Prescriptions for Practical Haircutting, Vol. 3: Shape, Form and Balance--A Technical Approach to Asian Hair

Diane Jeep Ries combines 20 years of professional expertise and good old fashioned common sense to create bold cuts for a variety of hairy heads. Acknowledging the unique hair personalities of different nationalities, Jeep works here on a young Asian woman (with thin fine hair that grows straight out from the scalp), who wants something short, hip, and versatile in style. In somewhat Zen-like fashion, Jeep says "the hair tells me what to do," and viewers watch as she literally begins a dance: altering her posture and stance to match the flow and movement of the model's hair. As she continues the cut, Jeep describes what she's doing with specialized tools (such as a razor comb and thinning blade) and discusses the different properties of hair shaping and "deconstruction." Though Jeep assumes a rudiment of hairstyling knowledge, her energy and style are so inspirational even the novice hair-cutter/styler will appreciate this training tape on the intimacy of what she calls "romantic haircutting." Recommended. The two other volumes in the series are: Reducing the Differential: Creating the Illusion of Thicker, Fuller Hair and Swift, Sure and Soft: Scissor-Over Comb Styling for Women (series price: $79.95). Aud: P. (N. Plympton)