Haircut Fundamentals and Head Shapes

Questions and Answers

In a comb, __ teeth are used for combing and parting hair, while _ teeth comb a section before cutting.

wide, finer

What is tension in the context of haircutting?

Amount of pressure applied when combing and holding a section, created by stretching or pulling the section.

Why is consistent tension important in haircutting?

Consistent tension is important for achieving constant, even results in a haircut.

What steps can you take to ensure you are using good posture and body positioning when cutting hair?

Properly positioning the client, centering your weight, working in front of your section. Signup and view all the answers

What is cutting over your fingers?

Hand position used most often when cutting uniform or increasing layers. Signup and view all the answers

What is cutting palm-to-palm?

Hand position used when cutting a vertical or diagonal line. Signup and view all the answers

Good haircuts begin with an understanding of the _, referred to as the __.

shape of the head; head form Signup and view all the answers

To help achieve the look that you and your client are seeking, be aware of where the head form _____________.

curves, turns, and changes Signup and view all the answers

_____________ on the head mark where the surface of the head changes.

Reference points Signup and view all the answers

Name four common reference points.

Ears, jawline, occipital bone, apex Signup and view all the answers

An understanding of head shape and reference points will help the cosmetologist in the following ways:

Find balance within the design, develop the ability to create the same haircut consistently, and show where and when it is necessary to change technique to make up for in the head form. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parietal ridge?

Widest area of the head, usually starting at the temples and ending at the bottom of the crown. Signup and view all the answers

What is the occipital bone?

Bone that protrudes at the base of the skull. Signup and view all the answers

What is the apex?

Highest point on the top of the head. Signup and view all the answers

What are the front and back corners of the head referred to as?

Four corners Signup and view all the answers

How can you find the parietal ridge?

Place a comb flat on the side of the head. The parietal ridge is where the head starts to curve away from the comb. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how to find the occipital bone.

Simply feel the back of the skull or place a comb flat against the nape and find where the comb leaves the head. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how to locate the apex.

Place a comb flat on the top of the head. The comb will rest on that highest point. Signup and view all the answers

Outline two ways to find the four corners.

One way is by placing two combs flat against the side and back of the head and locating the back corner at the point where the two combs meet. A second way is to make diagonal lines crossing the apex of the head, which then point directly to the front and back corners. Signup and view all the answers

Name the areas of the head.

Top, front, sides, crown, nape, back, and bang area. Signup and view all the answers

Why is locating the parietal ridge important?

By locating the parietal ridge, you can find the hair that grows on the top of the head. This hair lies on the head shape. Hair that grows below the parietal ridge, or crest, hangs because of gravity. Signup and view all the answers

Give the procedure for determining the front of the head.

By making a parting or drawing a line from the apex to the back of the ear, you can separate the hair that naturally falls in front of the ear from the hair behind the ear. Everything that falls in front of the ear is considered the front. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the sides of the head?

The sides include all hair from the back of the ear forward, below the parietal ridge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the crown, and why is it important to identify?

It is the area between the apex and the back of the parietal ridge. On many people, the crown is flat and is the site of cowlicks or whorls. Because of this, it is extremely important to pay special attention to this area when haircutting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nape, and how can it be identified?

It is the area at the back part of the neck and consists of the hair below the occipital bone. The nape can be located by taking a horizontal parting or by making a horizontal line across the back of the head at the occipital bone. Signup and view all the answers

What does the back of the head consist of? Explain how to locate it.

It consists of all the hair that falls naturally behind the ear. To locate it, make a parting or draw a line from the apex to the back of the ear. Signup and view all the answers

Define the bang or fringe area.

It is a triangular section that begins at the apex and ends at the front corners. Signup and view all the answers

A(n) __________ is a thin, continuous mark used as a guide.

Line Signup and view all the answers

A(n) __________ is created when the space between two lines or surfaces intersects at a given point.

Angle Signup and view all the answers

What are the two basic lines used in haircutting?

Straight and curved Signup and view all the answers

Angles are important elements in creating a(n) _________________ in haircutting because this is how shapes are created.

Strong foundation and consistency Signup and view all the answers

Horizontal lines are from the floor and relative to the horizon. They weight and are used to create and ________ haircuts.

parallel; build; one-length; low-elevation Signup and view all the answers

Vertical lines are _ to the horizon. They weight to create or layered haircuts and are used with ___ elevations.

perpendicular; remove; graduated; higher Signup and view all the answers

Diagonal lines have a _ direction and are used to create .

slanting or sloping; angles Signup and view all the answers

What are the techniques using diagonal lines to create angles by cutting the ends of the hair called?

Beveling and stacking Signup and view all the answers

For control during haircutting, the hair is parted into working areas called _. Each of these may be divided into smaller areas called __.

sections; subsections Signup and view all the answers

A line dividing the hair at the scalp, separating one section of hair from another, creating subsections is called a _______ or parting.

part Signup and view all the answers

Name the four types of sections used in haircutting.

Horseshoe section, pivoting section, profile section, and radial section Signup and view all the answers

The degree at which a subsection of hair is held, or elevated, from the head when cutting is known as __________.

elevation Signup and view all the answers

In a blunt cut or one-length haircut, what degree of elevation is employed?

0 Signup and view all the answers

What are the two most commonly used elevations in haircutting?

45 degrees to 90 degrees Signup and view all the answers

The more you elevate the hair, the more _________ you create.

graduation and layering Signup and view all the answers

When you elevate hair below 90 degrees, you _______ weight.

build Signup and view all the answers

When you elevate hair at 90 degrees or higher, you _______ weight.

remove Signup and view all the answers

When hair contracts or lifts through the action of moisture loss or drying, it is known as __________.

shrinkage Signup and view all the answers

The angle at which the fingers are held when cutting the line that creates the end shape is referred to as the __________.

cutting line Signup and view all the answers

List the other names for the term cutting line.

Cutting position, cutting angle, finger angle, and finger position Signup and view all the answers

Cutting lines can be described as: , , , and by using, degrees in relation to the angle to the head.

horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and by using Signup and view all the answers

What is a guideline?

A subsection of hair that determines the length the hair will be cut; can be cut in the perimeter or interior of the hair. Signup and view all the answers

The of a cut is the outer line, while the _ is the inner or internal line of the cut.

perimeter; interior Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of guidelines in haircutting?

Stationary and traveling Signup and view all the answers

A guideline that does not move during haircutting is called __________.

stationary Signup and view all the answers

A guideline that moves as a haircut progresses is called __________.

traveling Signup and view all the answers

What is overdirection, and why is it used?

It entails combing the hair away from its natural falling position, rather than straight out from the head, used mostly in graduated and layered haircuts to create length increase in the design. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consultation in haircutting?

A conversation between the cosmetologist and client during which the cosmetologist finds out what the client is looking for, offers suggestions and professional advice, and comes to a joint decision with the client about the most suitable haircut. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how to analyze face shape.

Pull all the hair away with a clip or wrap the hair in a towel. Look for the widest areas, the narrowest areas, and the balance of the features. To do so quickly, determine if the face is wide or long. Signup and view all the answers

What does analyzing face shape accomplish?

It allows cosmetologists to begin to make decisions about the best haircut for the client. Look for the features that you want to bring out and those you want to de-emphasize. Signup and view all the answers

When analyzing face shape, an important point to consider is the client's ________, or how the client looks from the side.

profile Signup and view all the answers

What four characteristics determine the behavior of hair?

Growth patterns, texture, density, and elasticity Signup and view all the answers

Hair that grows at the outermost perimeter along the face, around the ears, and on the neck is known as the __________.

hairline Signup and view all the answers

The growth pattern is the direction in which the hair grows from the scalp, also called the: __________.

natural fall or the natural falling position Signup and view all the answers

You may need to use _____ tension when cutting cowlicks, whorls, and other growth patterns to compensate for hair being pushed up when it dries.

less Signup and view all the answers

What is hair density?

The number of individual hair strands on 1 square inch of scalp. Signup and view all the answers

Hair texture is usually classified as coarse, medium, or fine and is based on the thickness or diameter of each strand.

hair texture Signup and view all the answers

Why are density and texture important?

Different hair textures respond differently to the same type of cutting; some hair textures need more layers and some need more weight. Signup and view all the answers

The amount of movement in the hair strand described as straight, wavy, curly, and extremely curly or anything in between is known as the __________.

wave pattern Signup and view all the answers

What are haircutting shears mainly used for?

Mainly used to cut blunt or straight lines in hair. Signup and view all the answers

What are texturizing shears mainly used for?

Mainly used to remove bulk from the hair. Signup and view all the answers

What are razors mainly used for?

Mainly used when a softer effect on the ends of the hair is desired. Signup and view all the answers

What are clippers mainly used for?

Mainly used when creating short haircuts, short tapers, fades, and flat tops. Signup and view all the answers

What are trimmers mainly used for?

Mainly used to remove excess or unwanted hair at the neckline and around the ears and to create crisp outlines. Signup and view all the answers

What are sectioning clips?

These come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes and can be made of plastic or metal. Signup and view all the answers

What is a wide-tooth comb mainly used for?

Mainly used to detangle hair. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tail comb mainly used for?

Mainly used to section and subsection the hair. Signup and view all the answers

What is the barber comb used for?

The haircutting tool used for close tapers in the scissors over comb technique. Signup and view all the answers

What is a styling or cutting comb used for?

A haircutting tool used for most haircutting procedures. Signup and view all the answers

Which three countries are primarily responsible for manufacturing the steel used to make professional shears?

Japan, Germany, and the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal Rockwell hardness for a haircutting shear?

56 or 57 Signup and view all the answers

As the strength or hardness of the steel increases, the shear's ability to retain a sharp edge __________.

increases Signup and view all the answers

A(n) _ shear is made by pouring molten steel into a mold, whereas a(n) ___ shear is made by a process of working metal into a finished shape by hammering or pressing.

cast; forged Signup and view all the answers

Compare forged shears with cast ones.

Forged shears are more durable, easier to repair if dropped or bent, and last significantly longer than cast shears. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cutting edge?

Part of the shear that does the cutting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the pivot and adjustment area?

The part of the shear that makes the shears cut. Signup and view all the answers

What is an adjustment knob?

Part of the shear that pulls the blades together at the correct tension. Signup and view all the answers

The _____ on a pair of shears is designed to give you more control over the shear.

finger tang Signup and view all the answers

List all the tasks that should be on the shears' maintenance schedule.

Daily cleaning and lubrication, daily tension adjustment and balancing, weekly cleaning and lubrication, disinfecting shears, and shear sharpening. Signup and view all the answers

A left-hand cutter can use a right-handed shear by simply turning the shear over.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name a few things a cosmetologist should look for when considering a shears purchase.

Know how the shear was manufactured, ask about the steel quality, decide on the right blade edge, decide on the best handle design for you, be sure the shears fit properly, hold the shears in your hands, decide if you would like to use a swivel thumb shear, ask about the service agreement, ask about the warranty, analyze the cost of the shears, determine how many parts of shears are needed. Signup and view all the answers

When purchasing shears, a full _ edge will give the smoothest cut, while a(n) ____ edge is dull and can be noisy.

convex; beveled Signup and view all the answers

The type of texture shear that adds increased blending is called __________.

texturizing Signup and view all the answers

How can ergonomically correct and custom-fitted shears help the cosmetologist?

Allowing a relaxed grip and reduce thumb pressure, reducing the pressure on the hand's nerves and tendons, and allowing shears to do the cutting work. Signup and view all the answers

List the four components of correctly fitting a shear.

Fitting the ring finger, fitting the thumb, relaxing the grip, and ensuring correct finger position and alignment. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to hold tools properly?

It gives the most control and the best results and helps avoid muscle strain in the hands, arms, neck, and back. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the important elements of holding shears.

Open your right hand (left hand if left-handed), place the ring finger in the finger grip of the still blade and the little finger on the finger tang, place the thumb in the finger grip of the moving blade, practice opening and closing the shears concentrating on moving only the thumb. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to always hold the comb while cutting?

Putting the comb down wastes a lot of time. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between the roles of the dominant hand and the holding hand during haircutting.

In general, the dominant hand (cutting hand) does most of the work. It holds the shears, parts the hair, combs, and cuts the hair. The holding hand does just that: it holds sections of hair and comb while cutting. The holding hand helps the cosmetologist maintain control. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what it means to 'palm the shears.'

It entails removing the thumb from the thumb grip while leaving the ring and little fingers in the grip and finger rest. Curl the fingers in to palm the shears, which keeps the shears closed during combing or parting. Signup and view all the answers

Define the phrase 'transferring the comb.'

After you have combed a subsection into position, you will need to free the cutting hand. Once the fingers are in place at the correct cutting position, transfer the comb by placing it between the thumb and index finger of your holding hand. Signup and view all the answers

What are the versatile tools that can be used for an entire haircut?

Straight razor and feather blade. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the two methods of holding a razor.

Method A: Open the razor so the handle is higher than the shank. Place the thumb on the thumb grip and the index, middle, and ring fingers on the shank. Place the little finger in the tang, underneath the handle. When cutting a subsection, position the razor on top of the subsection, the part facing you, for maximum control. Method B: Open the razor until the handle and shank form a straight line. Place the thumb on the grip, and wrap the fingers around the handle. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Head Shape and Reference Points

Understanding head shape is crucial for effective haircuts; the shape refers to the head form.
Curves, turns, and changes on the head affect the desired haircut style.
Reference points are locations on the head where surface changes occur.

Common Reference Points

Notable reference points include the ears, jawline, occipital bone, and apex.
Identifying these points helps in maintaining balance and consistency in haircuts.

Key Areas of the Head

Significant areas include top, front, sides, crown, nape, back, and bang area.
The parietal ridge indicates the widest area on the head, marking where it curves away from the comb.
The occipital bone is a prominent bone located at the skull's base.

Haircut Techniques and Lines

Horizontal lines are parallel to the floor, creating weight and ideal for one-length haircuts.
Vertical lines are perpendicular to the horizon, removing weight and suitable for graduated haircuts.
Diagonal lines slant or slope, creating angles and dimension.

Hair Elevation and Weight

Elevation is the degree hair is held away from the head; it affects the haircut's shape.
Grades of elevation include zero degrees for blunt cuts and 45 to 90 degrees for layering.
Shrinkage occurs due to moisture loss; this should be accounted for during cutting.

Shears and Maintenance

Haircutting shears mainly cut blunt lines; texturizing shears remove bulk.
Forged shears are more durable than cast shears and maintain a sharper edge longer.
Regular maintenance includes cleaning, lubricating, adjusting tension, and sharpening.

Analyzing Face Shape

Analyzing the client's face shape helps determine the most suitable haircut.
Characteristics such as growth patterns, texture, density, and elasticity affect hair behavior.

Holding and Using Tools

Proper grip and positioning of shears minimize strain and enhance control during cutting.
"Panning the shears" involves keeping them closed while parting or combing hair.
Consistent tension while cutting ensures even results.

Razor Use

Razors provide a softer effect on hair ends; choosing from straight razors or feather blades is essential for particular results.
Technique for holding razors includes maintaining control and proper finger placement.

Guidelines in Haircutting

Guidelines help establish the cutting length; types include stationary (fixed) and traveling (adaptive).
Cutting over fingers is used for layers, while palm-to-palm cutting is ideal for vertical cuts.

Importance of Consistency

Consistent tension is vital for even haircut results, enhancing overall appearance and style.
Good posture and body positioning while cutting support ergonomic techniques, preventing strain and injury.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts about head shapes and reference points vital for successful haircuts. Understand the significance of different areas on the head and learn how various haircut techniques utilize lines to achieve desired styles. Test your knowledge to enhance your hairstyling skills.