This article was co-authored by April Ferri. April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.
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When you dye your hair at home using a dyeing kit from the store, it’s very important that you perform a strand test first. The strand test helps you to determine the final color result so there are no surprises when you dye your full head of hair. It also allows you to test for any allergic reaction you may have to the ingredients in the dye. Note that these are general guidelines for doing a strand test, but you should always follow the specific instructions provided with your dyeing kit when possible.
Best Way to Do A Strand Test Before Dyeing Your Hair
- Mix the dye and developer thoroughly.
- Isolate a strand of hair in an inconspicuous area.
- Saturate the strand from root to tip with the mixture.
- Wait 30 minutes (or check the packaging for a specific time frame).
- Rinse the strand thoroughly with warm water.
- Wait 24 hours before assessing the color so the dye can fully develop.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhy is strand testing important?April FerriApril Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.
Professional Hair StylistA strand test allows you to see what color your hair is really going to come out when you dye it. You can also see the condition your hair is going to be on after you use that product. -
QuestionIs it natural to do this?Community AnswerAlmost everyone I know has done this test and nothing bad seemed to happen. If you are worried then maybe consider Kool Aid or choose a color close to your hair color, because even if it doesn't work no one will notice the failed test.
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QuestionI used a product to remove past colors, then had an emergency that made it impossible for me to put color on. It has been over a week. Can I still dye my hair?Community AnswerI am sure it will be fine, but if you are still concerned, ask your stylist.
Video
Tips
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Do this test every time you dye your hair, even if you’re using the same color as before. Hair conditions and coloring change naturally over time, as do your allergy sensitivities.Thanks
Things You’ll Need
- Hair dye kit
- Disposable plastic/latex gloves
- Disposable plastic bowl and spoon
- Applicator brush/comb (optional)
- Tinfoil or plastic wrap (optional)
References
- ↑ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a4503/how-to-remove-hair-dye/
- ↑ https://www.esalon.com/faqs/question/35/how-do-i-perform-the-strand-test
- ↑ April Ferri. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.
- ↑ April Ferri. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.
- ↑ April Ferri. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.
- ↑ http://www.wella.com/retail/en-AR/article/text/hair-color-safety-test
- ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/hair/hair-care/hair-color-101
About This Article
Before you dye your hair, it’s best to do a quick strand test to make sure it comes out the right color. Start by taking an unnoticeable strand from the side of your head and clipping the rest of your hair out of the way. Then, apply the dye to that strand of hair. Leave it in for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry your hair. If you're not in a rush, consider waiting 24 hours before dyeing the rest of your hair so you can get used to the color and see it in different lighting, although you don't have to. If you love the color that the strand test produces, dye the rest of your hair and use the same timing. If the color is too light or dark, dye your hair for a longer or shorter time accordingly. For more tips, including how to prepare your hair dye, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Wanted to know the ratio of color and developer for a strand test, never done one before. Also, dont know what the outcome will be with this brand/color. So, I figured I'd do a strand test. "..." more