I am sure that you are aware of the fake designer bags and perfumes that come into the market place but what about fake hair care products. I must admit and maybe you are thinking the same. Is it really worth while for someone to be making counterfeit salon hair care products.
Well the answer is a definite yes. In fact there happens to be a thriving market in this particular beauty area. Knowing the signs to look out for will help you to spot the real from the counterfeit.
When wandering around your local discount shop I am sure that you will have seen deals on brand name hair products. You may even come across the particular range of salon hair care products that you use at home. The ones that you purchased when you last visited your favorite hair stylist.
As a hairstylist I must admit that I sometimes do a double take on the very special discount deals offered. As the prices quoted are cheaper than my hair salon can buy the same products from the manufacture.
Now we all like a good deal and love to think that we have found a bargain.
But one question comes to mind.
Are We Always Getting The Hair Care Products We Believe We Are Getting?
Having talked to many professional salon hair product companies in my hairdressing career including L’Oréal, Aveda Redken just to name a few. About these cheap hair product prices at discount shops. They have all in one way or another conveyed the same message.
“Our company cannot guarantee that our products will be authentic unless purchased from an authorized dealer”
If you happen to be the cynical type you might say
“The only reason they are saying this to stop me finding a bargain”. Or you could be thinking that the product companies are just trying to protect the hair salons that are selling their products.
Unfortunately there is a little bit more to it than that. The hair products that you have seen displayed with big reductions in your local discount store have generally arrived there by way of what is known as the gray market.
What Is The Gray Market?
There is a gray market these days for almost anything that you wish to purchase.
The gray market is the name given to any products that have been brought and sold outside of their manufactures authorized trading channels.
Therefore those hair care products such as conditioners or shampoos that you have been eyeing in the discount store would have arrived through this gray channel.
Meaning that they are legal and genuine.
But be aware.
Criminals and unscrupulous people do also use the gray market to distribute there not so legal and genuine products.
Knowing what to look out for will help you distinguish between the true and the false.
Hair Care Products Buyer Beware.
The Outdated Products.
Do be aware that products with large discounts have a chance of being outdated.
One way that hair care products do arrive on the gray market is by a company or middle man buying these hair products in bulk and storing them in a warehouse. The reason being to store them long enough for the existing bar codes on the bottles to expire.
Once the original bar code has expired the products are no longer track able.
Then whatever happens to the products in the mean time or with who or where they end up nobody knows.
It is important for you to remember that like a lot of other products hair care products do have a use by date. Due to some of the natural ingredients that are used.
Your shampoos and conditioners have a shelf life of around two years. But if the products have been badly stored this time will be reduced.
To save yourself buying and ending up with a hair product that could be out dated with the ingredients starting to go off or splitting. Look out for these warning signs.
The hair care product container has a couple of added stickers placed on it.
Check to see if the original bar code has been covered and new bar code added. Either separately or over the top of the old one.
If so that should set alarm bells ringing in your head.
The Counterfeit Hair Care Products.
Unfortunately a lot of counterfeit products do enter the hair care market. Most of these coming from China and I must say that they do look very authentic. Especially if you are not very familiar with the original hair product packaging .
Fake products are dangerous due to the fact that short cuts will be taken in how the product is made. They are probably being made in unsanitary conditions and may well include harmful ingredients. As I am sure that the ingredients in the counterfeit hair care products will not have been tested for safety.
It is not unknown for harmful ingredients to end up in counterfeit products. In Asia there was a big scandal not long ago with counterfeit children’s milk powder which was being made in China.
You could find that your favorite salon shampoo purchased at the discount shop. Gives you an allergic reaction which you never suffered from before.
Now how are you going to stop yourself buying a fake salon hair care product thinking that it is the real deal?
My best advice is to take a good look at the container of your favorite product. The one that you brought last time on your visit to your hair salon.
Remember the small details in fact why not use your phone and take a picture of the products container for a comparison.
Check These Pointers To Spot A Fake.
Is there any small change in the look of the company’s logo?
Read the small print. Is there any spelling mistakes or signs of bad grammar?
Ask yourself does the store sell the whole range of the products you are looking at? Or just one or two items.
How big is the discount? Be wary if your hair care product on the shelf is selling at a fraction of the cost it retails for in your local hair salon.
Should you notice any of these pointers walk away leaving the product on the shelf.
I remember a very memorable quote from the film Ronin. “Whenever there is doubt there is no doubt”
Shopping in your local hair product discount store or on line for a good deal on your favorite expensive hair care products. Is very tempting but if that hair product company is not known for having sales be wary.
Understanding how the products arrived in the store and knowing a little about how to spot the ones to stay away from is important. Hopefully this post will help you to navigate the minefield of grey market hair care products.
To get professional advice and be 100% sure that your favorite hair care products are genuine. Purchase them on your salon visit.
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