Hair & Beauty Student Essentials
As the new academic year approaches, new hair and beauty students will be preparing to start their studies here in Ireland. This is an exciting time, as students discover their passions and specialities, and it’s never too soon to start setting up for future success. At Hennessy Hair and Beauty, we’re here to help with the equipment and products that students need to get started, and we’ll share our top tips for those at the beginning of their journey in the hair and beauty industry.
Whether you’re just starting out as a hair or beauty student, or you’re training students and want to pass on a helpful guide to them, our recommendations include the essentials for hair students and beauty students this year. Read on to find out more, or get in touch with our experienced team and we’ll help you to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Hair Student Essentials
When you’re training in hairdressing, there are several essentials you’ll need, and focusing on quality will help you to perfect your techniques and develop the skills you need. Of course, your list of essentials will be refined by your college or salon and you should check this before you order, especially if you are investing in costly electrical appliances for heat styling and setting.
Here are the essentials we recommend for hair students:
• Scissors. Every hair stylist has a trusty pair of professional hairdressing scissors to rely on, and finding the pair that suits you is the first step towards your future career. We recommend finding a lightweight pair of scissors that feels good in your hands, so that you can cut hair more easily. Of course, you’ll need your scissors to be sharp so that they cut cleanly, and don’t forget to take care of them in order to maintain their sharpness and quality.
• Clips. Sectioning clips are a staple for hair dressing and styling, and having strong, reliable clips that won’t break will save plenty of time. For sectioning while colouring and cutting, we recommend Kodo Luxury Krocs Clips, for even the thickest hair.
• Combs/brushes. Combs and brushes are vital tools for hairdressers and stylists and this includes cutting combs, which are used for sectioning and for cutting, as well as tail combs, which give you precise sectioning and parting. Different types of brushes work well for different types of hair, and can be used in many ways, including paddle brushes for detangling and round brushes that are ideal for adding volume, especially while blow drying.
• Heat tools. Heat tools, including hairdryers, straighteners and curlers, are part of the standard kit for most stylists and hairdressers and finding the right options for you can make all the difference. We always recommend investing in a good hairdryer with several heat options and a cool shot button. Curling wands are very popular for styling, with most clients opting for curls and waves, so a multipurpose wand can be useful in many ways, while straighteners can also be used to create waves or to straighten hair.
• Products. The products used by stylists and hairdressers are personal, and we only recommend brands we rely on ourselves. It is very helpful for clients when their stylist can recommend good quality shampoos and conditioners, and having excellent options for washing and styling hair will leave your clients feeling indulged. Being able to use serums and mousses effectively will enable you to create a range of results according to client preferences. A spray bottle will always be useful for dampening hair before and during cutting.
Of course, specialist treatments such as colouring will require more equipment, including tint brushes, foils and bowls, as well as gowns and gloves. These may not be essential from the start, but it is a good idea to plan ahead - or to ask your students to do so - to build up your kit as you progress.
Beauty Student Essentials
As a beauty student, you’ll need certain essentials to get started, including:
• A kit bag. One of the most important things you need as a beauty student is a kit bag you can rely on. Whether you use a hard case on wheels or a selection of smaller bags, we recommend that you look for multiple compartments to keep your equipment organised and accessible. The Sinelco TrolleyCase Sparkle XL is a great design with two tiers and a removable tray.
• Disposables. There are several disposable products and tools that you will need to purchase or recommend that your students purchase. These include wooden spatulas, lash strips and wax strips, as well as paper roll.
• Brushes. Your brushes are a key tool in your trade, and choosing good quality brushes will help you to develop good techniques and find your own way to work. The Hive of Beauty Cosmetic Brush Set includes nine brush types in a handy carry case, or you can choose individual styles.
• Treatment couch. You may not need a couch or treatment chair immediately but this will certainly be important as you progress. Check out the quality of any designs you are considering and try out several options to see what works best for you.
You should refer to your specific salon or college equipment list to ensure that you have everything you need, and remember that you can continue to add to your kit as you move through your training.
Hygiene & Salon Safety Tips
Protecting your clients is a vital part of the job for any hair and beauty student or therapist. This means:
1. Cleaning. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness in your practice and in your workspace is very important to prevent infection and reduce the risk of contamination. You should also be aware of hazards or dangers in the workspace, keeping obstacles and wires out of walkways and ensuring that floors are kept clear and dry.
2. Using PPE. Personal Protective Equipment is essential to protect both therapist/student and client, and includes gloves and aprons whenever chemicals are handled.
3. Stick to single use. If you are required to use disposable products for a treatment, ensure that you dispose of all single use items immediately to avoid cross contamination or infection.
4. Being vigilant. If a client’s skin is already infected, inflamed or broken, treatments should not be carried out. A patch test should always be used to ensure that new products will not cause irritation.
5. Ensuring good ventilation. All workspaces should be adequately ventilated, especially if you are working with chemicals during treatments, including nail treatments and hair colouring.
Top Tips for Students
When you’re training in hair and beauty, you will need to plan carefully to make the most of your investment. Our top tips include:
1. Prioritise the basics. It is worth prioritising your essentials so that you can buy the basics you need immediately, and if money is tight you can upgrade or add more equipment as you progress through your training. It is much more important to have a good quality pair of scissors than a top brand straightener, for instance, so make your decisions carefully. Some basic items are very high quality and will give you great results, so don’t feel that you need to splash out on the most expensive kit.
2. Take care of your kit. There is nothing more frustrating than having to replace kit because you didn’t look after it correctly! Make sure you know how to protect your equipment and keep it in great condition, as this is good practice and will help to extend its life.
3. Look for discounts. Many suppliers offer student discounts for hair and beauty students, and this can help you to buy your essentials at a more affordable price. Look out for special offers, bulk prices and discounts to make the most of your money.
4. Start building your portfolio straight away. Your portfolio and your social media presence will be one of the most important ways to build your business, so it’s a good idea to start developing this from the beginning of your training. This is a great way to provide evidence of your skill progression and techniques, as well as connecting with future clients.
5. Choose your footwear carefully. Any experienced hair stylist or beauty therapist will tell you that being on your feet all day is challenging and that good shoes are a must! Try several pairs and choose carefully so that you are comfortable while you are working.
Hennessy Hair & Beauty in Ireland
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we are committed to providing the best quality products for stylists, therapists and salons across Ireland and this includes students who are just starting out! We can all remember the excitement of our early training, and we will always be happy to help students and those training students to find the right equipment to make the process easier.
We have been supplying hair and beauty products for more than 40 years, and our work in the hair and beauty industry has earned us several industry awards. As a second-generation, family-run business based in Ireland, we prioritise our client relationships and we will always be happy to offer advice and guidance as well as essential salon supplies. Contact us to find out more.