Assam ASSEB HS Skill Subject Beauty and Wellness key terms

The broad industry covering salons, spas, barbering, nail studios and grooming services that improve clients' appearance, hygiene and wellbeing, and which offers paid employment in many specialised roles.

A planned sequence of jobs, qualifications and skill upgrades - such as trainee, junior beautician, senior stylist, salon manager or self-employed owner - that a worker follows through the beauty industry.

The accepted rules of honest, respectful conduct in a salon, including fair pricing, informed consent, hygiene compliance, avoiding gossip and putting the client's safety above extra sales.

The duty to keep a client's personal details, health information and treatment records private, sharing them only with the client's permission or where the law requires disclosure.

Any condition, medication or circumstance - such as broken skin, allergy, pregnancy or recent surgery - that makes a treatment unsafe or unwise, so the service must be modified, postponed or refused.

A basic cleaning step that physically removes dirt, oil and many germs from tools and surfaces using soap, detergent or a sanitising wipe, but does not destroy all micro-organisms.

A chemical process that destroys most harmful micro-organisms on tools and work surfaces, usually after cleaning; it kills more than sanitising but may not destroy bacterial spores.

The strongest level of decontamination, using heat, steam or approved chemicals to destroy all micro-organisms including spores; it is required for items that may contact broken skin or blood.

The transfer of germs from a dirty tool, hand, towel or surface to a clean item or to the client, which proper hand washing, tool segregation and disinfection are designed to prevent.

Disposable gloves, apron, mask and sometimes eye protection worn by the professional to block contact with blood, body fluids, chemicals and airborne particles during treatments.

A confidential form holding the client's contact details, allergies, medical conditions, previous treatments, products used and consent signature, reviewed and updated at every visit.

A small amount of colour or product applied to the inner elbow or behind the ear and checked after 24 to 48 hours to detect an allergic reaction before a full treatment.

The skin has three main layers: the epidermis (outer protective layer), the dermis (containing collagen, elastin, nerves and glands) and the subcutaneous layer of fat and connective tissue.

The general classification of a client's skin as normal, dry, oily, combination or sensitive, based on oiliness, pore size, texture and reactivity, which guides product and treatment choice.

The three parts of a hair strand: the cuticle (outer overlapping scales), the cortex (bulk of the fibre holding pigment and strength) and the medulla (soft central core).

The repeating phases of hair growth - anagen (growing), catagen (transitional) and telogen (resting and shedding) - which explain why hair is lost daily and why some treatments need regrowth.

How easily a hair strand absorbs and holds moisture, determined by the tightness of the cuticle; low porosity resists absorption, while high porosity absorbs fast but loses moisture quickly.

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity or alkalinity; hair and skin are mildly acidic at about pH 4.5 to 5.5, and alkaline products raise the cuticle while acidic ones smooth it.

Cleaning the scalp and hair with water and a suitable shampoo, using gentle massage with fingertips, thorough rinsing, and care to keep water and product out of the client's eyes.

Applying a product that smooths the cuticle, restores moisture and reduces tangling after shampooing; it is rinsed out or left in and is matched to hair type and porosity.

The angle at which hair is lifted away from the head before cutting, from zero degrees for a blunt line to 90 degrees or more for layered shapes, which controls the distribution of length.

Using a hand-held dryer with a brush or comb to dry and shape hair; sectioning, tension control and nozzle direction determine volume, smoothness and the finished style.

An oxidising liquid, usually hydrogen peroxide, mixed with permanent or demi-permanent colour to open the cuticle and develop the shade; its strength controls lifting power.

A test on a small section of the client's hair, done before colouring, to check timing, the resulting shade and how the hair reacts to the product.

The structured observation and questioning of a client's skin under good light - checking oiliness, texture, pores, sensitivity and blemishes - to select suitable products and treatments.

The first step of a facial, using a cleanser suited to the skin type to remove makeup, sunscreen, oil and dirt with gentle upward movements, usually followed by toning.

Controlled manual movements on the face and neck - such as effleurage, petrissage and tapping - used to relax muscles, boost circulation and aid product absorption.

A mask applied after massage and left for a set time to hydrate, soothe, absorb oil or tighten the skin, then removed with water or a damp cloth as the instructions direct.

The underlying colour of a foundation - warm (yellow or golden), cool (pink or rosy) or neutral - which should match the client's natural undertone so the base blends with the neck.

Makeup techniques that use light and dark shading, colour correction and concealers to reduce the visible appearance of blemishes, scars, dark circles or facial asymmetry.

A long-wear, photograph-friendly look designed for a wedding, usually with a trial beforehand, matched to the outfit and lighting, and set to survive tears, heat and long hours.

The hard, visible part of the nail made of keratin, resting on the nail bed and protected at its base by the cuticle; its surface is where polish is applied.

The pale half-moon shape visible at the base of the nail plate, formed where new cells are not yet fully hardened; it should not be pushed back or filed.

A hand and nail treatment involving shaping and filing the nails, cuticle care, a hand massage and optional polish, with all tools cleaned and disinfected between clients.

A foot and toenail treatment that includes soaking, filing, cuticle care, removal of hard skin and a foot massage, finished with polish if requested and always following hygiene protocols.

Giving full attention to a client without interrupting, then summarising or asking questions to confirm understanding of what they want, how they feel and what they expect from the service.

Recommending an additional product or service that genuinely suits the client's needs, done after consultation and with honest explanation, never through pressure or misleading claims.

An organised collection of a student's practical work - photographs, records, client feedback and reflections - used to show skills and progress during assessment and job interviews.

An oral examination in which the candidate explains and justifies practical work, product choices, hygiene decisions and theory to an examiner, answering questions on the spot.