Ogden-O’Fee, a Christchurch hair stylist of 43 years, uses the test strands to determine how a client’s hair will respond to what has been dubbed grey blending. It is a boutique service that varies between clients, involving highlights, lowlights and tones to gradually integrate grey hair into a low-maintenance colour. Often, the hair samples paint a story of someone who has dyed or bleached over their greys for years, adding complexity to the transition.