Beauty terms, clearly explained

Balayage

A freehand colouring technique for soft, natural lightening with seamless transitions.

Keratin treatment

A smoothing treatment that reduces frizz and leaves hair glossier for weeks.

Foil highlights

A classic lightening technique where individual strands are lightened wrapped in foil.

Glossing

A gloss treatment that refreshes colour and gives hair a mirror-like shine.

Hair extensions

Additional strands are bonded into natural hair for length and volume.

Babylights

Very fine, closely placed highlights for a natural, sun-kissed effect.

Money piece

A visibly brightened section right at the hairline – a frame for the face.

Bleaching

Chemical lightening of the hair by dissolving its colour pigment.

Root touch-up

Re-colouring the grown-out roots so the colour stays even.

Toner / semi-permanent colour

Colour refresh without strong chemicals – it coats the hair rather than lightening it.

Perm

A chemical reshaping that gives straight hair lasting curl or volume.

Olaplex & bond builders

Treatments that re-link broken bonds inside the hair.

Dry cutting

Cutting hair dry – the way it actually falls.

Ombré

A colour gradient from dark roots to noticeably lighter ends, with a visible transition.

Curly cut

A cutting technique made for curls – usually worked dry, curl by curl.

Split ends

Split hair ends – they can only be cut off, not repaired.

Heat protectant

A product that shields the hair fibre from blow-dryers, straighteners and curling irons.

Hair mask & treatment

Intensive care that works deeper than a conditioner – for moisture or rebuilding.

Scalp care

Caring for the scalp as the foundation for healthy hair growth.

Covering or embracing grey hair

Options from full coverage to a deliberate transition to grey.

Fringe (bangs)

A cut section of hair over the forehead – from curtain bangs to a blunt fringe.

Layered cut

A cut with layers of differing length – for movement and volume.

Hair types & curl patterns

A classification from straight to tightly coiled – helpful for choosing care and products.

Purple shampoo

A violet-pigmented shampoo that neutralises brassiness in blonde hair.

Hair oil

A conditioning oil for shine, suppleness and less frizz – mainly through the lengths.

Sulphate-free shampoo

A mildly cleansing shampoo without harsh surfactants – gentler on colour and scalp.

Colour consultation & colour type

Determining which hair colours suit skin undertone and eye colour.

Hair loss

Increased hair shedding – supportable in the salon, but the cause is often medical.

Hydrafacial

A device-based facial that cleanses, gently exfoliates and infuses hydration.

Microneedling

Fine needles create micro-stimuli in the skin to encourage renewal.

Chemical peel

A treatment with acids that loosens dead skin cells and refines the skin’s appearance.

IPL hair removal

A light-based method that heats hair roots to reduce hair growth over the long term.

BB Glow

A cosmetic treatment where tinted serums are worked into the skin via microneedling.

Dermaplaning

Gentle removal of dead skin cells and vellus hair using a fine blade.

Microdermabrasion

A mechanical exfoliation that gently and precisely removes the top layer of dead skin.

Radiofrequency treatment

A device-based treatment using deep warmth to aim for a firmer-looking skin.

Waxing

Hair removal with warm or strip wax – thorough and smooth for several weeks.

Sugaring

Hair removal with sugar paste – with the growth direction, often felt to be gentler.

Threading

Hair removal with a twisted thread – especially precise for face and brows.

AHA peel (fruit acid)

A chemical peel using fruit acids for finer-looking pores and fresher skin.

Hyaluronic acid

A moisture-binding ingredient that makes skin look plumper.

Retinol

A vitamin A derivative that stimulates skin renewal – effective but needs acclimatisation.

Vitamin C serum

An antioxidant serum for more radiance and a more even complexion.

Sun protection factor (SPF)

A measure of protection against UVB radiation – the single most effective anti-ageing step.

Double cleansing

Two-step cleansing: oil-based first, then water-based.

Skin barrier

The outermost skin layer that holds moisture in and keeps irritants out.

Niacinamide

A versatile ingredient (vitamin B3) – well tolerated, works on pores, redness and the barrier.

Enzyme peel

A gentle exfoliation that dissolves dead skin cells with fruit enzymes – no scrub particles.

Couperose

Visible dilated capillaries on the face – coverable cosmetically, worth checking medically.

Skin analysis

A systematic assessment of the skin as the basis for any treatment.

Patch test

A preliminary test on a small area of skin to rule out allergic reactions.

Blemish-prone skin

Blackheads, spots and clogged pores – treatable cosmetically, distinct from medical acne.

Facial massage

Manual techniques for relaxation, circulation and lymphatic flow.

Studio hygiene

Ground rules for safe working – mandatory for any treatment on the skin.

Dark circles

Dark shadows under the eyes – the cause determines what helps.

Manual lymphatic drainage (cosmetic)

A very gentle technique supporting the drainage of tissue fluid.

Lash extensions

Individual synthetic lashes are bonded to natural lashes for length and volume.

Lash lift

Lifting and tinting your own lashes for an open, awake look – without extensions.

Volume lashes

Several ultra-light lashes per natural lash – for a fuller, more dramatic look.

Hybrid lashes

A mix of classic and volume technique – naturally full, with a hint of drama.

Lash botox

A conditioning booster for lash lifts – despite the name, it contains no botulinum toxin.

Lash adhesive

Specialist adhesive for extensions – key to retention and an allergy topic.

Lash refill

A top-up appointment replacing lashes that have shed.

Lash curls (C, D, L)

Curl grades of extensions – they shape the look and must suit the eyelid type.

Lash serum

A conditioning serum for lashes – check ingredients and legal status carefully.

Brow lamination

Brow hairs are set and fixed in shape for full, even-looking brows.

Henna brows

Brow tinting with henna that colours both skin and hairs for full, defined brows.

Brow tinting

Tinting brow hairs for more definition – classic tint or henna.

Brow mapping

Measuring the ideal brow shape based on facial proportions – before any styling.

Brow shapes

From arched to straight – the shape strongly changes facial expression.

Brow styling & brow soap

Setting and fixing brow hairs – for the popular fluffy brow look.

Microblading

A semi-permanent technique that creates natural-looking brows with fine hair strokes.

Permanent make-up (PMU)

Depositing pigment into the skin to lastingly define brows, eyeliner or lips.

Powder brows

A permanent make-up technique for a soft, powdered brow look.

Lip blush

Permanent make-up for the lips, adding colour, contour and a fresh look.

Combo brows

A PMU combination of hair strokes and shading – defined yet natural.

Permanent eyeliner

A pigmented line along the lash line – from subtle enhancement to a full eyeliner look.

PMU removal

Lightening or removing old pigmentation – with remover solutions or laser.

Nano brows

PMU hair strokes with an ultra-fine machine needle – more precise than microblading.

PMU healing process

The phases after pigmentation – from too dark through faded to the final result.

PMU pigments

Colourants for permanent make-up – the choice determines tone and healed colour.

Watercolour lips

Soft lip pigmentation without a hard outline – for a natural tint.

Gel nails

A build-up of UV/LED-cured gel for strong, long-lasting, well-groomed nails.

Shellac

A hybrid polish applied like nail varnish and cured under UV/LED light.

Acrylic nails

A build-up of powder and liquid that hardens in the air – very strong and shapeable.

Russian manicure

A precise dry manicure using an e-file – for ultra-clean cuticles and long-lasting results.

Gel-X / soft gel extensions

Nail extensions using pre-shaped soft gel tips bonded across the whole nail.

Baby boomer nails

A soft gradient from rose to white – the gentler alternative to a French manicure.

French manicure

The classic: a natural nail bed with a crisply defined white tip.

Manicure

Cosmetic care of hands and nails – from shaping and cuticles to the finish.

Pedicure

Cosmetic foot care: nails, calluses and skin – groomed down to the toes.

Nail enhancement

Building the nail plate with gel or acrylic – for length, shape and strength.

Chrome nails

A mirror-like metallic effect rubbed on with pigment powder.

Nail shapes

From round through almond to ballerina – the shape defines the whole look.

Cuticle care

Care of the cuticle area – groomed cuticles are the basis of any nail design.

Nail strengthening overlay

A thin protective layer on the natural nail – without extending it.

Soak-off removal

Gentle removal of shellac or soft gel with acetone instead of filing it off.

Nail art

Decorating nails with patterns, gradients, crystals or hand-painted designs.

UV/LED lamp

Device for curing gel – wavelength and output must match the product.

Nail breakage & repair

Causes of broken nails and what a studio can do about it.

Polygel

A hybrid of gel and acrylic – mouldable like putty, cured under light.

Nail fungus (onychomycosis)

A fungal infection of the nail – not a cosmetic matter but a medical one.