Cosmetology License Exam Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. How should a facial be adapted for oily skin?

   Use deep-cleansing foaming cleansers, steam and extraction of comedones, an astringent toner, a clay/absorbing mask, and oil-free (non-comedogenic) hydration. Use BHA exfoliation to clear pores.

2. What is the key precaution for an acne-prone skin facial?

   Avoid aggressive massage over inflamed/pustular areas (can spread infection), use disinfected tools and proper extraction technique, calm inflammation, and avoid comedogenic products. Severe or cystic acne should be referred to a dermatologist.

3. What are the three primary colors, and what does mixing them produce?

   Red, yellow, and blue are the primary colors. They cannot be created by mixing, but combining them in pairs creates secondary colors, and all three together create brown/black (neutral).

4. What are complementary colors, and how are they used in corrective makeup?

   Complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel (e.g., red/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet). They neutralize each other—e.g., green concealer cancels red blemishes; peach/orange cancels blue under-eye circles.

5. What is the difference between warm and cool undertones in skin?

   Warm undertones have yellow, golden, or peach tones (veins look greenish). Cool undertones have blue, pink, or red tones (veins look bluish). Neutral is a mix of both.

6. What are the seven recognized face shapes, and which is considered ideal?

   Oval, round, square, oblong (rectangle), triangle (pear), inverted triangle (heart), and diamond. The oval is considered the ideal shape; makeup is used to create the illusion of an oval.

7. What is the principle behind contouring and highlighting?

   Highlighting with a lighter shade makes areas appear to project/come forward (emphasize), while contouring with a darker shade makes areas recede/appear smaller (minimize). This reshapes features toward an oval.

8. How is foundation matched to a client's skin?

   Match foundation to the skin's undertone and depth by testing along the jawline/cheek in natural light; the correct shade disappears into the skin. Also match the foundation formula type to the skin type (oil-free for oily, hydrating for dry).

9. How should concealer shade be chosen relative to foundation?

   Concealer for under-eye/highlighting is usually one to two shades lighter than the foundation; for covering blemishes it should match the foundation exactly, and color-correcting concealers use the complementary color of the flaw.

10. How is corrective makeup used for close-set versus wide-set eyes?

    For close-set eyes, apply lighter/lighter shadow at the inner corner and darker shades outward to 'pull' eyes apart. For wide-set eyes, apply darker shadow toward the inner corners to bring them visually closer.

11. What is the difference between band (strip) lashes and individual (cluster) lashes?

    Band lashes are a full strip applied along the entire lash line in one piece (temporary, easily removed). Individual lashes are small clusters/single lashes applied to add fullness in specific spots and can last longer.

12. What adhesive precaution must be taken when applying artificial lashes?

    Perform a patch/sensitivity test for adhesive allergy beforehand, apply lash adhesive to the band (not the eye), let it become tacky before placing, and keep adhesive out of the eyes. Never apply over an eye infection.

13. What distinguishes permanent (epilation) hair removal from temporary (depilation) methods?

    Permanent methods (epilation) remove hair from the root/destroy the follicle for lasting results—e.g., electrolysis, laser, waxing, tweezing, threading (tweezing/waxing remove from root but hair regrows). Temporary methods (depilation) remove hair at the skin surface—e.g., shaving, depilatory creams.

14. What is the only method legally recognized as truly permanent hair removal?

    Electrolysis, which destroys the hair follicle's growth cells with an electric current applied through a fine probe. (Laser/photoepilation gives permanent hair reduction.)

15. What is a depilatory and how does it work?

    A depilatory is a chemical product (usually with thioglycolate/alkaline agents) that dissolves the hair at the skin's surface, breaking down the protein structure. It is a temporary method and requires a patch test.

16. List key contraindications to hair removal (waxing) services.

    Use of Accutane (isotretinoin) or topical Retin-A/exfoliating acids, recent chemical peels or microdermabrasion, sunburn, broken/irritated skin, varicose veins, rosacea, diabetes with poor healing, and over moles, warts, or skin tags.

17. Why is waxing contraindicated for clients on Accutane or who recently had a peel?

    These thin and weaken the skin, so wax can tear or lift off live skin (causing abrasions, lifting, or scarring). Clients should typically wait about 6 months to a year after Accutane and several weeks after a peel.

18. Why must waxing be avoided directly over varicose veins?

    Varicose veins are weakened, distended blood vessels; the pulling/trauma of waxing can damage them, cause bruising or rupture, and the area is fragile and prone to poor healing.

19. What is the main difference between soft wax and hard wax application?

    Soft (strip) wax is applied thin and removed with a cloth/paper strip; it adheres to skin and hair, best for large areas (legs, arms). Hard (strip-less) wax is applied thick, hardens, and is removed by hand without a strip; it grips hair only, ideal for sensitive areas (face, bikini, underarms).

20. In which direction is wax applied and removed relative to hair growth?

    Wax is applied in the same direction as hair growth and removed in the opposite direction (against the growth), pulling the strip quickly parallel and close to the skin while holding the skin taut.

21. What is threading and what is its advantage?

    Threading is a temporary hair-removal method that uses twisted cotton thread rolled over the skin to lift and remove hair from the follicle. It is precise, gentle, removes rows of hair at once, and uses no chemicals—good for sensitive skin and brow shaping.

22. What is tweezing best used for, and a tip to reduce discomfort?

    Tweezing is best for shaping eyebrows and removing stray hairs. Pull each hair in the direction of growth; tweezing after a warm towel or steam softens the follicle and reduces discomfort.

23. What are the three reference points used to measure and shape an eyebrow (start, arch, end)?

    The brow should begin (inner corner) in line with the inside corner of the eye/side of the nose; the arch (highest point) falls about two-thirds out, aligned with the outer edge of the iris (looking forward); and the end aligns with a line from the nostril past the outer corner of the eye.

24. What is the general rule about which eyebrow hairs to remove when arching?

    Remove hairs from underneath the brow line and between the brows to define the natural arch; avoid over-tweezing the top of the brow, which can distort the natural shape.

What this deck covers

Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal flashcards FAQ