Introduction to Mannequin Heads
Most stores that sell clothing articles have mannequins to display their products. A mannequin head can be made from many different materials such as wax, plastic, wood, and fiberglass. Ones look like women, men, or children. Some of them are even created to resemble movie stars or other famous celebrities.
Mannequins were first invented over a century ago. While they are mainly used to advertise clothing, they can be used for other purposes as well. Some of them are used in car crash tests or CPR training courses. These kinds of mannequins allow people to learn about traumatic effects on the human body without having to put anyone in danger. Test dummies are usually molded from wax or ballistic gel to simulate human muscle and tissue.
Fashion mannequins are by far the most popular type and they are used to market all kinds of clothing articles. Full size plastic models are the same size as a person and have a head, hands, feet, arms, and legs. Many of the joints are flexible so they can be posed in various positions to make them look more life-like. They can be used to model shirts, pants, dresses, or shoes. Some of them only consist of a torso, which can be used to display blouses and shirts because they take up much less space than a full sized one.
A mannequin head is a life-sized head that has all the features of the human face. These ones can be used for several kinds of situations. Often they are used to model makeup, wigs, or hats. Some people use head mannequins to practice cutting hair at a beauty school. The facial features on this type of mannequin can be molded to represent various face shapes and races. However, a standard facial feature set is prevalent in most display mannequins. Most heads are made from plastic or vinyl, although a glass mannequin head can also be used in some instances. A homemade or vintage mannequin head can also be made from wood.
Uses for Mannequins
Stores that sell hats often use mannequins for their products. It is much simpler and more efficient to use a small head model instead of a life-sized model to display a hat. Many stores set up displays with multiple units on a table or other surface. Almost any kind of mannequin can be used to display hats because they do not have to have certain features or hair colors. Nevertheless, the face should still be as life-like as possible to give shoppers a good idea of how the hat would look on a person.
Mannequin heads are also good for showing wigs. These heads should come with a variety of sizes and facial features so people can see how different wigs look on various people. Since each person has a unique face, you should purchase heads that are different so customers can see how different hairstyles and colors can accent the individual’s face. The head should also be bald because it needs have room to support a wig.
Mannequins with real human hair can be used in hair salon schools as a training tool. Students are able to experience what it is like to trim a real person’s hair by practicing on a realistic wig. In some ways, these mannequins are very similar to those displaying wigs because the hair is a wig that can be replaced once it is cut. However, hair-cutting models usually do not have any facial features because their focus is on the hair.
Cosmetology mannequin heads are used to advertise makeup products. A cosmetology mannequin head usually has very defined facial features that give customers as life-like appearance as possible. Some of them are even painted and given textures to further resemble a real person’s face.
Where to Buy Mannequins
There are many companies that mass produce mannequins, so if you only need basic features then you can likely purchase one at a mannequin store. These companies make hundreds of identical units that can be used for most purposes. Usually a designer creates a standard set of facial features and body shapes that can be molded for production on a large scale. Mass produced models are quite cheap and can come in a variety of shapes and styles.
If you need a unique mannequin, then you will need to find a business that sells custom products. Some manufacturers will allow you to design the mannequin heads yourself so you can get a product that especially suits you. Unique mannequins are always more expensive than mass produced ones, but they are also better quality and have a one-of-a-kind appearance. One of the best ways to find a custom mannequin service is by finding a website that will ship products to your area.