Hair Cutting Terminology

The act of cutting into the hair with a technique that mimics backcombing, to remove bulkiness.

A Haircut following the angle of the jaw line when the head tips forward.

When the hair is not symmetrical (or the same) throughout the hair cut. This difference can vary from subtle to drastic like in the example of an asymmetrical.

Strands of hair falling over the scalp’s front hairline to cover the forehead. Bangs can be shaped in an arc, asymmetrical swooping to one side, long or short, wispy or straight across.

A subtle layer cut with curvature on the ends to give hair a soft bend. This helps hair turn under

The process of blending one line of the haircut to the other line by cutting out the hair between both of those lines

Haircut that is straight across at the bottom without using a layer technique. One length cut.

A semi – short Hairstyle, hair is layered 1” to 3” on the top and then brushed forward, adding a short bang to the front. This style helps conceal mild balding.

Involves point cutting different lengths into your hair; this process makes the hair look fuller

Hair cut down very low on the sides and left longer on the top. Usually the short strands of hair on the top sit in an upright position graduating in length with the longest hairs at the hairline and the shortest strands at the crown. This creates a somewhat flat horizontal appearance.

Any cut that has a dramatic length change in the hair. For example; mullets and mohawks.

Is usually performed after hair has been washed and dried. Hair reacts differently while wet, while dry hair allows you to focus on how the hair will lay when styled.

Cutting only the ends. The average amount removed is between ¼ and ½ an inch.

Elevation is the angle from the client’s scalp at which you raise the hair when cutting. The elevation determines whether the hair is cut one-length (no elevation), graduated (1° to 89°), or layered (90° and more, but usually at 90°). (Aveda Institute: Cosmetology Curriculum, Hair cutting)

A cutting technique that creates shorter layers around the face that curl under the chin.

This is considered an aggressively tight taper. Hair at the sides and back is cut as close as possible with clippers.

Finely textured layering style. Can be short and smooth, or long and curly.

This cut involves layering the hair at an angle to build shape.

Is a precut strand of hair serving as a guide or mark that allows one to follow a pattern when cutting. Usually the hair is sectioned divided into smaller sections to create a system of balance connecting sections.

This cut is performed entirely with shears. The hair is cut into uniform layers all over your head. The cut can be as long or short as desired and is very versatile.

Long layers refer to the distance between the layers. If there is a great distance between the end of one layer and the end of the next.

Where the stylist takes the shears and snips away at the hair in a random fashion to remove bulk and create less volume in the hair.

This is a cutting technique where hair is lifted and cut over the head to create extra body and volume.

This is the outer ends of the hair. The last 1-2 inches on the hairline.

Creates texture and wispyness throughout the hair.

Scissors are held at an angle creating a “saw tooth” effect on the hair. This adds texture to the hair.

Strands of hair that have been parted.

Gives the hair a softer edge rather than blunt line.

Haircut style where the hair gradually gets shorter the closer it gets to the neckline.

The amount of pressure applied when holding each section of hair while cutting.

Shears cut some hair and leave some hair to create a textured look.

A haircut in which the top is longer than the bottom. It can be very subtle or extreme.

The area of the haircut where most of the weight is . For example, In a non-layered, straight across haircut the weight line is at the bottom.