CLIPPERS AND HAIRDRESSING

HEINIGER’S HIGH-TECH TOOLS MARK A NEW EVOLUTION IN HAIR CUTTING.

By Rex A.C Silver

Clippers - Most Hairdressing Salons have a house set, at least. Most hairdressers these days have their own and, highly likely, a set of trimmers, primarily for guys who still prefer to get their hair cut in a salon. God bless them! Every salon has its star operator who loves doing a few guys’ cuts and can bust out the barber moves to execute a sick fade if your client is so inclined. But is there more to Clippers than meets the eye?

To go forward, let’s look back...

In the eighties, the birthplace of modern hairdressing as we know it today, as this was the point in time when science and technology started playing a major factor in the advancement of our craft, a hairdresser had one set of scissors, a feathering razor, and maybe one set of texturising scissors. The old school of thought in the very best salons of the day was that using texturising scissors was cheating; in fact, at times, they were banned altogether at the Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy Academy’s, as were clippers, no one ever uttered the word clippers, dare not say their name.

The core underlying message back then was to bring out the best hairdresser in you through sheer discipline and hard work. The moral of the old-school mindset is admirable upon reflection, but in today’s technologically driven world, it just seems dated and obsolete.

Today

Over the years, technology and our tools have evolved, reflecting the changing landscape of our craft. Today, we have a diverse array of tools at our disposal, each designed to serve a unique purpose in modern hairdressing. We use them to perform the function for which they were designed, and we expect the results to be consistent and on point.

Clippers

What about the untapped potential of these machines? They can be used for much more than just a short back and sides, fades, and boys cuts.

Heiniger has developed a range of cutting tools whose versatility opens up a world of creative possibilities, inspiring us to explore new techniques and styles. Clippers and Trimmers so advanced in motor and blade technology, the thought process on approaching how we use clippers in hairdressing will be changed forever... a new methodology to cutting hair with precision-built tools to do so. How very exciting.

Let’s talk to three trailblazers embracing this tech and incorporating the Heiniger cutting system with their work.

Dual-qualified Hairdresser/ Barber and current Australian Modern Barber of The Year Matt Clarke

I am experiencing freedom of expression with these machines. The Heiniger cutting system is certainly a welcome addition to my tool set. I am particularly drawn to the Orion model for exterior base shapes. It has a rotary motor that oscillates the blades in a rhythm, back and forth in a cutting motion, the timing of which is perfect for longer hair-cutting techniques. I then use the two trimmers, the Libertus and Pegasus-Mini, to add texture to the interior and ends. I can offer complete personalisation with my work and to my clients.

Tarik Yašarevic is a multi-awarded Hairdresser and owner of MR T Salon Melbourne

I love the whole system. Every model has its place and serves its purpose well. With both scissors and clippers, the most important thing to me is the blades, and the Heiniger System gives me beautiful, crisp, sharp finishes. Everyone knows the best watches in the world come from Switzerland; I had very high expectations that were met with results far beyond that of my dreams of what they can deliver me as someone who is a quality-oriented professional in terms of what I choose to use as tools.

Robert Braid Heiniger Artistic Director. Dual-qualified Hairdresser/ Barber. UK Barber Hall of Fame recipient. The creativity aspect of my work has just gone to a whole new level, really. The fundamental principles of cutting hair are the same, of course, but adding the Heiniger cutting system and tools takes my work and the pleasure I get doing it to new heights.

I love free-hand techniques with both curly and straight hair using the Tauro for my base outline. With these machines, you can cut dry hair beautifully with such a great finish. I’ll texture with the Pegasus-Midi and Libertas. Up close to the scalp on short hair, the Pegasus-Midi is the go-to tool for a soft feminine fade. I am saving valuable time on the floor removing bulk with the Sirius before I go in and do a more detailed intricate cut on both long and shorter hair. Using the range as a system, I’m finding and creating new ways every day to enhance my skill set with these machines.

Let’s conclude

We are Hairdressers. We are creative, bold, experimental, daring risk takers, and proud of it. That is why we are the innovators of fashion, for as we know, fashion starts from the head down!

@heinigerprofessionals_ausnz