Hair Care and Hair Styling Services
This domain tests shampooing, conditioning, cutting, styling and basic colouring. Questions link product chemistry and technique to the result, and test whether you can sequence a service safely.
Shampooing and conditioning
Shampoo relies on surfactants - usually an anionic primary with an amphoteric secondary - plus conditioning agents and preservatives. A pH near 4.5–5.5 suits hair and scalp; water at about 37–40°C. Condition after shampoo on mid-lengths and ends; keep heavy conditioner off an oily scalp. Match protein conditioners to damaged hair and moisturising conditioners to dryness.
Cutting and styling
Section with clean partings, control tension and elevation, and check balance against the head shape. Blunt cutting gives weight; point cutting softens. Blow-dry with tension and direction, finish with a cool shot, and use thermal protection before irons.
Basic colouring
- Temporary colour coats the cuticle; semi-permanent deposits without lift; permanent colour uses an oxidative dye with developer.
- Developer volumes: 10 vol = 3%, 20 vol = 6%, 30 vol = 9%, 40 vol = 12%.
- Patch test 48 hours before every colour service; strand test for resistant or previously lightened hair.
- Neutralise on the colour wheel: violet against yellow, blue against orange, green against red.
Worked example
A client's lightened ends look yellow and she wants 'ash'. Reasoning: ash is blue-violet based, and violet neutralises yellow. Use a low-volume toner (10 vol) for 10–20 minutes, check visually, then rinse and condition. Do not use 30 or 40 vol, because no lift is needed and damage would increase.
Traps that cost marks
- Overlapping permanent colour on already lightened hair.
- Skipping the patch test because the client 'used it before'.
- Applying 40 vol directly on the scalp.
- Lightening several levels in one session without assessing condition.