Absorbent hair soaks up water and hair products like a sponge. Sometimes this is a result of over-processing, but some people just have naturally absorbent hair.

All-over color refers to the process of coloring the entire head of hair one uniform color. It’s also known as single-process color. Stylists often paint the color directly onto the hair without using foils like they would with highlighting and lowlighting.

Asymmetrical cuts have sides that do not match. For example, one side may be longer than the other. Baliage is a freehand coloring technique that stylists use to achieve soft, chunky highlights.

Bangs refers to a shorter section of hair that hangs over the forehead. They can be styled many different ways – swept to the side, thick and blunt, short and sassy. Bangs work best on women with higher foreheads and hair that is heavy enough to lie flat. If your bangs are short, remember to get them trimmed every few weeks.

Bevels are bends in the hair created by using a round brush, a curling iron or a flat iron.

The Bob has hundreds of variations. It is generally a short hairstyle (above the shoulders) that is bluntly cut, with or without bangs. Bobs may be angled – shorter in the back and longer in the front, or vice versa.

Buildup is caused by styling products, chlorine, pollution and the minerals in your water. It can make your color look drab and your style fall flat. To get rid of the gunk, use a clarifying shampoo like designLINE Special Care Clarifying Shampoo. It will free your hair of impurities, leaving it clean and shiny.

The Bump is one of the latest hair trends seen in Hollywood. You can recognize it by the boost of extra volume at the back of the head. Massage designLINE Root Boost Volumizing Foam into the roots before blow-drying. Then tease the hair at the crown and spray with a little hairspray for a flirty lift in the back.

Brassy color refers to unflattering warm tones that make the hair look dull. This can be remedied by having a stylist add highlights to brighten up the hair. You can also try hair-care products made especially for blonde hair, like Matrix Sparkling Blondes Restorative System. The Chignon (pronounced sheen-yon) is a modern bun that is quick and easy to style. It is usually seen on long hairstyles, but can be modified to work with medium hairstyles as well. Gather hair into a low ponytail and twist. Then wrap the twist around the base of the pony and secure with bobby pins. Voila!

Coarse hair is thick and resilient. Individual hair strands have a larger diameter than fine hair.

Color safe hair-care products will not actively fade hair color, but they do not actively protect it from fading, either. If you want a hair product to enhance your hair color and make it last longer, use a color-protecting formula.

Color protection refers to products that protect hair color from fading. They will help color stay brighter longer.

During a Consultation, you meet with your stylist to discuss your hair type, texture and styles that would look best on you. You might talk about cut, color or products. This service is free in all Regis Corporation salons and recommended for any makeover.

Contrast refers to the color difference of highlights and the surrounding hair. High contrast highlights are much lighter than the natural hair color. Low contrast highlights are similar to the base color, which helps them blend well and creates a natural look.

Cool tones tend to be more blue or violet. This term is used to describe platinum blondes, as well as some brunette shades.

The Cortex is the center of a strand of hair.

Coverage refers to hair color’s ability to camouflage gray strands. Gray hair is very resistant to color, so it requires a certain level of coverage to hide it. Some hair color formulas are too transparent to do the job.

The Cuticle is a protective layer that covers the hair strand. Over-processing and heat-styling can cause the cells of the cuticle to become bloated, split or cracked. An unhealthy cuticle makes hair dry, brittle and dull. Keep your cuticle in top shape with special treatments like designLINE Special Care Reconstructor. Demi-permanent color should be retouched every 4-6 weeks. Demi-permanent colors contain no ammonia, so they won’t lift the hair’s natural color. When demi-permanent color fades, it fades on tone instead of leaving you with obvious roots. Demi-permanent colors can blend gray, increase color intensity, add shine and deepen and darken the natural hair color. An example of demi-permanent color is Shades EQ by Redken.

A Diffuser is a tool that is attached to the end of a hair dryer. It spreads out the air flow and heat, making the drying process gentler on your hair. A diffuser works great for curly or wavy hair. Diffusing the air flow offers you more control during the finishing process. Emollients are ingredients found in hair products that soften and smooth the hair.

Extensions are pieces of synthetic or natural human hair that are woven into your own hair to deliver length, color, volume and texture.

Elasticity is hair’s ability to stretch and bend without breaking. Fine hair is characterized by individual hairs with a small diameter. This hair type is much more fragile and prone to breakage.

Flyaways are stray hairs that refuse to stay in place as a result of frizz or static. Apply a small amount of pomade, like designLINE Whipped Wax Defining Cream, to unruly sections to keep them under control.

Follicles are the tiny bulbs or roots of the hair.

Fringe is another word for bangs. Some stylists consider fringe to be longer and more face-framing than traditional bangs. Hair density is determined by analyzing the number of hairs on the head.

Humectants are ingredients in hair products that draw moisture from the air to combat frizz and static. Integrity is a measure of the hair’s health, strength and elasticity. Hair with low integrity may require deep conditioning before intense treatments like colors, perms or relaxers. Layered hair is achieved by cutting several different lengths into the hair. Layers add interest to long hair and texture to shorter styles. A long layered hairstyle is versatile and feminine. Maintenance refers to the touch-ups that colored-treated hair requires.

Makeovers can be subtle or dramatic. They involve taking one look and transforming it into something more exciting, more becoming, more you! Click here to see before and after shots of our model makeovers. Melanin is the pigment found in hair and skin that delivers its natural color. Overprocessed hair is damaged and porous due to excessive chemical treatments. In-salon deep-conditioning treatments can help repair the hair. Piecey looks are achieved by twisting and tweaking the ends with a little bit of pomade, gel or wax.

Pixie cuts are layered and closely cropped, often with wispy, face-framing bangs and piecey ends.

Porosity is a measure of the hair’s ability to absorb product or hair color.

Protein is the main component of your hair’s composition. Resistant hair does not readily soak up product. It may require more intense formulas or slightly larger amounts of the product. The cuticle layer is more compact. Semi-permanent color lasts approximately 6-8 shampoos. Jazzing, Beautiful Browns and cellophanes are all types of semi-permanent color.

Shag styles have lots of layers and are typically between chin and shoulder length. This look was very popular in the `60s and `70s.

Shimmer One/New Technology Modern Permanent Color contains no ammonia. This color should be retouched every 4-6 weeks, but your root line will be minimal while you wait. It works by lifting one controlled level and depositing/replacing your color of choice. It contains tri light technology, luminizing dye molecules, mango butter and rice protein. Shimmer One/New Technology Modern Permanent Color can be used to enhance your hair’s natural color or go one level lighter. Shimmer One processing time is 20 minutes. Temporary color lasts until your next shampoo. ICE Spiker Colorz, Roux Rinses and color foams are all temporary colors.

Thick hair is dense – a large number of hairs per square inch. Medium hair styles work well for people with thick hair because if the hair is longer, it can overwhelm the face. If it is shorter, it can be difficult to control.

Thin hair is characterized by having a low count of hairs on the head.

Traditional permanent color contains ammonia which lifts/lightens the hair’s natural color and replaces/deposits the color you choose. With this product, your roots will be more noticeable because of the amount of lift and change to the natural hair color, so your color should be retouched every 4-6 weeks. Permanent color can be used to color gray and lighten natural hair color 1-4 levels. Traditional processing time is 30-50 minutes. Warm color tends to be more yellow or red. Golden blondes, coppery reds and some brunettes may be referred to as “warm.”

Wavy hair is far from straight, but not quite curly. Think mermaid. Stop by often for more expert tips!