Hair Service-Haircutting & Styling Techniques BTVI (Milady Standard Text)

Milady Standard Text-Haircutting & Styling Techniques Key Terms

Angle

Space between two lines or surfaces that intersect at a given point, typically measured in degrees.

Beveling

Haircutting technique using diagonal lines by cutting hair ends with a slight increase or decrease in length.

Blunt haircut

Also known as a one-length haircut; haircut in which all the hair comes to one hanging level, forming a weight line or area; hair is cut with no elevation or over-direction.

Carving

Haircutting technique done by placing the still blade into the hair, resting it on the scalp, and then moving the shears through the hair while opening and partially closing the shears.

Cast shears

Shears made by pouring molting steel into a mold.

Clipper-over-comb

Haircutting technique similar to shear-over-comb, except that the clippers move side to side across the comb rather than bottom to top.

Cross checking

Parting the haircut in the opposite way from which you cut it in order to check for precision of line and shape.

Cutting line

Also known as finger angle, finger position, cutting position, or cutting angle; angle at which the fingers are held when cutting, and, ultimately, the line that is cut.

Diagonal forward

Type of diagonal line that creates movement toward the face.

Diagonal back

Type of diagonal line that creates movement away from the face.

Apex

Highest point on the top of the head

Asymmetrical balance

Establish when two imaginary halves of a hairstyle have an equal visual weight, but the two halves are ositioned unevenly; asymmetry can be horizontal or diagonal.

Balance

Related to establishing equal or appropriate proportions to create symmetry; in hairstyling, it is the relationship of height to width.

Bang area

Also known as fringe area; triangular section that begins at the apex, or high point of the head, and ends at the front corners.

Coil

Very tight curl

Concave profile

Curving inward; prominent forward and chin, with other features receded

Contrasting lines

Horizontal and vertical lines that meet at a 90-degree angle and create a hard edge.

Convex profile

Curving outward; receding forward and chin.

Curved lines

Lines moving in a circular or semicircular direction; used to soften a design.

Design line

Defines form and space; presence of one line nearly always means that there are others involved. It serves as a guide for cutting and shaping the hair, influencing the overall silhouette.

Back brushing

Also known as ruffing, a technique used to build a soft cushion or mesh two or more curl patterns together for a uniform, smooth combout.

Back brushing

Also known as teasing, ratting, matting, or French lacing: combing small sections of hair from the ends toward the scalp, causing shorter hair to mat at the scalp and form a cushion or base. To create height and volume.

Bantu knot

Also known as Nubian knots; style where hair is double-strand twisted or coil twisted and wrapped around itself to make a knot; knots are secured by bobby pins or elastic band.

Bantu knot-out style

Style where knots can be opened and released to create wavy and fuller loose spiral curls.

Barrel curls

Pin curls with large center openings; fastened to the head in a standing position on a rectangular base.

Base

Stationary, or nonmoving, foundation of a pin curl (the area closest to the scalp); the panel of hair on which a roller is placed.

Blow-dry styling

Technique of drying and styling damp hair in a single operation.

Braid-out set

Style that involves individual braiding or cornrowing the hair, when the hair is either wet or dry, then opening the braid to create a crimped texture-on-texture effect with added volume.

Bun

Also known as a knot; the foundation technique used for this look is a ponytail and can sit high or low.

Carved curls

Also known as carved or sculptured curls; pin curls sliced from a shaping and formed without lifting the hair from the head.