Texas Barber Exam Practice Test 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

The cuticle layer is the outermost layer of the hair shaft, made up of multiple tiny overlapping cells. This layer typically has a smooth, flat surface that protects the inner layers of the hair and helps regulate moisture. When coloring hair, the cuticle layer needs to be penetrated in order for the color to reach and attach to the inner layers of the hair shaft. The other options, while all related to hair, do not directly affect the hair's ability to absorb color. The arrector pili muscle is responsible for "goosebumps" and has no impact on hair color absorption. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the shape and texture of hair, but do not play a role in color absorption. Sulphur bonds, also known as disulfide bonds, are responsible for giving hair its strength and elasticity, but are not related to color absorption either. Therefore, the correct answer is C.