New Mexico Cosmetology Practice Exam

Dry hair is primarily characterized by a lack of moisture and shine. This condition often results from various factors such as environmental exposure, overprocessing with chemical treatments, excessive heat styling, or inadequate hydration. When hair lacks moisture, it can appear dull and feel brittle and rough to the touch, leading to difficulty in managing it and achieving a healthy look.

In contrast, excessive shine would imply that the hair has sufficient moisture and is well-nourished, which does not align with the characteristics of dry hair. High elasticity typically indicates that hair is healthy and adequately moisturized, which again differs from dry hair. Similarly, thick texture can be present in both healthy and dry hair, as thickness alone does not determine the moisture level or overall health of the hair. Therefore, the defining characteristic of dry hair is indeed its lack of moisture and resulting lack of shine.