Haircutting and Clipper Work
Haircutting and Clipper Work
This domain tests sectioning, elevation, distribution, and guide lines, plus safe clipper and shear technique.
Core rules
- Sectioning controls the hair; elevation is the angle at which hair is held; distribution is the direction relative to the head; guide lines establish length.
- Blunt cuts use zero elevation and low tension; graduated cuts build weight; layered cuts remove weight; uniform layers maintain consistent length.
- Clipper work: keep blades clean, oiled, and aligned; use guards for uniform length; blend with clipper-over-comb or shear-over-comb.
- Cut with the head shape in mind; check the cut from front, side, and back.
- Curly hair should be cut dry or with care; cutting wet curly hair can shrink and look uneven.
Worked example
For a low taper fade, set a guideline at the nape with a #1 guard, work upward with progressively longer guards, then blend the transition with clipper-over-comb. Check both sides against the client's ears and hairline; a fade is balanced when the transition line is not visible.
Traps
Cutting wet hair with clippers because hair shrinks as it dries; using dull shears that push hair; skipping cross-checking; and overtapering one side.