California Cosmetology State Board Practice Exam #1 Questions &
Answers 2026 | Latest Review Guide
1. If a client requests a graduated cut with longer layers but has very thick hair,
what adjustments might you make to the angle or technique?
You should avoid graduated cuts altogether for thick hair.
You might use a slightly higher angle to remove bulk while still
achieving longer layers.
You should use a lower angle to keep the thickness intact.
You would not change the angle but instead focus on thinning the hair.
2. A gentle tapping motion using the finger tips and moving quickly across the
face:
Friction
Effleurage
Tapotement
Petrissage
3. In a skincare treatment, if a client has poor circulation, how might the use of
positive galvanic current benefit their skin?
It can improve blood flow and enhance nutrient delivery to the skin.
It can lead to increased oiliness in the skin.
It can cause the skin to become overly dry.
It can cause irritation and redness.
,4. If a stylist wants to give a client a haircut that appears more dynamic and
lively, which cutting lines should they incorporate into their technique?
Curved and diagonal lines
Horizontal and vertical lines
Layered and textured lines
Straight and blunt lines
5. In a facial treatment, if a cosmetologist uses a gentle tapping motion on a
client's face, what effect might this have on the client's skin?
Increased blood flow and relaxation
Decreased moisture retention
Enhanced hair growth
Skin irritation
6. What type of hair cutting lines are known for providing weight and stability in
a haircut?
Horizontal lines
Diagonal lines
Vertical lines
Curved lines
7. Describe the significance of the nail matrix in nail growth and health.
The nail matrix protects the nail from infections.
The nail matrix is responsible for the color of the nail.
, The nail matrix is crucial for nail growth as it produces new cells that
form the nail plate.
The nail matrix helps in the absorption of nutrients.
8. Porosity is referred to as
the ability of the hair to absorb moisture
stretch or pull of the hair
the diameter to the hair
hair per square inch
9. A blunt haircut is also known as:
uniformly layered form
solid form
graduated form
none of the above
10. Describe the significance of hair density in cosmetology.
Hair density determines the color of the hair.
Hair density affects styling choices and the overall appearance of
hair.
Hair density is unrelated to hair care products.
Hair density only influences hair growth rate.
11. When cutting curly hair, you will usually need to:
use less elevation or leave the hair longer
, use less elevation or cut the hair shorter
use more elevation or leave the hair longer
use more elevation or cut the hair shorter
12. If a stylist wants to achieve a sleek and polished look for a client, which
haircut technique should they use?
Razor cut
Blunt cut
Layered cut
Point cut
13. The technical term for deformed, bitten nails is:
onychorrhexis
pterygium
onychia
onychophagy
14. What is the underlying warm pigment when lightening hair from a level 5 to
a level 9?
Orange
Gold
Yellow
Red
Answers 2026 | Latest Review Guide
1. If a client requests a graduated cut with longer layers but has very thick hair,
what adjustments might you make to the angle or technique?
You should avoid graduated cuts altogether for thick hair.
You might use a slightly higher angle to remove bulk while still
achieving longer layers.
You should use a lower angle to keep the thickness intact.
You would not change the angle but instead focus on thinning the hair.
2. A gentle tapping motion using the finger tips and moving quickly across the
face:
Friction
Effleurage
Tapotement
Petrissage
3. In a skincare treatment, if a client has poor circulation, how might the use of
positive galvanic current benefit their skin?
It can improve blood flow and enhance nutrient delivery to the skin.
It can lead to increased oiliness in the skin.
It can cause the skin to become overly dry.
It can cause irritation and redness.
,4. If a stylist wants to give a client a haircut that appears more dynamic and
lively, which cutting lines should they incorporate into their technique?
Curved and diagonal lines
Horizontal and vertical lines
Layered and textured lines
Straight and blunt lines
5. In a facial treatment, if a cosmetologist uses a gentle tapping motion on a
client's face, what effect might this have on the client's skin?
Increased blood flow and relaxation
Decreased moisture retention
Enhanced hair growth
Skin irritation
6. What type of hair cutting lines are known for providing weight and stability in
a haircut?
Horizontal lines
Diagonal lines
Vertical lines
Curved lines
7. Describe the significance of the nail matrix in nail growth and health.
The nail matrix protects the nail from infections.
The nail matrix is responsible for the color of the nail.
, The nail matrix is crucial for nail growth as it produces new cells that
form the nail plate.
The nail matrix helps in the absorption of nutrients.
8. Porosity is referred to as
the ability of the hair to absorb moisture
stretch or pull of the hair
the diameter to the hair
hair per square inch
9. A blunt haircut is also known as:
uniformly layered form
solid form
graduated form
none of the above
10. Describe the significance of hair density in cosmetology.
Hair density determines the color of the hair.
Hair density affects styling choices and the overall appearance of
hair.
Hair density is unrelated to hair care products.
Hair density only influences hair growth rate.
11. When cutting curly hair, you will usually need to:
use less elevation or leave the hair longer
, use less elevation or cut the hair shorter
use more elevation or leave the hair longer
use more elevation or cut the hair shorter
12. If a stylist wants to achieve a sleek and polished look for a client, which
haircut technique should they use?
Razor cut
Blunt cut
Layered cut
Point cut
13. The technical term for deformed, bitten nails is:
onychorrhexis
pterygium
onychia
onychophagy
14. What is the underlying warm pigment when lightening hair from a level 5 to
a level 9?
Orange
Gold
Yellow
Red
