The Geometry Of Haircutting.

I never thought there would be geometry associated with haircuts until I got hooked on those hairdressers who look at "fails" and discuss what they did wrong and how to avoid it.  One of the guys mentioned geometry and haircutting in the same breath so of course my ears perked up. 

In general, geometry plays an important part in cutting hair since many cuts are based on geometric principles.  Take the wedge cut, bob, and bangs for instance. They are based on geometric angles.  In addition, a hairstylist has to know the angle they need to hold the scissors and comb to get the desired result.

Furthermore, a hairdresser has to know how to divide the head into various geometric shapes, as they divide the hair up into sections to cut the hair, dye it, highlight it. They have to know how cut layers so the layers look proper.  They don't want to do what has been advised on Tik-Tok because they will end up with chunks.  If you haven't seen it, the most common method is to either divide the hair into two pigtails which have elastic wrapped around the hair at the point they want to cut it and then they cut it.  This method results in a curved haircut which is shorter by the ears and longer in back with choppy edges.

The other method is to put your hair in a ponytail with the elastic band placed where you want to cut the hair.  Cut it just past the band and it is supposed to produce a layered look.  It sort of ends up that way but its in chunks so it doesn't look particularly great.  Hairstylists learn to cut hair so it doesn't chunk and ends up looking proper.

When hair is cut, stylists may use a beveled cut to accomplish the finished look.  Beveled cuts is a technique that uses diagonal cuts to make the stacked look in hair.  On the other hand,  they might cut hair in a convex line to create the U or V shape of the hairstyle or the concave to create a curved line like an arch. The concave lines are most often used at the back of the head or in bangs, or around the ears. 

The angle they actually use to cut the hair helps define the look of the hair.  If there is no angle or a zero degree angle is used for a one length cut as a horizontal line.  If hair is cut at a 45 degree, it produces a stack or a wedge, which is a triangular cut.  If the hair is cut at a 90 degree angle, its called a universal cut. but the 180 degree cut results in a layered cut.

In addition, math is used to mix the chemicals properly to straighten hair, perm it, bleach it, dye it, or highlight it.  Many hairstylists end up working as independent business people who rent a station in a beauty parlor and they have to figure out what to charge for their services so they can make money while still meeting all their bills.

So as you've seen, geometry plays a large part in cutting hair.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a good day.