Capes, aprons, lighting and equipment for salon stylists.
4 products selected by our network of pro afro hair stylists.
A few markers to pick the right product, by category of need.
Generalist afro salon, locs-dedicated salon, weaving specialist, barber-stylist? Each specialty changes the essential pro equipment list. A weaving salon needs more mannequins and specific needles; a barber-stylist needs more clippers and beard brushes.
It's the most-used tool: it must last. Good pro clippers (Wahl Senior, Andis Master, BaBylissPRO FX) withstand 10,000+ hours of cutting with maintenance. It's the investment not to cut corners on at the start.
A relaxer or colour on a classic polyester cape salon equals a hole in a few months. Check the composition (PU-coated polyester or ripstop nylon) and the closure (soft velcro that doesn't pull neck hair).
A stylist stands 8 to 10 hours a day. From the start, invest in an anti-fatigue mat, pro shoes and a quality hydraulic chair (adjustable 50 to 70 cm). Your back will thank you at 50.
Entry-level decent: £3,500 to £5,500 (two complete styling stations, one wash station, pro clippers, Japanese shears, salon capes, mannequins, mirrors). Mid-range: £7,000 to £10,000. Pro with design furniture and high-end pro equipment: £13,000 to £22,000. We provide a personalised checklist on request.
For cuts, weaves and relaxers, yes: an Indian Remy hair mannequin lets you practise every technique and lasts 2 to 3 years with care. For window display marketing, a high-end synthetic mannequin is enough.
The backrest must recline far enough to avoid pulling on the neck (afro hair with long locs or braids needs a deeper basin and a more reclined back). Ceramic basin preferable for heat. And good plumbing: thermostatic mixer essential.
Small pro equipment (clippers, shears, salon capes, mannequins) ships ready to use. Bulky furniture (wash chairs, styling stations) ships in kit with instructions. Allow 1 to 2 hours of assembly per station, or £150-300 for in-home assembly in major cities (London, New York, Toronto available).
Yes. Pro equipment comes with a 1 to 3 year manufacturer warranty depending on brand. Clippers, flat irons and dryers carry a pro-use warranty (intensive use), not just consumer use. Ask us for the product-specific warranty sheet before buying.
Beyond the shop, Miapoda runs a worldwide directory of pro afro hair stylists. Ask a question before buying, or book an appointment to try a product in salon.
Opening, kitting out or upgrading an afro salon is a structuring investment. Our pro equipment range covers the full chain you need to start or scale: Wahl, Andis, BaBylissPRO and Oster pro clippers for short cuts, fades, line-ups, designs and barber finishes; Joewell, Kasho, Mizutani Japanese forged-steel shears in stainless steel; waterproof PU-coated polyester or ripstop nylon salon capes resistant to relaxers and colour, with soft velcro or magnetic closure; brushed-steel hydraulic styling chairs, reclining ceramic-basin wash chairs, infrared hood dryers for perms; Indian or Brazilian real-hair mannequins, training heads for braiding, wall mounts and tripods; floor mirrors, LED wall mirrors, stainless instrument trays, UV sterilisers for hygiene compliance, bottle openers and colour brushes, graduated cups, dye bowls. Whether you're setting up an afro salon in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Dublin, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Sydney, Melbourne, Lagos, Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg or Nairobi, we ship worldwide with dedicated pro after-sales service. Miapoda operates as a worldwide marketplace for afro hair styling: for full salon-opening projects, contact our pro team. We provide personalised pro equipment lists by specialty (weaving, locs, barber-stylist, mixed salon) and budget.
