2026 Cosmetology Review: Haircutting, Chemical Texture, and Infection Control

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the 2026 review questions for cosmetology, focusing on haircutting techniques, chemical texture services, and federal infection control standards.

Precision haircutting

Involves being precise in your haircut and applying a systematic plan.

Overdirection

Combing hair away from its natural falling position before cutting in order to increase a hair design's length.

Finger angle

The angle stylists hold their fingers when cutting the line that creates the end shape of the hair.

Traveling guideline

A guideline used by stylists to create layered hairstyles.

Horseshoe section

A haircut section that separates the head at the parietal ridge to below the crown.

Disinfecting shears

A sanitation procedure that must be performed after each client.

Chunking shears

A type of haircutting shears best suited for removing large sections from straight, thick hair.

Proper shear hold

Placing the thumb in the grip of the moving blade and the ring finger in the grip of the still blade to avoid ligament damage or muscle strain.

Palming the shears

A technique where the stylist holds both the comb and shears at the same time to save time.

Shear-over-comb technique

A technique used to taper hairlines from extremely short lengths into longer lengths.

Trimmers

A haircutting tool best suited for cutting a clean line around the ears or trimming eyebrows.

Graduated haircut

A basic haircut with a visual buildup of weight in which the hair ends appear to be stacked; often uses a $45\text{-degree}$ elevation.

Cross-checking

Parting the haircut in the opposite way from how it was cut, at the same elevation, to check for line and shape precision.

Blunt haircut

A procedure where the stylist might tilt the client's head forward when cutting the back and assume the natural position as the sides are incorporated.

Uniform-layered haircut

A basic haircut where the cosmetologist sections the hair into five partings and uses a $90\text{-degree}$ elevation.

Long-layered haircut

A basic haircut cut at a $90\text{-degree}$ elevation, then overdirected to maintain length and weight at the perimeter.

Texturizing

The process of removing excess bulk from the hair without shortening the hair's length.

Effilating

Also known as slithering; a texturizing technique where hair is cut by using the blades of the shears rather than the tips.

Line up

A clipper technique where straight lines or sharp angles are shaped to change the look of the existing hairline.

Elevation

Also known as projection or lifting; the degree at which a subsection of hair is held from the head when cutting.

Growth pattern

The direction in which hair grows from the scalp, also called the natural falling position.

Tension

The amount of pressure applied when combing or holding a subsection during a haircut.

Slide cutting

A method that involves cutting or layering the hair in such a way that the fingers and shears glide along the edge of the hair to remove length.

Lanthionization

The process by which hydroxide relaxers permanently straighten hair by removing one of the bonded sulfur atoms in a disulfide bond.

Thio neutralization

A process that stops the action of a thio relaxer or permanent wave solution and involves oxidation.

Metallic salts test

A test performed during consultation to identify the presence of minerals in the hair that could affect a chemical service.

Glycerol monothioglycolate (GMTG)

The main active ingredient in acid waves and acid-balanced waving lotions.

Endothermic waves

Waves that are activated from an outside heat source, such as a conventional hooded blowdryer.

Overprocessed hair

Hair that has too many broken disulfide bonds and will not hold a firm curl.

OSHA

The federal agency responsible for regulating and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that registers all types of disinfectants sold and used in the United States.

Sterilization

The highest level of infection control that destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Pathogenic bacteria

Harmful microorganisms that cause disease or infection when they invade the body.

Pediculosis capitis

A parasite commonly encountered in the salon; also known as head lice.

Biofilms

Colonies of microbes that adhere to environmental surfaces, such as a foot spa, and are highly resistant to disinfectants.

Quat solutions

Disinfectant solutions that usually take $10\,\text{minutes}$ to properly disinfect implements.

Standard Precautions

Guidelines published by the CDC that require employees to assume that all human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious.

Asymptomatic

A condition where a client is infected and contagious but shows no visible signs of infection.

Exposure incident

Contact with nonintact skin, blood, or body fluid as a result of the performance of a beauty professional's duties.