New York State Barber Practice Exam 2026 - Free Barber Licensing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary tool used for finishing touches during a haircut is shears. Shears allow for precision cutting and the ability to create clean lines and a polished look. They are particularly useful when refining the style, ensuring that the haircut has an overall neat and professional appearance.

When wrapping up a haircut, shears can help to address any unevenness in the hair length and add texture if needed, giving the stylist the control required for detail work. Unlike clippers, which are generally used for bulk cutting or tapering, and thinning shears, which are used for reducing bulk and blending layers, shears are versatile enough to be employed for fine-tuning the final result of the haircut. A razor can also be used for finishing, but it's more often employed for specific texturizing effects rather than overall finishing. Thus, shears are the ideal tool for the final touches, ensuring the finished haircut presents well and meets the client's expectations.