What to take to a commercial, photo shoot, film, TV show etc in your set bag for regular day checking. 

When preparing your kit for day checking, it’s essential to be thorough and organized. Here’s a guide on what to include:

I often get asked, “What items should I carry in my bag for day checking? Is it the same as what I’d take if I did 1920s or 1960s hair? Here is my list of the 12 things I can’t do without and, in my humble opinion, some of the best hair products and tools out there. This is not #spon at all! I truly stand behind all of these reccos.

12. Dyson Blowdryer

While working on a feature film, I met a wonderful hairstylist who gifted me a brand new Dyson, so I didn’t have to pony up the four to five hundred bucks for one, but if there’s one thing that will take your blow drying skill to the next level, it’s definitely a Dyson blow dryer. You cannot replicate it. If you want to get the best shine for all hair types, this one is mandatory for the best-diffused curls for naturally curly hair at lightning speed to dry.

11. GA.MA ITALY Professional Hair Dryer

I love taking this blow dryer with me on photoshoots and commercials and working as a day checker for my everyday kit because it is so lightweight but very powerful. Its magnetic attachments make it easier to use in a time crunch. 

10. Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium 1” and 1.3/4” Flat Iron 

People have sometimes asked me if I think the Babyliss Titanium irons live up to the hype, and the answer is a resounding YES! I don’t go anywhere without them. They are always with me, so I had to buy two sets just so I would never leave them or break them. I use them to flat iron mainly the kinkiest textures. These irons have titanium plates and are high in heat, up to 450 degrees, which is excellent for straightening textured hair and would give the best results for the Silk Press Style. It also has a built-in ion generator to protect from hair damage

9. BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

This iron is perfect for all your coarser and artificial hair curling needs. I use mine most commonly for my kinkiest textures and artificial hairs, making it a little more mandatory than any other curling iron. It comes in many different sizes. Get as many as you can afford, but get the most commonly used sizes, the 1” & 1 ½”. I recommend this iron mainly for professionals because it’s no joke. It heats up to 450F and has a turbo heat button to instantly boost heat output for faster results and more defined curls. It is mainly used on artificial hair and coarse textures. 

8. GHD Original Styler 1” Flat Iron

The GHD Original Styler flat iron hair straightener has no extreme-heat styling damage, and ceramic heat technology to create sleek and smooth everyday styles is the perfect size for all your styling needs. I use this iron most commonly for all hair types, making it just a little more mandatory than a Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium Flat Iron. It heats up in 30 seconds. Pre-set to the optimum styling temperature of 365F for no extreme heat damage. Automatically goes into sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use.

7. GHD Classic Curling Iron 

This curling iron monitors temperatures across the whole barrel & adapts to your hair for healthier-looking hair, which is crucial for maintaining the healthiest hair. This iron comes in different sizes, but I prefer the 1”. 

6. R + Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Spray

This spray is good for 450 F protection when used with hot tools. It has a flexible hold and a voluminous, smooth finish. This is my preferred spray for protecting hair from heat damage. It's not really a gimmick per se, but it's crucial for all hair types. There are many heat protectors out there, but this is my go-to.

5. Kenra Perfect Medium Spray #13

Y'all, Kenra has many sprays, but the #13 provides styling control without stiffness is the shits! This spray will up your styling game IMMEDIATELY! I use it ALL the time, and it’s useful for anything beyond curling. It is great for styling the hair. It’s fast-drying for touchable and brushable hold and leaves a high shine. It is my most used spray for curling and styling all hair types. Kenra sprays come in many other numbers. Buy others according to all your styling needs. Kenra will not disappoint you.

4. Giovanni Rectangular Paddle Hair Brush

I use this lightweight, eco-friendly bamboo with nylon bristles to create that beautiful polish and frizz-free shine for almost all my clients, regardless of their ethnicity. This paddle brush creates a sleek, smooth, and shinier finish when blow-drying the hair. This large brush is ideal for drying, detangling, and styling thicker, longer, and coarser textures to brushing out extensions. This brush will soon be the go-to styling tool. This brush is the perfect tool for drying hair from the base, mid-shaft to the ends. It’s the miracle brush!

3. Leinuosen Triple Teasing Comb

Almost every style requires a lot or a little backcombing. This rat-tail comb is for root teasing and adding volume. Once you use this teasing comb, it’ll be hard to use any other. It is truly THE ONE!

2. Madison Reed Root Touch-Up

This root touch-up is great for brow filler, instant gray coverage, thinning hairlines, and temporary concealing powder. It comes in many different shades. Root touch-up makes everything easier. Use it on your clients in between color services.

1. NUMBER ONE! A nice serum!! 

These amazing serums add strength, shine, and seal color. Every stylist should have a nice serum and turn your client on. My 2 personal favorite serums, one for thick, coarse hair and one for fine hair, respectively, are Giovanni Eco CHIC Frizz Be Gone Serum and Sisley Hair Rituel Revitalizing Fortifying Serum.