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Cosmetology · Haircutting Principles

What is a 'guideline' (guide) in haircutting?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

The first section cut that establishes the length, which subsequent sections are matched to

  1. A The first section cut that establishes the length, which subsequent sections are matched to
  2. B A safety rule
  3. C A type of comb
  4. D The client's instructions

Why this is the answer

A guideline (or guide) is the section of hair cut first that establishes the length and shape; subsequent sections are combed to and matched against this guide so the cut is even and consistent. Guides can be stationary (all hair brought to one fixed line) or traveling/mobile (the guide moves as you work, common in layered cuts). Working from a guideline keeps a haircut controlled and balanced. Understanding what a guideline is and how it controls a cut is core haircutting theory.
Source: Hair Care — Guideline

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About this topic: Haircutting Principles

Haircutting principles cover the fundamentals: sections, elevation, over-direction, guidelines, cutting lines and the four basic cuts (blunt, graduated, layered, long-layered). Expect questions on which elevation produces which result. This is one of 10 Hair Care questions on haircutting principles, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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