I'll be the first to admit- I used to be one of those people who would pop into Walgreens and pick up whatever smelled good. Before I went to Cosmetology school I didn't care if it was Bed Head or Suave, I went off of smell. If there's one thing I've learned as a hair stylist, it's that you should never buy shampoo from the drugstore.
Here's what the big stores don't want you to know...If you're buying professional product from anywhere other than your hairdresser...IT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT!!!!
Diversion is when a product is purchased illegally and sold to vendors that do not have permission to sell that line. I see it all the time at Walmart, Safeway, King Soopers, Amazon - All the big stores sell professional lines they should not have.
As a consumer, you might be thinking, "how is this a bad thing for me? It's not hurting anyone and it's probably more cost-effective."
Here's the deal-
Unless you purchased that shampoo from a salon professional, there is no guarantee that the product in the bottle is actually what you think it is.
It could be expired product, watered down or a different product completely! The truth is you just don't know what is in that bottle that you are now rubbing into your scalp and rinsing over your body.
Side note: Anything you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream within 26 seconds. I don't know about you, but that makes me want to go read labels in my shower.
Using anything that you didn't purchase from your hairstylist can compromise all that work she did to give you the hair of your dreams. And worse, if the drugstore stuff you bought is contaminated, it could have adverse reactions.
As far as pricing goes, they often mark up the price at the big stores. I've seen products I've sold in the salon for a few dollars more at the grocery store. And even if you're getting a deal, is it really a deal when that shampoo you bought is rancid?
If your stylist recommends a product, it's not their way of just trying to make an extra buck. Sending you home with a product is like getting insurance on an investment. I still go off of "does it smell good" but I also do a lot of research on the brands I carry in my shop. If I recommend something it's because I've done the research on this product and I know it will help you achieve your new look at home too. I can't guarantee your color will look as vibrant or your Brazilian Blowout will hold up for 3 months if you go home and use who knows what on your hair.
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