BM Coiffure common mistakes
BM Coiffure · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Applying colour or lightener without first doing a patch test and a strand test, then proceeding as if the result were predictable.
Candidates rush to finish the practical within the time limit and treat allergy and porosity testing as optional paperwork rather than a required step before chemical service.
What to do instead
Build a fixed pre-service checklist into every chemical task: patch test 48 hours ahead where required, strand test on the day, and record both results on the client card before mixing anything.
Assessing scalp and hair condition only visually, skipping palpation and questioning about itching, flaking, lesions or recent chemical history.
The diagnosis section feels subjective, so candidates default to what they can see and skip the tactile and verbal parts of the consultation.
What to do instead
Practise a scripted diagnosis sequence: observe, palpate the scalp in sections, then ask three fixed questions (sensitivity, recent treatments, medication). Write findings down before recommending a service.
Mixing developer and colour or lightener in the wrong ratio or choosing an inappropriate volume for the target lift.
Candidates memorise brand names but not the underlying ratio and lift logic, and under exam pressure they eyeball quantities instead of measuring.
What to do instead
Learn the ratio rules per product family and the lift-per-volume relationship as principles, then drill with a measuring scale so correct proportions become automatic.
Failing to sanitise tools and station between clients, or reusing contaminated implements after a scalp or skin contact.
Disinfection steps are invisible in the final result, so candidates deprioritise them when time is short and skip the between-client routine.
What to do instead
Rehearse a timed turnover routine: dispose of single-use items, place metal tools in disinfectant, wipe the station, wash hands. Run it until it takes under the target minutes without prompting.
Shampooing with nails or excessive friction and using water that is too hot, irritating the scalp.
Candidates equate a vigorous scrub with a thorough clean and use hot water for comfort, not realising both damage the scalp barrier.
What to do instead
Practise the massage with fingertips only in slow circular movements and check water temperature on the inner wrist before wetting the hair. Have an assessor observe hand position.
Sectioning hair unevenly or taking inconsistent subsection sizes during cutting, producing an unbalanced result.
Candidates focus on the scissors technique and treat sectioning as a formality, so subsections drift in width as they work.
What to do instead
Establish a centre part and horizontal guide lines first, then use comb teeth as a gauge for subsection width. Check symmetry against the mirror at each stage before cutting further.
Giving neutral or vague advice at consultation instead of asking about lifestyle, styling habits and maintenance willingness.
Candidates treat consultation as a description of the requested look rather than a two-way needs analysis, and fear seeming intrusive.
What to do instead
Use open questions about daily routine, time available for styling and past disappointments, then summarise the agreed plan back to the client and confirm it before starting.
Over-processing during perming or relaxing: leaving product on too long or failing to monitor curl development.
Candidates follow the clock on the packet rather than the hair's actual response, and hesitate to check development mid-process.
What to do instead
Test curl or straightening development at short intervals from the earliest recommended time and stop when the target is reached, not when the timer ends. Log timings per hair type.
Recommending or applying a treatment without matching it to the diagnosed porosity, elasticity or scalp condition.
Candidates pick the product they know best rather than the one the diagnosis calls for, and skip the reasoning step linking condition to product.
What to do instead
Practise writing a one-line justification for each treatment choice (condition found, product selected, expected effect) so the reasoning is explicit and defensible.
Breaching professional conduct in the salon scenario: discussing a client's information, giving medical or diagnostic opinions outside scope, or failing to record consent.
Candidates answer conduct questions from gut instinct and underestimate how often scope-of-practice and confidentiality appear in scenario items.
What to do instead
Learn the boundaries explicitly: refer suspected skin or scalp disease to a medical professional, keep client records confidential, and document consent for every chemical service. Rehearse these in scenario form.