Mind Magic. Georgina Fowler

dry hair and can be put in day-old hair to help revamp it.

       BENDY ROLLERS

      Bendy rollers were originally used for perming, but they have gradually made their way into the setting world for both professionals and non-professionals. They can be rolled into dry or wet hair to create softer waves that have an ‘s’-bend look to them. They have a metal inner that allows them to bend into shape, and a sponge outer shield to protect the hair. They come in several different sizes which are normally represented by different colours. To get better results, use an end paper to make sure the ends are tucked in properly.

       SETTING ROLLERS

      These old-fashioned rollers are plastic and come in different sizes and colours to match. They have small gaps in between the grids of the roller through which you slide a plastic pin, to hold the roller close to the head. Generally these are used for wet sets and have been around for many years.

      When setting with these rollers, you would generally section the hair into small sections and pin each individual roller into place. They are then secured with a hair net to stop them falling out and ear foams are provided – hood dryers have a tendency to get too hot and burn the ears.

      styling products

       There is a vast array of styling products now on the market made by many different manufacturers, but generally speaking many of them are similar products bar the branding. What follows is a rough guide to what each product is and what they are used for.

      Mousse

      Used as a styling aid prior to blow-drying or setting on wet hair. Usually creates volume and body and can come in colours, too, to enhance. Ranges in strength of hold from soft to extra firm.

      Volume spray

      Used as a styling aid prior to blow-drying or setting on wet hair. Used mainly for volume and for giving lift to the roots area of hair. Normally comes in one strength. Avoid using too much, or the hair will be weighed down.

      Thermal spray

      Used with heated equipment such as tongs, straightening irons or heated rollers to help protect the hair from heat damage. Can sometimes come in different hold strengths.

      Thermal cream

      Often used with heated styling equipment – normally straighteners – as the cream helps to put lots of moisture in the hair and also keeps the hair smooth. This protects the hair from heat damage.

      Straightening cream

      Can come in gel, cream or serum form, and is used as a styling aid prior to blow-drying to help smooth and straighten the hair. It doesn’t usually have a hold strength as it is more for softening and smoothing.

      Curl enhancers

      These come in sprays, gels or creams and are used as a styling aid prior to blow-drying or natural drying to help isolate and enhance curl in the hair. The product sometimes has a light hold.

      Thickeners

      Used before drying on wet hair and help to give thickness and body to it. Can come in different hold strengths, though some may have no hold at all.

      Serums

      Often used prior to or after a blow-dry or set to help smooth frizzy or dry ends. They can seal split ends, and can sometimes help to make hair straight. Often an oil-based product, so you need to be light on use if hair is fine as it can get a little oily.

      Wax

      Used as a finishing product to style and mould hair into shape. Can also be used on the ends of long hair to define a look, and available in various different strengths.

      Gel

      Used as a finishing product. Can give a ’wet look’, but can be used on both wet and dry hair. Comes in a range of strengths, but firm hold is common. Works very well on short styles.

      Pastes/pomades/clays/muds

      So many new and exciting styling and finishing products are now available that it’s hard to keep up, but generally these sort of products have different holds and textures for different looks and lengths of hair. Experiment with as many as possible to get a better idea of what each one does.

      Shine sprays

      Used purely for generating shine on a finished style.

      Hairspray

      Used to hold a finished style in shape. Sometimes hairsprays can be a wet spray and in pump-action bottles these take a minute or so to set. Most are still in an aerosol form and come out as a fine mist. The strength of the hairspray depends on the type.

      There are so many styling products on the market now that this is not an exhaustive list. It is a good idea to try and test as many different products as possible – you may find a range you prefer from one company, or you may like to mix and match products from lots of companies.

      miscellaneous tools

       There is a wealth of miscellaneous equipment that is needed for hairdressing. These tools are often left out of pre-prepared kit bags, but they play an important role in the life of a stylist. Make sure you have at least some of the following.

      PPE: personal protective equipment

      By law, there is equipment that should be used and supplied during certain work in the hairdressing industry. Just like a builder has to wear a hard hat, a hairdresser must protect themselves from injury or damage. Protective items include:

      Gloves – You can either buy gloves that are reusable or disposable gloves. These protect hairdressers’ hands from chemicals such as colouring products, bleaches, perm lotions and chemical relaxers. Without protection there is a chance of contracting dermatitis which, if severe, can prevent you from continuing hairdressing as a career.

      Aprons – It is wise to use these during colouring, perming and relaxing processes. They protect your clothes from spillages and can prevent damage. It is also advisable to cover your client with a cape of some sort, as they also need to have their clothes protected from any possible spillages or damage.

      Miscellaneous equipment

      There are many miscellaneous items in hairdressing. Below are some of the most common that you will need.

      Clips to pin hair out of the way during cutting or colouring.

      Bowls to