Starting Your Hairdressing Journey: Why a Proper College Kit Matter

If you’ve decided to embark upon a career in hairdressing, it’s important to invest in a proper kit to get you off to a good start. Beginning with the right tools opens you up to different techniques and helps you discover how certain tools lend themselves better to short cuts, sharp bobs, bouncy blow‑dries and everything in between.

At Cool Blades, we’ve created pre‑built college kits with the essential tools needed for basic Level 2 assessments. As professionals in hairdressing ourselves, here’s what we believe every trainee hairdresser should have in their kit.

Scissors

A quality pair of hairdressing scissors will be the most important tool in your kit. A medium pair of offset scissors is ideal to start with, as the ergonomic design is comfortable to use — especially when you’re learning correct hand positioning and switching between scissor and comb. Good scissors make learning easier, cleaner and far more enjoyable.

Training Head

A training head is a brilliant addition for new starters, especially when it’s difficult to find regular models to practise on — or when you’re working on techniques you’re not yet confident with. With a training head by your side, you can cut, style and practise occasion hair without the pressure of prying eyes watching your every move in the mirror.

Training heads are useful at every level of hairdressing. New styles and techniques constantly come in and out of fashion, so having a mannequin to practise on helps you stay one step ahead of the curve.

Brushes

Every brush has a purpose — it’s definitely not a “one size fits all” situation.

• Smaller barrelled brushes are best for shorter hair that needs lift and volume.

• Bigger barrelled brushes are ideal for long, thick hair because they speed up drying and handle larger, more manageable sections.

• Paddle and vented brushes are great for quick, easy drying and smoothing.

Learning which brush to use (and when) is a huge part of mastering blow‑drying and styling.

Combs

A hard‑wearing carbon cutting comb will be your scissors’ best friend. A medium‑sized cutting comb is perfect for beginners as it works well on all hair types and lengths, and the dual tooth sizes help you control tension.

Other combs — such as pintail combs for sectioning and detangling combs for combing product through wet hair — are essential for hair colour work, partings and clean, professional prep.

Hairdryer

You won’t get very far without a good‑quality hairdryer. Blow‑drying is an essential part of hairdressing, and finishing a cut with a polished blow‑dry turns a basic service into a luxury one. It’s also your chance to show off the quality of your cutting skills and demonstrate the potential of those carefully crafted layers.

The Extras That Make Life Easier

At Cool Blades, our trainee kits include helpful accessories such as:

• Sectioning clips

• Water spray bottles

• Cutting collars

• Organiser bags

These small additions make a big difference when you’re learning, helping you stay organised and professional from day one.

Your Career Starts With Your Kit

We believe great hairdressing begins with a high‑quality kit. As hairdressers ourselves, we know exactly what you’ll find most useful in your early career — and we want to make sure you have the best start possible.

Good luck — you’ve chosen an amazing industry to be part of.