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Counterfeit Hair Products Exposed: Your Guide to Spotting the Real Deal

Updated: Mar 7


fake or real

When it comes to your hair care products, quality matters.  It is essential to use trusted and authentic hair care products.  Globally, total counterfeit sales each year are estimated to be around $1.7 to $4.5 trillion.  In Europe alone, the hairstyling market is expected to by 1.22 billion Euros (1.34 Billion USD) by 2026.


Unfortunately, the beauty industry is not immune to counterfeiters and unauthorized retailers who compromise both your hair's well-being and your hard-earned money.  No one knows this better than your stylist, because they are the ones who see your hair from every angle. 


What is Anti Divergence?

You might have heard about 'anti-diversion,' and I want to break it down for you. It's a way hair care companies ensure you get the best products. At Fringe Hair Studio, we choose trusted brands and their authorized products because we believe they work great. These companies want their products used in professional places like our salon to control quality.

 

We prevent 'Diversion' by offering only authorized products, ensuring consistent, top-quality results for your hair. Trusting these brands is vital for maintaining their reputation. We sell what we trust and use ourselves, upholding high standards. Authenticity is confirmed by unique codes or stamps on products, a guarantee for your hair's health. 


Prioritizing your hair's health, we emphasize the risks of counterfeit products and stress the importance of buying from authorized retailers. Learn why avoiding counterfeits is crucial and the steps to safeguard your locks.



The Risks of Unauthorized Retailers

Choosing cheaper products may seem cost-effective, but drugstore options often harbor harmful chemicals and lack quality control. Reputable brands at drugstores can still pose risks, as some products may be resold by 'reps' who buy old stock from salons or outlets. This practice, common and risky, extends to online sales of expired or fake products.


The Dangers of Counterfeit Products:

Counterfeit goods are often made using cheap, substandard, and dangerous components that put consumers’ public health and safety at risk. Counterfeit hair care products not only waste money but also jeopardize hair and scalp health. Manufactured with substandard ingredients, lacking quality control, they may lead to adverse reactions like scalp irritation, allergies, hair breakage, and long-term damage. Genuine, authorized hair care products ensure safe and effective application.


The Risks of Unauthorized Retailers:

Unauthorized retailers, whether online or brick-and-mortar, are a breeding ground for counterfeit products. These retailers may offer enticing discounts and deals, but the products they sell are often fake replicas or expired goods. Shopping from such sources not only puts your hair at risk but also exposes you to potential identity theft or credit card fraud. Protect yourself by being cautious and always purchasing from authorized and reputable sellers.



The Reward of Authorized Retailers:

Choosing to purchase your hair care products from authorized retailers, such as Fringe Hair Studio, guarantees authenticity, quality, and peace of mind. Authorized retailers have direct relationships with manufacturers, ensuring that the products you receive are genuine and formulated with high-quality ingredients. Additionally, these retailers often have well-trained staff who can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific hair needs, ensuring you find the most suitable products for your locks.



The Benefits of Investing in Professional Hair Products

As a professional stylist, I know that investing in high-quality hair products is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your hair.  Professional hair products are typically sold at salons and by licensed stylists. By purchasing these products from experts in the field, you're ensuring that you're receiving top-notch advice and recommendations on the best products for your hair type and concerns. Your stylist can help you build a personalized hair care routine that will keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful.



Higher Quality Ingredients:

One of the biggest advantages of using professional hair products is the quality of the ingredients they contain. These products are carefully formulated with top-notch ingredients that nourish and protect your hair, helping to maintain its natural oils and prevent damage over time. Cheap drug store products, on the other hand, may contain harsh chemicals that strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.  Protecting your hair is so important, whether it be from the sun, or just everyday elements.


Salon-Grade Results:

Opt for professional hair products to attain salon-grade results, ensuring the beautiful, healthy hair seen in magazines and on social media. Cheaper drugstore alternatives may fall short, potentially leading to more time and money spent on rectifying any resulting damage or issues.


Professional hair products are often designed to target specific hair types and concerns, such as dryness, split ends, frizz, or color-treated hair. This means that you can choose products that are tailored to your unique hair needs, helping you achieve the best possible results. Cheap drug store products, on the other hand, are often one-size-fits-all and may not be the best choice for your hair type or concerns.


Creative and Personalized Styling:

Not only do professional hair products provide the necessary nourishment and care for your hair, but they also allow for more creative and personalized styling options. Professional hair products are often designed to work together to create specific styles, whether it's voluminous curls, sleek straight hair, or a messy, beachy look. With the right combination of products, you can achieve the exact style you want and make it last all day.


Long-Term Hair Health:

Investing in professional hair products may seem more expensive upfront, but it can actually save you money in the long run. By using high-quality products that are tailored to your hair type and concerns, you can prevent damage and breakage, which means you'll need fewer haircuts and salon treatments over time. Plus, healthy hair looks and feels better, which can boost your confidence and overall well-being.  Nourished hair is healthy hair, and your hair matters.



Avoid Being Duped

To avoid purchasing fakes of knockoffs, look for the 3 P’s. 


  • PRICE: If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

  • PACKAGING: If the product is being sold without its packaging, or the packaging appears to be of low quality or includes printing errors (for example, blurry pictures, typos, spelling, or grammatical errors) it is probably counterfeit.

  • PLACE: Consider where the product is being sold:

  • In-Store: Ask yourself if you would typically expect to find the product sold in this type of environment. Deal only with legitimate, established merchants. 

  • Online: Counterfeiters often steal pictures and formatting from real websites to make their websites look legit.  Look at the fine print in the product descriptions, FAQs, “Contact Us” pages, or their social media. You can sometimes spot a site by finding typos, grammatical and spelling errors, or incomplete information. 



Trusting Your Stylist

In hair care, choosing professional products is key. They offer quality ingredients, tailored solutions, long-term benefits, salon-grade results, and expert advice. Prioritize your hair's health and beauty by opting for genuine, high-quality products. At Fringe Hair Studio, we're dedicated to providing authentic, top-tier products for your stunning locks.

Don’t forget the 3 P’s, trust the professionals, and say no to counterfeit risks.

To find authentic products, check out our shop’s page, or stop by the salon.


young woman making heart hands about her great hair


Remember, when it comes to your hair, authenticity matters!


 

Learn more here about Anti-Diversion and how you can spot and/or report fake products:

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