A hairdresser shows you the back of your head using a simple yet effective system of mirrors.
Showing the back of your hair is a crucial part of the haircut process, allowing you to approve the style, length, and overall finish from all angles. This is achieved by strategically using a handheld mirror in conjunction with the large mirror typically found in front of the salon chair.
The Mirror Reflection System
The core method relies on the principles of light reflection and virtual images. Here's how it works:
The Process Step-by-Step
- The Rear View: The hairdresser holds a second mirror behind your head.
- First Reflection: Your hair at the back of your head is reflected onto the mirror that the hairdresser is holding.
- Second Reflection: This reflection from the handheld mirror is then reflected into the large mirror positioned in front of you.
- Virtual Image: You look into the large mirror in front of you and see a virtual image of the back of your head.
- Seeing the Back: This virtual image in the front mirror is then reflected into your eyes, allowing you to clearly see the back of your hair.
As described in the provided information: "The reflection of our hair falls onto the mirror at the back which the hairdresser holds and that reflection gets reflected into the mirror infront of us which virtual image again gets reflected into our eyes and we can see the back of our hair."
Why Two Mirrors?
Using two mirrors creates a clear, viewable reflection of an area that is otherwise invisible to you.
- The handheld mirror captures the image of the back of your head.
- The fixed mirror in front acts as a viewing screen, displaying the image captured by the handheld mirror.
This setup allows for easy inspection of areas like:
- The neckline
- The shape of the cut
- The layering or texturing at the back
- Any specific details like fades or tapers
This simple optical trick ensures transparency and client satisfaction by providing a full 360-degree view of the finished look. Understanding how mirrors work, particularly the concept of reflection, helps explain this common salon practice.
