Prepare for the California Cosmetology State Board exam with these practice questions and answers. This guide covers hair styling, skincare, nail care, sanitation, and California Board regulations.
Q: A fold of skin overlapping both sides of the nail, may extend as far as the first knuckle:
Answer: Eponychium
Q: The area from the nail root to the free edge, contains no blood vessels/nerves:
Answer: Nail plate/nail body
Q: Onychophagy refers to:
Answer: Bitten nails
Q: The technical term for bitten nails:
Answer: Onychophagy
Q: Improper trimming of toenails may result in :
Answer: Onychocryptosis
Q: High quality brushes to fashion acrylic nails are usually made from:
Answer: Sable
Q: Which governmental agency mandates the use of a P.D Test prior to using aniline tints?
Answer: FDA
Q: Which governmental regulates cosmetics in the U.S?
Answer: FDA
Q: Which agency regulates and approves the efficacy of products for infection control?
Answer: EPA
Q: Which governmental agency enforces health and safety standards for the workplace?
Answer: OSHA
Q: “Fallen Hair” is:
Answer: Non-Remy
Q: The point where the nail enters the skin at the base of the nail is referred to as:
Answer: Eponychium
Q: The tissue between the free edge of the nail (distal edge) is known as the:
Answer: Hyponychium
Q: Pterygium refers to:
Answer: Forward growth of the cuticle
Q: In the shears over comb method, holding the comb flat against the head will:
Answer: Make the hair longer
Q: The most commonly used elevations in haircutting are:
Answer: 45 degrees and 90 degrees
Q: An angle below 90 degrees, is used primarily to:
Answer: Build weight
Q: Angles above 90 degrees are used to:
Answer: Remove weight
Q: A “Blunt Cut” is sometimes referred to as:
Answer: Zero elevation, solid form, one length
Q: Double notched thinning shears:
Answer: Both blades are serrated
Q: A blunt cut is a good technique for:
Answer: Fine hair
Q: Using “double notched” shears will:
Answer: Remove less hair than single notched
Q: A uniform layered cut (same length throughout) is cut at what angle/degree?
Answer: 90
Q: A haircut using a 0 degree/angle is referred to as:
Answer: Blunt cut, BOB, solid form
Q: Your client wants longer layers in a graduated cut, what angles/degrees would you use?
Answer: A combination of 45 and 90 degrees
Q: Which angle creates the longest possible layers for a client?
Answer: 180 degrees
Q: Which angle/degrees would provide the most moment?
Answer: 180 degrees
Q: Type of guideline used in blunt cutting or to create gradual increase in length:
Answer: Stationary
Q: A light, stroking movement applied with either the hand or finger tip is called:
Answer: Effleurage
Q: If a finger nail is lost/removed, approximately how long will it take to grow back?
Answer: 3-6 months
Q: If lost, growth of a new nail plate/body will take approximately how long?
Answer: 3-6 months
Q: The root and matrix are located in this pocket like section of the nail:
Answer: The mantle
Q: Once destroyed, which part of the nail won’t grow back?
Answer: Matrix
Q: Which part of your razor does your little finger rest?
Answer: Tang
Q: The living cells of the hair are found in the:
Answer: Hair bulb
Q: It is recommended that you cut extremely curly hair:
Answer: Dry
Q: It is recommended you cut kinky curly hair:
Answer: Dry before straightening
Q: When cutting extremely curly hair, it is best to avoid which implements?
Answer: Razors
Q: When cutting a cowlick, what tension should be used?
Answer: No tension
Q: These hair cutting lines are used or create a sense of weight and stability:
Answer: Horizontal
Q: These haircutting lines are used to create a sense of movement:
Answer: Diagonal
Q: In haircutting,elevation is used to create:
Answer: Layers
Q: In the shears over comb technique, the more angled the comb:
Answer: The shorter the hair
Q: In the shears over comb technique, the less angled the comb:
Answer: The longer the hair
Q: A medium pressure, kneading or rolling motion is called:
Answer: Petrissage
Q: What effects will acids tend to have on the pores?
Answer: Tapotement
Q: A gentle tapping motion using the finger tips and moving quickly across the face:
Answer: Mechanical and Chemical
Q: Galvanic current will produce what effect on the skin?
Answer: Acidify
Q: Positive galvanic current will have what effect on the skin?
Answer: Alkaline
Q: Negative galvanic current will have what effect on the skin?
Answer: Violet Ray
Q: Another name for Tesla (high frequency current) is?
Answer: Orange/blue
Q: You have lightened your clients hair from a level 3 to a level 6, what is the underlying exposed pigment and what is the correct toner to create a neutral result?
Answer: Yellow/violet
Q: You have lightened your client’s hair from a level 5 to a level 9, what is the underlying warm pigment and what is the correct toner to create a neutral result?
Answer: Green
Q: You have lightened your clients hair from level 5 to level 9, you then apply a blue based toner, what is the result?
Answer: Bottom to top
Q: When giving a facial massage, the correct order of movement is:
Answer: Normal
Q: The least common skin type is:
Answer: Density
Q: The amount of hairs on a persons head, per square inch is referred to as:
Answer: Galvanic
Q: The most commonly used current in a salon is:
Answer: Contract the pores or tissues
Q: Another term or expression meaning to “close the pores” is:
Answer: An insulator
Q: A material which prohibits the passage of electricity is:
Answer: H2O
Q: Not a good insulator:
Answer: Insulators
Q: Wood, rubbers, and glass are all examples of:
Answer: Let electricity pass
Q: Conductors:
Answer: Stop electricity from psssing
Q: Insulators:
Answer: Insulator
Q: Silk is an excellent:
Answer: Diameter
Q: Hair texture refers to:
Answer: Croquignole
Q: When using a hot iron, curl the hair from the ends towards the scalp is referred to as:
Answer: Spiral
Q: When using a hot iron, curling the hair from scalp to ends is referred to as:
Answer: From ends to scalp
Q: In a roller set, a permanent wave, or with a curling iron, croquignole is winding:
Answer: Maximum volume
Q: On base curls, whether achieved by roller set or a hot tool, will result in:
Answer: Medium volume
Q: Half off based curls, or half stem, effectively means the same thing, and will result in:
Answer: The least volume/lift
Q: Full stem (pin curls) or off based (rollers) achieve the same result:
Answer: Large rollers, on base
Q: If your client wants wavy hair with maximum lift, you would do:
Answer: Over direct
Q: Which type of roller placement would create maximum volume in a hair style?
Answer: Avoid burning the clients scalp
Q: Why does the clever stylist place a plastic comb between the hot iron and scalp?
Answer: Close or contract them
Q: What effects will acids tend to have on pores?
Answer: Contract pores or tissues
Q: Astringents are generally used to:
Answer: Acid
Q: Astringents are usually:
Answer: Contract pores or tissues
Q: Styptics are astringents that are used to stop bleeding because they:
Answer: Re-bond the hair into a new shape
Q: A neutralizer has which of the following actions on the hair:
Answer: The hair’s ability to hold moisture
Q: Porosity refers to:
Answer: Alkalinity and Acidity
Q: The pH scale is a system designed to measure:
Answer: Watt
Q: The unit of measurement for electrical current is known as:
Answer: Bacilli
Q: The most common bacteria produces diseases such as tetanus/lockjaw and typhoid fever:
Answer: Dry skin
Q: The red dermal light is used to treat:
Answer: Oily skin
Q: The blue dermal light is used to treat:
Answer: Normal skin
Q: The white dermal light is used to treat:
Answer: White light
Q: Which of the following lights is also referred to as a combination light?
Answer: A conductor
Q: A material that allows or enhances the passage of electrical current through it is called:
Answer: Acid
Q: Astringents usually have a pH that is:
Answer: Hair may scorch or discolor
Q: What may happen if an extremely hot iron is applied to white/gray/light blonde hair?
Answer: Use less pressing oil
Q: When pressing hair, if hair is smoking:
Answer: A wart
Q: A verruca is more commonly known as:
Answer: Skin with lesions
Q: On which skin type would a facial be ill-advised?
Answer: An acid
Q: Any product with a pH of below 7, is considered:
Answer: Below 7
Q: Neutralizers, stabilizers, and fixatives tend to fall where on the pH scale?
Answer: Viable, 3 strand, French braiding
Q: Cornrow braiding is most similar to:
Answer: Head lice
Q: Pediculosis is:
Answer: Itch mite
Q: Scabies is also referee to as:
Answer: Immunity
Q: The bodies ability to fight off infection and disease is referred to as:
Answer: The skin and it’s accessory organs
Q: The “Integumentary System” refers to:
Answer: Ion
Q: An atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge:
Answer: pH
Q: The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, suspension, or emulsion is called:
Answer: Hydrogen
Q: Inorganic chemistry is the study of substances that do not contain the element carbon, but may contain which element?
Answer: Element