How to buy a mannequin
If you have decided to buy a haired mannequin for practice and you need it for studying at a vocational school to become hairdressers or harstylists, then you will receive your recommandation from your trainer. Despite this we will try hard to answer the most frequent questions related to this subject.
There are several criteria to choose a model for training:
- Quality characteristics: natural hair, synthetic hair and synthetic, natural and synthetic hair
- Hair length: 25-70 cm
- Hair colour: blond, brown, dark, gray, mixed color
- Hair density:
- Average: 230/260 cm/hair;
- Mini: 200/230 cm/ hair;
- ECO: 170/200 cm/ hair.
Firstly you need to understand the reason why you need a forming head: to practice hairstyles and if you use hot tools for bride/ bridal hairstyling, to learn new ways of hair-cutting and to get to know the composition and hair growth.
It is important to know that not only the beginners need a haired mannequin, but also the professionals, to improve and try new techniques in color, haircut and styling. Of course that the cheapest ones are the synthetic ones, but because according to a saying „stingy pays twice”, we advise you not to just save money now and buy a doll with natural hair which could be useful for a longer period of time. In addition, it increases the quality of practice made from the start, regardless of practiced work. The doll with natural hair has several advantages: it can withstand the full range of training activities – cut, color, perm and using tools such as hot plate, curling or hair dryer. With a proper care this mannequin will serve you for 2-3 years.
In order to improve evening hairstyles it would be best to choose workouts mannequin with 100% natural hair; in extreme cases, find a head with no more than 30-50% artificial hair. We recommend you not to buy a mannequin with the longest hair, taking into consideration that the most popular are medium hairstyles, with 30-50 cm length. Customers with very long hair are fewer and such hairstyles are rarely required. But if you do want to improve your qualifications and hairstyles with long hair, you need to buy a mannequin with 50-70 cm hair length.
As far as it concerns the mannequin’s hair color, the general opinion says that unlike haircuts, evening hairstyles are best suited to blonde hair. You can clearly see on it all the details that a good hair stylist must take into account. Unlike this, the mannequin’s dyed hair or cut makes no difference.
Another important matter is to take into consideration the hair density while buying the mannequin: the more often the more useful hair. The hair density is determined by the amount of the grafted hairs per 1 cm square on the mannequin. Do not worry if hair stays on comb when you comb it, this is normal. The hair will fall only at first haircut but after that everything will be fine. If however the fall is sentient and does not stop, you should not buy that mannequin. But of course, the mannequin’s quality and usability are limited; you should replace it once in 2 -3 years.
In order to increase your doll’s life, you should follow certain recommendations. Natural hair is washed after making hairstyles and using styling products. Wash with warm water and shampoo, conditioner necessarily. If it is very puzzling, comb it from top to root, remove static electricity from it and only then wash it. Do not wring your hair and let it dry before being combed. Once a month, apply a moisturizing or nourishing mask before using hot tools. Oil hair can be used also for one hour and washed. Remember that the mannequin does not produce sebum and if we do not take care of it, the hair will quickly become brittle and unruly.
Most of the hair loss happens due to negligence of the mannequin’s scratching, thus, you should use a brush massage desirable softer or all natural hair. We recommend that you firstly use an easy combing spray and if you use hot tools, which temperature must not exceed 180D degrees, you should use protective spray before.
By following these simple tips, you will be able to increase the life of your mannequin. Any model, if bought from a branded company, must also have a quality certificate, which therefore should be sought. And also very important, because it is very difficult to make a hairdo on a mannequin holding it in your arms, you will need to purchase a stand or tripod.
We wish you a choice as inspired!
