Heads Mannequins

Human hair: Human hair for mannequins comes mainly from Asia with China, India, and Korea being the most common sources. European hair is also used but since it’s more expensive you will find it mostly on premium quality mannequins. Human hair is classified into different quality categories, they are processed hair, virgin hair, and Remy hair.

Animal hair: Some mannequins are totally or partially made with animal hair. The most common animals used are horses, camels, and yak. These mannequins will either be less expensive or as a trade-off have a higher hair density. This can be a great alternative if you only need the mannequin for styling and cutting. Animal hair does not react the same way to chemicals as human hair, so it is not recommended for hair coloring or any other chemical processes.

Synthetic hair: Mannequins with synthetic hair are a lot cheaper than the ones with human hair. Most synthetic hair will not tolerate heat, so these mannequins are usually recommended for braiding, cutting, or styling without the use of heated tools. Because of its lower cost, synthetic hair mannequins usually have very long hair.

Hair length: Hair length is typically measured from crown to end. The crown is located on the top of the head, toward the back. By placing your measuring tape on the crown and dragging it down to the tip of the hair in the back, you get the overall crown-to-end measure.

Layers: Almost all mannequins have layered hair. A layered hairstyle simply means that shorter hair is blended in with longer hair. If a mannequin is made with hair grafts of the same length all around the head, you end up with dramatic layers around the whole head. So typically the mannequin is made with longer hair at the top and shorter hair in the back and at the nape. This produces a more natural layering effect.

Density: Hair density is the final factor that will impact the cost of your mannequin. Density is determined by how close each graft of hair is implanted next to each other. Cheaper mannequins usually have a lower hair density. For a hair-cutting class, you may not want to spend the extra dollars for higher density. However, once you get into more advanced styles, or updos, the extra hair density may become important.

All cosmetology mannequin heads have a hole at the base, which mounts on a stand. There are two types of stands: table clamps and floor tripods. Table clamps are inexpensive and come in a variety of materials and lengths. You would typically use a regular clamp with short-hair mannequins, and the longer version for long-hair mannequins. Some clamps come with extenders so you can adjust the length. Floor tripods are more convenient; especially in a classroom or trade show setting. You can set up your work area anywhere you want.