The Leaf Hair Blog
The Modern Shag on Textured Hair
The full tutorial for this look is available now on Leaf Academy, check out Ky Wilson creating a trendy, modern shag haircut on curly and textured hair. Don't be scared of working with curly and textured hair. While allowances may need to be made for working on this hair type they are not as drastic or scary as you might at first believe. Changing the technique to accommodate curly hair Cutting with only a razor CLICK HERE TO BUY Using a razor creates a softer effect as well as a more textured final result. A razor is also the best option when cutting curly hair into this sort of style as it can remove weight and add in some invisible layers without disrupting the curl pattern or creating too harsh a cut which can look too severe on curly hair. Using a razor also allows for much more freedom of movement and working visually which works well with this sort of style and can add to the loose, choppiness of the cut. Allowing for spring back with the fringe and shorter layers Everyone who's worked on curly/textured hair knows that the hair lengthens when it's wet, stretching out the curl and making the hair appear longer overall. However, a mistake commonly seen is that hairdressers don't allow enough 'wiggle room' for spring back. As the hair starts to dry the curl will tighten again and spring back up closer to the head. Ky recommends always cutting longer than you think you will need, this way it eliminates the risk of cutting the hair too short and as the hair starts to dry you will be able to see a more accurate representation of the curl and its length and make any adjustments as you see necessary. Caring for curly and textured hair Using a diffuser. Curly hair is more prone to frizz than other hair types due to it being naturally dryer, using a diffuser when drying the hair will eliminate some of the frizz and allow the hair to dry in its most natural curl pattern. Another tip from Ky is not to use the hairdryer on too high a heat or speed and to only dry the hair 90% of the way and let the hair air dry naturally for the last part. Using high moisture / hydrating products. As mentioned curly and textured hair is more prone to dryness and frizzing so make sure to use high moisturising products or products designed specifically for curly hair to promote the smoothest possible curl.
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Working with Curly, Textured Hair
Check out the full ambassador bundle now on Leaf Academy where Ky Wilson and Charlie Gray produce a range of different styles on a number of curly hair types and textures. Be aware of spring back Hair that has any type of curl in it will ‘spring back’ once it's been cut and dried. If you’re not aware of this it could cause trouble for both you and the clients as you’d never want to cut a client's hair too short. Curly hair needs much more moisture Curly hair tends to dry quicker and be naturally drier than straighter hair. This is why you should keep the hair constantly wet while cutting especially when working with tools such as a razor. Also when recommending products / using products on curly-haired clients make sure your recommendations are high in moisture and hydration. Work visually more than strategically While cutting graphic and sharp styles into perfectly straight hair would mean you must cut strategically curly styles tend to look better / more natural when they’re cut in a more visual manner. For example, visually assessing where length needs to be taken off as opposed to working in perfect sections Don’t be afraid to adjust the cut once the hair is dry As mentioned prior curly hair will spring back and change once it starts to dry so don’t be afraid to go back in when the hair is dry and make any adjustments or spray the hair down again if you think its necessary. Move the hair around while cutting to get a feel of the length and shape Moving the hair around while you’re cutting will provide a better indication of the natural buoyancy and shape of the curl and the clients hair and you will be able to better assess the direction of the cut When Blowdrying use a diffuser
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How to achieve amazing results with men's curly hair
In our tutorial, available now on Leaf Academy, Charlie Gray renowned men's hairdresser and founder of Hair in Motion education creates a fashion-forward men's haircut on textured and curly hair. Below is some of his advice on how to achieve amazing results with Men's Curly Hair. Working with interior and exterior shapes. It is important to remember that cutting from the Interior removes weight and cutting from the exterior removes length. Working with the exterior shape Whenever you get a client with textured or curly hair to discuss with them how much their hair bounces back after the hair is cut or when the hair is wet. When working on the exterior shape it is often better to work fluidly with something like a razor. In this tutorial, Charlie uses the Leaf Razor, a favourite among barbers and men's hairdressers. The razor is a great tool for removing weight and excess length but not disrupting the curl pattern or texture. A tip from Charlie: be aware that you may not need to take off the exact same amount from both sides. It is quite common that depending on the growth pattern or a previous haircut the two sides will not be completely symmetrical. Working on the interior shape The interior shape requires a much more strategic approach which is why for this haircut the box sections were clipped up and reserved for later. Some of the best ways to remove weight and add movement and texture to the interior shape a to use methods such as elevation, sectioning and layering. For this cut, Charlie made it a focus to follow the natural, rounded shape of the head keeping with the loose and undone style and making sure the interior section married into the exterior shape.One of the most important things you can do is make sure you refer back and take guides from the external shape to prevent too much separation. Head on over to https://www.leaf-academy.com/ now to check out the tutorial.
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How to produce men’s creative, salon-friendly cuts with added personalisation
In our tutorial available now on Leaf Academy Charlie Gray, w men's hair specialist and barber and founder of 'Hair in Motion' education creates this fantastic men's cut using salon standard methods, techniques and tools. Below are Charlie’s key focuses on how to achieve amazing work every time The Discussion before / the consultation In the tutorial, Charlie mentioned how he had a discussion with his client prior to the haircut discussing problem areas, things the client wanted to change and things the client wanted to keep. From this, Charlie could strategise a plan to give the client exactly what they wanted without the need for excess strife. For example, the client pointed out that the weight at the crown was causing him the issue and therefore Charlie knew that was an area he wanted to remove more weight from. Salon-friendly tools and techniques All methods mentioned in the video are industry and salon standards. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to create really interesting and groundbreaking styles with commercial knowledge. All that was used to achieve this look was a scissor, Charlie used the Leaf x Hair in Motion Cobalt, the Leaf razor, clippers and of course a comb. All of which are available /should be available to you as a hairdresser/barber. Using your tools to achieve the personalised look Charlie used a Scissor over comb technique on the side panels, this is much more personal to the client as you can better control the shortness at which the hair is taken off and it also creates a more textural appearance to the hair. Charlie also works visually using the Leaf razor away to remove excess length from specific areas, rather than working in a perfect strategy, Charlie assessed the client's hair and made a judgement on which areas needed the most taken off. Working with the razor also added additional texture to the cut and removed the hair with a softness which would not have been possible with a standard scissor cut. Understanding The Importance of working visually as well as strategically There are definite ways Charlie worked strategically in areas of this cut, for example using a vertical centre profile from the head in a rounded shape to preserve the focal point i.e. the fringe and working in diagonal back sections on the side panels to create a clear path for the clippers to follow. However, it is important to understand the importance of marrying the strategic and the visual. For example when working with the clippers, starting with a higher guard and working down as necessary to remove the risk of taking too much hair off. Charlie also assessed the shape of the hair and the cut before he started making it super personal to the clients and their preference, growth pattern and hair shape. Finishing touches It's all in the details. Personalisation really comes through in the small details which makes a style completely unique. For example, in this cut Charlie took special care to preserve features such as the rat-tail braid adding some really cool personality to the final look As well as knowing when to stop and how much to style the hair there is an art in knowing especially with this hair type and texture when to stop and let it dry naturally.
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Mastering Hairdressing Consultations
Why are hairdressing consultations so important? Before we delve into how to deliver the perfect hairdressing consultation, it is important to know why they are so integral to every appointment. Well, to start with, although you can work magic on hair, you are unfortunately not telepathic. Every client has individual needs, so a hairdressing consultation is how you are going to pinpoint those needs before you action them. This will not only ensure you can work efficiently, but will guarantee you exceed your client’s expectations with those finer details. On top of this, we all know a hairdresser is so much more than an expert with scissors. As a hairdresser, you need to be able to form connections on a personal level with your clients. A consultation will make your client feel at ease, and will allow you to build rapport and trust. How to deliver the perfect hairdressing consultation Now that you know why consultations are so important, we’ve put together the key steps that you should follow with every hairdressing consultation. Greet your client If you have an appointment booked with a new client, remember that first impressions count. In fact, experts say it takes just 3 seconds for a person to decide whether they like you. So, make sure that you put on a big smile, attend to your client quickly and welcome them with a nice greeting. You might want to break the ice by complimenting them on something, or asking how their day has been. Even if you have a regular client, it is always crucial to greet them with your usual positivity. You never know when someone is having a bad day, so taking your time to make them feel welcome could be just what they need. Talk them through the consultation process This step is equally as important for returning clients as it is for new clients. Talking through the process, even if it is brief, will let your client know how you like to work and will most importantly put them at ease. This is also a good opportunity to get them excited about their appointment and fill them with positivity. Ask questions Asking questions will likely be one of the longest yet most valuable parts of the consultation. You can really take your time here as it will be crucial to make sure you ask all the right questions. The aim is to build a bigger picture than just the appointment at hand. If this is your first appointment with a client, then start by getting some background about your client’s hair. This might be what kind of services they have had recently, and what products they use on their hair regularly. If they are a regular client, make sure to read your notes before they arrive so you can already recall their hair history. You might also want to ask if they have had anything done to it since their last appointment. Then, get into the appointment details. This is where your expertise are really going to shine through, which will really impress the client. A client might have booked a balayage, but to you, you are creating a bespoke piece of art on their hair, so you’ll want to really delve deep into what they want. Asking if they have pictures is a great way to fully understand what they want. We have some great examples of questions to ask in our free downloadable guide to hairdressing consultations Create a plan of action Now comes the technical part of the consultation: the plan of action. You’ll want to map out the steps you are going to take to achieve their desired results, and what products you will need to use to do so. You can talk through this with the client, as it will reassure them and will help them understand what you are doing at each point in the appointment. You can take any feedback they might have and ask them if they have any questions. Confirm the plan of action Once you have finished talking them through the plan, it’s time to get confirmation. It’s crucial to have 100% confidence between you and your client before you even begin to eliminate the chance of mix-ups. It can be easy to forget to run your co-workers through the plan of action as you’ll likely be raring to go, but taking the time to talk to anyone else involved in the process is always necessary, even if they play a small part in the end result. You really want to take away any confusion from all parties to ensure smooth execution, after all, you probably have a busy schedule to stick to. Get started with the appointment Lastly, even once you get started with the hair service, you will still want to weave in elements of the consultation throughout the entire appointment. You can do this by talking your client through what you are doing as you work, and re-confirming parts of their service. As mentioned, you’ll also want to spend your appointment building rapport with the client. Take an interest in getting to know them, and also talk about yourself. By having that connection, along with an excellent service, your client will be bound to return.
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Leaf Scissors Partners with Charles Gray
Leaf scissors and Charles Gray have joined forces to offer an exclusive deal to both of their consumer bases. The pair have a longstanding relationship and are now taking it to next level. The bundle, which is available on the Leaf Scissors website, will allow stylists the opportunity to get a full access circle membership to Charles Gray’s education platform – Hair in Motion – as well as the bestselling Leaf ‘Black Edition’ scissor at a hugely discounted rate. This bundle will also be available on a monthly subscription service. Each hairdresser can attest to the importance of education within a constantly changing industry, so we commend the Leaf and Hair in Motion Teams for making both the tools and education packages accessible to every hairdresser no matter their position or level of experience Hair in motion boasts a selection World class cutting tutorials, digital lectures and diagrams of each cut. Access to more than 35 online training videos and Live education seminars as well as education on the power of consultation, social media success, photography tips, setting and reaching your goals, and the importance of diet and nutrition as a high-performing hairstylist, and podcasts from industry leaders. As well as new content uploaded constantly in addition to the existing 35+ teaching hours. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR LEAF X HAIR IN MOTION BUNDLE
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Sarah's quick tips to a flawless balayage
Sarah (SLK hair) is a bleach and blonde specialist with years of experience in the industry who can teach you everything you need to know about safe bleaching, balayage and creating the most popular trends for your clients in salon. The Full tutorial is available for FREE on Leaf Academy What is Balayage? "Balayage can mean very different things. But for me personally, it's about lightening the hair in areas where the sun would hit it. Creating a natural colour" 1. Shampoo Using shampoo next to the root during a balayage creates a perfectly diffused line as the shampoo helps dilute the bleach and stops you from working too close to the root. (When using shampoo ensure you're using a stiff brush to better push the product up into the backcomb). 2. Backcombing When creating a balayage you want the separation between the darker colour and the bleach to be as soft as possible. Backcombing the hair at the root will eliminate the risk of any streakiness or harsh lines. The Backcombing also ensures the sections are light and there isn't too much thickness which may cause some striping. 3. Blending The aim for a balayage is for it to look as sun-kissed and natural as possible, most of this e is achieved through your method of blending. Make sure you're not applying the bleach directly next to the shampoo so you allow yourself plenty of room for blending. Blending up into the product using your hands will be the best way to ensure a seamless blend. 4. Sectioning Never use a straight line when taking a section. Ensure you are taking a large weave from every main section. When sectioning it doesn't matter if the zig-zags aren't perfect as long as you are not sectioning in a straight line, this will ensure your bleach won't turn out stripy of the highlights too severe. 5. Personalisation When working around the face ensure you discuss with your client how they wear their parting on a day to day or how they prefer to style their hair at home and adjust accordingly so it suits them individually. Also, be aware of where the hair will be naturally highlighted, and remember that the aim of a balayage is to lighten only where the sun would naturally hit the hair. To Watch The Full FREE Tutorial on Leaf Academy Click Here!
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Mental Health Downloadable
We’ve chosen to put this document together for anyone who may be struggling themselves or those who wish to help their friends, family or colleagues who are struggling. The story Mental health is hugely important to everyone at leaf and is a passion for us as a company to open the dialogue around mental health and hopefully assist people with coming to terms with managing their own mental health or providing resources to seek external help. Meet Tane Hi, I’m Tane. I am very passionate about mental health and helping people become aware of the impact that our mental health has on us mfind ways to look after and improve their mental health. I have taken a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling skills and a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling studies, and now I am taking the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, where I am training to be a qualified counsellor. What you will gain? A range of reasons and methods for recognising signs of mental health struggles Offering assistance and solutions for when you may feel these ways. Links and contact information for external resources where you can seek help or advice
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Tips for salons and freelancers to become more sustainable
We have to do more as an industry to become more sustainable and that's a huge passion for us at Leaf. So we have put together this series of tips to help make. your business more sustainable and can even save you or make you money. 1. WATER WASTAGE Turning the taps off when you don’t need to leave them running and think about how much time you take washing a clients hair. If you can reduce your washing time by even one minute per client it will make a huge difference in the long run of becoming more sustainable. Use eco heads - this aesthetic and amazing showerhead is made from 100% recycled materials and awards you with double the water pressure whilst saving 65% of water. The anti-bacterial stones also help remove chlorine and reduces negative ions giving you cleaner and softer water. 2. COLOUR WASTAGE Mix up little and often as opposed to mixing large quantities just to throw away unused product at the end of a service. Use innovative programmes such as VISH which weighs the colour that you're using and stores the information per client so you know exactly how much to mix up for the next service. 3. ENERGY CONSUMPTION Check who your suppliers are and review your contract. Many energy suppliers are offering more and more renewable energy alternatives. So do some research and see what green energy is available for you. Negotiating a better deal in the meantime will also save you money, and swapping to a green deal in turn will help the environment. 4. GREEN SALON COLLECTIVE We are proud to be partnered with with Green Salon Collective. A UK based company that recycles all types of salon waste even down to using hair to soak up oil spills. It is so easy to sign up and they collect all your waste for you so you don’t have to do a singe thing. Signing up to such a scheme can be used as a great marketing opportunity for your business to let all clients and potential clients know that you are an eco-friendly business. This can be a huge selling point especially with the massive increase in interest for sustainable businesses and alternatives. 5. USE LEAF SCISSORS We're proud of what we’ve achieved, being the first sustainable scissor production brand in the world. We’ve planted over 60’000 Trees by ensuring that we plant at least 10 trees for every product sold in conjunction with our partners the eden reforestation project. We work with our partners, for example our scissor sharpening service to ensure that every time a scissor is sharpened we plant a tree. All of our products come in fully recycled and recyclable packaging. For more information and assistance on becoming more sustainable get in contact with a member of our team through email or any of our socials @leafscissors.
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