The Complete Handbook of Hairdressing & Cosmetology
A Practical Reference for Working Professionals, Salon Owners, and Serious Students
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive practical reference for professional hair care: services, chemistry, tools, business, and troubleshooting.
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About this book
Whether you are a newly licensed cosmetologist taking your first clients, a salon owner trying to improve your service menu and staff training, or a serious student preparing for state board exams, The Complete Handbook of Hairdressing & Cosmetology gives you the essential knowledge you need. This book distills a decade of industry practice into one organized, practical volume. It covers the properties of hair and skin, the chemistry behind coloring, perming, and relaxing, and the precise techniques for haircutting, styling, and shaving services.
Going far beyond typical school textbooks, this handbook dedicates substantial space to the real-world concerns professionals face daily: troubleshooting a color that turned brassy, why a perm didn't take, how to sanitize implements between clients, and how to choose a new clipper or dryer without getting lost in marketing claims. It includes practical chapters on salon maintenance, supplier relationships, retailing products, and building a clientele. A comprehensive FAQ and alphabetical glossary make it quick to consult on the floor.
Written in plain, direct language, with step-by-step processes and concrete examples throughout, this handbook is designed to be used, not just read. It is a reliable desk reference for independent professionals, a teaching aid for schools, and a business guide for salon owners.
Reader Reviews
Christopher Hernandez
★★★★★This is a seriously dense reference. I've been doing hair for about 8 years and still found the troubleshooting chapter on perms and color genuinely useful. The only reason it's not 5 stars is that some of the equipment specs seem geared toward American brands, and the international reader gets a little sidelined. Overall, a very solid desk book.
Cynthia Robinson
★★★★★I bought this when I was thinking about opening my own studio suite. The chapter on business opportunities is where this book pays for itself - it walks through the actual financials of booth rental versus commission in a way I haven't seen anywhere else. I docked a star because there's no index in the digital version, which makes it a bit clunky to jump around in.
Jennifer Carter
★★★★★As a cosmetology instructor, I appreciate the clear, no-ego writing style. This covers the same ground as the required textbook but with better explanations of the chemistry. I found a small error on the recommended chlorine concentration for sanitizing foot baths - it should be lower than what's written. That's a minor fix for a genuinely useful reference.
Jennifer Allen
★★★★★I'm a serious hobbyist with a home station, and this handbook finally gave me the professional-level information that YouTube tutorials skip. The detailed hair structure diagrams in Chapter 1, and the simple explanations of why your hair turns orange when you bleach it, just made everything click. It's not just a book to read, it's one to keep on the shelf for every time you mix a formula. Worth every cent.