HAIRDRESSING LINGO TO BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR STYLIST

GLOSSARY..

At Sophie Butler Hairdressing, we understand that not everyone feels completely at ease when it comes to discussing their desired looks with their hairdresser. It can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're unsure about how to articulate exactly what you want.

We believe that every client is unique, and that means each hair consultation should be tailored to your individual needs. Whether you're naturally confident or feel a bit uncertain, our goal is to make you feel comfortable throughout the entire process.

For those of you who struggle to put your hair vision into words, we've got you covered. We've curated a handy glossary of key hairdressing terms to help bridge the communication gap between you and your stylist. This glossary will empower you to express your vision with clarity and confidence.

CUTTING..

Don’t Talk In Inches: Instead of relying solely on words, you can use your body as a reference guide during the consultation. When discussing the desired length, try indicating specific points on your body, such as the collarbone or chin. This visual reference allows your stylist to have a clear understanding of your expectations and helps avoid any surprises or concerns when you see a pile of hair on the salon floor.

Layering: Layers are popular cutting technique but their actual purpose are to reduce weight in thick hair, or add movement and body to fine hair.

Long Layers: Layers that tend to be placed towards the bottom of the hair.

Face-Framing Layers: A cutting technique that includes blending different hair lengths around your face, by connecting the shortest layer to your length. To ensure you get the perfect length layers you desire, start by informing your stylist about the desired length of your shortest layer. This helps them create the right balance and framing for your facial features.

Feathering: A cutting method to remove volume from thick hair, allowing the ends to be light and flick either in or out, rather than one blunt shape all round.

Graduation: A type of layering mostly used on bob length hair. The hair is cut shorter at the back and progressively gets longer towards the front.

Blunt/One-Length Cut: The perfect look for people with fine hair to create the illusion of density and volume. Every strand of hair will fall to the same length.

Choppy: When you want more texture in your hair, choppy is your answer. Choppy is usually used on styles that are shoulder length or shorter, and also on fringes.

Lob: The lob is a slightly longer version of bob, where the length sits just above your shoulders. It's a popular style because it gives you a striking look without having to commit to having short or long hair.

COLOURING..

Ashy tones: Ashy refers to a cool hair colour. Cool tones include purples and blues and often have a pastel-like quality. It can be applied to tone down hair that is too brassy/warm. Purple/Blue colour counteract Yellow/Orange tones. Combat slight warm tones by using a purple shampoo such as SP Luxeblonde Silver Shampoo. If the brassiness is severe request cool colours and a purple toner when you’re next in the salon chair.

Warm tones: On the other side of spectrum to Ash tones, are your warm tones which have increasingly become popular. With tones such as Vanilla or Caramel, we can use toners to achieve the optimal tone for your desired look!

“Tint doesn’t lift tint”: A phrase lots of hairdressers will use to try explain to their clients that have wanted to go lighter over summer but don’t want to use bleach. If you have previously coloured your hair it is pretty much impossible without bleach! A good colourist will know your limit and provide you with a hair care programme to keep your hue in tip top condition.

Toner: A form of hair colour, used usually following the application of bleach or a lightening service to give the hair a tone.

Bleach: Bleach, for hair, works by raising the hair cuticle, going into the hair and dispersing color molecules, which lightens the hair. If done correctly, it shouldn’t cause too much damage.

Half-Head Hights: An efficient method for lightening the hair without booking a full head of highlights, this appointment will tend to cover the top, sides and crown of your head. This is generally a shorter appointment.

T-Section: A form of highlighting. Less hair highlighted than a half head of highlights, a t-section will address the roots/regrowth over your parting and the perimeter of your face.

Highlights/Lowlights: After a bit of extra light in your hair or want to restore dull, one tone hair? highlighting and lowlighting can help add depth, texture and compliment your look. The technique result can differ from bold, chunky sections or subtle, natural finish.

Balayage: A technique for highlighting hair in which the dye is painted on in such a way as to create a graduated, natural-looking colour.

Baby-lights: Similar to highlights, baby lights is a lightening process in which fine pieces of hair are lightened for a subtle and natural lift to the hair that is similar to natural sun-kissed hair.

Colour Correction: A process of removing or blending unwanted colour results from a previous appointment. The service may have to be repeated over a few appointment to achieve the desired look. This technique should never be tried at home!

Dimension: Adding different tones and shades to your hair to prevent the hair from looking full or flat.

Demi-Permanent: A type of hair colour. It sits between semi-permanent and permanent. It’s neither one nor the other. Demi-permanent colour lasts longer than semi-permanent colour but not for the lifespan of a permanent colour. This is traditionally for blending grey, toners, refreshing colour or for use on damaged hair.

Semi-Permanent: A mild form of hair colour. Traditionally ‘create colours’ are semi-permanent and less damaging to the hair. These have a much shorter lifespan than permanent colours.

STYLING..

Rough/blast dry: Blowing out your hair to a smooth finish takes time, but rough drying means blow drying your hair juuust enough to get the water out — and styling it with your hands, rather than a brush. This can be carried out in salon after a colour service.

Scrunch dry: Once you've cleansed your hair and removed any excess water, flip your head upside down and gather sections of hair in your hands, then scrunch it to accentuate any natural curl. It's best to do this when your hair is about 50 percent dry — and spritz on a sea salt spray beforehand.

Beach waves: Hair that is wavy with a windblown, tousled look, often created by applying a texturising spray and then curled with a curling iron from the mid-lengths down.

Keratin: A type of naturally occurring protein found in your hair, skin and nails. To ensure healthy hair, keratin is a necessary component.

Lipid Layer: Once your hair has grown out of its roots, it cannot repair itself — and that's why the lipid layer is so important. The lipid layer of the hair helps protect and preserve the strand, specifically to guard it from blow drying, brushing, and the overuse of products. We recommend the product Lipid booster to protect your hair.

Serum: A type of liquid to help dry hair. It offers a shine finish and it’s great for styling.