Comments on: Are salon products in regular stores the same as those in salons http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/ Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:27:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Chris http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/comment-page-2/#comment-44368 Chris Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:02:43 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/#comment-44368 One reason why PM, Matrix, Redken, etc. are all more expensive than the leading products sold at your local store is that they "target" different "types" of hair, hair "problems, i.e damage from thermal styling, lightening, perming, etc. They typically have a lower pH level that is closer to the natural pH of hair and skin, which is generally between 4.5 and 5.5. If you don't have sensitive skin, then really, don't blow your money. If it gets you clean and doesn't irritate you, go for the cheaper one. I went to a product knowledge class for Paul Mitchell products and the guy running it told us that he picked up a bottle of Awapuhi Moisture Mist from PM at the local drug store (because it's not supposed to be there in the first place) and he sent it to a lab and it tested as pure acetone. Spray THAT on your skin! MM Mmm mmmm! One reason why PM, Matrix, Redken, etc. are all more expensive than the leading products sold at your local store is that they “target” different “types” of hair, hair “problems, i.e damage from thermal styling, lightening, perming, etc. They typically have a lower pH level that is closer to the natural pH of hair and skin, which is generally between 4.5 and 5.5. If you don’t have sensitive skin, then really, don’t blow your money. If it gets you clean and doesn’t irritate you, go for the cheaper one.

I went to a product knowledge class for Paul Mitchell products and the guy running it told us that he picked up a bottle of Awapuhi Moisture Mist from PM at the local drug store (because it’s not supposed to be there in the first place) and he sent it to a lab and it tested as pure acetone. Spray THAT on your skin! MM Mmm mmmm!

]]> By: amanda http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/comment-page-2/#comment-44177 amanda Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:27:24 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/#comment-44177 I am a Paul Mitchell Stylist and I personally have seen Paul Mitchell product at a major drugstore that was not the product it claimed to be. One of Paul Mitchell's conditioners is a creamy blue. When I opened the bottle it was a white conditioner in the bottle. There are companies out there that manufacture products to look like major brands if you look carefully you can find the differences. I am a Paul Mitchell Stylist and I personally have seen Paul Mitchell product at a major drugstore that was not the product it claimed to be. One of Paul Mitchell’s conditioners is a creamy blue. When I opened the bottle it was a white conditioner in the bottle. There are companies out there that manufacture products to look like major brands if you look carefully you can find the differences.

]]> By: Sheena http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/comment-page-2/#comment-43894 Sheena Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:04:49 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/#comment-43894 I have been a customer to salons and chains and have never noticed a difference. However, I was buying strictly at salons for a long time and then a hairdresser was extreemley pushy about me buying this and that and what it would do for my dry, damaged hair. Needless to say I did not buy anything and I found a new salon. At this salon the hairdresser told me that my hair was in very good condition and actually asked me what I used - I'm a Redken fan. I decided to try one more hairdresser while out of town and she also asked about my choice of product because my hair was so 'silky'. About a year ago my wages at my job dropped quite a bit and I have been buying from a chain in some cases but have not noticed an old bottle. I still prefer to buy from a salon when I can because I know that they make a wage off of it and I really enjoy helping out people if I can. My hairdresser recently told me that if I was experiencing the economy trouble that I should check out Target. That is what is important to me - honesty and a caring relationship with my hairdresser - I will never buy from a chain again! I have been a customer to salons and chains and have never noticed a difference. However, I was buying strictly at salons for a long time and then a hairdresser was extreemley pushy about me buying this and that and what it would do for my dry, damaged hair. Needless to say I did not buy anything and I found a new salon. At this salon the hairdresser told me that my hair was in very good condition and actually asked me what I used – I’m a Redken fan. I decided to try one more hairdresser while out of town and she also asked about my choice of product because my hair was so ’silky’. About a year ago my wages at my job dropped quite a bit and I have been buying from a chain in some cases but have not noticed an old bottle. I still prefer to buy from a salon when I can because I know that they make a wage off of it and I really enjoy helping out people if I can. My hairdresser recently told me that if I was experiencing the economy trouble that I should check out Target. That is what is important to me – honesty and a caring relationship with my hairdresser – I will never buy from a chain again!

]]> By: Heather H http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/comment-page-2/#comment-42226 Heather H Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:42:20 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/#comment-42226 My hair stylist told me it is better to buy salon products in the salon rather than at a local grocery market because they could not even be the same product. so i'm curious...what is the proof that these products in salon and at the super market are the same quality?? my stylist told me her salon did several tests on their salon products and the exact same brand and product from the local grocery store and they had a different Ph!!!! the Ph obviously affects your hair..so how do you explain the dramatic difference in Ph between an salon store products and the exact same product in a market?!! also the label on the salon products even specifically say that they are only gauranteed if SOLD IN A PROFFESSIONAL SALON!! i would argue that everyone should just buy the product from the salon rather than pay basically the same price for the product with a risk of it not "being as effective". My hair stylist told me it is better to buy salon products in the salon rather than at a local grocery market because they could not even be the same product. so i’m curious…what is the proof that these products in salon and at the super market are the same quality?? my stylist told me her salon did several tests on their salon products and the exact same brand and product from the local grocery store and they had a different Ph!!!! the Ph obviously affects your hair..so how do you explain the dramatic difference in Ph between an salon store products and the exact same product in a market?!! also the label on the salon products even specifically say that they are only gauranteed if SOLD IN A PROFFESSIONAL SALON!! i would argue that everyone should just buy the product from the salon rather than pay basically the same price for the product with a risk of it not “being as effective”.

]]> By: Emily http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/comment-page-2/#comment-41561 Emily Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:32:44 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/06/11/are-salon-products-in-regular-stores-the-same-as-those-in-salons/#comment-41561 I have been a hairstylist for 2 years, and I have also worked in a professional beauty supply store. Being against diversion has been drilled into my head for the past 3 years and after reading this article, I'm in a bit of a shock because it makes so much sense. I was always told never to by a salon product from a drug store because it could be old, spoiled, watered down, or not even the same product. I have tried to figure out how the products came to be there and how the store was able to sell them, but decided to just accept that it happened and that it was bad. When I worked in a professional beauty supply store we would have meetings on diversion and how to prevent it. The company had started an organization to help stop diversion. They collect donations and spend thousands or millions of dollars on programs to stop diversion. My question is, if these companies are the ones at fault for diversion in the first place (i.e. selling to drug stores), why are they spending all this time and money to prevent it? It's starting to seem like one big conspiracy theory to me. I have been a hairstylist for 2 years, and I have also worked in a professional beauty supply store. Being against diversion has been drilled into my head for the past 3 years and after reading this article, I’m in a bit of a shock because it makes so much sense. I was always told never to by a salon product from a drug store because it could be old, spoiled, watered down, or not even the same product. I have tried to figure out how the products came to be there and how the store was able to sell them, but decided to just accept that it happened and that it was bad. When I worked in a professional beauty supply store we would have meetings on diversion and how to prevent it. The company had started an organization to help stop diversion. They collect donations and spend thousands or millions of dollars on programs to stop diversion. My question is, if these companies are the ones at fault for diversion in the first place (i.e. selling to drug stores), why are they spending all this time and money to prevent it? It’s starting to seem like one big conspiracy theory to me.

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