WAEC/NECO Cosmetology Syllabus Revision – SS3 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note (Second Term)

WAEC and NECO Cosmetology revision covers tools and hygiene, hair care, skin care and makeup, nail care, business skills and exam technique.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. classify cosmetology tools and distinguish sanitisation, disinfection and sterilisation;
2. name the layers of the hair and identify common hair disorders;
3. state the purpose of relaxing and neutralising in chemical hair services;
4. list the skin types, the facial treatment steps and the makeup application order;
5. name the parts of the nail and state the manicure procedure;
6. explain the basic steps in starting a beauty business and answer exam command words correctly.

What are the types of cosmetology tools?

There are three types of cosmetology tools: cutting, non-cutting and electrical.

• Cutting tools: scissors, razors and clippers. Keep them sharp, because a dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one.
• Non-cutting tools: combs, brushes, rollers and pins.
• Electrical tools: hand dryers, hooded dryers and curling irons.

What is the difference between sanitisation, disinfection and sterilisation?

These are three levels of cleaning that keep tools safe for the next client.

• Sanitisation: cleaning with soap and water to remove visible dirt.
• Disinfection: using chemicals such as alcohol or Izal to kill germs on tools.
• Sterilisation: using high heat (an autoclave) to kill all life forms, including spores.

What are the basic safety rules in the salon?

• Dry floor: keep the floor dry to avoid slips.
• Socket use: never plug too many electrical items into one socket, to avoid fires.
• Clean tools: clean and disinfect tools after every client.

What are professional ethics in cosmetology?

• Punctuality: arrive and serve clients on time.
• Personal hygiene: keep good breath and clean nails.
• Confidentiality: keep client secrets.
• Behaviour: your conduct is part of your grade.

What are the layers of the hair?

The hair shaft has three layers: the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla.

• Cuticle: the outer layer, which looks like fish scales and protects the hair.
• Cortex: the middle layer, where the strength and colour (melanin) of the hair are found.
• Medulla: the very centre, which is sometimes missing in fine hair.

What are the common hair and scalp disorders?

A hair disorder is an abnormal condition of the hair or scalp.

• Dandruff (pityriasis): flaky skin on the scalp.
• Alopecia: abnormal hair loss or baldness.
• Tinea capitis: ringworm of the scalp, which is contagious.
• Fragilitas crinium: brittle hair. Split ends are called trichoptilosis.

What are chemical hair services?

Chemical hair services use chemicals to change the structure of the hair, mainly by relaxing or perming.

• Relaxing: straightening curly hair with a chemical relaxer.
• Lye relaxer: contains sodium hydroxide.
• No-lye relaxer: contains guanidine hydroxide.
• Thio relaxer: contains ammonium thioglycolate, which is also used in perms.
• Base cream: always applied first to protect the scalp.
• Neutralising: the most important step after relaxing. It stops the chemical action and brings the hair back to its normal pH.

What is the difference between relaxing and perming?

• Relaxing: makes curly hair straight.
• Perming: makes straight hair curly.

What are the skin types?

There are four main skin types: normal, oily, dry and combination.

• Normal: balanced, smooth and neither too oily nor too dry.
• Oily: shiny, with enlarged pores, and prone to pimples.
• Dry: tight feeling, flaky, with small pores.
• Combination: oily on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks.

What are the steps of a facial treatment?

A facial treatment has six steps, done in a fixed order.

1. Cleansing: removing dirt and makeup.
2. Exfoliation: removing dead skin cells.
3. Steaming: opening the pores.
4. Extraction: removing blackheads.
5. Massage: improving blood flow.
6. Mask/toning: closing the pores and soothing the skin.

What is the makeup application order?

Makeup is applied from the base upwards, finishing with a setting spray.

1. Prep/prime
2. Foundation
3. Concealer
4. Powder
5. Brows
6. Eyes
7. Lips
8. Setting spray

What is the difference between highlighting and contouring?

• Highlighting: using a lighter shade to bring features forward, such as the bridge of the nose.
• Contouring: using a darker shade to create shadows and make features recede, such as the hollows of the cheeks.

What are the parts of the nail?

The nail has four parts you must know: the nail plate, free edge, matrix and cuticle.

• Nail plate: the visible part we paint.
• Free edge: the part of the nail that hangs over the finger.
• Matrix: the “mother” of the nail, where growth starts. If it is damaged, the nail may never grow back properly.
• Cuticle: the small flap of skin at the base that protects the matrix.

What are the common nail shapes?

• Oval: rounded, like the shape of an egg.
• Square: straight across the top with sharp corners.
• Squoval: square with rounded edges.
• Almond: narrows to a soft point.

What is the manicure procedure?

A manicure is the care and shaping of the hands and fingernails. A pedicure is the same care for the feet and toenails.

1. Remove old polish.
2. File and shape the nails.
3. Soak the hands.
4. Care for the cuticles.
5. Massage the hands.
6. Buff and paint the nails.

• Safety note: never cut the cuticle too deep. It can lead to paronychia, an infection of the skin around the nail.

How do you start a beauty business?

Starting a beauty business means planning the market, the place and the prices before you open.

• Market survey: asking people what they need before you open.
• Location: choosing a place with good electricity, water and many people passing by.
• Pricing: covering your costs (rent, light, products) and still making a profit.

How do you answer exam command words?

A command word tells you how much to write, so read it before you answer.

• Diagrams: in the practical exam, label your diagrams clearly with straight lines.
• Label lines: do not let your labels cross each other.

Why does the pH scale matter in cosmetology?

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).

• Skin and hair: naturally slightly acidic, at about 4.5 to 5.5.
• Relaxers: alkaline, so they change the hair structure.
• Neutralising: returns the hair to its normal acidic pH.
• Exam use: this balance is the key to many “Chemistry of Cosmetology” questions.

Evaluation

1. Differentiate between sanitisation, disinfection and sterilisation.
2. Name the three layers of the hair and state one function of the cuticle.
3. Why is neutralising the most important step after relaxing?
4. List the six facial treatment steps in the correct order.
5. What is paronychia, and how can it be avoided during a manicure?

Assignment

Draw the nail and label the nail plate, free edge, matrix and cuticle. Write one sentence on the function of each part.