Thinning:

Use either the blending or thinning shears as your primarytools to thin hair. To lightly soften the edges of the hair, place the thinning shears over the section to be cut and move the shears back and forth over the section until the length is removed.

Texturizing Techniques

Point Cutting

To point cut, use the points of the standard scissors as to cut a v shape into the hair. Point cutting not only removes length, it also creates softness in the perimeter line by releasing weight and creating an uneven finish to hair ends.

Chipping

This technique is performed with a standard scissors. You use the scissors blades to cut into the perimeter from the outside inward.

Use this technique to create open spaces in the weight ofthe perimeter, producing a soft to wispy effect.

Slide Cutting

This technique is performed with a standard scissors. Run the scissors blades down the hair shaft toward the end withthe blade closing slightly. Use this technique throughout the haircut to create

separation, reduce bulk, and soften the cut.

Slithering

This technique is performed with a standard scissors. Use the scissors blades in a back-combing motion with the bladeclosing slightly.

Use this technique throughout the haircut to create separation, reduce bulk, and soften the cut.

Twisting

1. Take a 1" square section of hair and twist it.

2. Place the open blade of the standard scissors at the bottom of the twisted hair.

3. Slide the blade through the strand, opening and closing the scissors slightly.

4. When you reach the end of the section and want to remove length, close the scissors as you slide through theends.

5. Release the twist and comb the hair down.

You will find a variation of lengths within the twisted section. This variation gives the hair volume and movement, without thinning the hair too much.

Channeling.

1. Starting at the first section where you want to reduce weight, place the stationary blade of a standard scissors against the head.

2. Slide the scissors diagonally across the section until you reach the end of that section.

3. Comb the area where the hair has been cut.

4. Check to see if you have removed enough weight.

Razor Tapering

This technique is performed with a straight razor. Use a lighttouch to produce a softness at the ends of the hair. Or, to create a dramatic effect in the interior of the hair, cut at a 45° angle to the hair strand.Use extreme caution when using the razor on extremely

curly hair. It can be difficult to judge the tension when curly hair is wet. Don’t use a razor on bleached hair because it can cause the hair strands to stretch and break.

Back-Slashing

1. Create a circular section on the top of the head, encompassing the crown, and let the rest of the hair fall away.

2. Pick up a subsection of the circular section and strongly back-comb it. This hair should stand off the top of the head on its own.

3. Place an open blade of the scissors into the back-combedsubsection and slide it up toward the ends.

4. Repeat 2 more times.