I know, I know, you are probably thinking that I am just trying to convince you to only buy products from me. It’s true, I do make money from the sale of these products. But that is not my main motivation suggesting you buy products straight from me or other salons. I've tried the “name brand drugstore products” firsthand, and they're just not the same as their salon counterparts, they smell different, or they’re a different consistency. Plus, they don’t tend to work as well or last as long as the name brand products you find in a salon.
Companies like Redken, Pureology, and Coppola Keratin Complex only sell their products to salons. So how do these products end up on drugstore shelves? This is called the"gray market" for salon products. Bootleggers will buy professional salon products from a legitimate distributor, then will wait for the bar codes to expire, so the products can’t be tracked. The big chains, including places that seem like they'd be legitimate, sell bootleg salon beauty products that they're not authorized to carry. If you like the cheaper brands and those work for you that’s great, but they will probably be of an inferior quality. Waiting for such a long time for the bar code to expire can cause the product inside to expire as well.
The reason people usually buy these products at drugstores is because they believe they are getting a great deal. Oftentimes drugstores will mark up the products just so they can offer “deep discounts.” Unfortunately, this is usually just an illusion. The products end up being only slightly less (and shockingly, sometimes even slightly more) than I sell them for at my salon. Plus, as I mentioned above, you are likely getting an inferior, expired product that may not even be what the product says it is. So, you’re not getting a great deal after all, you’re getting ripped off!
There have been times when I’ve gone to use a product on someone's hair and they say “oh yeah I’ve tried that and didn't like it” but it was an expired drug store one. Sometimes I am able to convince them to let me try my product on them and they usually are astounded at the difference between the product I use and the product they bought at the drugstore even though it is supposed to be the “same” product.
Many people complain about various hair issues - it’s too frizzy, I can’t curl it, I can’t straighten it, etc. A lot of times these hair issues can be solved with a styling product or better shampoo and conditioner. At a drugstore if you ask the cashier or person stocking the shelves, they are going to have no idea what product is best for your hair and you may end up spending more money trying to figure out what product is best for you. At my salon, I have the experience and expertise to help you choose the product that is right for you. I have taken years of courses to stay apprised of the latest trends and new products. Next time you come into my salon, let me know about any issues you are having with your hair and I will recommend the product that is best for you and you can be assured it is the real deal!