Meet the Pivot Point Mannequin Series: How to Choose the Right Hair Mannequin for Every Need
by Pivot Point Director of Product Experience, Jason Russell
Hair. Dolls. Mannequins.
Some people grow out of their childhood obsessions—I turned mine into a career.
As a kid, I was completely obsessed with hair and dolls. My collection didn’t just grow—it exploded into the hundreds. I spent hours organising accessories, combing hair, and changing outfits. It wasn’t just playtime; it was a daily ritual—honestly, probably more essential to me than drinking water.
What I didn’t realise then was that this passion was quietly shaping my future.
Fast forward to adulthood, and not much has changed—except now, playing with hair and mannequins is my full-time job.
When I first entered hair school, I assumed mannequins were temporary—just practice tools. I figured once I graduated, I’d never touch another mannequin again.
Boy, was I wrong.
Why Mannequins Matter in Hair Education
For the past 27 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of Pivot Point hair mannequins used in hairdressing education worldwide.
Early in my career, I became an educator at Pivot Point Academy, spending eight years teaching Phase One—the stage where students work exclusively on hairdressing training mannequins before ever touching a live client. That meant day in and day out… MANNEQUINS!
In 2011, my journey expanded globally when I became a Pivot Point Field Educator, traveling the world to educate educators. And guess what came with me everywhere?
Yep. More MANNEQUINS!
For the next 13 years, every workshop I delivered—cutting, colouring, styling, texture—was performed entirely on hairdressing mannequins. And today, in my role as Pivot Point Director of Product Experience, my focus is on understanding the manufacturing, specifications, performance, and innovation behind every Pivot Point mannequin series.
Who would have thought that a childhood love for hair and dolls would turn into such a rewarding, full-circle career?
Welcome to the Pivot Point Mannequin Series
Now, I’m taking that lifelong passion and paying it forward.
This blog series is designed to educate you on our full range of Pivot Point mannequin products and help you confidently choose the right mannequin for every learning, teaching, and creative need.
My hope is simple: that every mannequin you work with brings as much joy, inspiration, and possibility as my “babies” have brought me over the years.
Welcome to the world of mannequins—through the eyes of someone who’s loved them from the very beginning.
So… Which Hair Mannequin Should You Choose?
Choices, choices, choices.
Everyone loves options—until there are too many great ones.
The mannequin that’s perfect for a bold colour workshop might not be ideal for a precision cutting class. And what about long hair mannequins—can they really handle
Pixies, Bixies, and Bobs?
Great questions. And trust me—you’re not alone in asking them.
With so many hair types, textures, colours, and lengths available, choosing the right mannequin head for hair practice can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly why this series exists.
Over the next few blogs, we’ll break down the full range of Pivot Point mannequin hair products and guide you step by step to the best choice for your goals—whether you’re teaching, learning, or creating.
Let’s get this party started.
Understanding the Pivot Point Mannequin Series
Let’s start with the foundation: mannequin series.
At Pivot Point, every mannequin we offer falls into one of four distinct series. Each series is intentionally designed to support specific educational, technical, and creative needs.
No matter your goal, there’s a Pivot Point mannequin series built for it.
Original Series Hair Mannequins
The Original Series is where it all began.
These classic hair mannequins for hairdressing training feature a foam-like, rubbery face, neck, and head, with hair directly implanted into the scalp. Crafted from soft PVC, they closely mimic the look and feel of human skin for a realistic, hands-on experience.
Available in multiple head sizes with an extended neck (but no shoulders), this is the mannequin most people picture when they think of hair education.
Reliable. Familiar. Timeless.
Premium Series Hair Mannequins
Meet the VIP of mannequins—or better yet, the VIM: Very Important Mannequin.
Like the Original Series, Premium Series mannequins are made from soft PVC and are available in multiple sizes. What sets them apart is their elevated realism: full shoulders, increased hair density, eyelashes, and uniquely engineered implantation patterns.
Designed specifically for OMC Hairworld, these advanced training mannequins deliver elite-level performance for high-level education and competition environments.
Cap Series Interchangeable Hair Mannequins
For more than 20 years, the Cap Series has been all about flexibility, innovation, and sustainability.
Made from durable ABS plastic, these mannequins are reusable, recyclable, space-saving, and incredibly versatile. The Cap Series uses one reusable headform paired with nearly 50 interchangeable hair caps.
With options across multiple skin tones, lengths, colours, and textures, this series is ideal for educators seeking efficiency, diversity, and adaptability in hairdressing mannequin training.
Slip-On Series Hair Mannequins
The Slip-On Series takes modular mannequin design one step further.
Like the Cap Series, it uses a reusable ABS plastic headform—but each Slip-On component covers the entire head, face, and neck. Made from soft PVC, it offers a realistic, skin-like feel similar to the Original Series while maintaining the space-saving benefits of interchangeable design.
Budget-friendly, recyclable, and brilliantly engineered, this series is the perfect balance of realism and convenience.
How to Choose the Right Hair Mannequin
Still deciding? Here’s a quick way to narrow it down:
- Consider the service: cutting, colouring, styling, or texture
- Decide between soft, skin-like realism or hard, recyclable plastic
- Think about storage, sustainability, and budget
- Choose features that support your learning or teaching goals
Here’s the best part: every Pivot Point mannequin series does it all.
Colour. Cut. Perm. Relax. Style.
Each series offers mannequins in a variety of lengths, colours, and textures—so no matter the service, you’re covered.
And trust me…
It’s just getting good.
Stay tuned for Blog 2, where we dive deep into hair type, texture, length, and colour—and help you choose like a true pro.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JASON RUSSELL
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