Colorado Barbering Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

A barber can identify different hair types primarily by examining the texture, density, and curl pattern. Each of these characteristics plays a crucial role in determining a person's hair type.

Texture refers to the thickness of the individual strands, which can be classified as fine, medium, or coarse. This aspect influences how hair behaves when styled and how it reacts to various products and treatments.

Density pertains to the number of hairs per square inch on the scalp. Hair can be categorized as low, medium, or high density. Understanding density is vital for choosing the right styling techniques and products that work best for a client’s specific hair amount.

Curl pattern describes the shape of the hair strands, which can range from straight to wavy, curly, or coily. Recognizing curl patterns helps barbers tailor cuts and styles that complement the client’s natural hair shape and enhance their overall appearance.

While observing color and length, conducting chemical tests, or assessing the hair products a client uses can provide some information about hair, they do not offer the same level of insight into hair type that texture, density, and curl pattern do. Therefore, this focused approach is essential for barbers to effectively determine and work with different hair types.