Five important principles in art and design-proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony-are also the basis of hair design.

Hairdressers undertake work that creates a more permanent change in the appearance of their clients. This includes haircuts, chemical treatments, permanent hair extensions, and hair colouring. They can also do hair styling, or hand over the client to a hairstylist. Hairstylists primarily do temporary styling of hair.

A hair salon is a business that provides clients with a variety of hair-related services. Haircutting, regular and formal styling, chemical treatments (color, highlights, perms, and keratin treatments), hair and scalp treatments, and beard and mustache shaping are all included.

The five elements of hair design are: line, form, space, texture, and color. The five important principles of hair design are: proportion, balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony. Hair type is defined by two major characteristics: wave patterns and hair texture.