Which finger position conserves the most length when sculpting increase-layered hair?

• A. Parallel
• B. Nonparallel
• C. Stationary
• D. Perpendicular

Answer: (B)

Nonparallel finger position is used because the angle at which you hold the hair relative to the head changes the cutting line to be more diagonal rather than straight across. This shallow, angled cut removes less length from each strand, so you preserve more length while still creating the lighter, layered effect characteristic of increase-layered hair. If you held the fingers parallel, you’d cut deeper along the length and lose more of the ends, which shortens the overall length and reduces the desired layering effect. Perpendicular or stationary positions don’t provide the same gradual, length-preserving lift needed for true layered shaping.