Want Claims That Stick? Combine Hair Tress Testing With Consumer Feedback

When it comes to proving that your shampoo adds shine or your leave-in smooths frizz, not all testing methods are created equal. At Orivida Research, we use a combination of objective and subjective tools like hair tress testing and consumer perception studies to help haircare brands validate their claims with real data and real-world relevance.

What Is Hair Tress Testing?

Hair tresses are standardized swatches of human hair that allow us to evaluate a product's performance in a highly controlled, repeatable way. These tresses are carefully selected based on characteristics like damage level, color, or curl pattern to match your target customer.

We use them to simulate real-world use and measure specific outcomes such as:

- Shine using image analysis

- Smoothness and detangling using comb force measurements

- Frizz reduction in controlled humidity environments

- Color protection after repeated wash and UV exposure cycles

- Breakage and tensile strength via mechanical testing

It’s a fast, effective way to test multiple formulations side by side before moving into a full-scale clinical or consumer study.

Why Add Consumer Perception?

While tress testing provides objective performance data, consumer perception addresses a different question: How does your product feel and perform in the hands of real users?

In a consumer perception study, panelists use your product over a set period (typically 1 to 4 weeks) and respond to questions like:

- “Does your hair feel softer?”

- “Was the product easy to rinse out?”

- “Did your hair feel less frizzy or more manageable?”

These subjective insights give your marketing team the language they need to support real-world benefits, especially when paired with objective testing from the lab.

The Power of Combining Both

Using both methods, tress testing and consumer perception allows you to:

- Screen formulas efficiently before human use

- Back up marketing claims with measurable results

- Highlight dual benefits (e.g., “Reduces breakage by 35% and 85% of users noticed less frizz”)

- Support retail or regulatory submissions with layered evidence

Whether you're launching a new conditioner or reformulating a serum, this approach gives you a smart, scalable way to test and prove what your product can do.

Ready to Validate Your Haircare Claims?

At Orivida Research, we specialize in objective and consumer-backed testing for shampoos, conditioners, serums, and more. Whether you're still refining your formula or prepping for launch, we’ll walk you through the right testing strategy so you can make confident claims that resonate.

📩 Contact us at hello@orivida-research.com to learn more or request a quote.