Cosmetology Dictionary (A to Z)
- Dr. Lazuk
- Nov 14, 2025
- 8 min read
Dr. Lazuk Cosmetics® Cosmetology Dictionary (A to Z)
A
Acid Mantle – The skin’s natural, slightly acidic protective film that defends against bacteria and moisture loss.
Allantoin – Soothing ingredient that calms irritation and supports skin healing and comfort.
Ammonia-Free Color – Hair color formulas using alternative alkalizing agents for less odor and potential irritation.
Anagen Phase – Active growth phase of the hair cycle where the hair root is firmly attached and growing.
Argan Oil – Lightweight oil rich in fatty acids and vitamin E used to smooth, soften, and add shine to hair and skin.
Ash Tone – Cool hair color with blue, green, or violet undertones used to neutralize warmth.
B
Balayage – Freehand highlighting technique to create soft, natural-looking, sun-kissed color.
Barrier Cream – Protective cream applied along hairlines or brows to prevent staining from color or tint.
Base Color – The primary hair color applied to the scalp area or all over before additional techniques.
BB Cream – Multi-tasking face product offering light coverage, hydration, and often SPF and skincare benefits.
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) – Oil-soluble exfoliating acid (like salicylic acid) that penetrates pores to reduce acne and congestion.
Blowout – Professional blow-dry styling service that smooths, polishes, and shapes the hair.
Bond Builder – Treatment that repairs internal hair bonds damaged by color, bleach, or heat styling.
Botanical Extract – Plant-derived ingredient added to products for targeted benefits like soothing, brightening, or antioxidant support.
Brazilian Blowout / Keratin Smoothing – Semi-permanent smoothing treatments that reduce frizz and curl for several weeks or months.
Bronzer – Cosmetic powder or cream used to add warmth, dimension, and sun-kissed effect to the face.
Brow Lamination – Service that chemically restructures brow hairs into a lifted, groomed shape.
Brow Tint – Semi-permanent color applied to brow hairs (and sometimes skin) for definition and fullness.
C
Callus Softener – Chemical solution (often with urea or AHAs) to soften thickened skin on feet and hands.
Carbomer – Thickening agent used to give gels and creams their texture and stability.
Cartilage Piercing – Piercing service performed through ear cartilage; must follow strict hygiene and aftercare.
Cationic Conditioner – Conditioner with positively charged ingredients that bind to negatively charged, damaged hair.
Ceramides – Lipid molecules that support skin barrier repair and reduce dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
Chemical Exfoliation – Use of AHAs, BHAs, or enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells without physical scrubbing.
Chemical Peel – Controlled application of acids to exfoliate, refine texture, fade pigmentation, and stimulate renewal.
Clarifying Shampoo – Deep-cleaning shampoo designed to remove buildup of product, minerals, and excess oil.
Clipping (Sectioning) – Using clips to divide hair into sections for precise cutting, coloring, or styling.
Color Correction – Process of adjusting unwanted hair color tones (brassy, too dark, too light) to a more desired shade.
Color Developer – Hydrogen peroxide solution that activates oxidative hair color and lighteners.
Color Melt – Technique blending multiple hair colors from root to end for a seamless gradient.
Comedogenic – Likely to clog pores and contribute to blackheads, whiteheads, or breakouts.
Consultation – Pre-service conversation assessing goals, history, allergies, medications, and realistic outcomes.
Cool Tone – Hair or skin color with blue, pink, or violet undertones.
Cuticle (Hair) – Protective outer layer of the hair shaft; damage here leads to dullness and breakage.
Cuticle (Nails) – Thin layer of skin at the base of the nail plate; protects the nail matrix from bacteria.
D
Deep Conditioner – Intensive conditioning treatment left on hair longer to repair and hydrate.
Deposit-Only Color – Demi or semi-permanent hair color that darkens or tones without lightening.
Detangler – Leave-in product that reduces friction and makes combing easier.
DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) – Hormone associated with genetic hair thinning and loss.
Dimethicone – Silicone-based emollient that smooths, protects, and adds slip to hair and skin products.
Double Cleanse – Two-step facial cleansing using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.
Dry Brushing – Technique using a dry brush on dry skin to encourage exfoliation and circulation.
Dry Shampoo – Powder or spray that absorbs excess oil from the scalp and refreshes hair between washes.
E
Emollient – Ingredient that softens, smooths, and conditions the skin or hair by filling in gaps between cells.
Emulsifier – Ingredient that allows oil and water to mix into a stable cream or lotion.
Exfoliation – Removal of dead skin cells to improve texture, clarity, and absorption of skincare products.
F
Fade – Gradual decrease in hair color intensity over time due to washing, sun, or environment.
Filler (Color Filler) – Pre-color application that replaces missing underlying pigment before going darker.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type – Classification system for how skin responds to sun, guiding safe treatment settings.
Flyaways – Short, unruly hairs that stand out from the main shape of the style.
Foil Highlights – Highlighting method using foils to isolate hair strands and increase lift.
Formaldehyde-Free – Products or smoothing treatments formulated without formaldehyde or its releasers.
Fragrance-Free – Product made without added fragrance; not always the same as “unscented.”
Frizz – Fluffy, unruly hair caused by raised cuticles, humidity, or lack of moisture.
G
Gloss (Hair Gloss) – Demi-permanent color or clear treatment used to add shine and refine tone.
Golden Tone – Warm hair color with yellow or gold undertones.
Gommage – Gentle exfoliating cream, often rolled or rubbed off after partial drying.
Grey Coverage – Hair color process specifically designed to mask or blend grey hair.
H
Heat Protectant – Product that shields hair from damage caused by hot tools and blow-dryers.
Highlighting – Lightening selected strands to create dimension and brightness.
Hyaluronic Acid – Humectant that attracts and holds water to plump, hydrate, and smooth skin.
Hydrating Mask – Intensive treatment mask delivering moisture and nourishment to hair or skin.
Hydrophilic – Water-loving; describes ingredients that dissolve in or attract water.
Hydrophobic – Water-repelling; describes ingredients like oils and silicones.
I
Ionic Blow Dryer – Tool emitting negative ions to reduce drying time, frizz, and static.
K
Keratin – Structural protein in hair, skin, and nails; also used in smoothing and strengthening treatments.
Keratin Treatment – Professional smoothing service that reduces frizz and makes hair easier to style.
L
Lactic Acid – AHA derived from milk or fermentation; hydrates while gently exfoliating.
Lash Lift – Chemical service that curls natural lashes for a lifted, open-eye effect.
Lash Tint – Semi-permanent dye applied to lashes to enhance depth and visibility.
Leave-In Conditioner – Conditioner left in the hair to provide ongoing hydration and protection.
Lightener (Bleach) – Product used to decolorize hair by breaking down melanin.
Lipid – Fat-like molecule that supports skin barrier function and moisture retention.
M
Matrix (Hair) – Region at the base of the hair follicle where new hair cells are formed.
Matte Finish – Non-shiny, flat finish in makeup or hair styling products.
Melanin – Pigment responsible for hair, eye, and skin color.
Metallic Pigments – Reflective color particles used in makeup and some hair colors for shine.
Mid-Shaft – The middle portion of hair between roots and ends.
Mousse – Lightweight, foaming styling product adding volume and light hold.
Multi-Masking – Using different masks on specific face zones to address multiple concerns at once.
N
Neutral Tone – Balanced color without strong warm or cool dominance.
Neutralizer – Solution used after perms or relaxers to rebond or rebalance the hair’s internal structure.
Non-Comedogenic – Formulated to minimize the risk of clogging pores and causing breakouts.
O
Occlusive – Ingredient that forms a protective seal to prevent water loss (e.g., petrolatum, waxes).
Oily Scalp – Overproduction of sebum on the scalp leading to greasy roots.
Ombre – Hair color technique where color gradually transitions from darker roots to lighter ends.
Oxidative Color – Permanent or demi-permanent color that uses developer to process in the hair.
P
Paraben-Free – Product formulated without parabens as preservatives.
Patch Test – Small test area to check for allergic or irritant reactions prior to a full service.
pH – Measure of acidity or alkalinity; crucial for product stability and skin compatibility.
Photoaging – Skin aging caused by UV exposure, including wrinkles, laxity, and pigmentation.
Pigment – Coloring agent used in cosmetics and hair dyes.
Porosity – Hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, influenced by cuticle condition.
Pre-Lightening – Process of lifting natural pigment before applying fashion or vivid colors.
Protective Style – Hairstyle that reduces daily manipulation and damage (e.g., braids, twists, wigs).
Protein Treatment – Hair treatment that temporarily strengthens damaged strands using proteins.
Q
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) – Conditioning agents that reduce static and improve combability.
R
Rebonding – Chemical straightening technique that restructures hair bonds for sleek, straight results.
Relaxer – Chemical straightening product that permanently breaks curl or wave patterns.
Residue – Product buildup on hair or scalp that can cause dullness or irritation.
Retinoids – Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover, target acne, and improve fine lines.
Rinse-Out Conditioner – Conditioner used after shampoo and rinsed off after a few minutes.
Root Shadow – Color technique adding a slightly darker color at the roots for a soft, blended grow-out.
Round Brush – Styling brush used with a blow-dryer to create lift, curls, or smoothness.
S
Salt Spray – Styling product that mimics beachy texture and volume.
Scalp Detox – Treatment that removes buildup, excess oil, and dead skin from the scalp.
Serum – Concentrated, lightweight product delivering active ingredients to hair or skin.
Shea Butter – Rich plant butter used to deeply moisturize and protect hair and skin.
Silicones – Ingredients that create slip, shine, and a protective barrier on hair or skin.
Silk Press – Straightening technique on textured hair using blow-drying and flat ironing with high shine.
Skin Barrier – Protective outer layer of the skin that maintains hydration and blocks irritants.
Split Ends – Frayed or separated hair tips caused by mechanical or chemical damage.
Stratum Corneum – Outermost layer of the epidermis composed of dead skin cells and lipids.
Sulfate-Free – Formulated without common sulfates (like SLS, SLES) for gentler cleansing.
Surfactant – Cleansing agent that lowers surface tension so oil and dirt can be rinsed away.
T
T-Fal / T-Zone (Skin) – Forehead, nose, and chin area often prone to oiliness and breakouts.
Texture Spray – Styling spray designed to add grit, body, and separation.
Thermal Protectant – Product that shields hair from heat styling tools to reduce damage.
Toner (Hair) – Color used after lightening to refine or neutralize unwanted tones (e.g., brassiness).
Toner (Skin) – Liquid used after cleansing to rebalance pH, lightly hydrate, or refine pores.
Tretinoin – Prescription-strength retinoid used for acne and photoaging.
Trichology – Study of hair and scalp health.
U
UVA – Long-wave ultraviolet rays that penetrate deeply and contribute to aging and some skin cancers.
UVB – Short-wave ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn and play a major role in skin cancer.
V
Virgin Hair – Hair that has not been chemically treated or colored.
Viscosity – Thickness or flow of a product like shampoo, serum, or conditioner.
Volumizer – Product or technique used to create lift, fullness, and body in the hair.
W
Warm Tone – Hair or skin color with yellow, red, or gold undertones.
Waxing – Hair removal technique using warm or hard wax to remove hair from the root.
Weft – Strip of hair used in extensions that can be sewn, glued, or beaded into natural hair.
Workability – How easily a product spreads, sets, and responds to styling techniques.
Z
Zinc Oxide – Mineral UV filter widely used in physical sunscreens and soothing skin treatments.
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