The Leaf Hair Blog
The Different Kinds of Hair Scissors and Their Applications
Welcome to the Topic “The Different Kinds of Hair Scissors and Their Applications” Not all hair-cutting scissors can perform the same task or handle the same type of hair. When building your kit, there are many items to choose from, and making the decision can be difficult. Despite the number of different types of barbering and hairdressing scissors available on the market, have you ever considered the purpose and usage of each one? This article will assist you in determining which styles will best suit your needs for the best haircuts possible. So let’s go! Different Scissors for Different Purposes A pair of standard kitchen scissors and a couple of specialty hairdressing scissors will not do the job. Custom hairdressing styles are intended for hair cutting and will be extremely sharp to provide a clean cut. You don't want to use hair-cutting scissors for housework or vice versa. Hair strands can be damaged when cut with kitchen shears; the only way to repair them is to cut back on the affected area even more. Similarly, using hairdressing scissors to cut paper, wire, or other items will dull and damage the blades, rendering them ineffective for later hair cutting. So, what scissors are best for different hair-cutting styles? Don't be concerned; we've got you covered! The Design of the Scissors When selecting a pair of scissors, ensure they fit perfectly in your hand and are always comfortable. Otherwise, you may experience pain and be unable to concentrate solely on your client's hair. This is why the shape of your scissors' handle is so important; some shapes are more ergonomic than others. The three most popular options are as follows: Classic Straight scissor is another name for this type of scissor. The upper and lower blades are the same shape; in this case, the handle has a flat level, and the rings are perfectly aligned. It's one of the most popular choices, but the ergonomics are subpar. Straight scissors with thoroughly vertical blades are recommended for deep point cutting techniques. Offset Offset scissors have slightly angled handles, a shortened shank, and a thumb ring. The top and bottom rings are not in perfect alignment. What is the source of their popularity? It's more ergonomic, and many people prefer it to traditional shears. Offset scissors allow them to more freely adjust their hand movements, especially if they are accustomed to holding the scissors with their ring finger. Offset shears are handy for blunt, vertical, and straight-line cutting. Crane Some people believe they are an exaggerated version of offset models. Crane shears have a straight blade but a downwardly angled handle shank with a thumb ring. It's the most ergonomic model for reducing fatigue while cutting hair, which is ideal if you don't want to be exhausted after a long day of creating stunning haircuts. The Different Types of Hair Cutting Scissors and Shears with Their Applications Let’s take you to the world of scissors: Shears with a swivel Swivel-style hair-cutting shears could become your new go-to piece of equipment if you value your comfort and safety. The thumb hole on this type swivels and can be twisted at an angle. As a result, you can change the position of your wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Swivel shears allow you to cut your hair in a more comfortable place that you can easily adjust to reduce the risk of injuring yourself. Anyone who uses scissors frequently will appreciate the versatility of swivel shears. Shears for thinning hair There are two blades on these shears, one with teeth and one without. The teeth on one side aid in separating hair into even sections. The teeth' spacing affects the sections' size, which affects the final effect you achieve by using a specific type of best thinning shear. Cutting scissors can be used on almost any type of hair, including long, short, thick, and thin hair. You can use them to remove excess hair weight, blend in lines smoothly, and create a soft, diffused shape. Cutting scissors with a short blade As the name implies, short-blade cutting scissors have blades significantly shorter than other models, which should be no surprise. Precision cutting is familiar with this type. Short-bladed scissors are ideal for people with small hands or work with small detailing styles. With the smaller blades, you will have more control over the detailing. This type can be used on any hair type, from thin to thick and everything in between. Cutting scissors with a long blade Cutting scissors with long blades, on the other hand, have long edges. They're famous for a variety of barbering techniques, including over-the-comb. Barbers frequently use long blade scissors for over-the-comb techniques that require an extended, straight edge cut. These scissors will be heavier, but they will provide more precise edges on longer lengths. They are appropriate for all hair types, including coarse, wiry, and fine hair. Texturizing Scissors Although texturizing scissors cut hair in the same way that thinning shears do, they have 30 to 40 sharp teeth for a more dramatic look. Furthermore, this pair of scissors will add volume and texture to styles by making more blunt cuts throughout the hair. Texturizing scissors can help anyone who wants to add volume and texture to their hairstyle. This hairdressing tool can also be used to remove sections of hair to thin out thick and bulky weight, but its main function is to add volume and movement. Texturizing scissors should never be used on curly or wavy hair. Shears for chopping This species has 7 to 15 teeth. This versatile setting can quickly and easily remove excess hair weight. Keep in mind that the wider the spacing, the bolder and more defined the cuts. Proceed with caution, particularly if you are unfamiliar with such items. Wrapping It Up! Finding the best hair-cutting scissors to use on hair will make a massive difference in how easy it is to cut. You will not be able to achieve the desired straight edges or texture in a hairstyle without the proper tools. Now that we are talking about hairdressing scissors let's not forget Leaf Scissors, The best in kind and most sustainable ones. Have any questions regarding the topic "The Different Kinds of Hair Scissors and Their Applications" feel free to comment below. Also Read: Professional Hairdressing Scissors - A Guide To Using Texturising Scissors
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Overcoming Scalp Bleach Anxiety
Whether they dare to admit it or not, every hairdresser has had the scalp bleach fear at some point in their career. With the right know how, though, stylists can change this anxiety into confidence and start to enjoy creating what is arguably one of the most eye-catching looks available for a client.
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Commercialising the Mullet
In the tutorial, available now on Leaf Academy, Ky Wilson talks about his method of commercialising the mullet. The Mullet haircut has been one of the most popular trends in the last 2 years we’re going to talk you through the easiest ways to commercialise this style for when your clients ask for it in the salon Using the Leaf Razor CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE Using a razor creates a softer, more textural appearance to the cut. Looseness and Softness are what makes this cut so popular and endearing and using a razor eliminates the risk of harsh lines or blunt cuts which would take away from the softness of this haircut You can also use a razor to create invisible layers and movement. Layering and removing weight When creating this cut, you must remove any excess weight from the 'bangs'. Any weight left over can cause the hair to fall straight down when unstyled. Removing weight from the inside ensures the bangs flick out even after washing giving the style its classic look. Cutting dry. In the tutorial you can see that Ky does not shy away from tweaking the cut and style after the hair has been blowdried. This is so he can properly assess the way the hair will sit and fall after it's been dried and make any necessary adjustments. Using layers / texturising techniques removes weight from the entire head of hair helping you to avoid the disconnection between the fringe and longer hair. The whole aim of the mullet hair cut is that the bangs blend seamlessly into the longer back section. Layering and texturising can help you achieve this even while keeping the hair long in length. Styling and maintenance One of the biggest struggles that clients have after going home from the Salon is maintaining and styling their cut. As a hairdresser, you can provide your clients with tips on how to maintain a style at home which in turn can create retail and revenue opportunities as well as referrals via word of mouth. Using heated tools - Adding a loose wave to the hair relates to the hairstyle's 70s / retro origins. Adding a wave or curl into the hair also adds to this s textural design but if working with heated tools always remember to use a good quality heat protectant. Styling products - In the tutorial Ky uses a volumising mousse and thickening lotion, dry texture spray and shine spray. All of which add to the final outcome. Don't be afraid to recommend or talk your client through the process/reasoning behind the use of styling products, this all goes towards helping your client maintain their style at home and also can create an opportunity for you to make a retail commission.
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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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