Hairstyling Hairstyle Terms Definitions

       Bangs - The part of the hair cut and styled to hang on the forehead. It is also
referred to as fringe. The bangs can be cut in a variety of styles and can be textured in
many ways as well.

       Bob - The bob cut refers to any haircut that ends in a blunt line. Typically, a bob
cut is shorter in length - between earlobe and chin length. It is a classic style
(originating in the 1920s) that has many variations. The bob hairstyle may be angled in
any direction, and may or may not include bangs. Its defining feature is the clear clean
line at the ends of the hair.

       Cutting Line - The term cutting line refers to the actual line along which the ends of
the hair are cut. A vertical cutting line creates layers. The angle of the cutting line
determines how close the layers look in the finished haircut.

       Devilock - The devilock haircut features short hair in the back and sides of the
head with long hair in the front. This style can include very short tapered hair on the
sides and back or slightly longer layered cutting, but will always be longer in the front.

       Fringe Area - The fringe area is often referred to as the bangs. It is the area at
the front of the head above the forehead. The fringe area usually extends no further
than the outer corners of the eyes.

       Mullet - A hairstyle originating and made popular in the early 1980s, the mullet is
a hairstyle where the hair on the top and sides of the head is cut in short layers and the
back is left long. The transition from short to long can be smoothly blended or very
clearly defined. The lengths of the different areas can vary greatly, but will always clearly
be longer in the back than on the top and sides.

       Occipital Bone - The occipital bone is the part of the skull where the neck joins the
skull. It can be felt by placing your hand at the back of the head and feeling the
joining point between the skull and neck. See also Anatomy of the Head.

       Parietal Ridge - The parietal ridge is the area of the skull where the bones of the
head begin to curve toward the top. It is also the point at which completely straight hair
begins to fall in a completely vertical direction. See also Anatomy of the Head.

       Part - The part is the point at which a hairstyle is divided and, generally, the hair
moves in different directions. Most heads will have a natural part that is found by
brushing the hair straight back from the face and allowing it to fall naturally.

       Pixie Cut - The term pixie cut refers to a variety of short layered haircuts. It is also
referred to as an 'elfin' cut. The pixie style is cut over the ears and may include wispy
bangs. It also may or may not have longer hair on the top of the head. The defining
feature of a pixie cut is close-cropped layers that frame the face and lie close on the
sides and back of the head. The style originated in the sixties with models like Twiggy,
and actresses like Mia Farrow in 'Rosemary's Baby'. Stylist Vidal Sassoon is credited with
popularizing the style in its early variations.

       Page Boy - A page boy haircut is a typically shoulder-length or slightly shorter in
back and on the sides. The style typically includes bangs on the forehead, is cut below
the ears, and may include some layers, but only enough to ensure a clean simple style.

       Purdey (Purdy) - A hairstyle made popular by actress Joanna Lumley in British
televisions', 'The New Avengers'. The Purdey (Purdy) hairstyle is a blunt cut, almost bowl
shaped, with a cut line that angles along the sides to the nape of the neck. The cut
line of the style is slightly tapered to curve inward toward the head and give a smooth
look to the finished style. It is also sometimes referred to as a Mop-top.

Hairstyle & Hairstyling Terms & Definitions