Shopping list for the hairstyling course
Grooming tools for hairstyling
Doing a full-body trim is the biggest makeover you can do to your doodle. Here is a list of grooming tools to achieve head-turning awesome doodle looks, right for the first time. I divided the tools into two groups. One group contains tools you will need to prepare the coat for a haircut and the other group includes tools you need to do the actual hair trimming.
Coat Preparation Tools
Getting the coat ready for hairstyling
Slicker brush
for prevention, detangling, dematting
Pin brush
for loosening up the coat for a haircut
Comb
to loosen up the coat
Flea comb
for eye booger removal
Shampoo
for clean coat
Conditioner
for a softer coat
Blow-dryer
for drying, searching, loosening
High-velocity blow-dryer
for drying, loosening, straightening the coat
Pre-haircut shear
for a face, feet, fanny trim
Dog nail clipper
for shortening nails
Dog nail file
for making nails smooth
Ear hair powder
for plucking ears when necessary
More info on the tools above:
Doodle Grooming 101 tools
Face, Feet, Fanny Trim, and Mats tools
Paw care tools.
Hairstyling tools
Creating Custom Haircuts
Hair clippers
for trimming large body surfaces fast evenly
Clipper blades
for achieving hair length up to 3/4 inch length
Snap-on combs
for achieving hair length up to 2 inches
Chunker shears
to do facial trims and longer trims than 2 inches
Thinning shears
for blending the style throughout the body
Comb
to loosen up the coat
Hairstyling Tools
Hair Clipper
For clipping hair on the body, legs, and privates
I use the Andis 2-Speed Clipper, and I love it. I got one over six years ago, and it's still going strong. It's quiet, powerful, and goes through the heaviest coats smoothly.
Note: I do not suggest petite clippers like this with a screw-on blade for sanitary trim or anything. Cheap equipment is a guarantee for knicking the skin, and it's a matter of time that it will die on you halfway into the haircut.
Top tip: Can't find the color you like due to increased demand because of COVID-19? No worries! Get a clipper that is available, and you can get
3-piece housing replacements for an extra few bucks and change it quickly by removing four screws. Snap it on, and it is good to go in your favorite color
Metal Clipper Blades
To achieve hair length up to 3/4" long
~$20-$40 each
Andis Metal Blade (1/2" long)
Get 1/2" length from Amazon.com!
Other length varieties on Amazon.com!
Metal clipper blades can be used to remove mats, do short sanitary trims, and to remove deep mats from the dog's body. There are a wide variety of clipper blades to choose from. As for the type, I like the Ceramic Edge best from Andis, because they stay cool for the longest. Ultra Edge is my next favorite. A tiny difference in the cooling features and the ceramic edge is not available at the moment, so the Ultra Edge is the winner!
Depending on the hairstyle you'd like your doodle to get or are where you are working on, you'll need different blade lengths. As a guideline, I use #10FC for the very short and longest-lasting sanitary area, #7FC, for the short sanitary area. #4FC leaves a 1/4" long coat and works through severe mats. #3/4" HT Will leave 3/4" long coat.
The longer the desired hair length, the better the coat quality has to be. Otherwise, the blade will get stuck in every bunch tangled or matted and won't cut through.
Note: Different coat types will show the same length differently. Learn more or ask for advice before getting a bunch of blades.
Snap-on Comb Sets
For a wide coat length variety, up to 2" long
~$40
Wahl Snap-on Comb Set
Get it on Amazon.com!
For creating haircuts from 1/8" - 1"
The longest metal blade is 3/4" long. In case you want a longer coat than 3/4" on your doodle, and you want to avoid scissor trimming a whole doodle, you'll need a snap-on comb, which you can clip on a #10FC or a #30FC blade.
Note: These combs are super sensitive to mats, even tangles, so a brushed out, combed out, bathed, thoroughly dried coat is a must.
They will leave an amazingly even coat, and in case you use the 1" one slightly hovering above the skin, you can create even longer trims than 1" with less work than a full-body scissor trim.
It is compatible with Andis clippers that support a #10FC detachable blade.
~$42
Oster Snap-on Comb Set
Get it on Amazon.com!
For creating haircuts from 1/16" - 2"
The longest metal blade is 3/4" long. In case you want a longer coat than 3/4" on your doodle, and you want to avoid scissor trimming a whole doodle, you'll need a snap-on comb, which you can clip on a #10FC blade.
Note: These combs are super sensitive to mats, even tangles, so a brushed out, combed out, bathed, thoroughly dried coat is a must.
They will leave an amazingly even coat, and in case you use the 2" one slightly hovering above the skin, you can create even longer trims than 2" with less work than a full-body scissor trim.
It is compatible with Andis clippers that support a #10FC detachable blade.
Hairstyling Shears
Chunker Shears
They are a type of thinning shears. The teeth are further apart on chunkers than on average thinning shears. Chunkers do an amazingly even yet shaggy look on doodles. They are mostly used to set the length on the face, and throughout the body, in case you can't or don't want to use clippers.
Thinning Shears
Thinning shears have smaller gaps between teeth than chunkers have. Thinning shears do an amazingly even yet shaggy look on doodles. It is straightforward to use them, even for beginners, and they will enable you to do professional looking hairstyles, right from the first few tries. It won't leave lines, so you don't have to worry about a big "learning curve," and you will nail the hairstyle right for the first time.
Chunkers
~$270
Swivl Seamless Quick Cut
A top of the line chunker
Get it from Senseishears.com!
Buying one of the Swivl Deluxe 22 Tooth Seamless Quick Cut™ Texture Shear will not only get you a lifelong top quality shear, but you are also buying experience with it. The look you get when using one of these will show on the haircut you perform, and people will ask where did you get your doodle groomed right from the first try!
~$100
Harper 7" Thinning Shear
Chunker on the budget
Get it from FoxyRoxysSupplyco!
Japanese 440C stainless, purple 7” professional thinning shear designed for optimal comfort and performance with 18 teeth, offset ergonomic handle with an adjustable tension knob, and fixed finger rest. Leather case included.
Thinners
~$180
Swivl SpeedCut
top of the line thinning shear
Get it from Senseishears.com!
My favorite pro gear to do spectacular eye area trim easily and fast is the Swivl SpeedCut™ 35 Tooth. By investing in a pro shear like this, you are not only buying a tool, but you are also buying experience and time with it.
Top tip: Before you would jump in and get one, I encourage you to learn more about the thinning shear types, so you will buy only the type(s) you need. Not more, not less.
~$99
Luna Rainbow 6" Thinner
thinning shear on the budget
Get it from FoxyRoxysSupplyco!
High carbon, high quality Japanese 440C stainless steel, 6.0 inch professional 30 tooth thinning shear, designed for optimal comfort and efficiency with unique rainbow color and designed handle, pink adjustable tension knob, and clear gemstones. Leather case included.
Apparel
Apron
Simply, the best apron on the market. I found Sheena's aprons after crazy research for a new one for myself. I am a picky gal. I like flexible fabric, safety from hair, and the comfort of dry clothes meanwhile and after bathing my clients. This apron keeps the spiky hairpieces away from my skin, and you will stay dry even for the bath time! The pockets are conveniently located on the sides so that you won't end up with dog hair bunnies in them!
And on top of it, finally, there is stylish apparel that is not only comfy but practical and pretty as well!!!
Get it from Capesbysheena.com!
Miscellaneous gadgets
Ring Light
To see better
Get it on Amazon.com!
The easy solution to see more detail on the grooming table -or couch- on the budget! Bright, portable, adjustable warmth, sturdy stand, easy setup, and storage. For grooming, images, videos. I love them so much; I have 3. I highly recommend this light. See more details on the link below!