Haircut and Styling Glossary

Taking off a small amount of length to remove split ends and keep your shape fresh.

Removing only the very tips of the hair, often just a few millimetres, to tidy split ends while keeping as much length as possible.

Hair cut to one even line with no layers, for a strong, full looking edge.

Hair cut to different lengths to add movement, shape and lightness. Long layers keep length, while short layers create more volume and texture.

A technique that stacks the hair so it builds up shape and fullness, often used at the back of bobs.

Cutting into the ends of the hair with the tips of the scissors, which softens hard lines and adds texture.

Removing bulk and adding movement with thinning scissors, a razor or slicing techniques, especially helpful for thick hair.

A section of hair underneath, often at the nape or sides, cut much shorter than the hair above it.

A fringe parted in the centre that sweeps away to each side, framing the face like curtains.

A fringe cut straight across for a bold, graphic look.

A light, soft fringe with separated pieces, easy to grow out.

Shorter face framing layers on top of longer lengths, creating volume and movement while keeping length.

A textured cut mixing a shaggy, layered crown with longer, wispy ends. It works especially well with natural wave and curl.

A heavily layered, textured cut with lots of movement, often paired with a fringe.

A short, cropped cut that sits close to the head, usually with longer pieces on top.

A blend of a bob and a pixie, longer than a pixie with a soft, textured shape.

A short bob, often around the cheekbones or jawline, usually paired with a fringe and worn with natural texture.

A long bob that sits around the collarbone.

Hair on the back and sides blended gradually from longer to shorter. Fades can start low, mid or high. Read our Skin Fade guide.

A gentler blend that shortens the hair around the neckline and sideburns, keeping more length on the sides.

Sharp, clean edges created around the hairline, temples and beard with trimmers or a razor. You may also hear it called an edge up or shape up.

Numbers that describe how long hair is left after clipping. The lower the number, the shorter the hair.

Drying and styling hair with a hairdryer and brush for smoothness, volume or bounce.

A spray, cream or serum applied before heat styling to help protect the hair from damage.

Ultra sleek, glossy, straight hair with a mirror like shine, created with smoothing products and careful heat styling.

A day between washes when you refresh your style with dry shampoo or a quick touch up instead of washing.

A light spray that adds grip, volume and a lived in, slightly undone finish.