Essential professional cosmetology equipment

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Cosmetologists, also known as beauticians, hair stylists and barbers can subtly or dramatically change their customers look. Their magic is achieved through professional training, creativity and tools of the trade. Without their tools, their license and creativity are useless.

Cosmetologists perform services such as washing, setting, cutting, and styling hair. They also perform chemical services such as permanently waving, curling or relaxing hair. Hair is also dyed, rinsed and frosted under their supervision. And in recent decades hair extensions in the form of weaves and braids have become commonplace. Some cosmetologists with advanced degrees perform therapeutic services such as scalp massage, analysis and treatment. One can see that more than a comb and hairspray is needed in this profession.

The primary tools required of a cosmetologist are a set of scissors and a set of combs. Scissors or shears are a staple in a cosmetologists kit. But a beautician needs at least two pair. One needs a regular pair for cutting length, and a small pair for trimming bangs. Barbers need these as well as a good set of trimmers for close cuts, beard and mustache grooming.

A set of combs in varying sizes is needed also. Cosmetologists should have combs ranging from fine tooth to wide tooth, as well as detangling combs used after washing a clients hair. There are also combs for teasing hair, when creating voluminous hairstyles. Brushes with various bristle strengths are a staple also. The various bristle strengths provide different styling options. Round brushes are necessary for blowing out a customers hair.

All hairstyles arent achieved through blow-drying the hair. Some require a wet set. For these styles one would need a set of rollers in various sizes and a professional hood dryer. Hairpins or clamps are needed to secure the rollers to the clients hair. And hairnets prevent fly aways during the drying process. Setting lotion or gel is needed to apply to the clients hair before setting. After the hair is dried, it may be combed through or finished off with a curling iron. Curling irons come in sizes from ? to 2 inch barrel.

Some styles will require hairspray or spritz to finish and maintain them.

A cosmetologist also provides chemical services on clients. One will need professional hair dye, rinse and frost. Aluminum foil is needed to set highlights and frost. A color swatch is necessary for showing the client the range of colors before choosing one. One may also perform services such as permanents. Thus one will need a professional tub size of permanent relaxer and permanent wave and curl solution. Neutralizing shampoo is mandatory for these chemical services or the chemical will not stop working until your client is bald!

Clarifying, moisturizing, and thickening shampoo should be fully stocked to address different clients hair needs. Conditioners ranging in formula from light to deep should be available also. Conditioning alternatives like hot oil treatments and protein reconstructors are needed for clients with damaged hair. Plastic caps and heating caps are necessary for penetrating these treatments into the clients hair. Dont forget a full supply of towels to dry the hair.

Offering hair weaving and braiding services will boost your revenue significantly. Invest in the training and then keep your hair supply full. For weaving one will need synthetic and human hair wefts. It can be bought in bulk, by the pound. Make sure to have every hair color, texture and length combination. For braiding human hair and synthetic hair (loose, not on the weft) is required. As with the weaving hair make sure to have a variety of colors and textures as well as lengths.

If offering advanced services such as scalp analysis, one will need a hand held as well as desktop microscope. A scalp scraper is required to sample the clients scalp. And a chemical solution kit is needed to analyze the hairs Ph level, as well as elasticity.

Being a cosmetologist is a rewarding career. But it requires a lot of tools to achieve the maximum results. The more tools one has the more services they can offer the client. That translates into repeat business, which translates into high profits.