Haircutting and Hair Shaping
What the exam tests
Haircutting is geometry: section, distribution, elevation, guide, and cutting line. The exam asks you to predict shape and weight from those choices.
Core rules
- A guide is the first cut section; subsequent sections follow it.
- Elevation is the angle at which hair is held away from the head. 0° builds a solid form; 45° graduates; 90° layers; above 90° removes weight and creates longer layers.
- Distribution is how hair falls before cutting; natural fall follows the head shape.
- Blunt cuts create a firm perimeter; texturizing removes bulk without changing length.
- Cross-check by cutting opposite sides and using consistent tension.
Worked example
A stylist wants a soft, rounded bob with volume at the crown. Holding all hair at 0° would create a heavy, solid line. Holding at 90° throughout would remove too much weight. The reasoned choice is a graduated shape: 0° at the perimeter, increasing elevation toward the crown, with a consistent traveling guide. That builds weight at the perimeter and movement above.
Traps
Confusing elevation with distribution; cutting with dull shears; using too much tension on curly hair; and texturizing the perimeter of a fine bob, which creates holes. Also do not assume a guide is always horizontal-vertical and diagonal guides change the result.