Cosmetology STATE BOARD Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
4 strategies for safety in haircutting - Correct Answer -- Always palm the shears
and the razor when combing or parting the hair.
- Do not cut past the second knuckle when cutting
- take extra care not to accidentally cut the client's skin
- Learn how to use a razor with a guard.
Demonstrate 3 body positions to ensure a healthier posture while cutting
haircutting? - Correct Answer -- Ensure your client is sitting up straight with legs
uncrossed.
- Keep your body weight centered and firm.
- Stand or sit directly in front of the area you are cutting and position your hands
according to the cutting line.
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,Demonstrate appropriate draping for a basic shampooing and conditioning service
& chemical. - Correct Answer -- Client must sit comfortably
- Place a towel across client's shoulders.
- Place shampoo cape over the towel and fasten securely in the back.
- Place another towel over the cape and secure
Describe how to correctly brush hair & contribution to a healthy scalp - Correct
Answer -Correct hair brushing stimulates microcirculation to the scalp, helps
remove dust, dirt, and hairspray buildup from the hair, and gives it added shine.
Describe the technique for highlights? - Correct Answer -partial lightening or
coloring, coloring some of the hair strands lighter than the natural color to add a
variety of lighter shades and the illusion of depth
Explain the benefits of scalp message. - Correct Answer -Benefits include
increasing scalp microcirculation and calming tenseness
Explain the benefits of the 3-part client service. - Correct Answer -It is easier to
keep track of what you are doing, remain organized, and give consistent service
Explain the special haircoloring technique for gray hair? - Correct Answer --Do a
complete analysis of the client's hair
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,- Estimate the total percentage of gray hair and identifying areas where gray hair is
concentrated
- pretreating gray hair and then adjusting your color formulas to provide the
desired coverage.
How does coarse-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -haircolor can
take longer to process.
How does medium-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -has an
average reaction to haircolor.
How does medium-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -it contains
melanin that is tightly packed together. It colors more quickly and can look darker.
How does the Cortex affect the haircolor? - Correct Answer -contains the natural
pigment called melanin that determines hair color; oxidative hair dye molecules are
deposited here.
How does the cuticle haircolor? - Correct Answer -color fade is problematic; non-
oxidative haircolor deposits hair dye molecules only on this layer.
How does the hair density affect the haircolor? - Correct Answer -Density must be
taken into account when applying haircolor to ensure proper coverage.
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, How is color enhancing shampoo created? - Correct Answer -is created by
combining the surfactant base with direct-dye color pigments.
How many percent of water does a nail have? - Correct Answer -A healthy nail
may look dry and hard but has 15 to 25 percent water content.
In hair design, what is the principle that refers to what draws the eye first in a
design? - Correct Answer -Emphasis
Outline principles of hair design as applied to sideburns. - Correct Answer -
Sideburns are a primary design element of shorter hair designs.
Outline the steps of a preliminary strand test to a single process? - Correct Answer
--clean area, dry
-mix product
-apply small amount to area
-leave unbothered 24-48hrs
Outline the steps of hair color application? - Correct Answer -1st- consultation and
formulation.
2nd- proper application and product saturation.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Questions and Answers
4 strategies for safety in haircutting - Correct Answer -- Always palm the shears
and the razor when combing or parting the hair.
- Do not cut past the second knuckle when cutting
- take extra care not to accidentally cut the client's skin
- Learn how to use a razor with a guard.
Demonstrate 3 body positions to ensure a healthier posture while cutting
haircutting? - Correct Answer -- Ensure your client is sitting up straight with legs
uncrossed.
- Keep your body weight centered and firm.
- Stand or sit directly in front of the area you are cutting and position your hands
according to the cutting line.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Demonstrate appropriate draping for a basic shampooing and conditioning service
& chemical. - Correct Answer -- Client must sit comfortably
- Place a towel across client's shoulders.
- Place shampoo cape over the towel and fasten securely in the back.
- Place another towel over the cape and secure
Describe how to correctly brush hair & contribution to a healthy scalp - Correct
Answer -Correct hair brushing stimulates microcirculation to the scalp, helps
remove dust, dirt, and hairspray buildup from the hair, and gives it added shine.
Describe the technique for highlights? - Correct Answer -partial lightening or
coloring, coloring some of the hair strands lighter than the natural color to add a
variety of lighter shades and the illusion of depth
Explain the benefits of scalp message. - Correct Answer -Benefits include
increasing scalp microcirculation and calming tenseness
Explain the benefits of the 3-part client service. - Correct Answer -It is easier to
keep track of what you are doing, remain organized, and give consistent service
Explain the special haircoloring technique for gray hair? - Correct Answer --Do a
complete analysis of the client's hair
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,- Estimate the total percentage of gray hair and identifying areas where gray hair is
concentrated
- pretreating gray hair and then adjusting your color formulas to provide the
desired coverage.
How does coarse-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -haircolor can
take longer to process.
How does medium-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -has an
average reaction to haircolor.
How does medium-textured hair react to hair color? - Correct Answer -it contains
melanin that is tightly packed together. It colors more quickly and can look darker.
How does the Cortex affect the haircolor? - Correct Answer -contains the natural
pigment called melanin that determines hair color; oxidative hair dye molecules are
deposited here.
How does the cuticle haircolor? - Correct Answer -color fade is problematic; non-
oxidative haircolor deposits hair dye molecules only on this layer.
How does the hair density affect the haircolor? - Correct Answer -Density must be
taken into account when applying haircolor to ensure proper coverage.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, How is color enhancing shampoo created? - Correct Answer -is created by
combining the surfactant base with direct-dye color pigments.
How many percent of water does a nail have? - Correct Answer -A healthy nail
may look dry and hard but has 15 to 25 percent water content.
In hair design, what is the principle that refers to what draws the eye first in a
design? - Correct Answer -Emphasis
Outline principles of hair design as applied to sideburns. - Correct Answer -
Sideburns are a primary design element of shorter hair designs.
Outline the steps of a preliminary strand test to a single process? - Correct Answer
--clean area, dry
-mix product
-apply small amount to area
-leave unbothered 24-48hrs
Outline the steps of hair color application? - Correct Answer -1st- consultation and
formulation.
2nd- proper application and product saturation.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
