Find a Stylist Who Knows About Tension

Your stylist should use the correct tension when cutting your hair. Some stylists pull all clients’ hair very taut or hold it very loosely while cutting. But one size doesn’t fit all. Adjusting the tension based on hair texture, for fine, coarse, straight or curly, is important to get a truly even cut. It is also important that you stylist uses the same tension all through your cut. If she doesn’t do this you will end up with an uneven cut that is choppy and looks bad.

A basic haircut starts with your stylist dividing your hair into sections. Normally you will end up with a section above each ear, one on your crown and depending on the length and thickness of your hair you may end up with two or more sections in the back. Properly sectioning your hair allows your stylist to see and access all parts of your hair and ensures an even cut throughout.

Once your hair is sectioned out, your stylist will begin at the hairline on the nape of your neck. She may have you look down to be sure that you hair falls evenly over your collar. This cut is called the baseline cut. It determines the length of your hair and the basic shape of your cut. Once the baseline cut is done, she will start to take small sections of hair from the back working her way up your head until she reaches the crown.

If you are receiving a layer cut, your stylist will pull the sections of your hair out and hold them in a vertical position. The tension she uses will depend on your hair’s natural texture and wave pattern. Straight hair requires a greater tension than curly or wavy hair. Some stylists work their way from one side of your head to the other, while others start in the middle and work their way out. Either method requires your stylist to pick up a small bit of the section of the hair she just cut and keep the tension even to be sure that all sections end up the same length.

Once she is done with the back of your head, she will move on to either side of your head. Once again if she is giving your a layer cut, she will repeat the same method she used on the back of your head being sure to keep the tension even. Depending on the style you have chosen, she will shape your hair and blend it into the back. Now she will move to the crown and front hairline. This is where the tension of the cut is the most important. If the tension becomes too loose or too tight it will not blend properly.

Using the correct tension while cutting hair is important as you can see. Your stylist should have the skill and experience to do this correctly. Always go to a stylist who can cut a variety of hair types and textures. This will ensure that you will get the cut you want and leave feeling satisfied and happy with the way you look.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.