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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Consult with client and assess hair.
   • Determine, through discussion and questioning, client satisfaction or dissatisfaction with current haircut structure.
   • Discuss client preferences, and expectations of desired finished result using visual aids to assist.
   • Engage client in discussion about lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of haircut design.
   • Visually and physically examine and analyse client hair characteristics and existing haircut structure.
   • Evaluate client facial features and bone structure for suitable complementary haircut designs.
   • Consider all factors to visualise, communicate and recommend haircut designs appropriate for the client.
   • Determine the best design and obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended haircut structure.
2. Select equipment and prepare for service.
   • Select appropriate cutting techniques to achieve planned haircut design.
   • Select and prepare equipment according to planned design and cutting techniques to be used.
   • Apply wraps to ensure client protection and safety.
3. Cut hair using freehand clipper techniques.
   • Maintain client and operator comfort, safety and hygiene throughout haircutting service according to organisational procedures.
   • Position and adjust client head and neck during service to enable access and achieve required angles of lift.
   • Use a smooth, fast and fluid freehand clipper action to cut hair.
   • Follow a logical cutting pattern to achieve planned haircut length and structure.
   • Blend lengths in interior and exterior of haircut by using various clipper attachments, as required, and clippers at various angles.
4. Outline haircuts.
   • Use clippers to mark haircut outlines over and behind ears to suit haircut.
   • Use clippers to outline facial hairline and side burns to enhance haircut.
   • Use clippers or razors in direction of hair growth to create neckline shape and blended and faded hairlines.
   • Clean or dispose of equipment and dispose of hair waste according to health regulations and organisational procedures.
5. Finish hair to shape and review service.
   • Select finishing tools, products and techniques and use to finish planned haircut designs to client satisfaction.
   • Review service outcomes against client design expectations and confirm client satisfaction with result.
   • Propose remedial action in response to any client concerns and post service analysis of hair design appearance.
   • Reach agreement with client on proposed solutions through positive and open communication.
   • Advise on after service maintenance and recommend home care products.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

consult with at least six clients and complete a pre-service analysis covering the following characteristics to design and recommend appropriate clipper haircuts:

facial features and bone structure

natural hair type

hair texture

hair density

growth patterns

fall and movement

complete haircuts for the above six clients to their satisfaction and cumulatively complete these types of haircuts:

flat tops

clipper cuts

style cuts

create cuts of at least four different lengths using different sized clipper attachments across the haircuts completed

create these neckline shapes cumulatively across the haircuts completed:

square

curved

faded and blended.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

different facial shapes and freehand clipper haircuts which best complement particular shapes

characteristics of the following hair features, how these will impact on finished tapered haircuts and appropriate designs for best outcomes:

natural hair types:

European

Asian

Euro-Asian

African

hair texture:

coarse

medium

fine

hair movement:

straight

wavy

natural curl

chemical curl or waves

natural distribution and growth patterns of hair:

crown area

hairline

neckline

cowlicks (whorls)

shapes, structure and texture for haircuts created using freehand clipper techniques

starting point and sequencing of cutting patterns and the impact on the finished result for clipper haircuts

relationship between size of the clipper attachment and clipper effects on hair length

maintenance requirements for clippers; when and how to clean, oil and adjust blades

cleaning techniques and uses of cleaning and disinfection products for haircutting equipment

basic aspects of local government, state or territory health regulations for hygiene and infection control for haircutting services

industry practices and organisational procedures for:

client comfort, safety and hygiene with particular emphasis on:

using gowns to protect client clothes

monitoring client comfort

preventing cross-transmission of infection between customers

work health, safety and hygiene for haircutting, with particular emphasis on:

using correct posture and adjusting height of client chair to avoid fatigue and injury

using correct techniques to hold, grip and manipulate clippers to avoid fatigue and injury

preventing cross-transmission of infection during customer contact

minimising product wastage

waste disposal with particular emphasis on environmentally sound disposal methods for hair waste.

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