be able to do the same at home. It takes alot of time and practice to get it right! They are also great for preventing razor burn and bumps. One single sharp blade is actually better for your skin than using a reusable razor with multiple blades. And of course the environmental benefits are second to none!
Traditional straight razors are made from a solid piece of steel, usually carbon steel or stainless steel. Stainless steel is rust resistant but can be more difficult to sharpen. They have a folding handle which closes the blade similarly to a pocket knife. Like scissors you can have different blade angles. A sharper, more fine edge will give you an extra smooth shave, however it is more delicate and also harder to work with. A round point or edge will make it easier for a beginner, with less chance of nicks or cuts, however it is not as sharp.
Blade width is also something to consider when straight razor shaving. A thicker, wider blade may give a better cut with the extra weight behind it, however it may be trickier for a beginner to use. A narrower blade may give you more control.
Along with a traditional straight razor you will need to learn how to sharpen the blade. A Classic straight razor uses a leather strop to sharpen it. It will give your straight razor the sharpest edge possible.
In a barbershop today you will only come across a Shavette straight razor. Don't worry your barber will still guarantee you get the amazing straight razor shaving experience! A shavette looks similar to a traditional straight razor, however the blade is different. Shavettes use disposable blades. They are replaceable blades meant to be changed between every client. Unfortunately while traditional straight razors are the best, they are also not sanitary enough to be used on different clients throughout a barbers day.
Using a shavette straight razor means that your barber can change to a fresh blade for every client. Disposable blades guarantee that you are never using another client's blade, and being accidentally exposed to their blood or skin. There is no guaranteed way to completely sterilise a traditional straight razor, so if used on multiple people there is a chance of being exposed to someone else's blood, skin or even skin diseases.
There are different types of shavette straight razors. You can find them with a folding handle, like your traditional straight razors or you can find them with a straight handle, sometimes known as the kamisori handle. Straight or folding handle, it is whichever you find gives you the most comfort and control. The razor blade part is meant for holding your replaceable blades in position. Different razors have different ways to hold the blades. Some razors are as simple as pinching the top and replacing the blade, while others have a few more moving parts. Again this all comes down to what makes your life easier. They will all help you get a quality shave.
A shavette razor is still a perfect tool for wet shaving. It can help prevent ingrown hairs and give you the closest shave around.
Feather razors are known for being as close to traditional straight razors as you can get. You can easily change your feather blades and professional barbers love their design. Guaranteed a quality shave, every time!
While most barbers will always use a shavette straight razor, if you're just starting out learning the art of shaving, practicing with a safety razor is a must.
Like a shavette straight razor, a safety razor uses a disposable blade. This means they can be used in a barber shop. Using a safety razor will still get you a close shave, but with some added protection. Safety razors are still using one sharp, disposable blade. to get you a close shave every time.
If you are using this razor in a barbershop to shave multiple clients, you will have to use a shavette. However, having a traditional straight razor on hand at any time will definitely get the clients talking! Whatever razor you choose just know you will be getting the best, closest shave possible, and that's really what we came here for !
]]>With this growth comes an opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to capitalize on a booming market that is showing no signs of slowing down.
To gain a better understanding of this market's potential, we conducted a study of the UK's beauty industry.
The Hairdressing & Beauty Treatment industry in the UK is thriving and a major part of our economy. It provides important services to people of all ages and abilities, as well as an avenue for creative professionals to express themselves through hairstyling and beauty treatments.
Therefore, it’s important to understand the market growth so that businesses can tailor their salons to stay competitive with informed decisions from the data. Such as identifying opportunities, and analyzing consumer demands.
We had to consider certain factors to exactly work out the growth market scores, such as:
The hair, nail, and beauty industry is a booming sector in the UK. In 2019, there were more than 49,000 businesses operating in this industry, a 3% increase from the previous year.
Most of these small businesses are run solely or with minimal staff; close to three-quarters employ fewer than five people and 94% employ fewer than ten people. Furthermore, 63% of those who work in this sector are self-employed.
The overall growth was strongest for barbershops and beauty salons, with hair salons particularly showing the best figures.
The hair and beauty market has been on a rapid growth trajectory over the past few years, with 54% more hairdressing, barbering, and beauty businesses opening in 2020 than in 2015.
In 2019 there were 8,677 beauty salons in the UK; an impressive 73% increase since 2014 showing that entrepreneurs and small business owners still see a bright future in the beauty sector.
However, their overall survival rate is a tad lower at just over 60% compared to more than ten percent more for other sectors in the industry.
As reported by the Office for National Statistics in March 2020 there were 44,880 businesses offering such services all over England.
The geographical breakdown reveals that the greatest concentration of these establishments is in London which had 7,015, but every other major location has its own share as well.
North West leads with 5,425 salons, followed by South East with 5,425 as well. The North East with 2,020 salons stands third while Yorkshire and Humber come in fourth at 3,690.
The East Midlands trailed very close at 2,980 while the West Midlands came fifth with 3,815 hair and beauty salons.
Wales offered citizens, 2,155 such facilities, while Scotland had 3,810 and Northern Ireland 1,560.
It’s no secret that the better your visibility/access is, the more chances of attracting more walk-in clients and customers. Proximity to public transportation as well as available traffic on site all factor into this too.
It is better for a business to be located in an area where its target market is well concentrated. More budget-friendly places may find more benefits in areas with more diverse demographics, for example.
A business can be both positively and negatively impacted by other salons being in proximity to their own. Clusters of salons can create a hub where more business can be conducted, however, this can create excessive competition too.
The main location will affect the costs of a business, such as the rent prices and tax. It’s best to choose an area with lower expenses overall to be able to allocate the resources of the business to other areas, such as training and products.
Clothing stores and gyms can be massively beneficial as complementary businesses next to salons, as they can boost traffic, which can benefit all parties involved.
There are some locations that may have restrictions in place that may impact the efficiency of operating a salon business. It’s important to be aware of these to avoid closure etc.
Around 83% of workers in this industry are female, according to 2019 statistics. There were 13,046 registered barbershops in the UK in 2019, up 64% from 2014 - making the industry quite lucrative for those wishing to enter it.
On average, hairdressers can expect to earn around £8.57 per hour, with salaries ranging from £13k - £24k annually depending on experience.
Growth has been further bolstered by an increase in self-employment, as 60% of people working in hairdressing and barbering were recorded as self-employed by 2020 (up from 54% reported in 2019).
In 2019, there were 16,559 hair salons throughout the UK - representing a 21% rise over five years.
The hair and beauty sector in the UK has seen significant growth over the past few years. The majority of those employed in this sector are female, with 94% of workers falling into this gender bracket.
Factors such as competition, costs, target market, local regulations, and accessibility all play an extremely crucial role in the overall success of a business. By understanding these statistics further, stakeholders are able to make informed decisions.
]]>We can access tips and tutorials online, providing us and our hair stylists with a never-ending stream of information and new hairstyles to try out. But this also means that the popularity of hairstyles is constantly changing, making it harder for us to keep up with the latest trends and styles.
So we need to stay ahead of the game, by knowing what the most Googled hairstyles are around the world. That way, we can tailor our hairstyles and the services we offer to deliver the best results to our clients. After all, we want them to have a stylish hairstyle, don’t we?
But knowing this information can be tricky. This is why we are here with the answers that you need! We analysed a list of over 100 hairstyles, showing us what the most Googled hairstyles were around the globe. With the help of Google and its Keyword Planner, we narrowed down the results and are pleased to reveal to you today that the bob haircut is the most popular and Googled hairstyle in over 52 countries!
We bet you want to know more about this, so keep reading to see what we here at Scissor Tech UK found out and how it can help us all become better hairstylists! After all, we have the tools for you, now you need to know which styles you will create with them!
Below we have a list of the top 5 searched hair looks. These states were conducted using Google Keyword Planner to see monthly search volumes to give these average monthly scores. Let’s check them out now.
As you can see, the bob took the top spot with a huge difference between 1st and 2nd place. The bob is one of the most searched hair looks every month, coming out on top in over 52 countries including the UK, the US, France, and China. The scope of the haircut across the globe proves how popular it is, with more and more opting to chop their hair and sport a cute bob.
But the bob comes in a variety of styles, allowing the popular hairstyle to be still super versatile. One of the more popular options is the French bob which was searched for 8,100 times a month! This bob works best for long, oval, and heart-shaped faces, with the hair cut shorter than the usual chin length we see on bobs.
A French bob is often paired with a fringe and can feature layers to add some texture to it. It’s one we can expect to stick around for a while, especially as its searches are up 179% year on year!
We mentioned that the bob was popular and came out on top in 52 countries, but where is it most popular? Below we have a list of the top 10 countries searching for the bob and having it as their next hairstyle, let’s take a look at the list now.
Are you surprised by the results? We were too! Who knew that the bob had such a worldwide following and appreciation? It shows how far-reaching the bob has become, with its popularity being seen across four continents! No matter where you are using your Scissor Tech scissors, you can bet you will be asked about a bob.
So why is it important to know about the popularity of the bob haircut across the globe? Well, there are a few reasons that we would like to touch on today to help you better understand the importance of the figures we have shared with you.
First, we have cultural understanding. The more we understand about the popularity of a bob haircut in different regions, the more we can learn about their trends, preferences, and cultural values. Doing so can help us deepen our understanding of different cultures and promote them in a cross-exchange, rather than appropriating the style without giving any credit!
Knowing where hairstyles are popular can also help you improve your business. If you operate in the beauty or fashion industry, you know how important it is to stay on top of the current trends, after all, you don’t want to fall behind the times!
By knowing what is popular in your area, you can tailor your products and services to suit the market. This helps you target your marketing better and deliver success for your market. If bobs are popular in your area, start promoting products designed for shorter hairstyles. Or you might want to focus on extensions for those that have cut their hair and need more length or volume for an event or hairstyle.
For professionals in the hair industry, you need to know where the bob haircut is popular. It helps you stay updated on global hair trends, allowing you to meet the diverse needs of the industry with ease. If bobs are popular in your area, you might need to train all of your stylists on bobs or start showcasing recent bobs online to attract more clients.
If you like to travel and want to look like a local, it's helpful to know where bob is popular. That way you can adapt your style and not stick out like a sore thumb when you arrive.
The bob and other hairstyles can reflect historical and social contexts. It's always worth being aware of these to help deepen your appreciation of how fashion trends are shaped by society and change over time.
At ScissorTech UK, we asked 50 participants if they have ever had a bob cut before and their thoughts on the style. In order to keep this data piece inclusive to all, we asked all genders and array of age groups:
To begin with, this data provides valuable insights into our participants' preferences regarding the bob cut. It reveals that a significant majority of our participants expressed a positive inclination towards this particular hairstyle. Moreover, the data also sheds light on their personal experiences with the bob cut, indicating that most participants have either previously sported this style or currently have it.
Furthermore, a deeper analysis of the data highlights some interesting findings among the male participants. Approximately 30% of the participants identified as male, indicating a notable presence in the study. Among these male participants, 20% reported they are either currently experiencing, or have had a personal experience with the bob cut. This implies that out of the total 15 male participants, 3 individuals have firsthand familiarity with this hairstyle.
These findings provide valuable insights for understanding the overall perception and adoption of the bob cut among our diverse participant pool. The data suggests that the bob cut holds considerable appeal across various demographics, and it is particularly noteworthy to observe male participants embracing this hairstyle as well.
And there you have it, the bob is the most Googled hairstyle across the globe! With searches topping 222,000 every month, it is clear that the bob is popular and is sticking around! With searches in over 52 countries, the style is taking the world by storm and one hairdressers should brush up on to ensure that they can meet the demand!
]]>First let's talk a little about why a razor is a must have! While scissors are your bread and butter, a razor can be your best tool for certain types of haircuts. If you're wanting to give a client a very textured, choppy haircut a razor may be the perfect tool for you.
Razor cuts are great for cutting thick hair. You can use your razor to do an entire haircut which will remove a lot of weight and add so much movement and texture to the hair. A razor cut tends to be thinner at the ends, giving your cut a softer finish. A scissor cut tends to have a heavier, more blunt finish.
Knowing what hair texture to use a razor on is important. It can be used on thick hair to really thin it out. You can use your razor on fine hair to give movement but it is only recommended to be used as a texturizing technique, not a full haircut technique. If your clients hair is prone to frizz and breakage, skipping the razor and using scissors will help protect the integrity of their hair.
Now that you know you need one.... let's help you find the best razor for your hairdressing kit!
If you have bought a set of scissors you may have noticed a very handy, and cool, texturising razor came with them. The Matsui texturising razor is a single blade razor with a straight, ergonomic handle. The single blade has an attached guard with grooves on it. This guard not only stops the blade from accidentally cutting anyone but it helps to create texture. This razors designed to take on even coarse hair. The razor handle is designed for the maximum comfort and ease while you cut. Your Matsui texturising razor comes with a pack of replacement blades as well. These disposable blades ensure you are using the sharpest, freshest blades with the best results.
The texturising razor is great for haircuts and all types of texturising techniques. As a hairdresser it is also a great tool to have for mens haircuts. You can use it to create a soft natural neckline while getting a close shave on the neck, which men love!
A razor comb is similar to texturising razor. However, it takes two razor blades and the handle is more like a comb. A razor comb is best used for texturising, and might be a little harder to use for an entire haircut. It is a great tool for blending. Even barbers will love using a razor comb to help blend the sides of their cuts to the top. You can use regular razor blades and then the comb has a textured razor blade cover.
Most hairdressers may avoid having a traditional straight razor in their kit. This is due to the fact that it is more of a barbering tool. Barbers are taught to use a straight razor early on, while it is normally skipped over if you're doing your hairdressing apprenticeship. That being said, if you can learn to use one, it is a seriously great skill to have.
Of course as a hairdresser you will not be expected to do a smooth shave. However a traditional razor has other uses. You can use it to do a razor cut, and a softer more precise look and if you have male clients, we promise they will always love a quick little neck shave.
A straight facial razor can be used to do a razor cut, if you have more experience. Since a straight razor does not have a guard it can easier to cut your hands when using it, it is not for the beginner stylist. You will also need to really move you razor to create alot of texture. The difference when cutting with a straight razor is that it is gentler on the hair, and will be softer on the cuticle if you are cutting a client who has damaged hair.
Time to Razor cut!
Now that you know your different options for razor and razor blades you can get to razor cutting ! We promise you .. and your clients will love you for it !
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Cleaning! Regular cleaning of your scissor blades in between every client is a must. You will need your soft cloth and your scissors. Between every client wipe your scissor blades clean with your cleaning cloth. Leftover hair fragments, products, dirt and moisture can ruin blade edges and lead to rust and corrosion. Some people prefer to use isopropyl alcohol to clean their blades, while this will guarantee they are sterilised properly it can lead to quicker corrosion of your scissors. Proper cleaning of your blades will help them stay sharper longer!
Everyday! At Least once a day! After working hard all day long your scissors need some love. First reach for you scissor oil pen. Place a small drop of oil on each blade at the pivot point. The pivot point is where the two blades meet, held together by a screw. Open and close your blades gently to spread the oil. Use your soft cloth to remove any excess oil.
Daily oiling of your hair cutting scissors helps to prevent dull blades. It also helps prevent misalignment of your blades by ensuring they are properly lubricated. Proper maintenance of your haircutting scissors can help prolong their sharpness!
Making sure your hair cutting shears have the correct tension is a must ! Haircutting shears that are not properly adjusted will often mimic damaged or dull blades. Hair scissors that pull, push, bend or snag hair may scare you and you may call your scissor sharpener right away! While we always recommend reaching out to a professional sharpening service, first, make sure you have checked your tension!
Checking and adjusting your tension daily will help protect your blade edges. If you cut hair with hair scissors that are too tight they will not only snag your clients hair, causing you and your client pain, but also damage the cutting edge. When they are too tight the blades will tend to rub together which will damage the sharp edge. If your hair scissors are too loose they will push or bend the hair. This can also cause your blades to touch at a bad angle and damage them. So long story short..... always check and adjust your hairdressing scissors!
You should check your hair scissors at least once a day. To check them properly, hold them from their handle with the blades pointing up. Lift the thumb finger hole to open the blades. Release the finger ring and let it fall naturally.
If the finger hole falls past 20 degrees or completely closes your scissors are too loose. If the finger ring stays open above 45 degrees your scissors are too tight. The right tension will have your scissors finger holes fall between 20 and 45 degrees.
Hair shears come with two options for a tension screw. Some have a raised tension screw attached to the scissor. Other scissors will have a screw that requires a tension adjuster, or "key". In your handy scissor maintenance kit we have included the right tension adjuster for you.
To adjust your hair shears simply turn the tension screw to the right to tighten or to the left to loosen. To get the correct tension only turn the screw slightly, as not to over tighten or loosen your hair shears. Once you think you have gotten the correct tension, check your scissors again and adjust if needed.
After all this hard work to properly maintain your scissors please make sure to keep them safe! Keep your scissors in their protective case when not in use. This will help prevent any falls or damage to your scissors. You may even want to try a scissor mat or holster to help keep them safe! A scissor mat will guarantee that your scissors stay safe on your station while a holster will keep them safe on your person. Either way, you can't go wrong ! Check out our scissor mats and holsters HERE.
Shear maintenance is so important in prolonging the life of your scissors. Not only will the perform better for you but they will continue to perform the best for many years to come. Cleaning, oiling and tensioning your shears daily will ensure many many years of sharp blades, precision cuts and of course a happy hairdresser and clients!
Before we talk about slider shears let's have a quick look at slide cutting. Slide cutting is one of the newer, very popular cutting techniques out there. It has gained a lot of traction as the popularity of hair extensions has increased.
Slide cutting is a popular cutting technique used to remove weight, soften haircuts and blend layers. It is a must for seamless blending of extensions. When cutting straight lines with regular hairdressing scissors we can often leave behind hard, blunt lines. Slide cutting can help reduce these lines and keep your layers looking soft and blended. Slide cutting is also a popular technique for cutting face framing layers. It is a must for achieving that beautiful soft face frame we have all come to love.
A slide cut can be done on wet or dry hair. If you are cutting a face frame or layers and wanting to remove length, wet hair will help you achieve that. If you are wanting to blend layers or soften lines it is best to slide cut on dry hair. Not only does this allow you to see where you need to blend, but also helps to keep the softness of the blend.
If you haven't already perfected the slide cut you have come to the right place. There are a few different ways to slide cut, depending on your desired results.
The basis of the slide cut is that you are sliding your open cutting shears along the hair shaft and sliding through the cuticle. You do this by softly opening and closing your cutting shears. You never completely close them, as that will just remove a large section of hair. If you are using slide cutting to remove more hair and length, like for a face frame, it is important to remember to use a little more weight when sliding your hair scissors.
You can use slide cutting, or slicing to remove weight and create texture from the interior of your haircuts, similar to point cutting. You can take sections, lift them and slide from the interior of the section out. This is a great way to create softness and fine tune any hair cut.
Slide cutting is a more sensitive form of texturising. Since you are working more closely with the cuticle of the hair strands you need to make sure you are keeping the hair in great condition. This means you need some seriously sharp scissors! Slide cutting with dull hair scissors, or the wrong type of blade design can lead to snagging and pulling on the hair, which causes split ends and damage. Hair stylists do not want their client leaving their chair with damaged hair!
A good pair of slide cutting shears will be made from high quality Japanese steel. Japanese steel is known for their convex edge blades. A convex edge is a curved blade that comes to a very fine, sharp point. This type of blade design helps to push the hair when cutting, perfect for slide cutting.
A convex edge is only found on higher quality shears. Lower quality shears are made from cheaper steel which is too soft to hold and maintain a super sharp edge.
It is also important to always slide cut with very sharp hair cutting shears. Dull hair cutting shears can damage hair and leave it with split ends. When slide cutting we often are cutting on dry hair, dry hair can be more sensitive than wet hair and is more prone to split ends if using the wrong scissors.
As we mentioned it is important to know the edge you are using. You can slide cut with a convex or a semi convex blade. While a semi-convex edge will not be as precise it should still be sharp enough to help you achieve a smooth cut. However you may find that your hair cutting shears have a bevelled edge. A bevelled edge is a harder edge. It does not come to a sharp point like a convex does. It is great for blunt cutting techniques and barbering techniques. It is not recommended for slide cutting as it is just not as sharp.
Now that you have decided that you definitely need a pair of slide cutting shears we have the right pair for you. Our Matsui VG10 Sliders are the perfect fit. These slide cutting shears are made from the highest quality Japanese VG10 Steel. VG10 is a very strong steel that will stay sharper for longer, perfect for all your slide cutting needs. These slide cutting scissors come with 5.5 Inch blades or 6 Inch blades guaranteeing you will find these to be the most comfortable shears. We especially recommend these slide cutting shears for the stylist with many extension clients. These will give you the softest and best blend out there. These slide cutting shears are best only used for texturising techniques and the convex blades are too sensitive for blunt cutting.
If you are wanting a great scissor that can do it all, we recommend the Matsui Aichei Mountain Scissor. Made with the best Japanese Aichei Steel, their scissor blades are super sharp and will stay sharp for longer. These hair cutting scissors give you incredible versatility. Their blades are semi convex and perfect for any type of cutting technique, from blunt cuts to slide cutting, these shears do it all! The offset handle design guarantees maximum comfort as you cut. So while they are not specific slide cutting scissors they can do it all !
It's time to invest in the perfect pair of slide cutting shears! These are some of the best shears around and you will not be disappointed!
Shear holsters are designed specifically for keeping your shears and other tools with you at all times. This is a great way to help prevent accidental dropping or other damage to your scissors. Placing scissors down on your station all day can lead to them being misaligned or even worse, falling to the floor and being severely damaged. The modern professional hair artist wants convenience, safety and of course to look cool while doing it all! Here is a list of our favourites for you !
This stylish pouch, made from the finest materials is designed to hold up to 7 pairs of scissors. The pouch is meant to be worn around your waist and can be adjusted to fit a large variety of waist sizes. The pouch has room not only for 7 scissors but has one extra large pocket to hold your combs and even your phone. There is a strap across the front that is great for holding your clips, way better than clipping them onto your shirt ! The scissor tech scissor pouch comes in a sleek black or pretty peach. One of the best features of this pouch is the bottom that opens easily, giving you a quick and easy way to clean the hair out of your pouch!
You can check out the Scissor Tech Scissor Pouch HERE.
Our holster holds 7 scissors without too much fuss. There is a large pocket for all your combs and a handy strap for your clips. The scissor holsters style is made to be worn across your body or waist. The holster is a little more compact then the pouch but still has plenty of space to hold all your cutting needs! The holster comes in two colours, a cool tan or classic charcoal. You can check it out HERE
This faux leather black tool belt holds it all. The non leather is soft and durable but also waterproof and easy to clean. It has one extra large pocket with a zipper to store your phone, wallet or even keys ! We aren't kidding, this pocket is extra large! There are multiple pockets designed specifically for holding any tool. They range in size from clips to being big enough to hold your clippers. This tool belt has space for it all. The belt is adjustable and can be worn around your waist or hips. If you're looking for a scissor pouch or holster that can hold it all check the Framar Hipster tool belt out HERE
These luxury holsters are made from the finest materials with some cool looks. They have multiple pattern options from plain black to rustic pink. The price of this faux top grain leather tool belt is worth it for all the space. There is room to hold up to 10 pairs of shears with a large main pouch that has a flap you can close, for extra protection. There are multiple pockets to hold your combs, clips and everything you need, plus three loops for your brushes. If you're looking for a trendy, convenient and huge tool belt check the Kassaki out HERE. You wont be disappointed.
Sometimes we need to go back to the basics. This real leather holster keeps it simple and stylish. It holds three scissors with a pocket for combs. It is simple, small and functional! Its adjustable belt will fit everyone and is made to be worn around your hips or shoulder. If you prefer a simpler but classic scissor holster check this one out HERE.
You can't go wrong ! Whether you prefer a more classic look, or a hold it all tool belt, these holsters will keep your tools safe and happy for many years to come!
If you leave a pain untreated then expect that pain to get worse over time unless you take the right steps today to heal and ease the pain for you.
These days there are tools you can use while hairdressing that can prevent or completely stop any pains from cutting. There's also treatments you can do to help with any pain.
Getting a diagnosis like Carpal tunnel syndrome or RSI doesn't necessarily mean you have to end your career, it just means with time, effort and investing in new tools that you can fix yourself over time.
So now that we know that a repetitive strain injury is not a life sentence and more a lifestyle change, then lets see our top tips we are willing to suggest for you to help.
What is Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an injury that occurs in your wrist causing Inflamed wrist tendons from overuse or uncomfortable repetitive motions. Hand pain continues or gradually becomes unbearable when you continue to use the same tools or don't choose to seek any medical treatment.
What is RSI
RSI is another term used when explaining Repetitive Strain Injuries. such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Repetitive movements can cause painful hand pain or any type of pain on the body that has seemed to be overworking in such a way that's uncomfortable.
RSI can be prevented by changing your habits like good posture or comfortable tools for you body to be relaxed better while working.
What are the Signs of an injury
Apart from the obvious pain and discomfort there are some signs that you could be itching closer and closer to developing Carpal Tunnel and RSI related injuries.
Best hairdressing scissors for a Repetitive Strain Injury
There is one type of hero shear that is always recommended to those suffering from any advanced carpal tunnel syndrome or progressive RSI injuries.
Lots of different hairdressing scissor companies do their own style of Swivel Shears.
What makes a Swivel Shears so different from a traditional shear is the Swivel Thumb feature. The swivel Thumb is a great feature for those suffering RSI or Carpal Tunnel because it allows your thumb, hands and arm to rest in a more comfortable position while cutting.
The Swivel Thumb will allow you to change positions while cutting like lowering your elbow which strain off your back and shoulder too. So really you could say that not only is a Swivel shear comfortable for your thumb and hands but it really is comfortable for the rest of your body too.
Best scissors for preventing a Repetitive Strain Injury
If you are a hairstylist that is just looking to prevent any RSI injuries from occurring then using ergonomic designed hair scissors is the way to go. An Ergo shear is what we like to call them, are hairdressing scissors that are designed for ultimate support and comfort while cutting.
The Matsui Ergo design comes in a master barber length and two different traditional salon shear lengths. This design provides you with ultimate control and comfort due to the extra finger rest support for your middle finger. These hairdressing scissors really have a comfortable place for your finger providing the ultimate support while cutting.
The Matsui Super Ergo design is a traditional shear and thinning shears. These hairdressing scissors are again designed for ultimate comfort due to the extra finger rests. This will also provide you more control while cutting.
These reversible hair scissors are nicknamed the double threat for a reason. These scissors allow you to cut with both your left or right hand. Being able to change hands while cutting is a huge game changer due to being able to use the rest one hand while cutting with the other.
Treatments
The first thing you should do if you think you could be suffering from RSI related injuries like Carpal Tunnel would be to visit a doctor or a physiotherapist as these are the only two health professionals that can determine a diagnosis for you.
Ways to relieve symptoms would be a Splint, Medications, Surgery (if it's a really bad case), Acupuncture and Physiotherapy stretches. We always think the best way is also using the right tool and practicing good posture also.
So the ultimate goal is to always prevent pain by investing in the best ergonomically designed tools that can change your overall posture and provide the best comfort while cutting all day long.
When you start to feel the smallest that starts to become more and more uncomfortable then now you will hopefully know the right steps to take to help yourself.
A good barber knows the importance of his scissors and keeping them clean and oiled. Due to the fact that we use multiple tools on multiple clients throughout our day our first, most important step is always to clean and disinfect our tools. Every country has specific regulations on how to do so to prevent cross contamination.
We recommend first wiping all hair off the blades of your scissors, between every haircut. You can use a soft microfiber cloth or a soft towel. This also helps to remove build up of hair products and other dirt. Then use some scissor oil at the pivot point of each blade. This helps to remove any excess hair. Make sure you wipe any remaining oil off your scissor blades. To prevent rust make sure to dry your scissors well.
To keep your scissors from dulling quickly, pushing, bending or pulling hair it is good practice to check your scissor tension multiple times a day. This will help make sure your blades are properly aligned. You can do this by holding your scissors by the handle with the blades pointing up. Lift the thumb ring to above 90 degrees and let go. If it completely closes or drops below 20 degrees they are too loose, if they stay open at 45 degrees or above they are too tight. They should be between 20 and 45 degrees. Adjust the tension accordingly.
Always store your scissors safely away at the end of the day. All of our scissors come in a protective case to prevent them from any accidental drops and damage. You may also want to consider a station mat or holster for all your tools. You can find a mat or holster HERE. A mat will keep your tools safe on your station while a holster will ensure your scissors and combs stay safely at your side. No matter what you choose your scissors and tools will be well looked after!
Hair clipper maintenance and cleaning is very important. When we use hair clippers they touch multiple clients' heads a day. To protect your clients, cleaning your clippers is a must.
Between every client you must clean hair clippers. Use a small brush to remove any leftover hair. Then use a disinfectant spray, such as Clippercide or Andis cool care to disinfect and lubricate your clipper blades. Your clipper blades are made from metal and if not lubricated properly they can pull on hair or even cut skin. To work the disinfectant clipper spray through the clipper blades use the lever to open and close the blades, to make sure you get all the debris and hair that may have gotten stuck. Due to the electrical components of barber clippers it is important to remember to keep the blades pointed down to prevent too much clipper spray from entering the body and causing damage.
At the end of every day you should give your hair clippers a deep clean. For deep cleaning most hair clippers you will need a small screwdriver to remove your clipper blades. Some new hair clippers actually have blades that can be taken on or off without a screwdriver. Once the blades are removed you can make sure to use a cleaning brush to remove all the remaining hair out of the body and blades of the clippers. You can use clipper spray or compressed air to remove all the little hairs that are left behind. Put your blades back on and adjust accordingly as sometimes a long busy day can misalign them. Once you have adjusted them to your liking place a drop of clipper oil on each side and the middle. Do not use too much oil as it can leave behind a residue. Turn your clippers on for a few seconds to disperse the oil. Use a towel to remove any leftover oil.
You need to also make sure you clean and disinfect all of your guards. Brush any leftover hair off and then place your guards in barbicide or spray with clipper spray. Remove them after 5-10 minutes and dry them with a towel. This is all a vital part of the cleaning process between each and every client.
Like hair clippers, hair trimmers need similar maintenance. Use a small brush to remove any hair. Always spray and disinfect them between clients. Because they are smaller you will not need nearly as much spray or clipper oil. Always check that the top and bottom blades are aligned as small trimmers can nick or cut a client's skin. Use one or two small drops of clipper oil and let your trimmers blades run for a few seconds to spread the oil. Wipe excess oil with a clean towel.
Every barber shop should have a container of barbicide at every station. This blue liquid is a shop staple. It is there to clean and disinfect your tools. If your brushes have hair on them use a comb to help remove it and place both the combs and brush into the barbicide. This needs to be done between every client, or if you drop a comb on the floor during a haircut. The contact time for barbicides effectiveness should be between 5- 10 minutes. This is why barbers usually have so many comb and brush options.
Learning the art of the shave is a must for a barber. Men frequent the barber because not only do they give quality haircuts but they can take care of their beard as well. Unsanitary equipment can lead to all kinds of problems, especially when dealing with a straight razor. This is why in this day and age we now have certain single use items, like razor blades. Reusing a razor blade can transfer one customer's blood or skin to another, spreading infections and diseases. Always use a new blade for every client.
After you use your razor, whether it be for a shave or just a neck clean up, remove the blade and place it in the proper Sharps container. Place your Straight razor body and handle into barbicide and allow it to sit there for at least 10 minutes. You can then dry your razor, place a fresh blade in the body and continue with your next client.
Capes are a must use when cutting hair. They prevent hair from landing on your client. As a barber or hairdresser you have more than likely experienced the dreaded hair splinter. The point of the cape is to prevent this from happening to our customers as well!
Certain things, like capes, can not be thrown out after every client. This is why it is recommended to always use neck strips or a clean towel. This creates a barrier between your clients neck and the cape. Even when using neck strips all day it is important to use multiple capes during your day and clean them at the end of everyday.
You have spent a lot of your day ensuring that you are using clean tools on each person that sits in your chair. It is important to always remember to treat your shop the same. Sweep up and bin any hair on the floor. Wipe and disinfect your station and chair. You may choose to wear gloves and change them between each person, or use hand sanitiser. Either way your cleanliness is as important as your tools and your shop.
We hope our tips and tricks have helped you understand the importance of disinfecting and caring for our tools. Barbers are known for giving great cuts, even better shaves and keeping their workspace clean and tidy ! It's part of the job! And you're doing great !
Both tools are a must have for professional stylists and barbers. It really is all about the finished look. No one tool is better than the other, but they both have their strengths and weaknesses and knowing these can help you get the perfect cut every time.
Hair clippers are known for a fast effective way to remove bulk amounts of hair fast but what are their strengths and weaknesses? let's find out..
Scissor cuts are best for longer textured styles and longer styled cuts. So what can you achieve with a scissor that you can't with a clipper?
Really comparing the two you may have noticed the huge difference between them is really the need for one or the other. When you are learning to cut hair you will start to find you will favour one tool over the other, but this will be just a personal preference,
Clipper cuts are not better than shear cuts or vice versa. It is all about knowing your tools and when to use them for the best results!
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It is important to store your scissors safely. Why, you may ask ? Simply put- keep them safe. Too often we are rushed around the salon and our scissors end up left alone on our station, or even worse they accidentally fall to the ground. Not storing our scissors properly can lead to accidental bumps and falls that can seriously damage our hair shears.
You will find that any hair cutting shears you buy from Scissor Tech come in a padded protective case. A scissors case is used to ensure that they arrive to you safely, but also so you have a safe place to keep your scissors. However, you may find you leave your scissors on your station while you are working. What's the best way to protect them while you're working ?... A station mat !
A station mat is a high quality rubber mat, with a raised surface. Seems simple right? It is. But it is also so important to have one on your workstation.
Raised scissor mats are great for keeping your tools above the surface. This means if there are any accidental spills, your hairdressing scissors and other tools are safe from water or chemicals. Hair scissors that are left sitting on a wet station, or towel can lead to rust or corrosion of the scissor blades. Or if you accidentally spill colour, scissor mats guarantee your shears safe from any damage that may cause. It may seem that leaving your hair scissors on a soft surface, like a towel is good enough. However if there is a spill or colour that you do not see at first your scissors are then sitting in a wet towel! Long exposure to water can leave scissor blades rusty.
As we mentioned, a scissor mat is made from rubber. This is to keep those hair cutting scissors from moving around. If your shears are placed on a rubber mat they are less likely to slide off your station and drop onto the floor. Dropping your shears can lead to them being out of alignment, getting nicks or worst of all, breaking the tip of the blade. A station mat will make sure your shears stay where they belong!
It is also recommended that you don't leave your hair shears on a hard surface because sometimes we get busy ! As a busy stylist if you are constantly picking up and placing your scissors down on your hard station surface, this can mean that when you're in a rush and you place your scissors down you may accidentally knock them out of alignment. Scissors that are out of line can begin to pull, bend or push hair.
Don't forget that a station mat is also helping to protect your station, and keep it clean! This is a must to keep your salon looking fresh at all times.
That's the station mat! We truly believe adding one to your station will be a game changer. If you're a hairdresser who wants to keep their scissors and salon in the best shape possible check out our range of station mats and other accessories HERE. They come in a variety of colours to keep your scissors safe and your station looking beautiful!
When considering which steel you are going to use, you will most likely come across some words/ descriptions you have never heard before. We are here to help break it down for you.
All steel is graded on the Rockwell hardness rating scale. Rockwell hardness refers to how resistant a metal is to any sort of damage or deformation. The higher the number, the harder the steel. This does not mean that a lower rating is less quality steel, it just means it is softer. Which in a hairdresser's life means a softer steel may not hold some edges as well as a super hard steel. Again, this is in no way a negative ! Not all stylists need the sharper edges.
I've just mentioned that different edges may not work with softer steel. So let's talk edges real quick.
Our first blade edge is the convex edge. Convex edge blades are the sharpest edge one can get on their scissors. While this may seem like the best scissor option for you, it is important to take into consideration what you are using your hairdressing scissors for. These blades are best for point cutting, slide cutting and other advanced cutting techniques. It is so sharp you may find that if you're cutting a blunt line the hair slides right off the tip. A convex edge blade will always have a hollow ground line. This helps to reduce friction. Because the sharper convex edge is so precise, and, well, sharp, they may be more sensitive. This means they will dull quicker and are more prone to damage. You will always need to be extra careful with convex blades.
Another blade type is the beveled edge. Bevel edge blades are still very sharp, however they are angled more down, meaning that they do not come to such precise edge. The bevelled edge blade is a more robust edge, which will need less maintenance than a convex, and last longer.
Then there is the semi convex edge. Simply put, this is not as sharp and precise as the convex edge, but more precise than the bevelled edge.
Alright now let's get down to what you came here for !
Japan is known for all things steel! After all, they invented the samurai sword. They like high quality steel and super sharp edges. So this means they have some high quality scissors! If you're after convex blades, japanese hairdressing scissors are for you. However those sharp convex edge blades come with a large price tag. Such an edge is hard to make and requires the best quality scissor steel to get it just right.
Japanese hair scissors are made with different types of steel. There is 440A which has a Rockwell hardness of 55-58. It is a softer steel but still of standard quality. Then there is the 440c steel, still standard quality. It is harder and an excellent all - rounder steel.
Next up is your VG10. This Japanese steel is graded between 58-60 on the Rockwell hardness scale. This is higher up on the Rockwell hardness scale, and also on the pricier side. Above the VG10 you will find the Hitachi ATS 314 which is 59-61 on the scale. High quality steel, and high quality price.
So while we have said that Japanese scissors are made from some incredibly strong steel, don't close the book on German hairdressing scissors just yet. The Germans have led the way with European stainless steel and have been producing quality scissors for quite some time.
German shears are known for their beveled edge. The beveled edge blade is actually known as the German edge. This means they use a premium steel that is hard enough to hold its edge. A beveled edge can also have serration added to it. This means that one blade has a lot of tiny little marks in it. This helps to hold hair in place as you are cutting.
There are 3 most commonly used German steel. Stainless chromium steel which is a good quality steel with a Rockwell hardness of 57-59. Next in line is the Molybdenum steel with a 58-59 hardness, a high quality steel. Then there is MC Micro Carbide steel, hardest and highest quality.
German hairdressing scissors are hardworking, good quality scissors. They come with affordable prices and sharp edges.
We hope this article has helped make your decision a little easier. No matter which you choose, Japanese or German, you will be choosing a quality scissor. It's hard to say which is the best - it is more about which pair of scissors works best for you ! We recommend choosing a scissor based on your cutting style and clients and of course, your budget. If you need more help deciding, feel free to reach out to our customer service team.. they know their scissors!
That's why you should never go by what a client says at first and really ask a lot of questions during your consultation. By having a really in depth consultation this gives you and your client the opportunity to be on the same page.
So with saying all this, it gets us back to the topic of our conversation today and that is "What is the difference between a trim and a restyle cut?".
What is considered a trim?
The main goal of a trim is to get rid of any dry or split ends. A simple trim should really be in the range of cutting off 1 cm or 2 cm and for your split ends to not split any higher you would be a trim every 3-6 weeks.
Trims are designed to keep your hair healthy if your aim is to grow and keep your healthy hair as long as it can be. No client that is growing their hair wants to feel like they have walked out with a complete re-style or lots of length removed.
If your clients hair is damaged it is always important to explain the importance of small trim regularly to avoid large amounts of hair being cut off. This is why if a client expects a trim that they understand how much length that would actually mean of them losing before you start cutting.
If a client uses the words "baby trim" or simply just a trim then 9/10 they do mean no more than 1cm or 2cm.
What is a Restyle cut?
A restyle hair cut is more than a trim in regards to the amount of hair your client wants you to cut off. A restyle requires a long time in the chair and requires several different cutting techniques to achieve that desired look. A restyle will most times be a drastic change or a time consuming haircut for long hair or short hair.
A re-style can consist of cutting your hair from long to short, adding layers or texture and even thinning out the hair with thinning scissors. The aim of a restyle haircut is most of the time to keep length or to get damaged hair back to health, but for the client to leave feeling like they have a new haircut or style that they did not walk through the door with.
A restyle cut should always include a blow dry and a dry cut of check when the haircut and see how it sits dry. This is why a re-style will never be the same price as a trim as it does require more work and skill throughout your hair appointment.
Is there a difference in price
All salons have a method to their madness and different pricing structure when it comes to charging for haircuts.
What we have seen that has become very common is that a trim is normally less expensive than a restyle cut and we will explain why and if a senior stylist or experienced stylist is cutting your hair for you too.
When booking in for a trim you will find the hairdresser may wash it before they start cutting or they may not either, depending one how clean or dirty your hair is. trim can be cut dry or wet based on the preference of the hairdresser. A trim has a shorter time frame and doesn't require any hair styling afterwards (unless it's to blast the hair dry).
When getting a restyle it is best to have your hair washed before and this is for the final result that we will talk about at the end. A re-style can be cut twice, once when the hair is wet to cut out most of the bulk and shape and a second time once the hair has had a blow dry and styled straight.
When cutting dry this is to soften any harsh line or to thin out the hair to really finish off and perfect that style. Naturally this takes longer so that's why it costs more.
So to put our thoughts simply, we think that there are some huge differences between a trim and a restyle. These differences are..
The amount of hair being cut off (trim less and restyle more), the time frame of the hair appointment and whether you're trying to grow or keep your length or changing your hairstyle completely.
Cutting hair can look very different from one client to another so there are some essential tools you will always need and some tools that just really make your life easier but are really just an added bonus.
Also there may be different tools that a salon hairdresser may carry in their tool kit over a barber so today we will explore the difference between them too.
Really as hairstylist's it's a really fun task to go tool shopping so because you are spoiled with variety let's go through our opinion for you about what you will need and why.
Tools for a hairdresser
Cutting Comb
When it comes to cutting hair you cannot cut without a comb. Cutting combs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. It's always handy to have more than one cutting comb as cutting combs seem to have legs and go missing easily.
Cutting Cape
A cutting cape will stop the hair going all over your client and will protect their clothes. Cutting capes can get dirty easily so having more then one cutting cape is always a wise move.
Sectioning Clips
Sectioning clips help to section the hair while cutting, if you are not using sectioning clips then you're not able to precisely cut. Having different sizes to hold larger sections or smaller sections is a good idea.
Also you can never have too many sectioning clips.
Hair Dryer
A Hairdryer is a must have tool to finish any hair cut. you can simply blow away any loose hair, dry off the hair so then the haircut can be checked over again when dry and simply to use to style the hair too.
Assortment of brush's
When blow-drying you will need an assortment and different sized round brushes. This is because different sized brushes are for different lengths of hair or different blow drying styles.
Also you will need detangling brushes as every knot needs to be brushed out before you start cutting.
Scissor Pouch Holster
This is not a necessity but it certainly does make your life also easier!
Having a scissor pouch for your hair cutting tools means that your scissors are safe and accessible secured around your waist. As a hairstylist you may change your hair cutting tools several times throughout a haircut, so the closer you have them to you the better.
Hair products
Even shampoo and conditioner will be considered as hair products throughout a service when you get a haircut.
ITs also wise to have any styling products to style a haircut at the end or to help the hair be more smooth while blow drying.
It is always best to cut in front of a mirror so you can check in the mirror to see what your client see's. Another important mirror to have is a hand mirror, this is to show you client the back of their hair cut.
If you work in a salon then these will obviously be provided for you.
Alternative tools for a Barber
Hair Clippers set
Other than your hair cutting tools your clippers are one of those other hair cutting tools that you will need in barbering.
Along with your clippers you will need clipper attachments which are normally included in the pack you get when buying clippers. Your clippers should also include a maintenance kit to service and maintain your clippers too.
Balding Clippers
Normal clippers only cut to a zero which is short it's not as short as a balding clipper.
The length you can get with a balding clipper is the length in between a razor shave and the zero. Balding clippers become really handy when you cut such haircuts as a skin fade. Balding clippers will elevate a skin fade haircut or will just get closer to the skin to cut unwanted hairs around the skin and neck.
Mini Clippers
Mini Clippers are another one of those hair cutting tools that barbers or hairdressers may use to clean up lines on their haircut.
Mostly mini clippers are best used around the hard to get areas like around the ears. Mini clippers are also a great tool to have for cutting kids and babies hair.
Straight Razor and detachable blades
Razors are essential in barbering. You will use a razor for face shaving or crisping up lines around the hair and neck line.
For health and safety reasons you will need to change out a fresh blade between clients. So you will need a fresh detachable blade spare in your kit. To dispose of any used blades you will also need a sharps disposal container.
Spray Bottle
A spray bottle can also be used and needed for a hairdresser but more commonly used by a barber. Barbers may not wash their clients hair before cutting because they like to cut dry and wet throughout a haircut.
So wetting down the hair when they are cutting with hair cutting shears would be when they use a spray bottle throughout the hair cut.
Neck brush
A neck brush is a soft brush that's used to wipe away hair from your clients neck and hairline. This is an expected tool from clients as they really don't like that hair being stuck to their skin.
You can use a hairdryer to blow away the hair, but sometimes hair can be stubborn and stick to the skin so this is where a neck brush will come in handy.
We would never recommend cutting your own hair but if you have no other choice then you may find there are all the hair cutting tools you may need for your DIY haircuts.
If you are a hair stylist starting out then this is a great guide to see what you may need in your tool kit or the bare minimum.
Cutting hair is no joke, it requires great skill and training and having the right hair cutting tools will be the best way to get the most out of your hair cutting skills.
Trying to understand and choose between these three types of blow dryers can be very confusing. We will break it down a bit for you.
Ionic hair dryers are designed to speed up the hair drying process. When hair is wet it has a positive ionic charge, because water is made from positive ions. The ionic hair dryer emits negative ions to help balance out the positive ions. The negative ions basically scatter the positive ones, and speeds up the drying process. The Ionic hair dryer is great for smoothing out thick frizzy hair and removing excess moisture. This hair dryer is not recommended for clients with thin or fine hair. It can over dry thin hair making it dull and limp.
Tourmaline hair dryers work similarly to ionic dryers, except they add a little extra to it. The parts of the dryer are coated in tourmaline. Tourmaline is a semi precious gemstone that is ground up into dust and then used to coat the inside of the dryer. It adds even more negative ions and infrared heat. The tourmaline hair dryer is a must have for frizzy, thick hair. Tourmaline dryers help to close the hair cuticle and keep the hair smooth.
Ceramic hair dryers or porcelain dryers are also a must have, or must consider for a hairdresser. Ceramic hair dryers mean the inside parts are made of ceramic coating. Ceramic heats up quickly and evenly. Ceramic technology does this all while still being gentle on the hair. The ceramic hair dryers make for a quicker blow dry with less damage.
A good hair dryer will come with different settings to help you give the best blow out. A quality hair dryer will have multiple heat settings. This is so you can control how hot or cold the air flow is. Hot air is great for drying and smoothing the hair. It is important to be able to have adjustable heat settings as not all hair is the same! Using too hot air on some clients may cause heat damage. For damage prone hair you will want to use the lowest heat setting.
You also want to make sure there is a cool shot button. This quick burst of cool air is important for helping you to lock in the style.
The best hair dryers will come with the best and most important accessories. You will need a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser attachment.
The concentrator nozzle is there for directing the air into one spot. This nozzle is also known as the smoothing nozzle because it is a must have to achieve beautiful smooth, straight hair. The concentrator nozzle is also great for locking in styles as it directs the air to where it needs to be.
The diffuser attachment is a must have for curly or wavy hair. It is especially for clients who want to embrace their natural curls. The diffuser helps to distribute the air evenly. Using a regular nozzle or concentrator nozzle too much air can come out at once for curly hair. These nozzles will cause frizz. The diffuser will help prevent frizz in frizz prone hair when used correctly and with the right products.
It is important to note the other accessories one needs to achieve the perfect blow dry! Make sure you have a good heat protectant to use on your clients before blow drying. Also make sure you have a round brush ( or five ). This brush will help smooth out the hair and style it accordingly.
Is the one that works best for you! If you spend a lot of your day blow drying hair the right blow dryer for you will also be a lightweight and efficient hair dryer. Hopefully this article has helped you decide what you are looking for in your perfect hair dryer !!
Not only can you prolong the life of your haircutting shears through proper maintenance and care but also the results you can get from well maintained scissors is an extra added bonus too.
You would never buy a car or boat without servicing it over time as you run the risk of that car failing you and not lasting the years. So it would only make sense to transfer that same logic to any tool you have invested in for your career as a hairstylist.
Nothing is really designed to last forever but everything is designed to have some sort of cleaning or maintenance done to last, so that leads us into going over today with you the best way to clean your haircutting scissors.
Wipe away hair
The first step to always follow when cleaning your scissors is wiping away any excess hair that you see on your haircutting shears with a soft cloth.
Wet hair especially carries water, dirt and chemicals that can potentially cause damage to the steel if left on the steel frequently and for long periods of time. That's why we will always try to encourage you when you are not using your scissors to try and remember to wipe any excess hair from the hair scissors.
Sterilize your scissors in between clients
I mean we sanitize our hands these days as often as we see a new sanitizer bottle everywhere we go, so it only makes sense to sanitize your scissors in between clients too right?
We have found that the best sterilizing solution or rubbing alcohol to use on your scissors is Isopropyl Alcohol. Solutions like Barbicide can cause corrosion over time. Make sure after your sterilizing to wipe away any excess solution with a dry and hair free cleaning cloth.
Wipe away any chemicals
You hair cutting scissors are exposed to several different chemicals a day that can be harmful to your scissors. Chemicals can only be harmful if you do not frequently and properly clean off those chemicals through the day.
Chemicals like hair products, hair color, perming or straightening solutions and the list goes on.
Water can cause corrosion
Water is the number one problem to cause corrosion to your haircutting shears. If at any point through the day or even night that water could stay present on your scissors for a long period of time, it's always important to dry them with a paper towel or cloth to soak up that water.
Storing your scissors away from wet areas or any water bottle is always a smart idea too.
Never let your scissors soak
you may have seen or have been told that you scissors are perfectly fine to soak in solutions like Barbicide to sterilize. More often than we like to hear is that a hair stylist will choose to soak them instead of cleaning them.
We are here to tell you to STOP doing this. Steel of any kind is not designed to be soaked, especially in harsh chemicals. What you may find is that your scissors may weaken or start to rust after some time.
Oiling, oiling & oiling!
Well there's no proper cleaning routine without a follow up to oiling your hair scissors after. Oiling is an important part to treat the steel and ensure the cut to be the smoothest and easiest it can be.
All your scissors need is a few drops of oil at least twice a week to keep them in tip top shape for the years to come.
Professional sharpening
Now we know this blog is about cleaning but we wanted to also touch on sharpening and how sharpening can actually come under the umbrella of "cleaning".
When you book in to get your scissors sharpening 1-2 times a year you should always find a professional sharpening service that specializes in hairdressing scissors in your area. There are many reasons why a specialist sharpener is better than any sharpener but for cleaning purposes a specialist will also do just that for you.
When you visits a specialized sharpener they have the knowledge to be able to pull apart your scissors and clean them for you. They can get to "hard to reach areas" and then have the knowledge to then put your scissors back together.
Cleaning isn't always just about wiping away dirt or left over hair from your scissors. Cleaning can mean so much more, like sterilizing oil, and do and don't to cleaning. You can sometimes invest a small fortune on your tools, so if you maintain them incorrectly or not enough then that small fortune can be a waste of money in the long run.
So remember to wipe away water, don't let your hair cutting scissors soak, oil them regularly, use the proper rubbing alcohol and store them safely away from wet areas.
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A barber that covers so many different haircuts a day will most likely have all different types of clippers to cover all different types of haircuts, over a hairstylist that may only require one pair of clippers.
How to know what the right clippers are for you is to know what type of haircuts you will be doing. Your best bet is to really go over and look at the features on different types of clippers and even if one feature speaks more to you then the other then you know what hair clipper will be best for you.
So today we will go through all your options when choosing your clippers and along the way we will offer advice too.
Traditional hair clippers
Traditional hair clippers are really your standard hair clippers without all the bells and whistles. You will find that these are the standard clippers that all hairdressers or barbers will own.
These are really an all round clipper that you can use for all haircuts, so if you're not a specialized barber then you would find these are really the only type of clippers you will own or even need.
This hair clipper is also the first clipper you will buy when learning in barbering or all types of hairdressing. You may find these are the only clippers you will own until at some point in your career you feel a need for a clipper that can do more for you.
Cordless clipper
Have you ever been half way through a haircut with a corded clipper and noticed your cord doesn't reach far enough, gets tangled or just really frustrates you. Well that's why some hair stylists choose to go cordless!
Cordless clippers just really are that much easier to work with. The only downfall about them compared to the corded clipper is that sometimes the motor is not as strong and if you forget to constantly put them back on charge then they can go flat.
Mini Clippers
Mini clippers are always a good idea to have in your tool kit for many different reasons. Mini clippers are great for getting to those hard to reach areas around your ears and to use on children or babies for their line work.
When cleaning up the lines with mini clippers you will be able to get a neater and close line if you have steady hands that is! You may also find a mini clipper will cut closer to the skin and that's why the lines tend to look cleaner.
Mini clippers are available in a cordless clipper or a corded clipper too. When it comes to using a mini clipper we suggest that the cordless clipper is much easier to work with.
Balding Clippers
When you know a barber that does the best fades in town, you best believe they own a pair of balding clippers. Balding clippers are basically a clipper that cuts shorter than a zero or a mini clipper and as close to a blade shave as possible.
Balding clippers can be used to also do the best kind of line work because they obviously cut close to the skin, but what makes a line more straight is the larger or standard size clipper plate over a mini clipper.
So if you are an aspiring barber that's starting to learn fades or you want to take your fades to the next level then adding balding clippers to your kit will be a game changer for you.
Beard Trimmer
Beard trimmers normally have smaller blades that can cut closer to the skin. The blades are usually finer too which comes in handy when cutting down stubble or over the neck and chin areas.
There will always be reputable brands when choosing the right hair clipper blades to work with as well as different models in the same brand. As long as you are sticking to a professional branded hair clipper, you can really make no mistake.
Your clippers will need proper maintenance cleaning and oiling due to the build up of hair that can store inside the clippers and underneath the blade. If it is an expensive pair of clippers that you have invested in then we recommend booking them in to get service by a reputable service in your area.
The minute your clippers start cutting the skin or making loud noises that are out of the ordinary this would be another opportunity to book in for a service or to replace them completely.
We couldn't even sit here and tell you that there is one universal hair cutting scissor that would even allow you to cut every haircutting technique imaginable. This type of hair scissors just doesn't exist.
So that brings us to the big question today..
Why would you need more than one pair of scissors?
What we can tell you is that there are different types of hair scissors that will help you create all different types of finishes and will guarantee to make cutting a lot easier for you. This is why you will never see a professional hairdresser with just one type of hair scissors, because they value a superstar haircut that includes all different types of scissors and haircutting techniques.
So what are the different types of hair cutting scissors that no hairstylist can live without?
There are 3 main stand out styles that every hairstylist should own. These will help you master all different hair cutting techniques and are really a must have for every aspiring or working hairdresser and we will go into detail about why..
Traditional salon scissors
When we say "traditional salon shears'' we are referring to your everyday scissors that range from 4.5 inches to 6 inches. These are typically the most common scissors that every hairstylist will buy first and use the most throughout their career.
You can really pull off any cutting technique with these scissors but some hair cutting techniques like thinning your clients hair would be faster and more efficient with other scissors.
Barber scissors
Barber hair shears are longer shears for short hair cutting, barber cutting or even straight line cutting. A barber shear will typically be 6 inch to 7.5 inch or longer which can be dependent on the size of your hands.
These are another staple to have in your kit as you can use your barber hair scissors for so many different types of hair cutting techniques and not just barbering.
Thinning scissors
Thinning scissors can be found in different lengths but we find the easiest length to use us anywhere from 5.5 to 6 inches. Thinning Shears are the third staple to have in your hair cutting kit because they are really the only type of scissors that can perfectly thin or soften your clients hair at the end of a haircut.
Thinning scissors are guaranteed to up your cutting game, so every hairstylist should own a pair.
Swivel Thumb Scissors
These scissors are special because they are designed to help those suffering from aches, pains, Carpal Tunnel or RSI related injuries. The swivel thumb allows your wrist and posture to completely change and relax while cutting.
Swivel scissors come in men's cutting, woman's cutting and thinning shears. All of your 3 essential scissors that can start or finish off your hair cutting kit.
Left handed scissors
Now we didn't forget about your lefties..
Naturally if you are left handed then you want to invest in left handed scissors because by using the right tools for you that means you are learning how to cut the right way for a left handed hair stylist. Left handed scissors come in all the above styles like traditional scissors, barber, thinning scissors and swivel scissors.
For specialized cutting..
Now that we have gone through our most essential and top picks, we thought we would dedicate this section to those hair cutting specialists who would really love to elevate their cutting skills even more!
Texturizing shears
Texturizing shears have a similar concept to thinning shears but can give a completely different result. What makes these two styles similar is the teeth on the blade and what makes the results so different in the size and amount of teeth each scissors will differ from one another.
A texturizing shear will have larger and fewer teeth which gives a chunkier texturizing result. These scissors are great for texturizing a haircut at the end when the hair is dry, but be careful because texturizing scissors are for those who know how to use them properly.
Slide or Slice Cutting scissors
If you're a hairstylist who loves to slide cut with their traditional shears then you would love slide cutting shears even more for this hair cutting technique. Slide cutting shears are normally made from a softer and sharper Japanese steel.
These scissors are designed to slide through the hair with much more ease and will not pull or damage the hair like a traditional shear can do when the slide cut.
Precision scissors
Precision scissors are narrow tipped scissors that are loved by many hair stylists. Hair stylists love them for point cutting hair, cutting hard to get areas like around the ear and really just overall precise cutting.
The narrow tipped blade is the tip to being able to cut precisely when needed.
Serrated scissors
Serrated edge shears or micro serrated scissors and great for barber cutting, blunt cutting and beginners.
The serrated edge provides grip to hair hair while cutting and the hair will not slide from the scissors. A training barber or hairdresser will love these because they will feel more in control while learning and the hair slipping from the scissors is a common awkward trait that a training hairdresser will struggle with.
We would not recommend slide cutting as that can pull on the hair.
Reversible shears
Have you ever heard of the term of being "left and right brained?'' In hairdressing this would mean that it would make more sense to you to actually cut with both hands instead of one. Most hair stylists only feel confident cutting with one hand where some unicorn hair stylist and more confident cutting with both.
This is why having a reversible shear in your tool cutting kit would be a great option for those who prefer to use both hands and don't want to invest in both a left and right shear.
Reversible shears also have great benefits to your hands as you are not overworking one hand all day and resting one hand to cut with the other.
So now you can probably understand better about needing more than one pair of hairdressing scissors if you want to be able to perform or elevate any overall haircut.
We think it's important to be prepared for any type of client that may come and sit in your chair and it's also important to make your life easier by using the correct type of hair scissors for the job at hand.
When you become confident in cutting or even a hair cutting specialist, you will start to understand the importance of having more than one pair of scissors. Naturally you will always have your favorites based on your haircutting ability and favorite hair cutting techniques. Having a selection of scissors in your tool kit can make cutting more exciting and can transform your skills to being the best they could possibly be.
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Same goes for your professional hair cutting scissors.. Your hair shears may have a lifetime warranty or guaranteed by the manufacturer that they will last forever, but does anything really last forever, if you don't actually take care of it at all?
If you have stumbled across our blog today and happen to own a pair of shears that you never have really taken the time to maintain then we are happy you have stumbled here, because this blog is for you.
So here it goes below we will discuss with you what maintaining your scissors is really all about.
Sharpening your scissors
When it comes to getting your shears sharpened, it can be dependent on how often you use your hair cutting scissors. As a rough guide we normally like to tell you to sharpen your scissors anywhere between 1-2 times a year. Some more expensive scissors may not need to be sharpened as often as others but all scissors need to be sharpened regularly.
When it comes to finding a professional sharpening service to sharpen your hair cutting scissors, it's important to get your scissors sharpened by a Professional blade smith that specializes in sharpening hairdressing scissors. We would not recommend a knife sharpener as their sharpening tools would be too harsh for your finer hairdressing blade steel. If you do not send your scissors to be sharpened by a reputable and professional hairdressing blade smith in your area then you can run the risk of your scissors being damaged or broken.
Unfortunately if a blade smith does break your hairdressing scissors, then you will find they will most likely not replace them for you and blame it on the quality of the shears themselves, So that's why it's important to find an excellent sharpener.
Cleaning your scissors
After every client we recommend wiping down your hair cutting shears carefully with a soft clean cloth to remove any water, hair, dirt or sometimes chemicals. If you are a hair stylist that does not have time in between clients to do this then it's important that you try to do this as often as you can throughout the day, especially if there's a time throughout the day that you are not using your scissors.
Most importantly you should be at least cleaning your shears at the end of each work day because chemicals from perms, colors, hair products or simply just water can cause corrosion over time to the blades steel. Corrosion can occur when chemicals and water are left on the steel for long periods of time and once corrosion starts that's when rust can set in and rust is nobody's friend.
Cleaning your hair scissors is not letting your hairdressing scissors soak in Barbicide, in fact that's actually the worst thing you can do for your shears. Using the solution to clean and wipe your shears is fine, but only small amounts of any alcohol cleaning solution is needed and less is in fact more..
Oiling regularly
Once you are satisfied with your cleaning job of your hair cutting scissors then your next step is oiling your scissors with your scissor oil. Daily oiling (and cleaning) is the best way to prolong the life of your hairdressing scissors.
When it comes to oiling your blades the main focus is to use one drop of oil around the tension screw on each side of the blade. Working in the oil with a cutting motion is the best way to ensure the oil works its way further into the screw. Once that has been done brush a drop or spray of oil on the inside of each blade and carefully spread that across the blades and be careful not to cut yourself. If you have used too much oil, then simply wipe the scissors down with a cloth.
Make sure you're using Scissors oil and not any other type of oil, as proper scissor oil has the perfect blend of ingredients to treat your shears and not to cause corrosion to your shears.
Correct tension adjustment
Firstly, What happens if your tension on your shears is off?
If your tension is too tight then you will find that your hair scissors will pull on your clients hair and that is not fun for anybody. If your tension is too loose then it can bend the hair instead of cutting the hair, and that may be a little embarrassing if your client were to notice. So having that tension will make your cutting experience more enjoyable.
So how do you check your tension?
Checking your tension is simple, pointing the blades down and holding the top of the handle in each hand at eye level and starting off with the blades closed. Release one of the handles to see where the blades meet.
If the blade falls completely open then the tension is too loose and you need to tighten it. If the blades move slightly then the tension is too tight. To get the perfect tension you need to keep playing around with the tension screw or ring until the blades close 2/3 the way or close to.
Another helpful fact to know is when you buy a new pair of scissors, sometimes the tension is not set correctly, so you should always do a tension test before you start trying out your new scissors on your client.
Storing your scissors safely
Having a scissors case is the first and best thing to have when you have one to multiple pairs of scissors. A Scissors case is a safe way to secure your shears in a close case to protect them from falling or getting anything spilled on your shears.
If you store your scissors in a trolley then it's a good idea to store your scissors and scissors case from a different drawer to any spray bottle, chemicals or hairstyling products. This is to make sure nothing leaks on your scissors to cause any corrosion. If you store your scissors in a cupboard also be mindful of the surroundings and the same rules would apply.
What to do if you drop your scissors
On no! you dropped your scissors.. these things happen more than you know so do not stress yet. Firstly you're going to want to access any visible damage to the blades, handles or tension screw. If they are not visibly broken then phew! What a relief.
Next you will check for any knicks in the blade by opening and closing your scissors slowly to see if the blade catches. If the blade does catch and you find a knick then we recommend contacting a Scissors sharpener to see if they can sharpen out that imperfection for you.
Try not to use these scissors now until after a sharpener has looked at them, this is to ensure the knick doesn't cause any hair pulls on your client. If you use your scissors with a knick in them, then you could cause further damage to your shears too.
Investing
Investing in a good quality shears or a set, is the best way to save yourself money in the long run but not having to constantly replace your shears if they are cheap and not the best quality. You also don't have to invest in the best and most expensive pair of shears either. That's why buying good quality scissors in sets can actually help you save. Here at Scissors Tech we have taken time to hand pick and only sell the best of the best for you, no matter your budget.
As we have said time and time again through our blogs is that no shear will ever need no sharpening, it will not self clean and to prolong the life of any hair cutting shears takes work. Just like you would expect to sharpen your kitchen knives to keep them sharp or servicing your car to keep it running. Nothing in life really last's forever, but you can get the most out of your hair cutting scissors by maintaining and prolonging its life.
If you have ever been told hair cutting scissors will last forever we would not believe it, but if your hairdressing career lasts 20-30 years and you have taken the time to really look after your shears, then we would believe that is possible. Forever can mean to some your whole career, but forever is a never ending story that not even the dinosaur species survived.
We hope that today we have got you excited about maintaining your shears or at least the confidence to know that what you could be doing now, can prolong your hair cutting scissors lives.
So happy cutting and happy maintaining!
Even though face framing layers is a type of layering, layering can seem in many forms and many haircutting techniques throughout the haircut. Face framing layers is a type of layering only seen and explained around the face.
Trying to visualize the difference? That's okay, let's go through three different hairstyles today that will help you visualize the big difference between layers and face framing.
But first let's discuss a little more into detail what the difference is..
What is the difference?
Here we believe there is a difference but we cannot deny there are similarities to face framing layers and traditional layers. The difference is the area that needs layers. Layers to us means mainly the layers around the back and sides. Where face framing layers means only the layers around the face that connect to the layers at the back, giving the face shape.
Layering is such a board term for giving shape to different areas of your clients haircut. This is why it's so important to have a thorough and in depth conversation with your client about what layers mean to them. The best way to get on the same page about layers is to ask your client to show you any reference photos on how they would like their haircut to look and then go from there.
Once a client has explained to you the type of haircut they are after then you can explain in your own words what layers are, what are not layers and if they need face framing layers added in or a fringe. Also identifying their face shape and what styles will look best with their face shape.
By now if you don't know the difference between layers and face framing layers then that's okay, let's dive in deeper through some example hairstyles that include the differences for you.
Layered haircut and curtain bangs
Layered haircuts can be for long or short hair. When we think about a layered hairstyle we think about Jennifer Anniston's layered hair on Friends. That tousled layered look has lots of body and shape. This look can be transformed into long layers or short layers.
Face framing curtain bangs with a layered haircut is another way to bring those beautiful back layered shapes to your face. Face framing layers and connecting face framing bangs would be the last step to take on this haircut to give you that beautiful and on trend 90's or 70's hairstyle style.
This is a perfect example of how layers are different to face framing but when partnered together the two layers can look identical.
Blunt haircut with face framing
When a client asks for a blunt haircut, that would mean to us that they want all their hair one length, with no layers around the back of the hair cut at all. If the client has a fringe and has asked for face framing around the front or you have even suggested face framing, this would mean the face framing would be a different type of layering and not connect to any layers around the back.
This is a perfect example of how layering is a completely different request than face framing and how blunt cutting can work so well with minimal face framing or a fringe to give your clients face shape.
Concave bob and front fringe
Concave layering is a type of layering that is traditionally cut reverse and almost undercut compared to normal layers. The Concave technique is different to traditionally layering as you can concave a haircut without layering the back. Although concave has the appearance and is a type of layering. If you would merry layering and concave together in the haircut then the crown area would have more volume and not sit flat.
A front fringe sometimes needs face framing through the side to connect the fringe. Some would say a front fringe does frame the face and that is face framing, but face framing is the layering connecting a fringe around the face.
Star Scissors for Layers and Face Frame Layers
To get the best face framing layers then you have to try Slide Cutting Scissors. Slide cutting scissors will simplify face framing layers for you and the blades glide through the hair smoothly while slide cutting.
Ever wonder how hairstylists get those light wispy layers around the back too? The answer would be slide cutting those layers dry or wet after normal layers to get the most flattering layers.
What face shape would layers and face framing layers suit?
Well firstly any face shape suits any type of layers, but some face framing will highlight your clients facial features more than others.
Ever met that client with outstanding and defined cheekbones, but those beautiful features are hidden under long layers around the lace. This would be a perfect time for you to suggest to your client to consider letting you cut in a framing layer around their face and even a curtain bang fringe to emphasize more defined cheekbones (yes that's possible).
Thick vs Thin hair layers
Thick hair will always benefit from varying lengths or layers being cut into the hair. If your clients are concerned about no shape of life to their haircut, then they do want layers but may not know how to express that.
You have a client with long hair but fine hair, maybe the main concern for this client is to feel like they have thick hair. Blunt cutting the back and not layering the back will make this client's hair appear thicker. If this client still wants shape then maybe suggesting fewer layers around the back and a cute face frame around the front.
Hair Color
Your client wants a drastic change and a complete re-style, then by adding layers will show any hidden hair color underneath that was not visible before. This needs to be accessed and discussed during your consultation. Your client may have hidden greys or dark colors that could be hiding underneath the long layers.
Or maybe your client has fun colors underneath that short layers can expose for them.
Remember its personal opinion and to always get on the same page as your client to understand each other's ideas of Layers and Face Framing. When you incorrectly cut layers into a client's hair, this can really take a long time for a client to grow out.
If your client needs convincing that layers are what they are after because they mention they have no shape and the hair sits heavy, always start small by cutting longer layers first. You can always cut more hair off but you can never add more hair on, unless you use extensions.
Happy cutting and creating!
Caring for your Thinning Scissors is just as important as caring for any of your other tools because well you need to take care of your investment. Apart from taking care of your investment, blunt hair thinning scissors could cause damage to the hair.
So to prolong the life of those Thinning shears, let's see what our top tips are for caring for you thinning shears!
How often should you sharpen your Thinning Scissors?
Some Hairstylist's may have been led to believe that they don't need to sharpen their thinning scissors as often as their other scissors because maybe they don't use them as much, well we certainly don't agree with that and we will explain why.
Thinning scissors can be prone to blunting faster than traditional shears because most of the time they are blending thick hair to thin hair or larger sections of hair at a time. We are not at all saying that your thinning scissors are not as good quality compared to traditional scissors, we are just saying that they have to work harder while cutting.
So if you have a pair of Thinning Scissors that are forced to work harder than the rest by cutting through thicker hair and with some hair thinning techniques, then it would only make sense to book them in at least 1-2 times a year (along with your other scissors) to get sharpened by a professional hairdressing scissor sharpener in your area, to keep those blades nice and sharp.
As we mentioned before a blunt blade can cause damage to your clients hair. It can cause damage by causing split ends, leaving a white cast at the ends of the hair, pulling the hair or simply not cutting as easily as you need them to.
If you ever feel or see this happening it would mean that you have probably left it too long in between sharpening and to stop using them and get them booked in immediately.
How to maintain and clean your Thinning Shears
Maintaining your Thinning Shears is an important part of getting the most of your scissors. So what is involved in cleaning those Thinning Shears?
Cleaning
Cleaning your Thinning Scissors looks a little different to cleaning your other scissors because cleaning in between the teeth on the Thinning Scissor can make it more challenging. You should aim to clean all your shears at least once a day on the days you work.
Your scissors get exposed to harsh chemicals from color or hair products and if those chemicals are not properly cleaned of the steel then this can cause damage over time.
Firstly it's always best to use isopropyl alcohol to clean and sterilize your shears. Instead of using a cleaning cloth you may need to use a small cleaning brush like the one you get included with your clippers. You can use this small brush along with the cleaning alcohol very gently to clean away any dirt or hair in between the thinning shears teeth.
Never should you clean with water or soak your scissors in the Barbicide solution as this can cause your thinning shears to corrode.
Once you are satisfied with cleaning all the dirt and hair off your scissors then next you move onto oiling..
Oiling
We recommend oiling your scissors at least twice a week as oiling really conditions the mechanics of your shears work so much more smoothly for you.
Start off by lightly oiling the blades and teeth on your Thinning Shears. Then continue to use a drop of oil on the inside and at the top of the blade close to the rotation point. You want oil to reach the middle of the tension screw and to do this you need to open and close your shears 10-20 times to work in that oil which will push out any hair that may be caught near the screw.
Once you are satisfied then wipe away any excess oil with a cleaning cloth.
Checking the tension
Lastly, you want to check your tension.
Checking your tension is important because if you tension is too tight then it could pull on the hair or damage the hair and if your tension is too loose it may not cut through the hair at all.
For a demonstration on how to tension you hairdressing scissors and Thinning Shears click HERE
How to protect my Thinning Shears
We always say protect your investment!
Well the best way to do that is by using a Scissors case. Luckily when you buy and choose thinning scissors from Scissor Tech scissor's that your scissors or thinning shears come in our beautiful scissor case.
Make sure you always store your Thinning Shears and scissor case away from wet areas and spray water bottles.
Remember to always use your Thinning Shears on dry hair for a better result.
Hair Thinning the right way can be an enjoyable experience for the client and the hair stylist, that's why your Thinning Scissors will quickly become one of your favorite tools you own.
Also caring for them will hopefully now become a priority for you and if it already was a priority then hopefully you have picked up some helpful tips along the way too.
Happy hair thinning!
When trying to choose the right cutting comb it comes down to two different factors. the first being "preference". Some hairstylists prefer a certain style of cutting comb over another and it's as simple as that.
Another factor could be the type of haircutting a hairstylist is doing. Some combs work better with some haircutting techniques over other combs.
If we wanted to get more technical about "what makes great cutting combs' ' then let's go over some factors to consider too when choosing the right cutting combs for you.
Length of cutting combs
The length or size of a cutting comb is most comfortable starting from 7 inches. A 7 inch cutting comb is best for really all round cutting combs and used by many hairstylists and barbers who are most comfortable with a standard size as it's the easiest to use.
Examples of hairstylists using longer length like up to 9 inches would be..
Price of cutting combs
All hairstylist will own at least anywhere between 2 - 15 different or the same kind of cutting combs. If a hairstylist owns more than its either because they lose their combs easily or they like changing out their combs to adapt to the haircutting techniques they are doing.
Having more combs handy is always a good idea, so that's where the price of the comb comes into play. If you're buying expensive combs then that can really drive up the overall price if you're buying several of them.
If you are on a budget we suggest buying a range of cheaper to more expensive, that way you get the best of both worlds and don't have to break the bank. Also buying combs in multi packs is a good way to save money, because trust us when we tell you.. your combs will grow legs and disappear fast no matter how hard you try to keep them.
Purpose of fine tooth comb
When cutting with a fine tooth comb you will find that this type of comb will create more tension while cutting and give you more control. The fine teeth will help guide the hair the best to allow you to cut the most precise lines.
When using fine teeth combs on wet hair you are able to smooth out the hair the best for cutting or styling. So if you're wanting to create a sleek look hairstyle of a sharp perfect baseline then the fine tooth side of the comb would be best for this.
Purpose of wide tooth comb
A wide tooth comb is used to create less tension on the hair while cutting. Using the wide tooth side of the comb can help create softer lines. The wide teeth will glide through the hair and not snag any little knots.
Examples for the benefits of the wide teeth would be when you're cutting layers. Your layers should always be soft and not perfectly precise, that is why using the wide part of the comb will help you comb through the layers better and give a better result.
Wide teeth are also best for cutting long styles in barbering or short haircuts, using the scissors over comb technique. This again is so the finish is more softer and blended.
Difference between Barber combs and Salon combs
As we have touched briefly on that, the hair cutting techniques will determine the size or style of the comb.
Barbers' hair cutting techniques will really demand longer and wider combs. This is so the comb can come more hair at once for either clipper or scissors cutting resulting in a faster, more efficient or perfectly blended haircut.
Salon hair combs are normally 7 inches and have great control while cutting straight hair haircuts. They make for a great styling comb while styling the hair or as a teasing comb for teased hair.
The best cutting comb to invest in is as any hair stylist would be a heat resistant hair comb, this is because heat is a big part of your day to day hair styling duties.
We also believe that the right comb for you always comes down to what haircutting technique you are doing at that moment. This is why it's important to know what haircutting techniques or hair types you will be cutting as a hair stylist and always having a selection of hair cutting combs to match that technique.
Proper cleaning of your scissors is very important. Over time hair fragments, dirt, oil and product can build up on the scissor blades. This can damage and dull your blade edges quicker. Regular cleaning can help keep those shears in tip top shape.
You should clean your hair cutting scissors between every client. Using a soft cloth, wipe your blades clean and remove all hair. To sanitise them and keep them dry use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol aka rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol helps kill germs, prevent rust and corrosion. Using different cleaners, like Barbicide can leave a sticky residue and lead to corrosion.
Daily oiling is important for proper maintenance of your hair scissors . Your maintenance kit has a small hair shear oil pen. With your scissor blades open, place a small drop of oil at the pivot point of your scissors. This is where the two blades meet. Slowly open and close your blades. This will help remove any leftover hair fragments that may be stuck. Wipe your blades clean.
Oiling your scissors everyday not only helps to remove all hair and hair products but keeping those blades lubricated will help them stay sharper longer.
Often when scissors start to show signs they need to be sharpened we recommend checking the tension first. Hair cutting scissors that are too tight may leave your hands feeling more tired by the end of the day. Scissors that are too loose may push, bend or pull your clients hair as you cut. Before panicking, check your tension! You should check the tension of your haircutting shears at least once a day.
To check your shear tension, hold your hair scissors by their finger holes, blades pointing up. Lift one finger ring to approximately 90 degrees. Release the finger hole.
If your scissors close completely, or almost completely the tension is too loose. If the handles stay open above 45 degrees they are too tight. The right tension will have your finger ring falling to about 45 degrees.
Haircutting scissors have two different type of tension screws. On some scissors you will find a raised screw. This can be adjusted simply by twisting it to the right or left to loosen and tighten to find the correct tension. Remember to only adjust by one click at a time, over tightening or loosening can be bad for your scissors.
Other hair cutting scissors will have a flat screw. In your scissor kit you will find a key. This key will match the tension screw. Simply align the holes with the key and turn to loosen or tighten. Again only turn a small amount to insure you do not over tighten or over loosen.
If your hair scissors are feeling off and not cutting the way they used to, it may be time for a sharpen. Signs that you need to have your scissors sharpened and serviced professionally include pushing, pulling, bending and catching of the hair. If you have recently dropped your hair cutting shears or knocked them on a hard surface you may be in need of a professional sharpening. We never recommend you trying to sharpen them yourself. Ask your fellow hair stylist who they use to sharpen their shears! This is often the best way to find a great shear sharpener.
The right scissor sharpener will know exactly what to do to keep your shears in their best shape!
Here are some tips for Proper storage of your tools. This is an important part of maintaining your new pair of hair scissors. Too often we can make mistakes and drop or hit our hair scissors on a hard surface. This can damage them badly.
All of our scissors come in a protective case. This soft padded case has places to hold all your scissors, tight and secure. Make sure you properly store your shears away at the end of your day.
We also recommend you consider either a scissor mat or scissor holster. A scissor mat is a raised rubber mat for your station. Using a mat can insure your shears stay try and away from chemical spills, like spilled Barbicide or colour. It also is a good barrier to protect your scissors from a hard surface, like your station.
A scissor holster can be worn around your waste or across your body. This is a great place to keep your shears safe during the day. If they stay on your person there is less chance of any accidental falls.
Now that you know how to properly maintain your hair scissors we recommend you get to cutting ! Another secret in shear maintenance- is always have more than one pair of hair cutting scissors. This will help you rotate through scissors more, and not just over use the same pair. It also ensures that when you need a sharpen or you have dropped your scissors, you won't be without a back-up pair. Hop on to our website HERE and let us help you find your next favourite pair!
Let's break it down for you based on our different scissor blades and which will work best for you.
Go HERE to have a look at our VG10 Matsui Sliders. These scissors are a must have for slide cutting, point cutting, slice cutting and other advanced cutting techniques.
What makes them so great for these techniques you may ask. It is their edge. The sliders have a Convex edge. The convex edge has also been known as the Japanese Edge. This is because Japanese scissors are famous for their super sharp edges and amazing steel.
In order to have a convex edge the scissor must be made from high quality steel. A softer, less expensive steel will not hold a convex edge. It is a very thin, and sensitive edge that requires the best.. the best steel, the best sharpener etc etc. Convex edged scissors are also more fragile. If dropped the blade edges will damage easier. You may also find that if they are used for a lot of blunt cutting the edge will dull quicker. All of this means that a convex blade will be more expensive than the rest.
These two are our best and most popular all rounders. You can check out the Precisions HERE or the Aichei HERE. Both scissors are made with fine japanese steel. And most importantly of all, they have a semi convex edge.
The semi convex edge is a sharp edge blade that is a bit stronger than a regular convex edge. This edge is your perfect all rounder. The semi convex edge can be used for any cutting technique you may use. From blunt cutting to more advanced cutting techniques this blade edge will not only be sharp for this but also stay sharper longer! The semi convex edge is not as fragile as the convex. And you will find most mid range to higher end scissors have a semi convex edge.
You will find your next edge option on most barber scissors. The bevelled edge is the perfect edge for barbers, or those that do a lot of blunt cuts- like bobs and other one length haircuts. The bevelled edge is the workhorse of edges. The cutting edge is sharp however the flat blade and the angle of the blade is what makes this scissor last. Because it does not have too fine of an edge the hair is less likely to slip or push, like a convex edge blade would do. The bevelled edge helps to keep hair in place while you cut it. Most middle range scissor blades will have a bevelled edge. It is easier to maintain and can be sharpened easily on most steel. It also is more likely that if you drop your scissors with the bevel edge the blade may not be damaged as easily as others.
Along with the bevelled edge on barber scissors you may also find a serrated edge. A serrated edge is found only on one of the scissor blades. A serrated blade means there are tiny little lines cut into the edge of the blade. These lines guarantee the hair stays in place better and helps to prevent hair sliding off the scissors blade as you cut. When a barber is doing scissor over comb, having this serration is a great help. It is not recommended that you use micro serrated blades to do any slide cutting or slice cutting. Attempting these techniques with the wrong scissor edge can lead to ripping, pulling and damaging your clients hair.
You can have a look at some of our barber scissors HERE. Don't forget ! These scissors are not only for barbers! Their bevelled edge and long blade are great for most stylists. Especially those who find themselves doing a lot of bob cuts!
We do have to make a special mention of the Matsui Sword blade when talking about scissor blades and edges. The sword shape blade helps to deliver more power to the point of the blade. These convex scissor blades are great for precision cutting and texturising. Check out the Matsui Sword HERE.
The other blade types we talk about are blade length. We have short, medium and long blade lengths. Each of these blades have a place in your world !
Short - Short scissor blades range in size from 4.5 inches to 5 Inches. These blades are great for point cutting and detail work. If you find yourself doing a lot of shorter cuts, or pixie cuts, these are a must have ! They are perfect for cutting small details around the ears and neckline.
Medium- Medium scissor blades range in size from 5 inches to 6 inches. Most hairdressing scissors come in 5.5 and 6 inch options. These are the most used and most versatile blade sizes. They are great for all techniques and all cutting. Whether you're a new stylist or have been around for quite some time, you will have one of these at your station.
Long- You may have noticed that when you looked at our bevelled edge blades on the barber scissors, most of these blades were long. Long blades range from 6 inches to 8 inches. Barbering scissors are known for having long blades. They make it faster and easier for scissor over comb cutting. You may also find that using a longer blade when cutting bobs and other blunt lines helps a lot. This is because the longer blade helps to ensure a more even straight line.
We hope that you have been able to pick your next pair of hair cutting scissors with this helpful article ! If you have any more questions always feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service friends ! They are full of scissor knowledge!