CUTTING TERMINOLOGY AREA A specific place on the head e.g. the nape area. ASYMMETRIC A non-identical balance of length or weight in a haircut . BALANCE A harmony of design and proportion. Areas are matched with each other to give equilibrium . BEVEL / BEVELLING A rounding of a sharp edge to give a crafted smoothness. The action of turning the ends under after the blow-dry. BIAS CUTTING Cutting diagonally across the hair (inspired by the 1930s fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet who bias cut cloth). BLEND To combine or mix different elements both technically and visually. CHEVRON A V-shaped section predominately used in colour. CONCAVE An inwardly curving line that is shorter in the centre and longer on the outside. Runs in opposition to the contours of the head. CONVEX A line that follows the shape of the head or can bow outward to accentuate it. CORNERS Used to work against the natural roundness of the head shape. Can be placed anywhere within the overall hair design. CROSS-CHECKING A system used to ensure the hair design is technically proficient. Checking is carried out in the opposite direction in which the design was created. CROWN The area at the top of the head where the growth pattern of hair originates. CUTTING ANGLE After determining the bone structure and the final hair design, this is the angle at which the hair is cut. DEFINITION To add strength of line or definite structure to an existing shape or finish. DEPTH The degree of lightness or darkness of a colour. DIAGONAL Any section taken across the head on an angle of between one and ninety degrees. DIFFUSE 1 To blend different / complementary colours / tones / textures to create a subtle visual mix. DIFFUSE 2 To blow dry textured hair using an attachment on the dryer. DISCONNECTION An area within a haircut where the lengths are not connected technically. ELEVATION A technique used to lift the hair away from the head shape. EXPANDED FORM The shape revealed when the hair is displayed at 90° out from the head. FADING The gradual blending of hairlines into the neck area. FLAT 1 Creating corners where the head naturally rounds to create a square shape. FLAT 2 Drying to create the minimum amount of volume. FREEHAND Cutting the hair without the use of club cutting to give a more textured look to the hair design. Colouring techniques can also be applied freehand. FRONTAL BONE The bone that forms the forehead and roof of both eye sockets. A focal point for deciding the best hair shape. GLOSS Denotes the lustre and shine of hair. GRADUATION A technique that builds up weight in hair. The amount of graduation is determined by the use of elevation / tension and can create both internal and external shapes. GROWTH PATTERN The natural direction in which the hair grows. GUIDE LINE The section of the hair from which lines flow in a haircut. The guide line determines the length of subsequent sections. HAIRLINE The boundaries of significant hair growth on the head. HORIZONTAL Used in techniques of line and graduation. Horizontal sections are used to build up more weight in a hair design. INTERNAL The shape within the outline of the haircut. LAYERING Technique used to remove the weight in a cut so that the movement and texture of the hair can be controlled.
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CUTTING TERMINOLOGY
