Common Hair Salons and Hair Styles Terms
Accent Color - Accent hair color is an intense hair coloring hair salons use for contrast.
Acid Permanent (Acid perm) - Acid perms make permanent hair waves that are softer curls than alkaline perms. Many hair salons and stylists have found acid perms are gentler on hair than other types of permanents.
A-Line Bob Hairstyle - Popular hairstyles, A-Line Bobs are geometric bobs with a straight fringe in the front. They are called A-Line Bobs because the hair stylists arrange for longer pieces of hair pass the ears in the front and create an A shape with the fringe of the bangs.
Alkaline Permanent (Alkaline perm) - Alkaline perms are chemically based permanent waves. These are stronger than acid perms, and they give the hair a tight, firm curl. Most hair salons give alkaline perms, and most home perms are alkaline based.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse - This is a clarifying rinse that detangles hair. Apple cider vinegar rinses are often a part of high-end hair salon treatments.
Asymmetrical Hairstyle - Asymmetrical haircuts that those the hair stylists purposely cut unevenly on both sides.
Baliage Hair Dye - When hairstylists randomly dye sections of hair in a natural pattern of light and dark hair.
Basic Shade Hair Color - Basic shades of hair color are natural hair colors. Often, hair salons use basic hair colors to cover gray hair or as a base for hair highlights and lowlights.
Bob Hairstyle - The classic 1950s and 60s hairstyle, the Bob is a short and straight haircut. Bobbed hairstyles can be blown dry and curled under. Traditionally, Bobs are chin-length or shorter, but any short haircuts ending between the shoulder and the ear are considered Bob hairstyles.
Body - Body is the volume in hair. Most volume is achieved during washing and conditioning, so you should use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to get the most volume and spring from your hair. Good hair stylists can show you how to get the best hairstyles for your hair type.
Botanical Hair Products - Botanical hair products are made from plants and natural ingredients. Origins and The Body Shop are two popular makers of botanical hair products.
Braids - Weaving three or more sections of hair together creates a braided plait. Scalp braiding, known as cornrows, form a base for commercial wefts or hair extensions. Off the scalp braiding is seen in traditional braids, French braids and elegant braided hairstyles.
Brassy - When hair is overprocessed or damaged with chemicals, it can look brassy. Brassy hair is generally an unflattering warm tone that can wash out skin. A good hairstylist will keep your hair color fresh and in the right tone family so that you don't have to worry about brassiness.
Bulb - Each hair follicle has a root, also known as the bulb. Hair bulbs are wider at the base where they connect to the scalp. You can keep hair bulbs healthy through regular scalp massage and careful hair washing and conditioning.
Chignons - Chignons are classic up-dos, or hairstyles, where long hair is twisted and pinned just above the nape of the neck. Many wedding hairstyles are variations of chignons.
Clarifier / Clarifying Shampoos - Clarifying shampoos remove hair products, hard water residue or chlorine from the hair. Clarifying shampoo has a higher pH level and may dry out your hair and scalp if you use clarifiers too often. Hair stylists recommend that if you use a clarifier, you should also use a conditioner every time you wash your hair.
Coarse Hair - Strong, thick hair. There are specific hairstyles that work best with coarse hair, so be sure to talk with hair stylists to find the right shape and haircut for your hair type.
Conditioner - Hair conditioner is a creamy hair additive applied after shampoo. Hair conditioner detangles and moisturizes hair. It is especially important for color treated hair and dry hair to be conditioned, as it keeps the hair from damage and breakage.
Cornrows - A braid woven tight to the scalp. Cornrows can be worn alone or can be used to secure hair extensions or hair weaves.
Couture Cut Hairstyle - Couture cuts are high-fashion haircuts designed specifically for you. Couture cuts are expensive and available only through specialty hair salons and skilled hair stylists. They are designed to fit your wardrobe and personality and to flatter your unique facial structure and hair type.
Cream Rinse - Cream rinse is a thick hair conditioner. It is a combination of wax and chemicals that coat the hair to maintain moisture levels and detangle the hair. Cream rinses should only be used with very dry or coarse hair types and should be used minimally so they don't weigh the hair down.
Crop Hairstyle - Crop hairstyles are very short, with the hair cut close to the head. Because crop hairstyles are a severe haircut, you should talk with a hair stylist to find the best hair style options for you.
Curling Irons - Curling irons are round metal hair styling tools that heat up to curl hair.
Demi Permanent Hair Color - Hair color that is absorbed into the hair. Demi-permanent hair color lasts longer than semi-permanent, but still washes out and fades over time.
Diffusers - Diffusers are tools that clip onto the end of hair dryers. Most hair diffusers are circular in shape with plastic or metal posts that angle out toward the hair. Diffusers spread air flow away from nozzles of hair dryers so the air is diffused gently over a larger area. Diffusers are often used by hair salons for hairstyles with curls or very smooth surfaces.
Double Process Hair Dye - Double process hair color is applied in two steps by the best hair salons. The first part of a double process hair dye is bleach that lightens the hair and the second is the top hair color.
Elasticity - Hair's ability to stretch without breaking. Hair that is healthy and strong has good elasticity. You can improve your hair elasticity with regular deep conditioning treatments.
Fashion Shades - Fashion shades are hair colors that have underlying basic tones with added fashion hair color on top that appears bolder than natural hair colors. Many of the best hair salons offer fashion shades and dramatic hair colors.
Feathering - Feathering, often confused with layering, is a hair cutting method hairstylists use to take straight lines out of the hair. Feathering allows softer edges, and the hairstyles are usually made with feathering razors or the edge of hair cutting scissors.
Fine Hair - Fine hair doesn't mean thin hair or thinning hair, or that there are fewer hair strands. Instead, fine hair is made of thin hair strands that make the hair appear thinner overall. Skilled hair stylists at professional hair salons can find the right hairstyles that make thin hair appear thicker.
Finishing Spray - Finishing spray is a medium hold hairspray that is applied to the top of a finished hairstyle to keep the shape and hold.
Flat Irons / Straightening Irons - A type of curling iron with a flat metal plate instead of a round barrel. Flat irons, also called straightening irons, are run through the hair to straighten curls or waves. A qualified hairstylist can show you how to use a flat iron or straightening iron to get the most out of your hair type and hair style.
Fly-Away Hair - When thin hair is charged by static, it is called fly-away hair. The best way to minimize fly-away hair is to regularly condition your hair.
Freezing Spray - Freezing spray is a firm hairspray with a tight hold. Freezing spray is used to maintain extreme hairstyles and hair that is hard to control.
Fringe Hairstyles - Hair fringes, sometimes known as bangs, are the front section of hair that frames the face. Fringe hairstyles need to be trimmed regularly by good hair stylists at hair salons.
Gel - Hair gel is a jelly-like substance applied to hair to hold it in place.
Generic Hair Products - Generic hair products are identical in composition to trademarked hair products, but are less expensive. Most beauty shops and hair salons carry name brand hair products, but some carry generic versions.
Glossing - Hair glossing is depositing colorwash used by hairstylists that make hair shiny and glossy. Hair glossing adds a slight color effect. Glossing is temporary and must be washed into the hair each time you shampoo.
Gray Hair / Grey Hair - Hair with no pigment is called gray hair. Gray hair is harder to cover with hair dye. It is important to have a qualified hairstylist dye your hair in order to get the right gray hair coverage. Some hair salons and beauty salons specialize in gray hair treatments.
Hair Colors - Any form of hair dyeing that is a chemical pigmentation of the hair follicles. Haircolor can be natural hair color or fashion hair color, and ranges from bleach blonde hair to the darkest black hair.
Hair Extensions - Synthetic hair or natural hair pieces that are temporarily woven into or attached to your natural hair at the roots. Hair extensions add length and volume to hairstyles. Often, ethnic hair salons excel in hair extensions and the best hair styles for hair with extensions.
Hair Salons - Hair salons, also called beauty shops or beauty salons, specialize in haircuts and hair styles. Some hair salons cater to specific hair types or to men or women.
Hair Straighteners - There are two types of hair straighteners, tools such as flat irons use heat to straighten hair and chemical hair straighteners that change the structure of the hair. Hair straightening tools are a temporary way to straighten hair while chemical hair straighteners permanently straighten hair.
Hair Straightening - A technique used to flatten hair by taking the curl out. Hair straightening can be permanent with chemical hair straighteners, or temporary using flat irons or hair straightening tools.
Hair Weaving - The process that attaches synthetic or real hair in the form of hair extensions. Hair weaving is often done by hairdressers using braiding or plaiting.
Hairstyles - Sometimes referred to as hairdos, hairstyles are the style of hair. Hairstyles can be specific haircuts, or can be arrangements of hair, such as braids or hair updos. See a qualified hairstylist to find the best hair color and best hair style for your needs.
Henna Hair Dye - Henna hair dye is a hair treatment made from the leaves and stems of the henna plant. Henna usually coats the hair with a red tint, but clear henna makes hair shiny.
Highlights - Strands of hair bleached lighter than the base color. Hair highlights can be fine, medium or heavy, depending on the hairstyles and hair colors you choose.
Humectants - Humectants are hair treatments that moisturize and condition hair using moisture humectants draw from the air.
Layering Hairstyles - Layering is a hair cut technique used by hair salons and hair stylists to make hair appear thinner or thicker. Layered haircut styles give hair movement and texture and are a very popular haircut style.
Liquid Hair Products - Liquid hair products are hair styling and finishing products that strengthen and rebuild damaged hair. Liquid hair products include volumizing mousse, sculpting wax, hair styling hairspray, leave in hair treatments and hair texturizers.
Lowlights - An opposite hair dye effect of hair highlights, lowlights add darker hair colors to the hair base. Like hair highlights, hair lowlights can be fine, medium or heavy to achieve the hair styles and hair colors you choose.
Natural Hair Products - Many professional styling products are now available as natural hair products. Natural hair styling products are made with natural ingredients instead of synthetic hair additives.
Organic Hair Products - Much the same as natural hair products, organic hair products are made from plants. Organic hair products may also have been created using organic plants grown with no pesticides or chemicals.
Permanent Waves / Perms - Perms were popular 1980s hairstyles. Perms (also called permanents or permanent waves) use chemicals to create long-lasting curls that don't wash out. Perm hairstyles can be achieved using alkaline perm solutions or acid perm solutions. Modern perm hairstyles are much gentler on your hair than traditional perms.
Permanent Hair Color - Permanent hair color is hair dye that won't wash out. The hair color is permanent until your hair grows out and you cut off the remaining colored hair with a haircut. Before choosing a permanent hair dye, talk with a hair stylist at a hair salon to find the best hair colors for you.
Razor Haircuts - Also called razor cuts, razor haircuts are popular hairstyles created when hair stylists at beauty salons use razors to taper the end of the hair. Sometimes razor haircuts appear as layered hairstyles. Razor haircuts require frequent trimming and regular trips to hair salons.
Relaxer - Relaxer hair treatments are chemical processes for permanent hair straightening. The opposite of perms or permanent waves, hair relaxing procedures are long-lasting hair treatment that cannot be reversed until the hair grows out. Relaxers are often used on coarse hair styles and black hair styles, since thick hair strands tend to be most receptive to hair relaxers.
Scrunch Dry - A hairstyling technique. To scrunch dry your hair is to scrunch damp hair with your free hand while using a hairdryer with a diffuser to dry it.
Semi-Permanent Hair Colors - Semi-permanent hair color lasts between six and eight shampoos before it washes out. If you are contemplating a new hair color, semi-permanent hair color can help you decide the best hair color for you.
Single Process Hair Colors - Hair color that can be applied in one step without first using a lightening or bleaching treatment. Home hair dyes are often single process hair colors.
Split Ends - When hair is damaged and the hair shaft splits, the hair is said to have split ends. You cannot repair split ends. The only way to remove split ends is to visit hair salons to trim the hair. To avoid split ends, use moisturizing hair care products and avoid over drying and excessive heat styling.
Temporary Hair Colors - Hair colors that washe out when you shampoo your hair. Temporary hair color comes in fashion colors such as blue, magenta and green as well as natural hair colors. Temporary hair colors are the best hair colors to use for short-term hairstyles that don't require permanent hair coloring.
Texturizers - Hair texturizer is a milder hair treatment than hair relaxers. Texturizers let the hair curl slightly so the hair is more manageable and can be formed into different hairstyles.
Thermal Straightening - Thermal straightening is also called Japanese straightening. Thermal straightening is a hair straightening process that uses chemicals to remove all curl from the hair.
Undercut Hairstyles - Haircuts that use a razor or thinning scissors to remove weight and bulk from underneath the top layer of hair are called undercuts. Undercuts are popular hairstyles for people who have thick hair or very long hair. You cannot tell a hair has been undercut if the haircut was done by a professional beautician.
Virgin Hair / Natural Hair - Virgin hair, also called natural hair, is hair that has not been dyed, straightened, permed or otherwise chemically altered. Virgin hair, or natural hair, is often made into natural hair wigs and human hair weaves.
Wefts - Temporary hair extensions that are glued into your hair are known as wefts. It is best to visit hair salons that specialize in hair extensions if you want wefts added to your hairstyle.
Wigs - Wigs, or hairpieces with caps that fit over the scalp, are a substitute for natural hair. Wigs can be natural hair wigs or synthetic hair wigs. Wigs are most often used as a substitute for hair, but can also be worn as a hair fashion that matches the hair styles, hair colors or haircuts you prefer without the need to change your natural hair.
