Hair Dictionary – P

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Part The natural fall of the hair, or where you guide your hair to fall.

Partline The section on the top of the head which covers your natural or hair part, we use this as a guide for positioning colour in highlights.

Perm Short for Permenant Wave-  a chemical or thermal treatment to create a wave or curl in the hair.

Permanent Hair colour that is designed to last longer and cover (see white hair). All colour fades but permanent colour will last longer and give you a demarcation line as well as covering white hair.

Pixie Cut A very short womens hairstyle, usually short on the sides and back and longer on top. Reference: Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby era).

Pob Posh Spice’s Bob!  You know you are famous when you have a hairstyle named after you. Victoria Beckham had her long hair cut off into a jagged graduated bob, and history was made.

Powder Lightener A lifting product, whose sole job is to attack colour pigment, both artificial and natural. Otherwise known as bleach and decolouriser.

Pre-Pig A term used for the process of returning blonde hair to its naturally darker shade. This process usually involves an initial application of either orange or red colour (see undercoat)

Porosity Refers to how the hair will absorb color. Hair that is very porous, due to over processing or other chemical exposures such as swimming or being out in the elements ,will absorb color more readily. It will also lose colour and fade much quicker.

PPD Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye.

Point Cutting A technique used to texturise the hair. It removes bulk from the ends of the hair so that layers and gradation blend better, creating great movement in the hair. Point cutting can be used on men and women and is a wonderful tool if your haircut isn’t sitting quite right. Your Stevie English Stylist will know when to do it.

Protein Hair is made of protein, and we need  protein treatments to strengthen your hair and treat weak, brittle hair. The treatments leave hair soft, smooth, full, and healthy. Chemical processing, unfortunately, takes its toll. Dyeing your hair, a chemical treatment, can deplete 15 to 20 percent of hair protein. Additional treatments cost you more protein each time. After awhile, your hair looks like straw- dry and lacklustre. a. A “hair protein treatment” restores over-processed hair.