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Fine-tooth comb – Used for precision work, smoothi Fine-tooth comb – Used for precision work, smoothing, and refining short or sleek styles.
The Happy Accident That Changed Everything (1856) The Happy Accident That Changed Everything (1856) How a failed malaria cure created the modern hair dye industry. In 1856, an 18-year-old British chemist named William Perkin was trying to create a synthetic cure for malaria in his home lab in London. Instead, he messed up and created a sludge that turned out to be a brilliant, intense purple dye. He named it Mauveine. 💜 Perkin’s accidental discovery was the foundation for synthetic organic chemicals, leading directly to the discovery of para-phenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is the essential ingredient still used in almost every professional permanent hair colour today to create lasting, realistic shades. The College Connection: Because William Perkin changed the world of colour right here in the UK, we now have the incredible shades we use every day on the salon floor. But because PPD is a known allergen, it’s exactly why we have strict rules around Allergy Alert Testing (AAT). Never skip your 48-hour patch test! 🚫
Shag Cut – Heavily layered, textured style with a Shag Cut – Heavily layered, textured style with a slightly messy, effortless finish.
Sharpen Your Consultation Skills (Listen First, Cu Sharpen Your Consultation Skills (Listen First, Cut Second) A great haircut starts with your ears, not your scissors. Practice active listening during consultations. Ask open-ended questions about their daily routine, lifestyle, and how much time they actually spend styling their hair at home. What a client says they want and what their hair/lifestyle can actually support are often two different things.
ABLE Students, @divaprostyling are hosting a wonde ABLE Students, @divaprostyling are hosting a wonderful competition giving you the chance to win a Diva Pro Styling Kit, A slot on the Diva Pro Styling stand at Salon International on Monday 5th October, and if that wasn't enough, they will extend their PR opportunities to you. 🤩 There is no better chance to establish yourself in the industry. All you have to do, show off your signature style. Seems a no brainer to me. Full entry details are listed on the post above so be sure to read them carefully. Make sure to share your entries with us as well, and remember to tag tag tag us in your posts !! We can't wait to see what you create.🖤
Teasing & Backcombing The Look: Invisible struct Teasing & Backcombing The Look: Invisible structural support that creates height and keeps updos secure. The Science: Intentionally tangling the "under-layers" to create a mesh cushion that supports the weight of the style. The Styling Goal: Height & Structural Integrity. Student Tip: Use a "C-Stroke" motion. Push the hair down toward the scalp, lift the comb out, and repeat. Never "saw" up and down, or you’ll damage the cuticle. Key Tool: Teasing Brush (Boar/Nylon Mix). The mix of bristles grabs the hair effectively to create a dense, firm "cushion" at the root.
Cutting comb (all-purpose comb) – Comb with mixed Cutting comb (all-purpose comb) – Comb with mixed teeth spacing used for control and even tension during cutting.
The Poisonous Victorian Grays The Victorian era w The Poisonous Victorian Grays The Victorian era was all about looking proper, even if it killed you. 💀 In the 1800s, covering grey hair became a massive commercial industry. Enter ‘Restorers’, lotions that promised to bring back youth. The catch? Their active ingredients were often lead acetate and silver nitrate. These heavy metals reacted with the sulfur in the hair’s keratin to turn it dark gray or black. Over time, users suffered from lead poisoning, causing headaches, fatigue, and worse. It didn’t stop at hair either, Victorian-era green and canary yellow dyes, which were incredibly popular at the time, caused widespread illnesses and deaths due to their heavy reliance on toxic arsenic compounds to achieve vibrant, highly desirable hues. Why we care today: While we don't use lead anymore, metallic salts can still be found in some cheap, over-the-counter progressive home dyes (the ones that gradually darken hair over a week). If you apply permanent salon tint or bleach over hair containing metallic salts, it will trigger an extreme exothermic (heat-producing) reaction, ruining the hair structure. Always carry out a Metallic Salts Test (submerging a hair cutting in 20vol peroxide and ammonia) if you suspect box dye build-up! 🔬
Blunt Bob – Evenly cut with no layers, creating a Blunt Bob – Evenly cut with no layers, creating a sharp, sleek finish.
Master the Basics First Before you try to break Master the Basics First Before you try to break the rules with edgy, avant-garde styles, you need to master the fundamentals. Spend your college years obsessing over classic cutting geometry, basic blow-drying techniques, and fundamental colour theory. Knowing the standard rules inside and out gives you the structural foundation to be creative later without ruining someone's hair.
The Blow-Out (Round Brush Technique) The Look: S The Blow-Out (Round Brush Technique) The Look: Smooth, airy volume with "flicked" ends and a bouncy finish. The Science: Combining tension and heat to smooth the cuticle while using a "Cool Shot" to freeze the hydrogen bonds into a curved shape. The Styling Goal: Smoothing & Movement. Student Tip: Rotation is key. Keep the brush moving and maintain high tension; if the hair is loose on the brush, the cuticle will remain fuzzy. Key Tool:Ceramic Round Brush. The ceramic barrel holds heat like a curling iron, helping to "set" the shape as you dry.
Wide-tooth comb – Gently detangles wet, thick, or Wide-tooth comb – Gently detangles wet, thick, or curly hair with minimal breakage.
The Renaissance Bleaching Salons Imagine telling The Renaissance Bleaching Salons Imagine telling your client they have to sit on the roof in a crownless hat for two days to get their highlights. ☀️🎩 During the Italian Renaissance (1400s-1600s), the ultimate trend was the Venetian Blonde - a warm, shimmering strawberry blonde. Women achieved this by applying highly acidic mixtures of alum, sulfur, and lemon juice to their hair. Then, they sat on open-air balconies wearing a Solana, a wide-brimmed straw hat with the crown cut out. They draped their saturated hair over the brim to bake in the sun while protecting their skin from tanning, as tanned skin was linked to peasants who worked in the fields all day. The Color Takeaway: This was an early form of photo-oxidation (sun bleaching). The acid and UV rays broke down the hair's natural pigment, leaving behind the underlying warm undertones. Next time you're lifting a client to a Level 8 or 9 and fighting those stubborn warm tones, remember, at least you have a toner and an express processing lamp!
A-Line Bob – Graduated shape that is shorter at th A-Line Bob – Graduated shape that is shorter at the back and longer towards the front.
Diffusing vs. Air-Drying The Look: Defined, friz Diffusing vs. Air-Drying The Look: Defined, frizz-free natural curls with enhanced lift at the root. The Science: Using controlled airflow to set the product cast before the hair's weight can stretch the curl out. The Styling Goal: Definition & Bounce. Student Tip: Use the Hover Technique. Dry the outside of the hair first without touching it to create a crust (cast), then go in and scrunch for volume. Key Tool: Large Bowl Diffuser. The deep bowl cradles the curls, allowing the heat to circulate around the hair rather than blowing it apart.
Tool belt/holster – Holds tools securely for quick Tool belt/holster – Holds tools securely for quick and easy access while working.
Would you bleach your hair with pigeon droppings?💩 Would you bleach your hair with pigeon droppings?💩 In Ancient Rome, high-society women wanted the golden hair of the Nordic slaves. To get it, they applied mixtures made of goat fat, beechwood ash, and even pigeon droppings, then sat in the scorching sun for hours to bake it in. The mixture was highly alkaline, which opened the cuticle and stripped natural melanin - essentially a prototype for modern bleach, but incredibly caustic and damaging. The Science Bit: Today, we lift hair safely using hydrogen peroxide (H2​O2​) and ammonium hydroxide in controlled pH environments to soften the cuticle and disperse the natural melanin pigments (eumetallin and pheomelanin). Thank goodness for modern chemistry! 🧪
Announcement ABLE students & lecturers I’m often a Announcement ABLE students & lecturers I’m often asked for my best hair advice SO here it is my NEW Instagram / face book page with daily hair tips for you to enjoy. Add them to your training programme and share with your clients, friends and colleagues, check in daily for updates and connect with your messages. #hairadviceandcare #hairtips💜 #thehairexpert #andrewbartonlondoneducation #andrewbartonthehairexpert
A wonderful example of a full head of highlights f A wonderful example of a full head of highlights from @hairbeautylounge_wlc student @hairbylex2026 👏🤩 Well done Lex for demonstrating such impressive skills.
ABLE students use your knowledge to share with cli ABLE students use your knowledge to share with clients the best haircare advice to help them look and feel their best it’s a huge part of your job as a pro stylist @andrewbarton.thehairexpert
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  • Introduction
  • About
  • Barton Bespoke
  • Members
  • Meet Andrew Barton
  • News
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us