MS Barber study materials
MS Barber study resources

MS Barber study plan

MS Barber · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Haircutting, Tapering, and Hairstyling

  • Identify and sketch the four basic haircut structures (solid, graduated, layered, clipper-over-comb) and label the elevation and blade position used for each.

  • Map the seven areas of the head and the reference points used to establish guide lines and balance.

  • Sequence a taper fade step by step: list the guard/blade progression from initial guide through blending to finishing.

  • Practice sectioning, parting, and clipper-hold mechanics on a mannequin across three 45-minute sessions.

Your checkpoint

A one-page haircutting reference sheet linking guard number, blade position, and elevation to each fade step, plus three completed timed mannequin tapers.

Week 2

Haircutting, Tapering, and Hairstyling & Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety Practices

  • Compare shear-over-comb, clipper-over-comb, and freehand techniques and state the safe cutting angle for each.

  • Demonstrate correct tool holds for shears, clippers, razor, and comb, and explain why each grip reduces strain and injury.

  • Classify barbering implements as porous or non-porous and assign the required cleaning and disinfection method to each.

  • Distinguish the categories of EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants and read a label for contact time and dilution.

Your checkpoint

A 25-question self-written quiz on haircutting technique plus infection control, scored at 80% or higher with corrections noted.

Week 3

Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety Practices

  • Sequence the full sanitation cycle for a workstation before, during, and after a service, including handwashing steps.

  • Apply correct mixing, dilution, and contact-time rules for disinfectant solutions and explain how to test and log them.

  • Write out the blood-exposure incident protocol in order, naming the barrier precautions required during shaving services.

  • Inspect a work area and record every safety hazard found (electrical, chemical, slip, ergonomic) with a fix for each.

Your checkpoint

A laminated station sanitation checklist and a written five-step blood-exposure protocol, both verified against a 10-item self-test at 100%.

Week 4

Shaving, Beard Design, and Facial Hair Services

  • Label the facial hair zones and describe how growth pattern and grain direction dictate shaving stroke direction.

  • Sequence a traditional straight-razor shave from client consultation and skin prep through lather, towel, and finishing steps.

  • Name the standard shaving strokes and identify the facial area each stroke is used on.

  • Match pre-shave, lather, and post-shave products to skin type, and list the signs of irritation that require stopping a service.

  • Outline a beard design plan: outline shape, neckline and cheek line placement, and symmetry checks.

Your checkpoint

A labeled 14-step straight-razor shave procedure card plus a live or mannequin demonstration of a full shave with finished beard outline.

Week 5

Hair Coloring and Chemical Texture Services

  • Explain the law of color and sort given shades into primary, secondary, tertiary, and complementary groups.

  • Calculate developer volume, processing time, and resulting level for ten lift-and-deposit scenarios using the 1-10 level system.

  • Differentiate temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent color and lighteners by action, deposit, and lift.

  • Describe the chemical process and pH range for permanent waving and chemical relaxing, and state the required pre-service tests.

Your checkpoint

A completed color formula worksheet with ten practice problems solved, each showing developer choice, ratio, and predicted level result.

Week 6

Hair Coloring and Chemical Texture Services & Scalp, Hair, and Facial Skin Treatments

  • Perform and document patch and strand tests, including timing rules and how to interpret a positive reaction.

  • Sequence the five scalp massage manipulations and state the direction and purpose of each.

  • Analyze hair and scalp conditions and select an appropriate treatment service for each, naming contraindications that block service.

  • Explain the effects and safety rules for high-frequency current, steam, and paraffin treatments on the face and scalp.

Your checkpoint

A treatment recommendation chart matching six scalp or hair conditions to the correct service, product type, and contraindication.

Week 7

Barbering Laws, Rules, and Regulations & Shop Business Practices, Client Services, and Professional Conduct

  • Outline the barber scope of practice, listing services a licensed barber may and may not perform.

  • Summarize your state board rules on licensing, renewal, continuing education, shop sanitation, and record keeping into a single reference.

  • Describe client intake, contraindication screening, and informed consent as required before a chemical or shave service.

  • Apply pricing, retail recommendation ethics, and client-retention practices to three sample client scenarios.

Your checkpoint

A one-page state law and rules summary sheet plus a 15-question law quiz scored at 80% or higher.

Week 8

Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of the Hair and Skin & Haircutting, Tapering, and Hairstyling & Shaving, Beard Design, and Facial Hair Services & Hair Coloring and Chemical Texture Services

  • Label the structures of the skin, hair follicle, and sebaceous and sudoriferous glands and state the function of each.

  • Identify the skull and facial bones and the facial muscles involved in expression and shaving contours.

  • Differentiate the phases of hair growth and classify common hair and skin disorders as treatable-in-shop or refer-to-physician.

  • Complete a full-length timed practice exam under test conditions and log the reason for every missed item.

Your checkpoint

A full-length timed practice exam with a written error log, plus a re-test of any domain scoring below 80%.

Milestones

Week 2: Score 80% or higher on the self-written 25-question haircutting and infection control quiz, and complete three timed mannequin tapers without a sanitation error.

Week 4: Score 80% or higher on a 40-question mixed practice test covering domains 1, 2, and 3, and demonstrate a full straight-razor shave sequence from memory.

Week 6: Score 80% or higher on a 30-question practice test covering domains 4 and 5, and correctly solve all ten color formula problems on the first attempt.

Week 8: Score 75% or higher on the full-length timed practice exam, with no single domain below 70%, and complete the re-test for every weak domain.