Haircutting Vocabulary #1

Section of hair, located either at the perimeter or the interior of the cut, that determines the length the hair will be cut. Usually the first section that is cut to create a shape.

• graduation

• elevation

• distribution

• guideline

Elevation occurs when a section is lifted above 0 degrees.

• growth pattern

• graduation

• distribution

• angle

Haircutting technique used to release weight from the subsection, allowing the hair to move more freely.

• free-hand notching

• clipper-over-comb

• free-hand slicing

• carving

Points on the head that signal a change in the shape of the head, from flat to round or vice versa.

• crown

• four corners

• apex

• growth pattern

Also known as projection or lifting; angle or degree at which a subsection of hair is held, or lifted, from the head when cutting.

• angle

• beveling

• distribution

• elevation

Angle at which the fingers are held when cutting, and, ultimately, the line that is cut; also

known as finger angle, finger position, cutting position, or cutting angle.

• beveling

• cutting line

• cross-checking

• angle

Parting the haircut in the opposite way from which you cut it in order to check for precision of line and shape.

• clipper-over-comb

• cutting line

• cross-checking

• graduation

Highest point on the top of the head.

• angle

• four corners

• crown

• apex

Haircutting technique done by placing the still blade into the hair and resting it on the scalp, and then moving the shears through the hair while opening and partially closing the shears.

• beveling

• carving

• free-hand slicing

• free-hand notching

Method of manufacturing shears; a metal-forming process whereby molten steel is poured into a mold and, once the metal is cooled, takes on the shape of the mold.

• forged

• cast

• beveling

• graduation