We get it—when you have a brand-new product in-hand, a strand test is probably the last thing you want to do. However, it’s the only surefire way to determine how your hair will react to our Color Depositing Masks (or any other hair color product, for that matter). Results and longevity depend on a number of factors, including your hair’s starting shade, whether it’s been pre-lightened, porosity, and the amount of time you leave the mask on. For that reason, we strongly recommend doing a strand test before you commit to a full head of color. The good news? It’s a fairly quick and painless process. Read on for the step-by-step. (Thanks to one of our favorite beauty gurus, Sarah, for illustrating!)
Strand Test Instructions
Start by choosing a small piece of hair to test, ideally one that’s mostly hidden when your hair is styled normally. The final shade will be most vibrant and long-lasting on the strands of your hair that are lightest in color, so keep that in mind when selecting a strand!
Section off the strand and tie the rest out of the way.
Apply Color Depositing Mask on the strand and leave on 2–3 minutes.
Rinse.
If the color is too subtle, try a second strand and leave on for longer.
If you want to be extra careful (and have the fortitude to be extra patient), the strand test can even help you determine how long the mask will last in your hair. Just wait to see how long the color takes to wash out so that you’ll have a better idea of how long you’ll be rocking a new hue. If it lasts longer than you want it to, you can try leaving the mask on for less time.
Not too bad, right? If you have more questions about Color Depositing Mask, you can read more on the blog or on our FAQ page. Still seeking answers? Just reach out to our Customer Service team for help. Happy coloring!