AY Honors/Barbering and Hairstyling/Answer Key

1. Spend a minimum of five hours observing a licensed master barber/hairstylist while at work.

Start by asking permission to job shadow a barber or hairstylist for the day or a couple hours over several days.

During this exercise you should be able to learn the answers to the other requirements and demonstrate the required skills. Most barbers and hairstylists like to talk and will be happy to explain what they do and how they do it.

This honor will not make you into a barber or hairstylist (that takes weeks or months of school) but you should learn about the tools of the trade and gain an appreciation for this technical occupation that helps us all stay looking well groomed.

2. Name three essentials in the care of hair.

1. . Washing
2. . Combing or Brushing
3. . Regular cut or trim

3. Demonstrate the ability to give a shampoo correctly.

You will probably want to bring a friend/victim for this exercise. Perhaps another Pathfinder working on the honor so you can shampoo each other. The barber can judge the correctness of the shampoo job.

4. Be able to explain and demonstrate at least two methods of cutting hair.

You should not need to actually give a full haircut, although you may feel confident to give a simple cut as a beginner. Bring your own volunteers.

5. Explain and demonstrate the purpose of at least two different kinds of combs used in cutting hair.

A comb is a toothed device used for styling, cleaning and managing hair and scalp. Combs are among the oldest tools found by archaeologists, having been discovered in very refined forms from settlements dating back to 5,000 years ago in Persia.

There are many types of hair combs on the market today.

• Wide tooth combs are best for getting out tangles.
• Fine tooth combs help get the hairs all in place. You may wish to begin with a wide tooth and then finish up with the fine tooth model.
• Rat Tail Comb - You might think that the rat tail is simply a comb with a handle, but the tail is actually designed to help get parts straight. Use the handle portion of the “rat tail” to run across the area you wish to part.
• A Pin Tail comb allows for precise parting. It is also a good tool for men straightening their hair with a flat iron because it can work with one particular section without leaving stray hairs. It also keeps you from accidentally poking your scalp. The pin tail comb allows for precision work, such as adding a streak of color.

Barber Combs allow the barber to cut and trim without getting too close to the head, kind of like the guards on an electric clipper. Barber combs are tapered to provide a lot of different options.

• The Rake comb resembles a garden rake. It is very good for untangling long hair.
• Teasing Comb are used to add some texture and body. The teasing comb is used by taking a strand of hairs and holding them straight up. Run the teasing tool from six to ten times through the hairs. Do this with as many strands as you like. You should have a fairly long hairstyle for this to be most effective.

Condensed from coolmenshair.com/2012/04/types-of-hair-combs.html this site where you can find photos.

8. Write 500 words on what you learned during your apprenticeship.

This short report should cover the required knowledge in the honor and other things you learned. What is it like to be in hair care? What did you learn from the person you job shadowed?