How to Rate Over-the-Counter Hair Color

Over-the-counter color is a cheaper alternative to going to a hair salon.

Hair color can be hard to maintain due to high salon prices, so if you wish to eschew the lofty salon prices while continuing to color your hair, over-the-counter hair color may be the best way to do so. There are many hair coloring products on the market, however, all kits are not created equally. The greatest challenge for the consumer is knowing how to avoid the lower-quality products before coloring all your hair with it. One way to test these over-the-counter hair kits is to perform a strand test.

Things You'll Need

• Hair Scissors
• Strand of your Hair
• Scotch Tape
• Over-the-Counter Hair Coloring Kit
• Timer
• Shampoo
• Hair Dryer

Instructions

1. Cut a small strand of hair from a bottom layer in the back of your head.

2. Tape the strand of hair together using scotch tape so the hair will not separate.

3. Follow the instructions from the over-the-counter hair coloring kit and color the strand of hair.

4. Leave the color in the strand of hair as long as it is required by the over-the-counter hair coloring kit.

5. Wash out the hair color from the strand of hair using shampoo.

6. Dry the strand of hair with a hair dryer.

7. Inspect the finished product to determine if the hair color is suitable to use for your entire head.

Tips & Warnings

• After the strand test is complete, make sure the hair color is the desired color for your hair. Additionally, look to see if the color has completely covered your old hair color and the hair has remained shiny and healthy looking.

• You should not attempt to lighten or darken your hair more than two shades from your natural color. If you desire a more substantial change it is suggested that you consult a hair stylist.

References

• Marie Claire: Color Cues: At Home Color Help
• Good Housekeeping: Tips for Getting Salon-Perfect Hair Color At Home