Haircutting and Styling
Core concepts
Understand the structures of a haircut: guideline (stationary or travelling), sectioning, elevation/projection, distribution, and cutting angle. Know how these create graduation, layering, and one-length forms. Learn the relationship between elevation and length: low elevation builds weight, high elevation removes weight and creates layers.
Know the tools and their effects: scissors (blunt or point cutting), thinning shears, clippers, razors, and comb techniques. Understand tension and clean sectioning, and why blunt cutting gives a solid line while point cutting softens ends. Know texture effects of slide cutting and notching, and the risks of over-thinning.
Know face shape and bone structure basics for suitability, and how to balance a cut to features. Understand drying and styling: direction of airflow, nozzle use, round brush tension, and the role of heat protection. Know that wet hair stretches and is more fragile, so handle with care.
Traps
Questions often confuse elevation with section size, or claim high elevation creates weight. Another trap is treating thinning shears as a length-control tool when they remove bulk.
Rule of thumb
Elevation controls weight and length: low elevation = weight and length retained; high elevation = layers and weight removed.