A method for assessing the state of hair by releasably engaging a first end (5) of hair fibres (3) with a holder(1) so that an opposite, second end (4) of said hair fibres (3) hangs free and applying sufficient force to the first end (5) of the hair fibres(3) such that the hair fibres (3) at the second end (4) are pulled across the holder (1), wherein the force is in an upwards direction and applied by action of an encapsulated gas having a density of less than that of air (7).