Elements of Haircut Design- Part I

By understanding the elements of haircutting design you can cut hair more effectively. Many stylists cut the way they were taught but do not understand how the principles of haircutting design effect their cuts. If you understand how the haircut elements work, you can get better haircut results. Redken training is based off of these same concepts. A lot of these terms will be familiar to you, but applying them to your haircuts will make a difference in the quality.

The first element is shape. Shape allows us to utilize our own designs and creativity or to follow someone's haircut instructions. Think of how many times a client brings you a picture. We look at the haircut and know that we can create it but we may also recognize that it may need to be altered to flatter the client better. To duplicate a shape of the haircut we have to find the points of reference and the changes of direction in the shape. We have to understand why the haircut looks the way it does.

Let's talk about the various aspects of shape.

Point- A point occupies a space and represents a change in direction. A point generally is where you begin a haircut. At what point does the hair begin on the head? That is the hair to grab when you begin to cut. These is where the hair begins.

Line- A continuation of a series of connecting points that move in a specific direction. You can use a straight line in a haircut to create a hard edge. You can use curved lines to create a softer edge in a haircut. You may notice a lot of A-lines have an appearance of a hard, blunt edge. If it had a softer edge you could possibly tailor the cut to a more classic client.

Angle- The joining or intersection of any two separate lines is an angle. It's a change in direction of two lines that intersect.

Shape- In order to create a shape in a haircut, we must enclose an angle. An angle cannot be a shape until it is fully enclosed. We use this a lot when we recreate various haircuts. You have to think about what shape you are creating before you start cutting away.

Head Form- The head form is the first line of the angle. We create the angle when we pick up a piece of hair. Just think of the imaginary line you are creating when you hold the hair for a haircut.

When we talk about the elements of shape in a haircut, we must also talk about the three types of lines. They are horizontal, vertical and diagonal. By creating a horizontal like you will build weight into a shape and create a sense of width. When you use horizontal shapes in a haircut, they are generally symmetrical. Horizontal lines form a 90 degree angle to vertical lines. You could use horizontal lines in a haircut to make a long face appear round.

Vertical lines in a haircut go up and down and reduce weight in the shape. They give an illusion of length and create a flatter silhouette. They form a 90 degree angle to horizontal lines. This line can be used to create a haircut for a client that wants their face to appear slimmer.

Diagonal lines round out the shape. For example, a beveled mirror has the corners cut off to round the appearance. Cutting diagonal lines into a shape gives a haircut a more rounded appearance. Diagonal lines form a 45 degree angle to both horizontal and vertical lines. You can use diagonal lines to help soften a more edgy haircut or to add dimension to a classic cut.

It is important to understand how shapes effect the haircuts you give your clients. By applying different elements of shape, you can achieve different looks and different haircuts. Ultimately, you clients will appreciate your new skill level.

Note: Look for "Elements of Movement- Part 2" Coming soon!

Source:

1. Redken.com