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IN Cosmetology practice questions

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Question 1Infection Control and Safety

Which term describes the process that destroys all microbial life on an object, including bacterial spores?

  1. Decontamination
  2. Sterilization Correct answer.
  3. Sanitizing
  4. Disinfection

Explanation

Sterilization is the highest level of decontamination and destroys all microorganisms, including highly resistant bacterial spores. Disinfection and sanitizing are lower levels that reduce or kill most pathogens but do not guarantee spore destruction. Decontamination is a general term for removing or neutralizing contaminants.

Question 2Infection Control and Safety

Which federal agency registers disinfectants used in salons and reviews the manufacturer's efficacy data?

  1. Environmental Protection Agency Correct answer.
  2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  3. Food and Drug Administration
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Explanation

The EPA registers disinfectants and reviews data showing the product works against the organisms named on its label. Salon products carrying an EPA registration number have met that review. The other agencies have different roles in workplace safety, cosmetics, and public health guidance.

Question 3Infection Control and Safety

A metal comb has just been used on a client and set aside for the next client. What must be done before it is used again?

  1. Rinse it under running water for at least ten seconds
  2. Wipe it dry with a paper towel and store it in a closed drawer until the next client arrives
  3. Wash it with soap and water, then soak it in an EPA-registered disinfectant Correct answer.
  4. Spray it with a room deodorizer and let it air dry

Explanation

Nonporous implements are first cleaned with soap and water to remove visible debris, because soil shields microorganisms from the disinfectant. The clean implement is then completely immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the contact time on the label. Neither wiping, rinsing, nor deodorizing substitutes for this two-step process.

Question 4Infection Control and Safety

Which action should a cosmetologist take immediately before beginning a service on a new client?

  1. Wash hands with soap and warm running water Correct answer.
  2. Wipe hands on the towel used earlier in the day
  3. Apply hand lotion and put on a bracelet
  4. Rinse hands in the disinfectant used for implements

Explanation

Hand washing with soap and warm running water is the single most important step in preventing the spread of infection between clients. Hands should be washed before and after every service, and after removing gloves. Jewelry and lotions interfere with a thorough wash.

Question 5Infection Control and Safety

Which of these items is intended to be discarded after a single use?

  1. A metal tail comb
  2. A disposable nail file Correct answer.
  3. A ceramic mixing bowl
  4. A stainless steel shear

Explanation

Porous items such as nail files, wooden sticks, and cotton swabs absorb fluids and cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected, so they are used once and thrown away. Nonporous metal and ceramic items can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse.

Question 6Infection Control and Safety

Where should a cosmetologist look for first-aid, handling, and storage information about a chemical product used in the salon?

  1. The client's signed service record card kept at the reception desk
  2. The state board's licensing application form
  3. The salon's appointment book for the current week
  4. The Safety Data Sheet supplied by the manufacturer Correct answer.

Explanation

A Safety Data Sheet, required under hazard communication rules, lists a product's hazards, first-aid measures, handling, and storage requirements. It must be kept accessible to employees who use the product. Client records, schedules, and licensing forms contain no hazard information.

Question 7Infection Control and Safety

A label states that a disinfectant requires ten minutes of contact time. A cosmetologist soaks a comb for four minutes. What is the correct assessment?

  1. The comb is disinfected because it was completely submerged in the solution
  2. The comb is sterile because the product carries a hospital-grade claim
  3. The comb needs only rinsing because four minutes kills most organisms
  4. The comb is not disinfected and must be soaked for the full 10 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

A disinfectant only achieves its labeled efficacy when the object stays in contact with it for the full time stated by the manufacturer. Shortening the soak leaves surviving organisms on the implement. The item must be returned to the solution for the complete contact time.

Question 8Infection Control and Safety

During a haircut a client's scalp bleeds and blood contacts the cosmetologist's bare hand, which has a small cut. What should the cosmetologist do?

  1. Apply styptic powder to the client's scalp and then continue the haircut as planned
  2. Finish the service and disinfect the shears afterward
  3. Stop at once, wash the hand with soap and water, and report the incident Correct answer.
  4. Pull gloves on over the blood and complete the haircut

Explanation

Any blood exposure on broken skin is an exposure incident that calls for immediate washing with soap and water, followed by reporting according to the salon's exposure control plan. Delaying the wash increases risk. The incident should be documented and, if indicated, medical follow-up arranged.

Question 9Infection Control and Safety

Universal precautions require cosmetologists to treat blood and certain body fluids from which clients as potentially infectious?

  1. Only clients with visible cuts or lesions
  2. Only clients who are receiving chemical services
  3. Only clients who disclose an infectious disease
  4. All clients, regardless of known health status Correct answer.

Explanation

Universal precautions assume that every client's blood and certain body fluids may carry a bloodborne pathogen, so the same protective measures are used for everyone. Many carriers have no visible signs and may not know their status. Relying on disclosure or visible lesions leaves the cosmetologist unprotected.

Question 10Infection Control and Safety

Which item can be properly sterilized in an autoclave?

  1. A plastic comb that warps when heated
  2. A stainless steel cuticle nipper Correct answer.
  3. A disposable paper nail file
  4. A wooden orange-wood stick

Explanation

An autoclave sterilizes with steam under pressure, so only items that withstand high heat and moisture can be processed in it. Stainless steel instruments meet that requirement. Plastic, wood, and paper items warp, degrade, or burn and are instead disinfected or discarded.

Question 11Infection Control and Safety

A cosmetologist mixes a quaternary ammonium concentrate with extra water beyond the label ratio. What is the most likely result?

  1. The solution turns into a sterilant that irritates skin
  2. The solution becomes more effective because it spreads further
  3. The solution becomes sterile and needs no contact time
  4. The solution is too weak to disinfect properly Correct answer.

Explanation

Disinfectants are formulated to be diluted exactly as directed; adding extra water lowers the active ingredient concentration below the effective level. An over-diluted product may not kill the organisms named on the label even if the contact time is met. Solutions should also be mixed fresh and never stored in unlabeled containers.

Question 12Infection Control and Safety

A cosmetologist develops a painful, fluid-filled blister on the fingertip after contact with a client's cold sore. This is most consistent with which condition?

  1. A bacterial infection spreading from the nail bed
  2. A parasitic infestation of the skin
  3. Herpetic whitlow caused by a virus Correct answer.
  4. A fungal infection of the hand

Explanation

Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus and often follows contact with a cold sore or lesion. It is contagious and must be evaluated medically, and the cosmetologist should not perform services until it has resolved. Gloves and careful hand hygiene reduce the risk of transmission.

Question 13Infection Control and Safety

A client arrives with intense scalp itching and tiny white oval nits firmly attached to the hair shafts. What should the cosmetologist do?

  1. Disinfect the shears afterward and continue the service
  2. Proceed with the service and shampoo twice as long
  3. Postpone the service and refer the client for treatment Correct answer.
  4. Apply a hot oil treatment to loosen the nits

Explanation

Head lice are highly contagious, and a client with live nits or lice should be referred for treatment before service is performed. Shampooing or applying oil does not eliminate the infestation and risks spreading it through the salon. The station should also be cleaned after the client leaves.

Question 14Infection Control and Safety

Which client finding should cause a cosmetologist to decline a manicure and refer the client for medical care?

  1. Thick, discolored, crumbling nails with debris underneath Correct answer.
  2. A fresh coat of polish applied to the toenails at home
  3. Dry cuticles that would benefit from a moisturizing treatment
  4. Short nails with slight vertical ridges and no pain

Explanation

Thick, discolored, crumbling nails with debris suggest a fungal infection that can spread to the cosmetologist's tools and to other clients. Services should be declined and the client referred to a physician. Routine dryness, polish, and mild ridging are normal conditions that do not require referral.

Question 15Infection Control and Safety

What must be done to a whirlpool foot spa between clients?

  1. Rinse the basin with warm water and refill it for the next client
  2. Run the jets for one minute with plain tap water
  3. Wipe out the basin with the towel used during the pedicure
  4. Clean and disinfect the basin and internal parts per the label Correct answer.

Explanation

Whirlpool foot spas harbor biofilm in jets and internal lines, so the basin and circulating parts must be cleaned and then disinfected with a label-approved product after every client. The disinfectant solution is circulated through the system, then drained and the basin dried. Rinsing or running plain water does not remove the biofilm.

Question 16Infection Control and Safety

Which device protects salon clients and staff by shutting off current when electricity contacts water?

  1. A grounding adapter plug
  2. A ground-fault circuit interrupter Correct answer.
  3. A surge suppressor strip
  4. A circuit breaker panel label

Explanation

A ground-fault circuit interrupter senses a small current leak to ground, such as through water or a person, and cuts power almost instantly. It is required in wet locations near sinks and shampoo areas. Surge suppressors, labels, and adapter plugs do not provide this protection.

Question 17Infection Control and Safety

A small fire ignites inside an electrical outlet powering a hood dryer. Which extinguisher classification is appropriate?

  1. Class D, for combustible metals
  2. Class B, for flammable liquids such as polish remover
  3. Class A, for ordinary combustibles such as paper
  4. Class C, for energized electrical equipment Correct answer.

Explanation

Class C extinguishers use nonconductive agents and are rated for fires involving energized electrical equipment. If the power can be shut off safely, that should be done first. Water-based extinguishers must never be used on live electrical fires because of the shock hazard.

Question 18Infection Control and Safety

A manufacturer advertises that a UV cabinet 'sterilizes' implements in five minutes. How should a cosmetologist evaluate this claim?

  1. It is valid because ultraviolet light destroys all spores and viruses
  2. It is unreliable; UV light cannot sterilize tools with any certainty Correct answer.
  3. It is valid if the implements are washed first with soap and water
  4. It is valid if the cabinet bulb was replaced within the past year

Explanation

Ultraviolet light does not penetrate soil, debris, or the shaded joints of an implement, so it cannot be counted on to sterilize. Salon implements must instead be cleaned and then disinfected with an EPA-registered product, or sterilized with an autoclave if they are heat-resistant. A manufacturer's marketing claim does not override these requirements.

Question 19Infection Control and Safety

After cleaning up a blood spill, how should the absorbent materials be handled?

  1. Set them aside in an open bin for the end of day
  2. Rinse them in the sink and reuse them for cleaning
  3. Seal them in a labeled, double-bagged container Correct answer.
  4. Place them in the regular trash can at the front desk

Explanation

Materials soaked with blood are potentially infectious and must be placed in a sealed, labeled, double-bagged container for disposal according to local regulations and the salon's exposure control plan. They must never be rinsed for reuse or left in an open bin. Gloves should be worn during the cleanup.

Question 20Infection Control and Safety

A spray bottle of disinfectant was mixed with tap water three weeks ago and is stored unlabeled under the sink. What is the primary concern?

  1. The solution changes color and stains the salon towels
  2. The solution evaporates and becomes too concentrated
  3. The spray bottle will corrode and leak onto the floor
  4. The solution may lose potency and harbor microbes Correct answer.

Explanation

Disinfectants should be mixed fresh according to the label and kept in a properly labeled container, because over time and with tap water contamination they can lose potency and support microbial growth. An unlabeled bottle also risks misuse or accidental contact. Old, unlabeled solutions should be discarded and replaced.

Question 21Haircutting

Which cutting line is used to build weight and produce a one-length effect?

  1. Horizontal Correct answer.
  2. Vertical
  3. Diagonal
  4. Curved

Explanation

A horizontal cutting line runs parallel to the floor and causes the cut sections to fall on top of one another, stacking weight at the perimeter. This is why horizontal lines are used to build a solid, one-length form. Vertical and diagonal lines remove weight and create movement instead.

Question 22Haircutting

What is the name of the section that runs from the front hairline straight back to the nape along the center of the head?

  1. Pivotal section
  2. Crescent section
  3. Horseshoe section
  4. Mohawk section Correct answer.

Explanation

The Mohawk section follows the center of the head from the front hairline to the nape and is used to divide the head into two working sides. It is a standard reference for balancing a haircut. The other named sections run side to side or around the curvature of the head.

Question 23Haircutting

How should the hair be held when cutting a one-length blunt perimeter?

  1. Heavy tension lifting hair off the head
  2. Light tension on the ends only
  3. No tension, hair at natural fall
  4. Firm, even tension at 90 degrees Correct answer.

Explanation

Blunt cutting requires firm and consistent tension with the hair held at 90 degrees to the head form so the perimeter line stays level. Uneven tension causes the finished line to appear ragged once the hair relaxes. Tension must be identical on every subsection.

Question 24Haircutting

Which part of a pair of haircutting shears serves as the finger rest?

  1. Tang Correct answer.
  2. Tension screw
  3. Pivot
  4. Blade

Explanation

The tang is the extension that projects past the pivot on the finger-bow side of the shears and acts as the finger rest. Resting the little finger there stabilizes the tool and reduces hand fatigue. The pivot and tension screw are part of the cutting mechanism rather than a resting point.

Question 25Haircutting

What is the guideline in a haircut?

  1. The final section used to blend the perimeter
  2. The first cut section that sets the length Correct answer.
  3. The parting that divides the head before cutting
  4. A subsection taken from the crown area

Explanation

The guideline, or guide, is the first section cut and it establishes the length that all following sections are matched to. Every subsequent subsection is measured against it, so an inaccurate guide throws off the entire haircut. Partings and subsections are simply the framework used to reach the guide.

Question 26Haircutting

In haircutting, cross-checking means:

  1. Checking the client's growth pattern before cutting
  2. Cutting against the original direction to verify evenness Correct answer.
  3. Cutting the hair wet and then again when dry
  4. Comparing the left and right sides of the head

Explanation

Cross-checking takes sections in the opposite direction of the original cutting to reveal any unevenness the first pattern may have hidden. Because hair falls differently depending on how it is held, cutting a second time in a perpendicular direction confirms the line is truly balanced. It is a verification step, not a change of length or style.

Question 27Haircutting

Which elevation produces a solid one-length form with the weight line at the perimeter?

  1. 45 degrees
  2. 0 degrees Correct answer.
  3. 180 degrees
  4. 90 degrees

Explanation

At 0-degree elevation the hair is combed straight down into its natural fall and cut, so all lengths meet the same perimeter line. This creates the maximum weight at the bottom edge. Any elevation above zero lifts hair away from the head and begins to remove perimeter weight.

Question 28Haircutting

Cutting every section at 90-degree elevation produces which result?

  1. A solid one-length form with weight at the perimeter
  2. Graduated length that stacks at the nape
  3. Long, disconnected layers with heavy interior weight
  4. Uniform layers that follow the curve of the head Correct answer.

Explanation

At 90 degrees the hair is projected straight out from the head form on every section, so the layers are evenly distributed and the shape rounds over the head. Weight is reduced at the perimeter and the hair moves freely. The result is a uniform layer cut.

Question 29Haircutting

Holding sections at 180-degree elevation while cutting produces:

  1. A solid form with weight below the occipital
  2. A blunt perimeter with stacked weight
  3. Tight graduation at the nape
  4. Long layers with the shortest lengths at the top Correct answer.

Explanation

At 180 degrees the hair is held straight up above the head, so the sections nearest the crown become the shortest and the lengths increase downward. This removes the most weight and creates long, soft layers. It is the highest projection used in layering.

Question 30Haircutting

A traveling guide is used when:

  1. The guide is taken from the opposite side of the head
  2. Each completed section becomes the guide for the next Correct answer.
  3. Each subsection is cut longer than the one before it
  4. A single guide stays in place for the whole haircut

Explanation

With a traveling guide, the section just cut is used as the reference for the adjacent subsection, and the guide moves along with the work. This is standard for uniform layers and longer lengths where the shape must follow the head. A guide that never moves is described as stationary.

Question 31Haircutting

Overdirecting hair to a stationary guide is used mainly to:

  1. Remove bulk from the interior of the cut
  2. Create a blunt, level perimeter line
  3. Build weight or length toward a specific area Correct answer.
  4. Shorten the nape without any elevation

Explanation

Overdirection means holding the hair outside its natural fall position before cutting it against a fixed guide. The strands travel farther to reach the guide, so length and weight accumulate in the area the hair was pulled toward. It is the basis of styles such as a graduated bob with a heavier front.

Question 32Haircutting

Point cutting is performed by:

  1. Cutting into the ends at an angle with the shear tips Correct answer.
  2. Thinning the mid-shaft with a tapering tool
  3. Closing the blades flat across the ends of a section
  4. Sliding opened shears down the length of a section

Explanation

Point cutting inserts the tips of the shears into the ends of a section at an angle and makes small snips. It softens the perimeter and blends weight lines without removing much overall length. The angle of the shear tips determines how much texture is created.

Question 33Haircutting

Which tool removes interior bulk while leaving the overall length largely intact?

  1. Blunt cutting shears
  2. Razor
  3. Clippers with a guard
  4. Thinning shears Correct answer.

Explanation

Thinning shears have one straight blade and one notched blade, so only a portion of the hair in each section is cut. This reduces bulk and weight without noticeably shortening the outer length. The effect depends on how far from the scalp the tool is placed.

Question 34Haircutting

A client has a strong cowlick at the front hairline. The safest cutting approach is to:

  1. Leave extra length at the hairline for the pattern Correct answer.
  2. Cut the area at 180-degree elevation
  3. Thin the cowlick heavily before cutting
  4. Cut the hairline shorter so the pattern lies flat

Explanation

A cowlick is a growth pattern in which the hair emerges at an angle, so it will not lie flat no matter how it is cut. Leaving extra length at the hairline gives the strand enough weight to settle and prevents a gap from appearing. Cutting it short exposes the pattern and creates an uneven line.

Question 35Haircutting

In a clipper fade, the shortest hair is found:

  1. At the hairline and nape Correct answer.
  2. Along the parietal ridge
  3. At the crown
  4. At the front hairline only

Explanation

A fade is built by cutting progressively longer as the clippers move up from the hairline and nape toward the crown. The shortest length therefore sits at the perimeter, and the graduation blends upward into the longer top. Length increases as the elevation rises.

Question 36Haircutting

Which cutting choice best creates the illusion of more density in fine hair?

  1. Graduated layers at 45 degrees throughout
  2. Heavy layering with a razor throughout
  3. A blunt cut at a single length Correct answer.
  4. Thinning the interior for mobility

Explanation

Fine hair looks fuller when all the ends fall at the same level, because each strand contributes to one clean, solid weight line. Blunt cutting keeps maximum weight at the perimeter and makes the hair appear thicker. Layering and thinning spread the ends apart and reduce the visible mass.

Question 37Haircutting

A haircut is cut at 0-degree elevation at the perimeter with the interior layered at 90 degrees. This cut is best described as:

  1. A uniform layer cut with equal distribution throughout
  2. A long-layer cut with a disconnected fringe
  3. A graduated bob with stacked weight at the nape
  4. A combination cut with a solid perimeter and layered interior Correct answer.

Explanation

A combination cut uses more than one elevation or technique in the same haircut. Here the 0-degree sections preserve a solid perimeter while the 90-degree interior sections remove interior weight, giving a full outline with movement inside. The two zones are planned separately but blended together.

Question 38Haircutting

Why does a horizontal cutting line build weight in a haircut?

  1. Because the cut ends stack on top of one another Correct answer.
  2. Because each section is cut shorter than the one beneath it
  3. Because the hair is cut at 90 degrees to the head form
  4. Because gravity pulls the weight line downward over time

Explanation

When sections are cut horizontally, every section falls to the same level, so the cut ends accumulate vertically at that line. That concentration of ends is what the client and stylist perceive as weight. Changing the line to vertical or diagonal spreads the ends out and disperses the weight.

Question 39Haircutting

How does notching differ from point cutting?

  1. Notching always shortens the perimeter line, point cutting never does
  2. Notching is performed with a razor instead of shears
  3. Notching removes more hair and gives a chunkier texture Correct answer.
  4. Notching is done only on wet hair, point cutting only on dry hair

Explanation

Both techniques use the shear tips at the ends, but notching takes deeper, more visible bites out of the section. That removes more hair and creates a distinctly chunky, piecey finish. Point cutting uses shallower angled snips and leaves a softer, more blended edge.

Question 40Haircutting

Why is razor cutting generally avoided on fine or fragile hair?

  1. It forces the hair to be cut at 0-degree elevation
  2. It creates a hard, blunt perimeter line
  3. It removes weight and can make the ends look thinner Correct answer.
  4. It seals the cuticle and reduces natural movement

Explanation

A razor slices along the strand, so it tapers the ends and takes away bulk as it cuts. On fine hair that lost weight is visible and the ends appear sparse; on fragile hair the slicing action can also encourage fraying. Shears are preferred when weight and a solid edge are needed.

Question 41Hair Styling

A client wants a soft, flowing wave rather than a tight curl. Which thermal tool should the stylist choose?

  1. A small-diameter curling iron barrel
  2. A large-diameter curling iron barrel Correct answer.
  3. A triple-barrel waver with close-set barrels
  4. A tapered wand with a narrow tip

Explanation

Barrel diameter controls the size of the finished curl: the larger the barrel, the larger the diameter of the curl and the looser the resulting wave. Small barrels produce tight, defined curls because the hair wraps around a shorter circumference. A tapered or multi-barrel tool creates a different, more textured pattern rather than a soft wave.

Question 42Hair Styling

To produce a smooth, shiny blow-dry finish, in which direction should the dryer nozzle be pointed as the hair passes over the brush?

  1. Up the hair shaft from ends to scalp
  2. Down the hair shaft from scalp to ends Correct answer.
  3. In a circular motion around each section
  4. Perpendicular to the scalp at every stroke

Explanation

Directing the airflow down the shaft from scalp to ends lays the cuticle scales flat, which reflects light and creates shine while reducing frizz. Working against the natural fall of the cuticle lifts the scales and roughens the surface. Consistent downward airflow also helps the section hold its shape as it cools.

Question 43Hair Styling

In a wet roller set, which roller diameter produces the tightest curl?

  1. Large
  2. Small Correct answer.
  3. Extra-large
  4. Jumbo

Explanation

The diameter of the roller determines the diameter of the curl: the smaller the roller, the tighter the resulting curl. Large and jumbo rollers bend the hair around a wide circumference, giving body and a loose wave rather than a firm curl.

Question 44Hair Styling

In pin curling, the width of the base controls which characteristic of the finished curl?

  1. The holding strength of the finishing spray
  2. The volume and support of the finished curl Correct answer.
  3. The amount of shine the finished curl reflects
  4. The direction in which the finished curl travels

Explanation

The base is the section of hair the curl sits on, and its width governs how much volume and support the curl provides at the scalp. The stem, not the base, controls the direction the curl travels. A wider base gives stronger support and more volume; a narrower base gives a flatter result.

Question 45Hair Styling

Which statement best describes hair pressing?

  1. A chemical relaxer that is applied with a comb
  2. A method of fusing extension strands with heat
  3. A temporary straightening with a heated comb Correct answer.
  4. A permanent service that breaks disulfide bonds in the hair

Explanation

Pressing is a temporary thermal service in which a heated pressing comb or iron smooths curly hair until the next shampoo or exposure to moisture. Because no chemical bonds are broken, the hair returns to its natural texture. Chemical relaxing and thermal reconditioning are separate, longer-lasting services.

Question 46Hair Styling

Which comb is the best choice for detangling wet, curly hair with minimal breakage?

  1. A wide-toothed comb Correct answer.
  2. A metal styling comb with close-set teeth
  3. A fine-toothed cutting comb
  4. A small teasing brush

Explanation

Wet hair is at its most fragile, so a comb with widely spaced teeth glides through tangles with less pulling and fewer snapped strands. Close-set teeth catch on the overlapping curl pattern and force the hair to break. Detangling should also start at the ends and work upward.

Question 47Hair Styling

What is the primary function of a concentrator nozzle on a blow dryer?

  1. It adds moisture to the hair during drying
  2. It cools the airflow so the style sets faster
  3. It directs airflow to a focused area to smooth the hair Correct answer.
  4. It spreads the airflow over a wide area to reduce frizz

Explanation

A concentrator narrows the airflow so it hits one section at a time, which lets the stylist control the direction of the air and smooth the cuticle. Spread-out airflow is the job of a diffuser, not a concentrator. Focused airflow also speeds up the setting of each section.

Question 48Hair Styling

A client with naturally curly hair wants a frizz-free curly blow-dry. Which attachment and technique should the stylist use?

  1. A concentrator nozzle aimed at the roots with high heat
  2. A flat iron passed over each section after drying
  3. A round brush and high heat while pulling the section taut
  4. A diffuser on low speed and low heat, cupping the curls Correct answer.

Explanation

A diffuser disperses the airflow so the curl pattern is not blown apart, and low speed with low heat minimizes frizz and mechanical disturbance. Cupping the curls in the diffuser bowl supports the pattern as it dries. Concentrators, round brushes and flat irons are used to smooth hair straight.

Question 49Hair Styling

In what condition should the hair be when it is rolled for a wet set?

  1. Completely dry and brushed smooth
  2. Soaking wet and dripping
  3. Damp, about 80 percent dry Correct answer.
  4. Coated with a heavy oil or pomade

Explanation

A wet set works because water allows the hair to be stretched around the roller and then dried into that shape. Hair that is too wet saturates the set and lengthens drying time, while bone-dry hair will not mold into a smooth curl. Damp, towel-blotted hair gives the best control and tension.

Question 50Hair Styling

Which pin curl creates a firm, close-to-the-head curl with the least movement?

  1. A half-stem curl
  2. A stand-up curl
  3. A full-stem curl
  4. A no-stem curl Correct answer.

Explanation

A no-stem curl is formed with the base and the circle in the same place, so there is no stem and the finished curl sits close to the scalp with strong definition and little mobility. Adding stem length increases movement and volume. Stand-up curls use a full stem and stand away from the head.