This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse hair and facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete a range of complementary hairstyles using hair extensions. It involves selecting and applying full or partial hair extensions to increase the length and volume of hair or to introduce additional colours. Extensions may be human, animal or synthetic hair.

This unit applies to hairdressers with well-developed skills who work in hairdressing salons or as session stylists. They use discretion and judgement to manage the client service and take responsibility for the outcomes of their own work.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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

remove hair extensions from at least four clients

consult with at least four clients and complete a pre-service analysis covering the following characteristics to design and recommend appropriate hair extension styles and types:

facial features and bone structure

natural hair type

hair texture

growth patterns

movement

length and structure of haircut

complete these types of hair extension services cumulatively across the above four clients which consistently achieve desired outcomes to client satisfaction:

full head

partial head

short hair

below shoulder length hair

for each client serviced:

use haircutting and finishing techniques to blend hair extensions with natural hair

provide advice on hair extension maintenance.

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

key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and use in creating hair extension effects which mix colours, textures length and volume ;

elements of hair design:

line

shape

direction

size

texture

colour

principles of hair design:

balance

gradation

repetition

contrast

harmony

dominance

unity

different facial shapes and hair designs which best complement particular shapes

characteristics of the following hair features, how these will impact on selection of hair extension types, application techniques 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

hair length and haircut structure:

short

shoulder length

below shoulder length

solid form

layered

graduated

combination of structures

natural distribution and growth patterns of hair:

crown area

hairline

neckline

cowlicks (whorls)

key features of the organisation’s hair extension products range and system:

types of hair and synthetic fibres and suitability for different types of natural hair

action on the hair of bonding system

application and removal instructions and techniques

processing times for bonding

maintenance requirements

appropriate degrees of tension for applying strands to avoid traction damage to hair and traction alopecia

industry practices and organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety with particular emphasis on:

using gown and towels to protect client clothes

avoiding bonding glue contact with eyes and skin

monitoring use of heated tools to avoid client burns

work health and safety for providing hair extension services, with particular emphasis on:

avoiding bonding glue contact with eyes and skin

safe use of heated bonding tools

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

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

minimising wastage of hair extension products

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

Skills must be demonstrated in a hairdressing environment; this can be:

a hairdressing industry workplace or

a simulated hairdressing workplace, set up for the purpose of skills assessment that provides services to paying members of the public.

Assessment must ensure use of:

paying clients with different with different hair extension requirements; these can be:

clients in a hairdressing industry workplace, or

clients in a simulated hairdressing workplace within a training organisation who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business

sufficient client traffic to allow for prioritisation of tasks so that clients are serviced effectively in a logical sequence

activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to:

deal with multiple tasks simultaneously

complete client services within designated timeframes that reflect accepted industry practice

a hairdressing services workstation with:

one mirror per workstation

one adjustable client services chair per workstation

one blow dryer with heat diffuser per workstation

clean client gowns or wraps

professional styling and finishing products which can be:

gels

glazes

lotions

mousses

setting lotions

sprays

waxes

hair dryers

thermal tools:

thermostatically controlled ceramic flat irons

styling tongs

a hair extension system that includes hair, bonding products and tools; hair extension type can be:

tape extensions

micro-links

flexi-bonds

one operator trolley per workstation stocked with:

haircutting scissors

texturising and thinning shears

disposable blade safety razors

disposable razor blades

combs

brushes:

Denman style

round

vent

sectioning clips

hair rollers of different sizes

pin curl clips

pins

product instructions

manuals or product and equipment instructions for hair extension systems

organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety

work health and safety for hair extension services

waste minimisation

waste disposal.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and:

hold a Certificate III or a Certificate IV qualification in Hairdressing, or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies; and

have at least three years full time employment experience as a hairdresser in a salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period.

Hairdressing

Hair Design