How to Speak Hairstylist: The Terms You Need to Know for Your Best Hair Ever

Undercut (?n-d?r-?k?t): With this scissor technique, the under layer of hair is cut a little shorter than the top layer. It's a way to remove bulk from hair while maintaining length.

Point cutting (po?int kuht-ting): The stylist holds the scissors vertically while snipping "points" into the ends of hair, usually to create texture and movement; aka pointing.

Slithering (sl?th'?r-ing): It has nothing to do with a snake. It's actually a debulking technique that involves gliding open scissors down the length of your hair.

Texturizing (?teksCH??rīz-ing): When your stylist texturizes your hair, she's adding layers through the interior to lighten it up -- or add body.

Dusting (duhs-ting): Instead of telling your stylist that you just need a trim, tell him that you want a dusting. He'll snip just the teeniest bit from your length, making hair appear healthier but not freshly cut.

Choppy (chop-ee): This edgy cut has a lot of short layers that usually vary in length.

Graduation (graj-oo-ey-shuh n): Drop this term when you want a bob or lob that's slightly longer in front, gradually getting shorter toward the nape of your neck.

Fringe (frinj): Stylist speak for bangs or any short layers that frame your face.

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Style

Overdirecting (ō-v?r dih-rekt-ing): When you need a volume boost, your stylist may blow-dry your hair in the opposite direction of your part, and then flip it back once it's dry -- an easy way to get lift.

Piece-y (pees-ee): This is the universal word to describe hair that has lots of separation.

Tousled (tou-zuh ld): If your stylist says she's going to give you a tousled blowout, expect body, texture, and loose waves.

Bevel (bev-uh l): A small bend at the ends of your hair, usually done with a hot tool.

Chignon (shee-nyawn): A French term for a fancy low bun.

Wefts (wefts): That's code for extensions. The strips of faux or real hair are attached to your natural strands to add length or body.

Color

Balayage (balā?y?ZH): This French hair-coloring technique involves hand-painting highlights onto individual strands off the root, rather than using foils or a highlighting cap. The results tend to be more natural because there's no obvious line of demarcation from regrowth.

Babylights (bebi layts): When the goal is a subtle brightening effect, your colorist may highlight baby-fine strands of hair.

Ombre (om-bray): A gradual change of color from root to tip, getting lighter toward ends.

Tipping (tip-ping): Nope, we're not talking money here. This color term refers to dyeing just the ends of your hair with highlights or even a bold or pastel hue.

Glaze (gleyz): A semipermanent (washes out over time) dye is applied to hair for a short period to tweak the tone of your hair (i.e. to make it less brassy).

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