Hair Dictionary: Salon Terms A–Z

Hair Guide · Scottsdale, Arizona
Salon terms, explained. 129 words you'll hear at the salon — from balayage and toner to K-tips and move-ups. Terms tagged We offer this are things our stylists do at The Hair Lounge; Good to know terms are general hair words explained so you can talk to your stylist with confidence.

A

Accent highlightsWe offer this
A few strategic highlights placed for brightness — around the face or part — rather than throughout the hair. Learn more
ActivatorGood to know
Another word for developer — the peroxide liquid mixed with color or lightener to make it work.
All-over colorWe offer this
Single-process color applied from root to ends in one shade. Used to change your shade, cover gray or refresh faded color. Learn more
Ammonia-free colorGood to know
Hair color that uses a different alkaline ingredient instead of ammonia to open the cuticle, often with less odor.
AshGood to know
A cool tone with green, blue or violet undertones, used to cancel warmth in blonde and brown shades. Learn more

B

BabylightsWe offer this
Very fine, delicate highlights that mimic the soft brightness of a child's naturally light hair. Learn more
BalayageWe offer this
A hand-painted lightening technique (French for "to sweep") that creates soft, blended, sun-kissed brightness with a natural grow-out. Learn more
BandingGood to know
Visible horizontal stripes of different color, often from color overlapping on previously colored hair. Fixed with color correction. Learn more
Bangs (fringe)We offer this
Hair cut to fall over the forehead — blunt, wispy, side-swept or curtain. Learn more
Base colorGood to know
The main, all-over color of your hair before highlights or lowlights are added.
Beaded rowWe offer this
A line of small silicone-lined beads clamped onto your hair that hand-tied or machine wefts are sewn onto. Learn more
Beige blondeGood to know
A soft, neutral blonde between warm golden and cool ash.
BleachGood to know
A common word for lightener — a powder or cream mixed with developer that lifts natural pigment to make hair lighter.
Bleach & toneWe offer this
Lightening hair (often all over or at the root) and then applying a toner to reach the final blonde shade. Learn more
Blending (extensions)We offer this
Cutting and styling extension hair so it merges seamlessly with your natural hair. Learn more
BlowoutWe offer this
A professional shampoo and blow-dry style — smooth and sleek or round-brush volume. Lasts about 2–4 days. Learn more
Blunt cutWe offer this
A haircut where the ends are cut to one even line, for a fuller-looking edge. Learn more
Bob / lobWe offer this
A bob is a short cut, usually between chin and shoulders; a lob is a longer bob, around the shoulders.
Bond builderGood to know
A treatment added to color or lightener (or used after) to help protect and repair the internal bonds of the hair.
Bond removerWe offer this
A solution used to soften keratin bonds so K-tip extensions can be safely removed. Learn more
Box dyeGood to know
At-home boxed hair color. Often builds up and can make salon color harder to predict — tell your colorist if you've used it. Learn more
BrassyGood to know
Unwanted orange or yellow warmth in lightened hair, usually from faded toner, sun or hard-water minerals. Learn more
Brazilian BlowoutWe offer this
A professional smoothing treatment brand that reduces frizz, adds shine and shortens blow-dry time; typically lasts up to about 12 weeks. Learn more
BreakageGood to know
Hair snapping along the strand (not from the root), often from heat, over-processing or friction.
Brunette balayageWe offer this
Balayage on dark hair — caramel, honey or toffee pieces painted in for soft brightness. Learn more
BuildupGood to know
Residue from products, oils or hard-water minerals that coats hair and dulls it. Learn more

C

Chelating shampooGood to know
A shampoo designed to remove mineral buildup from hard water — helpful in Scottsdale. Learn more
Chunky highlightsWe offer this
Thicker, bolder highlights with high contrast — a look popular in the 2000s.
Clarifying shampooGood to know
A deep-cleaning shampoo that removes product buildup. Use about once a week, not every wash. Learn more
Clip-in extensionsGood to know
Temporary wefts with small clips that you put in and take out yourself. Not a method we install. Learn more
Color correctionWe offer this
Fixing color that went wrong — banding, brassiness, patchy box dye, too dark — often over more than one visit. Learn more
Color match (extensions)We offer this
Choosing extension hair shade(s) that blend with your natural or colored hair, done at your consultation. Learn more
Color-depositing conditionerGood to know
A tinted conditioner that adds a little pigment each wash to keep tone fresh between appointments.
ConsultationWe offer this
A short appointment to discuss goals, check your hair and plan the service and price. Required before new extension installs. Learn more
Cool tonesGood to know
Ash, beige and platinum shades with blue, green or violet undertones. Learn more
CowlickGood to know
A section of hair that grows in a different direction, which affects how a cut lies.
Curtain bangsWe offer this
Longer bangs parted in the middle that sweep to each side and blend into face-framing layers. Learn more
CuticleGood to know
The outer protective layer of each hair strand. Smooth cuticles reflect light (shine); raised cuticles cause frizz.

D

Deep conditioning treatmentWe offer this
An intensive conditioning treatment that restores moisture and softness — especially useful in Arizona's dry heat. Learn more
Demi-permanent colorGood to know
Color that deposits tone without much lift and fades gradually over several weeks. Most glosses and toners are demi-permanent. Learn more
DensityGood to know
How many hair strands you have per square inch — low, medium or high. Different from texture (strand thickness).
DeveloperGood to know
The peroxide mixed with color or lightener. The volume (10, 20, 30, 40) controls how much it lifts.
DimensionGood to know
Variation of lighter and darker tones in hair that adds depth and movement. Learn more
Double processWe offer this
Two color steps in one visit — usually lightening, then toning or coloring.
Dry shampooGood to know
A powder or spray that absorbs oil at the roots to stretch time between washes.
DustingWe offer this
Trimming only the very tips of the hair to remove split ends while keeping length. Learn more

E

Extension removalWe offer this
Safely taking extensions out — bond remover for K-tips, solvent for tape-ins, opening beads for wefts. Learn more
ExtensionsWe offer this
Extra hair attached to your own to add length and/or volume. We offer K-tip, hand-tied weft and tape-in weft. Learn more

F

Face-framing highlightsWe offer this
Brighter pieces placed around the face, also called a "money piece." Learn more
Face-framing layersWe offer this
Shorter layers around the face that soften and frame your features. Learn more
FillerWe offer this
A pre-color step that adds back warm pigment to very light hair before going darker, so the result doesn't turn muddy or green. Learn more
Fine hairGood to know
Hair with a small strand diameter. Can be dense or sparse.
FoilsWe offer this
Sheets of foil used to isolate sections of hair during highlights or lowlights. Learn more
FoilyageWe offer this
Balayage painting done inside foils for more lift with a soft, blended look. Learn more
FrizzGood to know
Hair that puffs or doesn't lie smooth, usually from a raised cuticle or humidity — common in monsoon season. Learn more
Full highlightWe offer this
Highlights placed throughout the whole head, including underneath, for all-over brightness. Learn more
Fusion extensionsWe offer this
Another name for keratin-bond (K-tip) extensions. Learn more

G

GlazeWe offer this
A shine treatment, sometimes tinted, similar to a gloss. Learn more
GlossWe offer this
A sheer, usually demi-permanent color that adds shine and adjusts tone — often used as a toner. Learn more
GoldenGood to know
Warm, yellow-based tones in blonde or brown hair.
Gray blendingWe offer this
Softening gray with highlights, lowlights or sheer color so grow-out is less noticeable, instead of full coverage. Learn more
Gray coverageWe offer this
Coloring gray hair fully to match the rest of your hair, usually with a root retouch. Learn more
Grow-outGood to know
How color or a cut looks as your hair grows — balayage has a soft grow-out; foils show a clearer line. Learn more

H

Hair maskWe offer this
A rich conditioning treatment left on the hair for several minutes to add moisture and softness. Learn more
Hand-tied weftWe offer this
Very thin, hand-sewn wefts attached to a beaded row — no heat or glue, reusable, moved up every 6–8 weeks. Learn more
Hard waterGood to know
Water high in calcium and magnesium (very common in Scottsdale) that leaves buildup, dullness and brassiness. Learn more
Heat protectantGood to know
A spray or cream applied before hot tools to reduce heat damage. Learn more
HennaGood to know
A plant-based dye. Can react unpredictably with salon color and lightener — tell your colorist if you've used it. Learn more
HighlightsWe offer this
Pieces of hair lightened (usually in foils) to brighten your overall color. Learn more
Hot rootsGood to know
Roots that turn out brighter or warmer than the rest of the hair, often from heat at the scalp during processing. Learn more
Human hair extensionsGood to know
Extensions made from real human hair, which can be heat-styled and toned like your own.

I

Individual strands attached with a small bead, no heat or glue. Good to know — not a method we install. Learn more

K

K-tip extensionsWe offer this
Keratin-tip extensions: small strands heat-fused to tiny sections of your hair. Natural movement; worn about 3–4 months. Learn more
Keratin bondWe offer this
The small keratin tip that holds a K-tip extension to your hair. Learn more
Keratin treatmentWe offer this
A general name for smoothing treatments that reduce frizz. The Brazilian Blowout is one professional brand. Learn more

L

LayersWe offer this
Hair cut at different lengths to add movement, shape and lightness. Learn more
LevelGood to know
How light or dark hair is on a scale of 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde).
LiftGood to know
How many levels lighter lightener or color makes your hair.
LightenerGood to know
The professional term for bleach — it removes natural pigment so hair can go lighter.
Lived-in colorWe offer this
Soft, blended color with a natural root that grows out gracefully — usually balayage or soft highlights. Learn more
Long layersWe offer this
Layers cut mostly through the lengths so hair moves and has shape but stays long. Learn more
LowlightsWe offer this
Pieces colored darker than the rest of the hair to add depth and dimension. Learn more

M

Machine weftGood to know
A machine-sewn weft, thicker than hand-tied, that can be cut to size. Good to know — not a method we install. Learn more
MattingGood to know
Tangled clumps near the scalp, often from overdue extensions or sleeping with damp hair. Learn more
Mini foilWe offer this
A few foils around the part and face for quick brightness between bigger appointments. Learn more
Money pieceWe offer this
Bright face-framing highlights at the front of the hair. Learn more
Monsoon seasonGood to know
Arizona's summer storm season (June 15–September 30), when humidity causes frizz. Learn more
Move-upWe offer this
Maintenance for hand-tied and tape-in extensions every 6–8 weeks: remove, refresh and re-install near the scalp. Learn more

N

Neutral tonesGood to know
Balanced tones that are neither very warm nor very cool, like beige blonde.

O

OmbréWe offer this
Color that goes from darker at the root to noticeably lighter at the ends, with a more obvious transition than balayage. Learn more
Over-processedGood to know
Hair weakened by too much chemical service — feels gummy, stretchy or breaks easily.
OverlapGood to know
When color or lightener goes over previously colored hair, which can cause damage or banding. Learn more

P

Partial highlightWe offer this
Highlights on the top and sides — the areas that show when your hair is down. Learn more
Patch testGood to know
Applying a small amount of color to the skin to check for sensitivity before a color service.
Permanent colorGood to know
Color that lifts and deposits pigment and doesn't wash out — it grows out instead. Learn more
PlatinumGood to know
The lightest, palest blonde (level 10 or above), usually requiring lightener and toner. Learn more
PorosityGood to know
How easily hair absorbs and holds moisture and color. Lightened hair is usually more porous.
Purple shampooGood to know
A violet-tinted shampoo that cancels yellow tones in blonde. Use about once a week. Learn more

R

Re-tapeWe offer this
Replacing the adhesive tape on tape-in extensions at a move-up so the hair can be reused. Learn more
Reverse balayageWe offer this
Painting darker pieces into hair that's become too light to add depth back. Learn more
Roller setWe offer this
Hair set on rollers and dried in place for lasting, bouncy curl and volume. Learn more
Root melt / root smudgeWe offer this
A toner or color applied at the roots to blur the line between natural roots and highlights. Learn more
Root retouchWe offer this
Coloring just the new growth at the scalp to match your color or cover gray. Learn more

S

Semi-permanent colorGood to know
Deposit-only color with no developer that washes out over several shampoos.
Sew-inGood to know
Wefts sewn onto braided cornrows. Good to know — not a method we install. Learn more
Shadow rootWe offer this
A deliberately darker root blended into lighter lengths for a softer, lower-maintenance blonde. Learn more
SheddingGood to know
Normal daily hair loss from the root (often 50–100 strands). With extensions it's held in until your move-up. Learn more
Silk pillowcaseGood to know
A smooth pillowcase that reduces friction, frizz and tangling — recommended with extensions and blowouts. Learn more
Single processWe offer this
One color step applied in one application, like all-over color or a root retouch. Learn more
Smoothing treatmentWe offer this
A treatment that reduces frizz and shortens blow-dry time without permanently straightening. See Brazilian Blowout. Learn more
Split endsGood to know
Ends of the hair that have frayed into two or more strands. Only a trim removes them. Learn more
Strand testWe offer this
Testing color or lightener on a small section of hair to preview the result, common before color correction. Learn more
Sulfate-free shampooGood to know
Shampoo without harsh sulfate cleansers — gentler on color and extensions. Learn more
Synthetic hairGood to know
Man-made fiber hair. Usually can't take heat or color like human hair.

T

Tape-in extensionsWe offer this
Flat adhesive panels that sandwich a thin slice of your hair. Fast install, lightweight, re-taped every 6–8 weeks. Learn more
TeasylightsWe offer this
Highlights where the hair is back-combed (teased) before lightening for a softer blend at the root. Learn more
TextureGood to know
The thickness of individual strands (fine, medium, coarse) — or, in styling, your hair's natural wave pattern.
Thinning shearsGood to know
Scissors with teeth used to remove bulk from thick hair.
TonerWe offer this
A sheer color applied after lightening to neutralize brassiness and set the final shade. Learn more
TractionGood to know
Tension on the hair from tight styles or heavy extensions. Proper placement and maintenance keeps it low. Learn more
TrimWe offer this
Cutting off a small amount of length to keep ends healthy and the shape fresh. Learn more

U

Underlights / peekaboo colorWe offer this
Color placed in the underneath layer that shows when hair moves or is worn up.
UV protectantGood to know
A leave-in product that helps protect hair color from sun fading — key in Arizona. Learn more

V

Virgin hairGood to know
Hair that has never been colored or chemically treated.
Volume (developer)Good to know
The strength of developer: 10 volume deposits, 20 lifts a little, 30–40 lift more.

W

Warm tonesGood to know
Golden, copper, red or honey undertones.
WeftWe offer this
A strip of hair sewn together at the top, used for hand-tied, machine and tape-in extensions. Learn more
Wet balayageWe offer this
Balayage painted on damp hair for a softer, more diffused result — a quick refresh. Learn more
Women's haircutWe offer this
Consultation, shampoo, cut and style. Learn more

We offer this = something our stylists do at The Hair Lounge. Good to know = a general hair term (a product, a concept, or a method we do not offer) explained so you can talk with your stylist.

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