First Chair - Spring 2008 Success Guide - (Page 24)

* a cut above first tools t by Kelly Cison here are certain tools every stylist needs—shears, of course, as well as brushes, thermal stylers, blow dryers and clippers. How do you know which tools to choose? Even if you’re strapped for cash, don’t just go for the drugstore versions, say our experts. Professional tools will allow you to work efﬁciently and help you get the best results. Not only will your clients look great, but your initial investment will pay off as your career blossoms. Here are some quick tips before you stock your tool kit. shears “Shears are to stylists what gold chains are to jewelry lovers,” says Jeff Schwartz, vice president at The Cricket Company. “Everyone wants another one.” One good, sharp pair of shears is what you’ll need to do a basic cut, but most stylists have a collection that includes texturizing shears, thinning shears, and several different lengths of basic cutting shears. Whether you have one or 100 pairs, you’ll want to buy from a reputable company, says Schwartz, who warns that shears sold by dealers at trade shows may have some bells and whistles, but they can be low quality shears that don’t cut well and won’t last long. “It’s easy for a company to say they are high quality, but you have to look to see if they offer a warranty on their tools and have their own sharpening service,” advises Schwartz. Shears will vary in price, and they can go as high as $700 per pair. The main factor in price, explains Schwartz, is not necessarily the metal or blades, but the ergonomics and design of the shear. To ﬁnd the best pair for you, shop around and test which ones ﬁt well in your hand and let you cut comfortably. You can get shears from Cricket’s premium line for between $199 to $329. Treat your shears right and they’ll keep you snipping happily for a decade or more. That means plan on getting them sharpened at least once a year—you can generally send it back to the manufacturer for sharpening. And if you ever drop or nick your shears on a hard surface, you may also want to send it to the manufacturer for smoothing out and repairing. With proper maintenance, your favorite shears can last through the next couple decades of your career. With sanitation a much-discussed topic among salon and spa customers, you should not overlook the importance of keeping all your tools sanitized and disinfected between clients. According to Alan Murphy, president of King Research, the makers of classic disinfectant Barbicide, no matter what product you choose to use, make sure that you understand your state’s requirements and understand and follow manufacturer’s guidelines. Your ﬁrst step is sanitation, where you remove hair from the brushes and combs. You can use a product like Brush Delite (on synthetic brushes and combs) or Ship Shape (on natural brushes). Once you’ve made sure that the product is free from hair, soil and dirt, then you can place it in the Barbicide to disinfect. Keeping everything clean is pretty simple and costs very little—but will pay off big in the long run by creating a safe environment for both employees and customers alike. keeping it clean No longer for men only, plenty of female clients are asking for styles that are clipper-shaped—and we’re not talking buzzcuts. The clipper is surprisingly versatile, says Jim Wahl of Wahl Clipper, and one styling tool you won’t want to be without. Your best bet: Look for a full size, professional “vibrator” clipper with a cord, rather than the cordless, rechargeable model. Good quality vibrator clippers will have a very thick cord, which signiﬁes a powerful, longlasting tool that will serve you better than the ﬂimsier versions popular with consumers. Also look carefully at the blades, suggests Wahl, and pick the one made of polished steel. The right clipper will last you a lifetime as long as you clean and lubricate it regularly. To do this, ﬁrst remove hair from the blades and then, while running the clipper, put a few drops of oil on the blades to keep everything running smoothly. The Designer is a bestselling clipper for Wahl and costs between $29-$39. Not bad for a lifetime of use. clippers 24 MODERN SALON’S FIRSTCHAIR SPRING 2008 Learn more @ ﬁrstchair.com http://firstchair.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of First Chair - Spring 2008 Success Guide

First Chair - Spring 2008 Success Guide Contents First Word First View First Skills: Styles First Skills: Business First Skills: Design School of the Year 2008 Tools for Success First Tools First Products First Happenings

First Chair - Spring 2008 Success Guide

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