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We love a good hairstylist podcast. They’re perfect for listening on your morning commute or feeling saner while you’re mixing five bowls of color. Plus, hairstylist podcasts are a fantastic way to learn tips and tricks to grow your small business, find new clients and expand your beauty industry knowledge. In honor of International Podcast Day, here are 10 of...
We love a good hairstylist podcast. They’re perfect for listening on your morning commute or feeling saner while you’re mixing five bowls of color. Plus, hairstylist podcasts are a fantastic way to learn tips and tricks to grow your small business, find new clients and expand your beauty industry knowledge. In honor of International Podcast Day, here are 10 of the best beauty podcasts aimed at hair pros focused on the resources you need (plus one just for fun!)
ture in-depth conversations with industry experts and entrepreneurs who have overcome significant hurdles and built some of the best brands in self-care.
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
During the pandemic salons and barbershops were forced to close for an extended period. This caused many people to find new ways of maintaining their hair. Whether it be cutting their hair at home or letting it grow out and run wild, trying something different was forced upon many people. Hair professionals, on the other hand, had to learn how...
Gregory is a hairstylist based out of NYC. He’s a global educator and a celebrity brand ambassador. His IG is filled with quirky videos, haircutting tips and he always seems to be having fun! We asked him for 3 tips he could give for cutting hair at home. Here’s what he said. 1) PREP is EVERYTHING Especially when it comes to using the Feather Styling Razor at home, you want to use great tools in your hair that allows for an easy “slide and glide.” This not only helps you brush through any kinks or knots but also provides a perfect pairing when sliding your Feather Razor down the hair strands. USE A SUPER SHARP RAZOR BLADE! You can get a couple uses out of your razor blade but use a freshie every time if possible. This creates clean sharp hair ends, avoids drag and helps to eliminate frizz and split ends. To eliminate frizz, you can use leave-in treatments, creams or oils that are right for your hair type and texture. 2) Dry vs Wet Haircutting There has always been a debate about razor haircutting on dry hair vs. wet hair. Here’s my take… Call me controversial and a rule breaker (I’ve never been one to do things just one way), but I love to use my Feather Razor on both wet hair AND dry hair, especially when it comes to cutting your own hair. If you aren’t technically trained and don’t have a great understanding of hair physics, many things can go wrong when cutting wet hair. I always say “wet hair lies, dry hair truths.” Wet hair can bounce back, shrink up, group curls with strong hair growth patterns and create holes or imbalance in your finished shape. With dry hair (and specifically cutting your dry hair at home) it’s much easier to navigate the map. You see exactly what happens to the hair immediately. Whether you wear your hair air dried or blow dry it and style it, dry haircutting should be done after it’s in its final dried and/or styled state. So if you normally air dry your hair, wait until your hair is air dried and then dry cut it. And if you normally blow dry and style your hair, do that first, then dry cut it. If you always let your hair air dry (never or rarely blow dry it), dry razor hair cutting can give amazing results. You will see exactly where and what you want to take off, layer, texturize, and detail. 3) “MORE means MORE” The MORE you lift the hair and cut, the MORE layering you create. Below is a great guide to follow to understand the effect you’ll get from lifting your hair at different “zones” and the layers that can be achieved. Cutting CLOCK GUIDE Remember, the higher you lift into a “time zone” the more layering you create, meaning the more hair you will remove. BEFORE you cut or slice the hair that’s in your hands, ask yourself every time “What time is it?” Is that the time you’re wanting? If so, go ahead and cut or slice the hair. If not, lift the hair higher or drop the hair lower and then cut your hair at this “time” all around your clock (head shape). So what are these time zones? Imagine a clock with the numbers 1-12 on it. Now apply this to your head where 6:00 is the floor and 12:00 is the top of your head. If you cut your hair between 6:00 (floor) and 9:00 (ear) your layering will land anywhere from your ears and below. This is minimal to moderate hair removal in terms of length and weight. Your hair will have movement and layering within that zone. Depending on how high you lift within this time zone, you will get soft layering that falls anywhere from your ear height and below. If you cut your hair between 9:00 (ears) and 12:00 (top of head), you will get moderate to maximum hair removal in terms of length and weight. The layers are dependent on what “time” you lifted the hair to. Hair will fall anywhere within the 9:00 to 12:00 zone AND 9:00 to 6:00 zone. If you elevate the hair from 6:00 all the way up to 12:00, all of the time markers will become touched (6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00). This is the maximum elevation which gives the maximum hair removal. Keep in mind that these time markers are in reference to the right side of the head. The same would apply to the left side of the head where the time markers would be 6:00, 5:00, 4:00, 3:00, 2:00, 1:00 and 12:00. It’s very important to establish what your end result looks like. Then, reverse engineer to determine which technique(s) you will need to achieve the desired shape, movement, layering and amount of weight removal. The main takeaways: 1) PREP is Everything. Use good quality tools and sharp blades. 2) Dry vs Wet Haircutting. It’s okay to dry cut (in my opinion) as you will see exactly where and what you want to take off. Just make sure it’s in the air dried or blow dried and styled state before dry cutting. 3) MORE means MORE. The higher you lift the hair before you cut, the more length and weight gets removed. The lower you lift the hair before you cut, the more length and weight stays on. Use the Clock Guide to help determine how much hair removal you want to achieve.View this post on Instagram
Shay is a hairstylist based out of Sacramento. She specializes in shags, mullets and creative haircuts. She has a cute, fun style about here that shows through her content. Every once in a while, you’ll see her razor cutting her own hair too! Here are her tips. 1. Never use a razor on dry hair. You should only use a razor on wet hair because using it on dry hair will damage your hair and create split ends, leaving your hair looking and feeling frizzy and damaged. 2. Make sure you hold the hair you’re cutting taut. You should hold the hair taut to maintain control of the section you are cutting. Holding it loose can also create damage and frizz. 3. In this reel I’m removing internal weight from my hair so it looks less bulky without removing any length. I’m visually looking at my hair and seeing what looks heavy, grabbing those pieces and carving out anything that looks like it needed to go. If you do this at home be very mindful of what you’re cutting or you could accidentally cut into your length. After every carved-out piece I take, I then re- zhuzh my hair back into place to make sure it looks good.View this post on Instagram
Kelly is a stylist and educator specializing in razor cutting. She loves to create shags, work with curls and natural texture, does non-toxic coloring and blonding and more. She is based out of Bellingham, WA. She offered some great tips. 1. Razor cutting works best when you have enough grow out to cut, at least an inch is ideal, less is doable once you have a bit more practice and understanding of the tool. Remember to step back and look at your work. We get up close in the mirror to see what we are doing when cutting our own hair so it’s important to take a couple steps back and really look at the shape. 2. Don’t start a home haircut when you are in a rush or have an event to be at. It just never works out well. 3. Take before and after photos for your own reference. It is so helpful to see the changes and take notes of what you do and don’t like. Adjust your technique next time. There are no rules despite what some people may tell you. We have all learned through trial and error. Wet hair, dry hair, small section, big section. Try different things and do what feels good to YOU! It’s your hair, you get to be an artist, and most importantly have fun doing it.View this post on Instagram
Megan is a hairstylist based out of Orlando, FL. She’s a lover of color services and does both scissor and razor cutting. She showcases some beautiful cuts and color on her Instagram page. She also chimed in with some tips on bang cutting. I love using the JATAI Feather Razor for cutting my own bangs! It’s perfect for taking off length and creating texture at the same time. My best advice would be to start with the hair wet, comb forward where you want to create your shape, and then start carving away! I choose to cut my bangs wet because I find the razor glides smoother through the hair. I will define it a little once the hair is dry with the razor as well! Another good tip is to always start with a new blade. Most importantly have fun! There’s so many cool shapes to create! Cutting your hair at home is best for in between maintenance. Whether it's trimming bangs or adding in a few face framing layers, these can be done at home. But for full haircuts, it's best to leave it up to a professional as they will have the proper techniques and skillsets to give you the haircut you want. Using a razor to cut your hair at home is easier to use than scissors simply because the cuts are less precise. With scissors, if you make a wrong snip it's easily noticeable. Scissors are less forgiving. And as you can see, there is much controversy about cutting hair wet vs. dry. If you're looking to cut your hair at home which includes razor cutting, take some of the advice from professionals. Experiment a bit and see what works!View this post on Instagram
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
Let’s cover different ways to cut bangs. The first thing to pay attention to is sectioning out the hair because the bangs will be sectioned according to each person’s head shape. So the first step is to lay the comb on top of the head where it starts to curve forward and down. That’s going to be the high point...
The blunt and heavy bang is very solid and heavy. It’s cut straight across. To do this use a good quality scissor such as the Jatai Tokyo Scissors 5.5” by BMAC. These are great because they are a smaller scissor which is better when dealing with bangs because you have more control.
It's a natural tendency to take a section in the center, comb that into the hand, and then cut. If you do this, there are a couple things you have to focus on. The first thing is to notice how thick the section is. The second is how you use your fingers to hold the hair. If you just comb everything smooth with zero tension, lock your finger and then cut blunt, you already have a finger worth of elevation. If you do that, this is going to be a little softer than the maximum bluntness you can get. So if you want it blunt it’s better to use a comb to hold the hair and push the hair into the spine of the comb with the back end of the scissor. Then go through and cut it straight across with a lower elevation because it's harder to clean this up on the skin. Why? Because you have eyebrows and eyelashes to deal with. You want to be mindful of that. Another thing you want to be mindful of is how much spring the hair has and if there are any kind of cowlicks at the front. That's why no tension should be used at all. For the sides of the bangs, if you want an arc or a curve, start at the inside of the eye and angle the comb so that it's curved down. Repeat this on the other side and try to match the first side. The blunt bang is pretty straightforward and easy.
The layered bang with or without movement is also a popular bang style. Usually someone with side swept bangs has an off center part. Find where the head starts to curve forward, go straight down to the center of the recession and pin that hair back. For bangs where you want a lot of movement but still have a solid shape, start off by taking a small section from the middle and pin it to the side. Then take another small section. This is going to be the shortest piece. The rest of the bangs will flow off of this piece. Take the piece and hold it off the peak curvature and find the length that you want to cut it at. Use very little tension. Otherwise, it will make the bang shorter than desired. Point cut the ends to the desired length. Now you have to decide what angle you want to create from the shortest piece to the longest piece. Mirror that angle in your parting. Hold it at the same angle as the parting, holding it in the opposite direction in which you want the bangs to flow. Using your guide, point cut the next section. Continue to take more sections using the previous guide. Once you’ve cut all the sections of the hair that will make up the bangs, let it go and see how it falls to the side. If it looks good, take the center piece that was the guide for the right side and do the same thing on the left side.
The third bang style is a highly textured shape. It’s less solid and more of a softened look. This allows it to be styled in many different ways. This type of bang could be made to go straight across or left or right. Whichever way the bangs flow it will flow in a more piecey softer way. To create this bang, take a center section right in the middle. Pull the section forward and use a thinning scissor such as the JATAI Tokyo Thinning Scissors by BMAC. With the straight blade on the bottom, go through it with thinning scissor. With the curvature of the head, go through and point cut across the section with the thinning scissor. By having the tooth side of the blade on top, it leaves the bangs nice and soft on the top. Take another section of the bangs to the right. Using a small piece of the guide, pull the guide and the new section to the left and point cut with the thinning scissors. Continue to do so until you have cut all the bangs on the right side of the head. To do the left side, take a small section from the middle and a small section of bangs that has not been cut yet. Hold the two sections to the right side and repeat as you did on the left. To finish it off, make sure the sides are matching. This look is not nearly as solid as the blunt bangs but it’s a beautiful fun look.
These are the three major ways of doing bangs. You can mix and match them as you want. You can also do this with a razor which will give a more jagged line. Whichever bang you decide to create, the tool will determine the texture. You are the master of the tool, so choose wisely! To watch this in video format taught by Russell Mayes, Director of Content for JATAI, click here.
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
When it comes to cutting hair, there are many tools available to stylists and barbers. Two of the most common tools are scissors and razors. Both tools have their benefits and drawbacks, and knowing when to use each one is an important skill for anyone who cuts hair. In this article, we will discuss when you should use scissors versus...
What are Scissors Good For?
Scissors are a staple in any hair cutting kit and it’s the first tool a stylist or barber likely learns with. They are a versatile tool that can be used to create a wide range of haircuts, from blunt cuts to layered styles for both men and women and short and long hair. Scissors provide more control and precision than a razor. So if the goal is a blunt, defined, structured hairstyle, such as a one length haircut or a blunt bob, scissors are likely the best choice.
What are Razors Good For?
Razors are best used for creating softer, more textured haircuts. Razors are especially useful for creating layers, adding texture and removing weight. Unlike scissors, razors can create a softer, more natural-looking finish that is perfect for a lived-in look. A lived-in style feels like someone has had the haircut for a while and it’s not fresh out of the salon or barbershop. Some haircuts such as shags, pixies and mullets benefit highly from using a razor.
What about Curly Hair?
Curly hair is a little tricky and controversial. Curly hair can be cut with either a scissor or razor, but the results really depend on the technique of the haircutter. Having control at the ends is key to prevent frizziness. Razors are often know to create texture so one might think razors are not appropriate for curly hair. However, if used with intention, razors pose no detrimental issues when cutting curly hair. Razors should be used to cut a soft line but not super textured. The lines should have some firmness to it with a definite line.
It should be noted that scissors are not totally free from frizz creation. Sometimes using scissors or texturizing scissors to create texture at the ends can result in frizz. So learning from a professional who has a deep understanding of cutting curly hair is your best bet for how and when to use scissors and razors to cut curly hair.
Can Scissors and Razors be used on Dry Hair?
It’s widely accepted that haircutting tools are best used when hair is wet. But what about on dry hair? While stylists and barbers have differing opinions, many agree that dry haircutting is acceptable in certain instances. If at the end of the haircut you realize something was missed, a little dry haircutting is appropriate. So using scissors and razors for finishing touches is okay. But in general, for the full haircut, wet hair is best.
What else to Consider?
When using scissors or razors to cut hair, it is important to use a sharp, clean blade. A dull blade can cause damage to the hair, leading to split ends and breakage. It is also important to use the correct technique when using these tools as improper technique can lead to uneven cuts and damage to the hair.
What about Hair Thickness and Density?
With regards to hair thickness and density, it doesn’t really matter. Razors and scissors can be used on any of these hair types. Again, it’s all about the technique. It’s good to note that razors are exceptionally good at removing weight and bulk in a more natural way but may not be as easy to use when it comes to thin or fine hair.
The main takeaway when it comes to whether you should use scissors or razors to cut hair is to ask yourself what kind of hairstyle you’re trying to achieve. You can create a bob with a scissor or a razor and you can get two totally different bob looks. Both tools are great and have their uses, but probably the best way to approach haircutting is to incorporate both for various areas of the haircut that would benefit from either tool. Knowing when to use each tool is an important skill for any stylist or barber which can help ensure clients receive the best possible haircut for their hair type and style.
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
If you haven’t heard of No Shave November, it was a movement started in 2009 by the Hill family in Chicago when their father passed away from colon cancer. Since then it’s become an annual tradition to raise money for charity to educate about cancer and support cancer initiatives. The premise is that for the whole month of November participants...
1) Seeing a beard of this thickness and length is not a frequent sighting! To grow beard hair this long takes real commitment and dedication. This beard looks well-maintained. Kudos to him for being able to manage it so well.View this post on Instagram
2) If you thought the first beard was crazy, this one will blow you away! How anyone can grow a beard this thick and this long is amazing. This is more hair than most people have on their head. But it’s probably quite heavy and difficult to manage and maintain. Regardless, facial hair of this stature is unique, eye catching and takes a lot of maintenance to keep it nice and groomed. What he lacks on top of his head he makes up for in facial hair!View this post on Instagram
3) Transitioning to a more tamed and groomed beard and mustache, this look is clean and to be honest, quite perfect. You almost don’t want to touch it for fear it will lose perfection. The crisp lineup, the even hairs at the bottom shape by scissors and the shaped mustache make this facial hair one to remember. The thickness and density are superb and the styling is fantastic. Paired with the rimmed glasses and slick back hair and he’s got quite a style going on.View this post on Instagram
4) While there’s likely not a pot of gold in that mustache, it certainly rings good luck. A fun twist on facial hair for St. Patrick’s Day, this Irish coloring is festive and fun. See…even beards can have fun with color. Think of other holidays and how a beard can transform with color.View this post on Instagram
5) While these beards and mustaches aren’t anything unique, what’s fun about it is the father son look. Where dad’s beard is completely white, the son’s beard is completely black. It’s a true representation of ‘like father, like son’ and the genetic tendencies to pass down how thick your facial hair can get based on your parent’s genes.View this post on Instagram
6) Speaking of white beards, check out this Santa beard with a twisted mustache. It’s a cool look that only some can pull off. But a beard and mustache like this must be maintained and groomed regularly to give it shape and style. He does a good job of this.View this post on Instagram
7) This man’s beard is really interesting. Black with white streaks, it almost looks intentional. But as artistic as it looks, when you start to go white you really have no control over where the white will come in. Sometimes it’s just fun to see what happens and where your hair color naturally goes.View this post on Instagram
8) Moving onto mustaches, this looks like it was curled with a curling iron! With the perfect twists at the end, the double handlebar is sure to get a double look from people passing by. A stache of this design requires a lot of wax to keep such a firm hold.View this post on Instagram
9) This mustache is quite different from the last. If you didn’t trim your mustache above the lips, this is what it would look like. It’s so thick and long, but still requires maintenance. Mustache wax helps to keep hairs in place.View this post on Instagram
10) Last but not least, the batstache. Yes, it’s completely stylized, but how can we write an article about beards and mustaches and not include the batstache? This takes precision and an artistic eye to make this shape. Using a razor to get that perfect shape is key to this look. A great Halloween facial hair look or for any Batman lover, the batstache is fun and awesome! Well that’s it for our 10 beard and mustache looks to consider. But more importantly, we shed light on a serious topic…cancer. By spreading awareness of cancer, we can learn how to prevent it and support causes that have meaning. If you’d like to participate in the No Shave November campaign, sign up here and/or donate to the cause.View this post on Instagram
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
Ahh…Halloween. The holiday where people get to be someone completely different from who they are. People take the time to get creative with their looks. From hair to clothes to make-up and shoes, Halloween is the one holiday where we can just express our creative juices in any way we want. Over the years, Halloween has progressively gotten more and...
2. @tiffanymhair Can we say Maleficent? Wow, this one really takes the cake for a beautiful job well done. From the horns to the dullish colors, this one is hard to beat. One of the most reposted Halloween hairstyles on Instagram, it's no wonder why. Just making the horns could be half the battle. Of course, the horns don't have to be this big, but they definitely make a statement. Evil and demonic, that's what Halloween is all about.View this post on Instagram
3. @hairbyrobertina Play it cool with a discreet undercut. While the spider web is popular, the design doesn't have to be of a web. If you're good at making designs (or would like to be) try a skeleton, pumpkin, ghost or whatever you fancy that says 'Halloween' to you. For a more noticeable reveal, tie the hair up for everyone to see. Using a clipper or razor you can achieve some fantastic designs like this one.View this post on Instagram
4. @hairby_arci_ Channeling a Game of Thrones vibe, this blue-ish romantic hairdo is beautiful and grotesque at the same time! Without the spiders and skeleton hands, the hairdo would be perfect as wedding hair. But alas we are talking about Halloween here so there needs to be a touch of death. This romantic hairdo could be changed up by using different trinkets and a different hair color. It's the hairstyle we would want if were laying in our own coffin.View this post on Instagram
5. @pelo.guapo Have short hair? Like buzz cut short hair? This one is for the short hair peeps. The best part is, you can shave it all off whenever you want. But who wants to shave off a cute skeleton face? This Nightmare Before Christmas Jack face is a great style for those who want something unique but not too complicated. Unfortunately, if you're trying to do this to yourself, you're gonna have problems. This one is best done on someone else for good reason. Plus, you're going to need a creative eye for making faces. Experiment with other designs like a spider, witch or maybe some candy corn. Get creative and add some fun colors to make it pop.View this post on Instagram
6. @yuni_yoshida It's gorgeous and morbid, but nonetheless striking. What more can be said about this masterpiece. Instead of cutting into the hair to create a design, how about actually making a design out of the hair? This one blows our mind in that it takes careful attention to detail and precision to make this look come to fruition. But if perfected, this look would be the talk of the town. Such creativity does not go unnoticed. Take your hair design to the next level with something like this.View this post on Instagram
7. @ironrosesalon and @maryjane_guerrero Doing a hair design doesn't mean all the hair has to be short. Just carving out one section of the head can be punk rock, but keeping the rest of the hair long and flowy (even curly) can bring some feminine vibes back into the style. This one incorporates a graveyard with some spider webs, some orange pops of color and soft curls. What a combination! Is anyone else wondering what the other side looks like?View this post on Instagram
8. @seagreenehair If you find you're going to be out at night on Halloween (which most people do), this glow in the dark look is brilliant. Imagine being in a dark room but standing out with bright hair and a Jack-o-lantern face? Super cool. Even in non-dark situations this look would stand out like a sore thumb. This look would take a bit of time but the results would be worth every minute.View this post on Instagram
9. @viola_pyak If you're looking for something classy but not too difficult, this ponytail spiderweb will do just that. No need to color hair or tease it to oblivion. This Halloween-ish look is sexy and sophisticated at the same time. Keep hair simple and easy to manage with this spidery style. It's sure to still turn heads and get lots of compliments.View this post on Instagram
10. @sarahmasoncreative Instead of using a real witch's hat, why not just make it out of hair? Of course, a lot of hair would be needed and long hair at that! Plus, a good teasing comb, hairspray and a crimper would be good to have in order to create the volume needed for this one. A touch of temporary hair color adds some dimension and pop to the style. If you're adventurous, this one could be a lot of fun.View this post on Instagram
So that's it folks! These 10 Halloween inspirational looks should give you some ideas for yourself, your clients or your family and friends. Halloween is a time for fun and creativity...and maybe candy. But here's your time to shine and show what you can really do with hair. Get inspired. Get creative. Get in the spirit of Halloween!View this post on Instagram
JATAI provides innovative and professional quality beauty implements with world-class customer service and educational support. To offer great products as a master distributor, we seek out and select only manufacturers who demonstrate superior workmanship, the most advanced technology, and respected business core values of reliability, honesty and integrity. Accordingly, JATAI represents three major ‘workhorse’ brands that dominate within their categories. Feather, Seki Edge and Fuji Paper. JATAI Academy brings beauty tools to creative life. It’s the ultimate professional information resource where Education, Artistry and Trends CONNECT for Stylists and Barbers.
At the age of 21, I poked out my left eye. While the surgeon saved my eyeball, the eye is different now in that I can only see in 2D. My inability to have any depth perception has affected me significantly. So I had to adapt and make various adjustments. Because of my injury I avoided eye contact for years....
At the age of 21, I poked out my left eye. While the surgeon saved my eyeball, the eye is different now in that I can only see in 2D. My inability to have any depth perception has affected me significantly. So I had to adapt and make various adjustments. Because of my injury I avoided eye contact for years. But at the time, it didn't matter to me because I worked in a tool and die shop and didn’t have to make a lot of eye contact.
But then I lost my job at the plant. I sat in my car in the parking lot for maybe five minutes before realizing it was time to scratch my long time itch of becoming a hairdresser. So I did it! I went to school and became a hairstylist. While in school, there was a cutting class by Vivienne Mackinder during which I was allowed to assist her. She used this wonderful tool: the JATAI Feather Nape & Body Razor. She created beautiful texture in all her cuts and spoke of not just cutting hair but also of sketching and drawing.
I graduated and got my first job at a high-end salon working under Barsoum Bashar, my mentor. I learned so much from this man, but most of all, purpose! I knew my place was not doing color, keratin or just doing what most hairdressers do. Within six months of working there I began seeing the same thing over and over again, long sections of hair in the crown. This would always attract my eye to the top of their heads. I had finally become comfortable with eye contact, but now my eye was being drawn away from theirs and instead fixated on the top of the head. The hair was taking away from the person. I wanted to change the experience, particularly for short haired clients.
Once I noticed the hair whorls, it was all I could see. But I decided to never fear a hair whorl again. I chopped the suckers off! By keeping the front of the hair longer, it drew the eye away from the back of the head and focused it toward the front. Eye contact was easier as there was now a focal point. It worked, but I noticed clients were returning every three weeks. It felt too soon. How could I get more longevity out of my work? I used texturizing shears the way I was trained to. I blended and removed weight the way I was trained to. But there they were every three to four weeks back for another cut. Most hairdressers would be cool with this, but I was not. I wanted to provide value to my clients. I was charging premium rates so I wanted to give premium service.
The same problem areas would arise: the parietal ridge and the back hair whorl. I began to think of the meaning of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. I looked at my texturizing shears and it just clicked. I was blending but that was creating the problem. The hair that was cut was creating lift. But how would I remove hair from the scalp without cutting my clients, and still give a great cut? If only I could draw out weight with a pen. That was my lightbulb moment. Remembering Vivienne talk about drawing and sketching, I immediately grabbed my JATAI Feather Nape & Body Razor and drew on paper. No cut. Then my arm. No cut. And then my head. I didn’t cut myself but it removed hair. I hit the ground running. I began drawing into cowlicks, whorls, and into the parietal ridge and the results were awesome. Then I simply combined the focal point technique with the razor and it all felt right.
Suddenly, my clients came in every six to eight weeks. The value I was giving turned into a massive influx of referrals. I really did not think the focal point technique I developed was all that special; I simply wanted to do better for my clients. One day, a fellow hairdresser named Marisa commented about my clients grow-out. I gave the credit to the razor, but she disagreed with me. Marisa asked me to teach her this technique which I did. She also encouraged me to name it. We named it on the road from the ABS hair show in Chicago: The Focal Point Technique!
You can see how I do the Focal Point Technique on JATAI Academy's Education CONNECT. But basically, it consists of three main parts and is used to cut very short hair:
David Reinhold II is a hairstylist and creator of the Focal Point Technique. Based in Metro-Detroit, his primary focus is short cuts and razor work. David is inspired in life by rhythm, music, and motorcycles. His biggest inspirations are his partner in life and business, Marisa as well as Nick Arrojo and Vivienne Mackinder. David’s preferred tool is the JATAI Feather Nape & Body Razor.
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