From Apprentice to Pro: Building Your First Hairdressing Kit on a Budget

So, you’ve decided you want to become a hairdresser or barber…now what? Well, there’s a wealth of knowledge and education out there to help get you started. Whether you’re looking at the apprenticeship route, or you’re attending a college to help master the trade, one thing’s for sure, the most important thing you need to take care of is your kit!

But even choosing what to put in your kit can be overwhelming! These are the tools that you’re going to use day in and day out for the foreseeable future, so you want to make sure you get it right. And that’s where we come in. At Cool Blades, we specialise in hair tools that are perfect for trainees and pros alike, helping you to find the kit that’s right for you and will shape your career in hair styling.

Whether you’re attending a college and are looking at one of our handy college kits to meet your course requirements, or you’re an apprentice building your own kit for the first time, we can help you find the right tools.

Essential Tools for Beginners: What’s Needed vs. What’s Nice to Have

There may be some additional requirements if you’re working to a specific course, however, the basic must-haves for any first kit are:

Scissors – Cutting and Thinning Scissors

A Comb Set

Sectioning Clips

A Hairdryer

Brushes – Round & Paddle

Clippers & Trimmers (For Barbers)

There are also a few items that can be incredibly helpful, though they are optional, particularly if you’re on a budget:

Razors for texturizing

Specialist scissors (left-handed or ergonomic)

Mannequin Heads for Practice (For some college courses this will be a requirement)

There are plenty of additional tools on the market, but whilst you’re learning, we recommend choosing quality over quantity and spending your budget wisely on good basics, rather than lots of low quality items.

Balancing Cost and Quality

We pride ourselves on offering college kits at great prices for students, so if in doubt, we recommend looking here first, or talking to us about what you need. Alternatively, choosing mid-range tools from trusted brands is a safe bet.

That said, cheap doesn’t always mean bad. Our Kobe range offers some high-spec items at reasonable prices and is often a go-to for college students and apprentices. For example, barbers love the Kobe Academy Long 7.0" Scissors which come in left and right-handed options and have offset handles for a great ergonomic finish, all for less than £50!

Another great money saver is to consider tools with replaceable or serviceable parts to extend lifespan. A scissor sharpening service or some replacement clipper blades are much cheaper than replacing your whole kit.

How to Prioritise Purchases Based on Services Offered

Depending on what you’re studying, you won’t need all the tools, so make sure you find out exactly what you need and you’ll be able to save money by choosing the right items.

For barbers, we recommend prioritising clippers, trimmers, scissors and fade brushes.

For colour-focused apprentices, tint brushes, bowls, foils and sectioning clips should be where you invest.

For stylists focusing on general cuts and styling, start with reliable shears, a powerful dryer, section clips and brush sets.

Beginner-Friendly Brands

There are many well-known, entry-level brands that are perfect for just starting out. A lot of them are known for their reliability and budget-friendly appeal and are a great place to look if you’re unsure.

For scissors, Kobe and Jaguar are two incredible entry-point brands, with a range of sizes and handle types to suit your cutting style.

For budget-friendly clippers and trimmers, Wahl and Babyliss have some great options, allowing you to spend what your budget allows.

And for brushes and combs, Kobe have a great range of round brushes and YS Park combs are a great addition to any set, beginner or pro!

Ask a Pro

If you’re still struggling on what to choose, a great way to figure out what you need is to ask your mentor what they wish they’d bought (or avoided) early on. But make sure you do your own research, too, things might have changed since their training days!

You could even ask a mentor to try using some of their tools, especially scissors so you get a feel for what handle type feels comfortable for you.

Whatever You Choose, Keep Tools Maintained

Once you’ve chosen your tools, don’t stop there! Keep your tools in good condition in order to stretch their value and deliver the best results. Never underestimate the power of correct storage and daily maintenance. We have plenty of tips available, like this handy video for cleaning, oiling and adjusting the tension on your scissors!

We hope these handy tips will help you to choose the perfect tools for your apprenticeship or training course, but if you need any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us and speak to one of our experts today!

If you’re looking for hairdressing equipment, scissor servicing, or salon furniture, why not visit us at CoolBlades today and discover our range of high-quality, affordable hair and beauty salon supplies.

If you enjoyed this guide, why not visit the CoolBlades blog for more content tailored to salon and beauty professionals in 2025?