This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to consult with clients and analyse facial characteristics to design, recommend and complete a range of complementary cuts and styles for wigs and those that incorporate hairpieces. It also involves cleaning and conditioning wigs and hairpieces. Clients may wear full wigs or hairpieces that blend with natural hair for fashion effect, religious reasons, due to hair loss or when performing in photographic, event, theatrical, film or television productions.

This unit applies to senior hairdressers and barbers who work in salons or as session stylists. They work independently, have considerable specialist skills and knowledge and provide technical leadership, training and support to team members.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

clean and condition at least three full head wigs and three hairpieces covering at least two of the following fibres:

human hair

synthetic fibre

animal hair

consult with at least four clients and complete a pre-service analysis covering the following characteristics to design and recommend appropriate finished hairstyles for wigs and those incorporating hairpieces:

facial features and bone structure

where hair is present:

natural hair type

hair texture

growth patterns

movement

length and structure of haircut

for two of the above clients, cut, style and finish to their satisfaction, full head wigs covering at least two of the following fibres:

human hair

synthetic fibre

animal hair

for two of the above clients, complete, to their satisfaction, cutting, styling and finishing services to blend hairpieces with natural hair

for the hairpiece services, cover at least two of the following types:

toupees

long or short frangia

one, two and three stem switch

button

postiche

wiglet.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and their use in achieving haircut and styling effects for wigs, hairpieces and blended styles;

elements of hair design:

line

shape

direction

size

texture

colour

principles of hair design:

balance

gradation

repetition

contrast

harmony

dominance

unity

different facial shapes and hair designs which best complement particular shapes

key features of different types of wigs and hairpieces, how they are fitted and secured to clients’ heads:

full head wigs

toupees

long or short frangia

one, two and three stem switch

button

postiche

wiglet

appropriate methods to fit and secure wigs and hair pieces to avoid pressure alopecia

characteristics of the following hair fibres used in wigs and hairpieces, how they respond to cutting and styling and appropriate techniques for best outcomes:

human hair:

European

Asian

Euro-Asian

African

synthetic fibre

animal hair

key features of different types of head blocks, and suitability for use with different types of wigs and hairpieces

techniques used to cut and blend hairpieces within client’s natural hair

styling and finishing products suited to different fibres and base materials used in wigs and hairpieces

effects of thermal tools on hair, wig and hairpiece condition and structure and ways to maintain the integrity during styling

cleaning and conditioning products suited to different types of stitching, knotting and fibre used in wigs and hairpieces

industry practices and organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety with particular emphasis on:

using gown and towels to protect client clothes

monitoring client scalp comfort and using appropriate methods to fit and secure wigs, especially where hair loss and scarring is a significant concern

work health and safety for providing hair styling services, with particular emphasis on:

safe use of electrical hair styling equipment

using correct posture and adjusting height of client chair to avoid fatigue and injury

using correct techniques to hold, grip and manipulate cutting and styling tools to avoid fatigue and injury

waste disposal with particular emphasis on environmentally sound disposal methods for cleaning, styling and finishing products and hair waste.

Skills must be demonstrated in a hairdressing environment; this can be:

a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace, or

a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace, set up for the purpose of skills assessment that provides services to paying members of the public, or

industry venues and sites where session events are operated, or

session venues and sites operated within a training organisation such as working salons, auditoria, exhibition areas, conference rooms and restaurants where real session events are staged in live time.

Assessment must ensure use of:

clients with different wig or hairpiece cutting and styling requirements; these can be:

paying clients in a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace, or

paying clients in a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace within a training organisation who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business, or

models or performers in a session styling setting

sufficient client traffic to allow for prioritisation of tasks so that clients are serviced effectively in a logical sequence

activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to:

deal with multiple tasks simultaneously

complete client services within designated timeframes that reflect accepted industry practice

facilities for washing and conditioning wigs and hairpieces with:

basins with hot and cold running water and adjustable temperature controls

shampoo and conditioning products for a range of wig and hairpiece fibre types

clean towels

a hairdressing or barbering services workstation with:

one mirror per workstation

one adjustable client services chair per workstation

one blow dryer with heat diffuser per workstation

clean client gowns or wraps

clean towels

professional styling and finishing products which can be:

gels

glazes

lotions

mousses

setting lotions

sprays

waxes

heat lamps

hair dryers

thermal tools:

thermostatically controlled ceramic flat irons

styling tongs

wig blocks and tools to attach wigs and hairpieces

one operator trolley per workstation stocked with:

haircutting scissors

texturising and thinning shears

combs

brushes:

Denman style

round

vent

sectioning clips

hair rollers of different sizes

pin curl clips

pins

clips, pins and tape used to secure wigs and hairpieces to client

a range of full head wigs and hairpieces to include those made from human hair, synthetic fibre and animal hair

product instructions

organisational procedures for:

client comfort and safety

work health and safety for hair styling services

waste minimisation

waste disposal.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and:

hold a Certificate IV qualification in Hairdressing, or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies; and

have at least three years full time employment experience as a hairdresser in a salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a hairdressing qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period; or

have at least three years full time employment experience as a barber in a shop or salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a barbering qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period.

Hairdressing

Hair Design