KITBAG
WHAT’S IN YOUR KITBAG? Kitbag Convos
We know hairdressers rely on their trusty kitbag of favourite products and tools to ensure every job is a success. So, we asked a selection of top hairdressing talent to share details of their kitbag essentials…
Emma Simmons, owner of Salon54, Thirsk, multi-award-winning hairdresser, curly hair specialist and Revlon Professional Creative Artist.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Revlon Professional Style Masters Photo Finisher Hairspray. Without it, everything collapses around me.
THE WEIRDEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
Knicker elastic. It works wonders for all kinds of updo styles!
THE ONE TOOL YOU’D SAVE IN AN EMERGENCY?
My Matakki scissors. They’re the backbone of everything.
SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL YOU KEEP IN YOUR KITBAG?
A little note from my late mum. I’d never take it out.
WHAT KITBAG ESSENTIAL HAS GOT YOU OUT OF THE MOST TRICKY SITUATIONS?
Dry shampoo. It’s the Swiss Army Knife of the hair world.
Emma Dixon, Denman Creative, award-winning freelance stylist, stage and backstage artist.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My Denman D38 Detangling & Styling Paddle. It’s an amazing tool for defining, detangling and styling.
THE WEIRDEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
My Looth Magnetic neck mount for filming POV content creation and education. I get some funny looks when I wear it as no one knows what it is.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE YOUR KITBAG?
It’s always a work in progress. I might buy an additional tool for a new project and I’m always buying consumables and wefts.
THE THING YOU RUN OUT OF MOST OFTEN?
Uberliss Bond Healing Spray – I use it on everyone.
SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITBAG?
My heart-shaped amethyst crystal to keep me calm, grounded and focused.
Aaron Carlo, hairstylist known for collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, fashion and entertainment, including Little Mix, Maya Jama and Anne-Marie.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
A Mason Pearson brush. It’s the ultimate all-rounder and it never lets me down.
WEIRDEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
A stash of red lollipops. They’re perfect for giving models a pop of tongue colour on camera.
THE ONE TOOL YOU’D SAVE IN AN EMERGENCY?
My ghd straightener from Salon Services – they’re versatile enough to create sleek looks or waves in minutes.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE YOUR KITBAG?
I repack and reorganise depending on which client I’m with. I like to keep it light and relevant.
WHAT KITBAG ESSENTIAL HAS GOT YOU OUT OF THE MOST TRICKY SITUATIONS?
Oversized chignon pins.
Dom Capel, Creative Director at Lara Johnson Lifestyle, Swansea, salon and session stylist and part of the Sebastian Professional Squad.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My sock diffuser is perfect for soft, natural styling.
THE STRANGEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
A spare hat. I can’t work without one!
THE ONE TOOL YOU’D SAVE IN AN EMERGENCY?
My faithful Matsuzaki scissors, which I’ve used for years.
SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITBAG?
My scissor case was originally my Dad’s shaving case, gifted to me when I joined the Merchant Navy, and it became my scissor case when I started hairdressing.
THE THING YOU RUN OUT OF MOST OFTEN?
Sebastian Professional hairsprays. The holding power of Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce hairspray is a regular lifesaver.
Chris Long, Dyson GB Styling Ambassador, and session stylist who has worked with music and sports stars, and backstage at fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My Dyson Supersonic r™ hair dryer. It comes with five intelligent attachments, which makes it a versatile tool to suit any brief.
THE WEIRDEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
My leaf blower. I use it to create wind in the hair when I’m working on campaigns, and it works a treat.
SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITBAG?
My first pair of scissors. I don’t use them for cutting hair anymore, they are strictly for cutting elastics when doing ponytails.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE YOUR KITBAG?
Before every job. I always ask for a brief, so I can pack accordingly and come prepared.
FAVOURITE CLEANING TIP?
Give all your brushes a good clean after every job and give the filters on your electricals a good clean every weekend.
Gareth Williams, Global Colour Ambassador at Moroccanoil and freelance stylist at Williams and Hirst.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My Salon Pro Foils. The 18 microns are my favourite for the techniques that I do.
THE ONE TOOL YOU’D SAVE IN AN EMERGENCY?
My Cooboard makes saturating colour so much easier.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE YOUR KITBAG?
Continuously. I love trying out new tools and seeing what innovations there are in the market.
FAVOURITE CLEANING TIP?
Using tea tree on brushes makes them smell super fresh.
THE THING YOU RUN OUT OF MOST OFTEN?
My Moroccanoil Treatment. There’s always a quick dash to Salon Services for that!
Kerry-Ann Buckell, celebrity hairstylist, multi-award-winning hair extensionist and owner of KB The Hair Studio.
THE ONE THING IN YOUR KITBAG YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Argan Oil. It helps me tame any flyaways, keeps hair smooth and makes it shiny in an instant.
THE WEIRDEST THING IN YOUR KITBAG?
A toothbrush for smoothing down any stray hairs and is especially useful for photoshoots!
THE ONE TOOL YOU’D SAVE IN AN EMERGENCY?
My hair extension pliers – I’d be lost without them.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU UPDATE YOUR KITBAG?
Every month. When a new product comes out that I think will be good on somebody’s hair, I will purchase it.
FAVOURITE CLEANING TIP?
Use baby shampoo. It’s soft, it’s gentle, it removes dirt and leaves your kit clean and smelling great.