Haircutting, Shaving, and Beard Design
Core techniques
This domain covers sectioning, elevation, distribution, and the tools that shape them. Know the four basic cuts: blunt (zero elevation, solid line), graduated (stacked elevation), layered (elevation above zero to remove weight), and uniform (same length throughout). For shaving and beard design, know the grain of the beard, the correct angle of the razor, and how to stretch skin to avoid nicks. Understand shear over comb, clipper-over-comb, and freehand clipper work, plus the difference between a fade and a taper.
Traps to expect
Questions swap elevation terms. Remember: zero elevation = blunt/solid; graduated builds weight; layered removes weight. In shaving, the trap is direction: shave with the grain to reduce irritation, and hold the razor at a shallow angle. Another trap is confusing a taper (shortens at the neckline and sideburns) with a fade (blends to the skin).
Rule of thumb
"Elevation controls weight." The higher the elevation, the more weight you remove. For shaving, "stretch, glide, and go with the grain."
Worked example
A client wants a heavy, solid perimeter with no visible layering. That calls for zero elevation and a blunt cut, keeping all hair at one length along the perimeter. Choosing layered elevation would remove the weight the client asked to keep.