Haircutting Techniques Flashcards

What head shape reference point is the widest area of the head?

Answer: Parietal ridge

The parietal ridge is the widest area of the head, found by placing a comb flat on the side of the head. Hair above this ridge behaves differently than hair below it, affecting layering and graduation.

What is slide cutting used for?

Answer: Removing length and bulk while creating long, tapered ends

Slide cutting involves opening and closing the shears while sliding them along the hair strand. It removes bulk and creates tapered, blended ends with movement, without shortening the overall length significantly.

A 180-degree elevation is also known as what?

Answer: Long layers or increased layering

A 180-degree elevation involves over-directing the hair straight up from the head or directing lower sections upward. This creates long layers with shorter lengths at the top and progressively longer lengths at the bottom.

What is notching in haircutting?

Answer: An aggressive form of point cutting that removes larger chunks for maximum texture

Notching is a more aggressive version of point cutting where larger sections are removed by cutting deeper into the hair ends. It creates more dramatic texture, separation, and chunky effects.

What is a weight line in a haircut?

Answer: The visual line where the most bulk or volume concentrates in the haircut

The weight line is the area of a haircut where the hair has the most bulk and visual weight. In a graduated cut, the weight line is typically at the point where the shorter layers stack over the longer ones.

Why is it important to consider natural growth patterns before cutting hair?

Answer: Growth patterns affect how the hair falls and behaves, influencing the outcome of the cut

Natural growth patterns such as cowlicks, whorls, and widow's peaks affect how the hair falls and lies. Ignoring them can result in sections that stick up, flip out, or do not lay as intended in the finished style.