Barber Chemistry of Barbering Products Practice Questions
Chemistry of Barbering Products makes up 3 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest Barber practice test. Here are 10 of the 12 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the NIC National Barber Theory Examination outline (bulletin effective June 1, 2025: 60 items, 50 scored, 90 minutes). Original questions. Some states use their own exam; check your board.
1. On the pH scale, a reading of 7 is:
- A.Caustic
- B.Neutral
- C.Acidic
- D.Alkaline
Answer: B. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral (pure water) and above 7 is alkaline.
2. A product with a pH of 5 is:
- A.Neutral
- B.Slightly alkaline
- C.Strongly alkaline
- D.Slightly acidic
Answer: D. Below 7 is acidic, so pH 5 is mildly acidic, close to the 4.5 to 5.5 of healthy hair and skin.
3. A pH of 9 is how many times more alkaline than a pH of 8?
- A.10 times
- B.1.5 times
- C.2 times
- D.100 times
Answer: A. The pH scale is logarithmic: each whole step is a tenfold change. A pH of 10 would be 100 times more alkaline than 8.
4. Which kind of product contracts and closes the hair cuticle?
- A.Hydroxide relaxers
- B.Thio perm lotions
- C.Acidic products
- D.Alkaline products
Answer: C. Acids contract the hair and close the cuticle, which is why acid-balanced rinses and conditioners follow chemical services. Alkaline products swell and open it.
5. A chemical reaction that adds oxygen or removes hydrogen is called:
- A.Neutralization
- B.Emulsification
- C.Oxidation
- D.Reduction
Answer: C. Oxidation adds oxygen or removes hydrogen; reduction is the reverse. Perm neutralizers and oxidation haircolor rely on oxidation.
6. Shampoos clean because their surfactant molecules have:
- A.A water- and an oil-loving end
- B.A charge that repels oil
- C.An alcohol that dissolves oil
- D.Two water-attracting ends
Answer: A. A surfactant's hydrophilic head attracts water and its lipophilic tail attracts oil, so it lifts oil off the hair and lets water rinse it away.
7. Shaving cream and most lotions, which hold oil and water together with an emulsifier, are:
- A.Elements
- B.Solutions
- C.Suspensions
- D.Emulsions
Answer: D. An emulsion uses an emulsifier to hold oil and water together, as in creams and lotions. A suspension separates and must be shaken.
8. A product that says 'shake well before use' is most likely a:
- A.Pure compound
- B.Suspension
- C.Solution
- D.Emulsion
Answer: B. In a suspension, particles are mixed but not dissolved, so they settle out over time. A solution stays evenly mixed.
9. A substance that attracts and holds moisture, such as glycerin, is a:
- A.Oxidizer
- B.Humectant
- C.Surfactant
- D.Solvent
Answer: B. Humectants draw moisture from the air to the hair or skin. Surfactants clean and solvents dissolve other substances.
10. Which ingredient raises the pH of permanent haircolor and lightener so the cuticle swells open?
- A.Citric acid
- B.Silicone
- C.Glycerin
- D.Ammonia
Answer: D. Ammonia (or ethanolamine in no-ammonia formulas) is the alkalizing agent that swells the cuticle so color and lightener can reach the cortex. Citric acid lowers pH; glycerin is a humectant.
Practice all 12 chemistry of barbering products questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free Barber training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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