Strand Testing

A little nervous about coloring your hair? Worried that old haircolor or your hair condition might interfere with the result you want? Like a trial run? A strand test is always in your best interests!

What is a strand test?

A strand test is a bit like taking the preliminary PSAT before taking the SAT.

When you color your hair, there are several variables which affect the final result. First there's your natural hair color, and its undertones.

How do I do a strand test?

Before coloring your hair, it's always a good idea to have it trimmed.

If there's enough length to use for a strand test, simply ask your stylist to save a few strands for you. Be sure that you're including the most worn and/or damaged hair as well as some of the new growth for the test.

Tape the hair together using-preferably-duct tape at a place where you can clearly see the hair that you're testing. Proceed with the strand test.

Don't be afraid to snip a few strands yourself. The section need only be about one eight inch thick and a one half inch wide. Tape the hair together as described above. If you're worried that the cut might show, simply pin up the uppermost layer of your hair and cut underneath. You may also foil a section as a test strand.

When choosing a strand of hair, keep in mind that the idea is to test hair that has the most wear and tear. In other words, the hair from the top of your head-as well as the ends of your hair is more exposed to environmental as well as styling damage. If your hair is cut in layers, you may actually want to cut two strands, one from the top and then one from the back where the longer-layers result in damage to the hair ends.

Generally color is applied to dry hair.

If you're planning to pre-condition your hair first, do the same to this strand of hair-this is very important.

Apply the same clarifying/equalizing treatment, the exact haircolor formula, follow the same timing.

Every aspect of coloring the strand should be the same as the actual haircolor.

Now dry the strand. The hair will appear darker and more gold when wet so this is an important step when determining the true color.

Analyze the strand now. If the strand is the color you were hoping it would be, follow the same steps-exactly. However if the color is perhaps too gold, too red, too light or too dark, you must adjust the formula before proceeding.

You may decide to do another strand test.

To do this, you must cut or isolate another-do not use the same strand.

Follow the same steps once again.