Cosmetology Hair Service Preparation and Hairstyling Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terminology from Chapter 10 (Hair Service Preparation) and Chapter 12 (Hairstyling).

Effleurage

A scalp massage technique using gentle, rhythmic stroking and circular hand movements, usually performed with the balls of the fingers moving from the hairline toward the crown.

Petrissage

A scalp massage technique involving gentle pushing and kneading of the scalp with the palms, fingers, and thumbs to soothe muscles and loosen dead skin cells.

Hydrophilic Head

The water-attracting head of a surfactant molecule.

Lipophilic Tail

The oil-attracting tail of a surfactant molecule.

Deionized Water

Water that has had impurities removed, such as calcium, magnesium, and other metal ions, which would otherwise make a hair care product unstable.

Surfactant

Cleansing or surface-active agents in shampoo consisting of a hydrophilic head and a lipophilic tail that lift dirt and oil from hair.

Balancing Shampoo

Also known as neutralizing shampoo; a formulation that washes away excess oiliness without drying hair out, rebalancing hair pH after chemical interactions.

Clarifying Shampoo

An alkaline shampoo with a pH of 7 or higher containing chelating agents that bind to and remove product buildup, excess oils, and residual minerals.

Conditioning Shampoo

Also known as moisturizing shampoo; a nonstripping shampoo containing agents like protein and biotin to smooth, add shine, restore moisture, and strengthen the hair shaft.

Dry Shampoo

Also known as powder shampoo; a powder or aerosol styling product that cleanses hair without soap and water by absorbing excess oil and adding volume.

Medicated Shampoo

Shampoo containing specific active ingredients formulated to reduce severe dandruff or relieve other medical scalp conditions.

pH-Balanced Shampoo

A shampoo formulated with an acidic pH between 4.5 and 5.5 to match the natural pH of skin and hair, closing the cuticle and preventing dryness.

Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Shampoo formulated with little to no alkaline soap base, making it gentle on artificial haircolor and beneficial for retaining natural scalp oils.

Humectants

Moisture-binding ingredients in hair preparations that attract and retain moisture from the air or product into the hair shaft.

Co-Wash

The practice of using a cleansing conditioner and water between regular shampoos to cleanse, detangle, and refresh curly or coily hair without stripping moisture.

Soft Water

Rainwater or chemically treated water containing small amounts of minerals, which allows soap and shampoo to lather easily.

Hard Water

Water containing high mineral levels that reduce the lathering ability of shampoos and can alter haircolor service results.

Malassezia

A naturally occurring fungus on the scalp that, when overgrown, causes visible dandruff shedding, itchiness, and irritation.

Shampoo Draping

Also known as wet draping; a protective draping method using a plastic shampoo cape and towels during shampooing, cutting, or styling.

Chemical Draping

A protective draping method maintained throughout chemical services using a chemical cape and towels to protect the client's skin and clothing.

Concentrator Nozzle

A blowdryer attachment that directs a concentrated stream of air to a specific section of hair for precise drying and smoothing.

Diffuser

A blowdryer attachment that softens airflow to accentuate or preserve natural wave, curl, and coil patterns without causing frizz.

Edge Control

A thick, gel- or pomade-like styling product used on textured or chemically relaxed hair to smooth and control fine perimeter hair around the face.

Soft Press

A temporary thermal hair straightening service that removes 50 to 60 percent of the curl by applying a heated pressing comb once on each side of the hair.

Medium Press

A temporary hair pressing technique that removes 60 to 75 percent of curl by applying a heated pressing comb once on each side with slightly more pressure.

Hard Press

A hair pressing technique that removes 100 percent of curl by applying a heated pressing comb twice on each side of the hair section.

Double Press

A hard pressing technique achieved by first passing a hot thermal iron through the hair before applying the pressing comb.

Raking

A hand-styling method using fingers in a downward gliding motion to separate, define, and style wet textured hair.

Scrunching

A styling technique where the palms squeeze hair strands upward toward the scalp to encourage tighter, more defined curl formation.

Palm Coiling

Also known as palm rolling; a coily hair technique performed by moving palms in a circular motion on the head or rolling hair strands between hands.

Finger Coiling

A styling technique of gathering small subsections of hair and twirling them around individual fingers to form tight cylindrical coils.

Bantu Knot

A natural hairstyle created by double-strand twisting or coiling hair and wrapping it around itself into a small knot secured against the scalp.

Braid-Out Set

A textured style created by single-braiding or cornrowing wet or dry hair, then unraveling the braids once dry to produce a crimped texture.

Twist-Out

A hairstyle produced by unraveling double-strand twists to reveal a defined, voluminous, and crimped curl pattern.

Locs

Separate networks of coily, textured hair that naturally or intentionally intertwine, mesh, and lock together without chemical treatment.

Base

The stationary, nonmoving panel of hair attached to the scalp on which a roller, pin curl, or thermal barrel is placed.

Stem

The hair section between the scalp and the first turn of a curl, which controls the direction and mobility of the curl.

Circle

The portion of hair wrapped around a tool or forming a complete loop, which dictates the size, strength, and shape of the wave or curl.

Backcombing

Also known as teasing, matting, or French lacing; combing small hair sections toward the scalp to form a cushion or base.

Backbrushing

Also known as ruffing; a technique using a brush to construct a soft cushion at the scalp or blend different curl patterns seamlessly.

Finger Waving

The art of shaping wet hair into an S-shaped pattern using fingers, a comb, and waving lotion or mousse.

Hair Wrapping

A wet-setting technique where hair is combed smoothly around the contour of the head to create a sleek, straight finish on relaxed or straight hair.

Doobie Wrap

A dry hair wrapping maintenance routine performed with a boar bristle brush or comb to preserve straight, wrapped styles overnight.

Silk Press

A temporary thermal straightening technique performed on natural, highly textured hair using a leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, blowdryer, flat iron, and wrap.

No-Stem Curl

A pin curl placed directly on its base, yielding a tight, long-lasting curl with minimal movement.

Half-Stem Curl

A pin curl placed half off its base, offering medium mobility and good hair control.

Full-Stem Curl

A pin curl placed completely off its base, permitting maximum mobility and strong direction.

Barrel Curls

Large, open-center pin curls fastened in a standing position on a rectangular base to generate volume with movement.

Cascade Curls

Also known as stand-up curls; pin curls fastened standing upright to create height and elevation in a hairstyle.

Chignon

A classic updo hairstyle formed by gathering hair into a simple ponytail at the nape or back of the head and pinning it into a knot.

French Pleat

Also called a French twist or French roll; a classic updo where hair is folded vertically, horizontally, or diagonally along the back of the head.

Natural Hairstyling

Hairstyling that does not use chemicals or alter textured hair's natural curl or coil pattern.

Mousse

Also known as foam; a light, airy whipped styling product that adds volume, defines curls, and provides light to moderate hold.

Thermal Protectant

A product applied to damp or dry hair prior to heat styling to shield hair fibers from thermal tool damage.

Color-enhancing shampoo

A specialty shampoo designed to enhance and maintain the vibrancy of colored hair. It often contains ingredients that help to preserve color and add shine/hydration

Conditioners

A chemical agent applied to hair to deposit protein or moisturizer, help restore strength, infuse moisture, add body, or protect against breakage.

Deep-conditioning treatment

also known as a hair mask or conditioning pack, a chemical mixture of concentrated protein and intensive moisturizer that penetrates the cuticle layer

Medicated scalp lotion

conditioner that promotes scalp healing

Moisturizure

A product formulated to add moisture to dry hair or promote moisture retention

Neutralizing shampoo

Also known as balancing shampoo, designed to balance the pH of hair after a chemical service, removing any remaining chemicals and preventing damage.

Nonstripping

product that does not remove artificial color from the hair

Scalp astringent lotion

A product used to remove excess oil and buildup from the scalp, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth. Used after scalp treatment and before styling

Scalp conditioner

Product usually in a cream base, softens and improves scalp health

Spray-on thermal protector

A product that shields hair from heat damage caused by styling tools, helping to maintain hair integrity and shine.

Strengthening Shampoo

shampoo that contains various strengthening and nourishing ingredients to add strength to weak, damaged or brittle hair

Bantu knot-out style

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

Blowdry styling

technique of drying and styling damp hair in a single operation

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

Closed-center curls

pin curls that produce waves that get smaller toward the ends

Coil-out

style where hair is comb coiled into individual coils, dried completely, then uncoiled or neatly unraveled to create a fuller, coily, textured Afro style

Coily method

weekly styling regimen used to achieve the coil ‘n’go/wash ‘n’ go style on very coily, tightly coiled, and highly textured hair created with palm coiling, or palm rolling, and finger coil techniques

Comb coil technique

typically styled on naturally curly, coily, or highly textured hair. This technique is also used to start locs

Comb twists

style where small sections of natural hair are spiraled with fingers or comb with desired styling product to create individual formations of tight cylindrical coils

Co-styling

textured hair styling techniques performed at night to preserve a textured style, then covered with a silk or satin bonnet/scarf to preserve a long-lasting textured style

Curl

also known as circle; the hair that is wrapped around the roller

Curl ‘n’ go/coil ‘n’ go

also known as wash ‘ n ’ go; styling method that achieves a free curly or coily defined texture after a cleanser, conditioner, or co-wash; followed by a leave-in conditioner, curl-enhancing cream, gel or foam; hand-styling after hooded dryer, air drying, and /or diffuser

End curls

used to give a finished appearance to hair ends turned either under or over

Finger-waving lotion

also known as liquid gel; type of hair gel that makes the hair pliable enough to keep it in place during the finger-waving procedure

Flat twist

double-strand twists that are interwoven to lie flat on the scalp with various patterns without extensions

Foam

also known as mousse; a light, airy whipped styling product that resembles shaving foam and builds moderate body and volume into the hair

Full base curls

thermal curls that sit in the center of their base; strong curls with full volume

Gel

thickened styling preparation that comes in a tube or bottle and creates a strong hold

Glamour waves

flat twist set unraveled to make a loose, wavy texture on the entire head

Hair pressing

method of temporarily straightening extremely curly hair by means of a heated iron or comb

Hairspray

also known as finishing spray or spritz; styling product applied in the form of a mist to hold a style in position; available in a variety of holding strengths

Half base curls

position of a curl or a roller that sits halfway on its base and halfway behind the base, giving medium volume and movement

Half updo

hairstyle where half of the hair is pulled back off the face and pinned at or below the crown

Heat protectants

also known as thermal protection products or heat protection hair care products; used on damp hair after applying styling product and before blowdrying; protects the hair from heat damage caused by thermal styling tools

Marcel Iron

considered the most professional and versatile; available as conventional stove iron or electric; allows the user to manually control the pressure of the clamp

Nubian Knot

also known as Bantu knot; style where hair is double-strand twisted or coil twisted and wrapped around itself to make a knot; knots are secured with bobby pins or elastic bands

Off base curls

the position of a curl or a roller completely off its base for maximum mobility and minimum lift or volume

Open-center curls

pin curls that produce even, smooth waves and uniform curls