It’s time to get real about the professional salon products you see at mass retailers, grocery stores, drug stores, swap meets and on the internet. It may look like genuine product, but it's actually diverted and it could be old, stolen, counterfeit or tampered with.

Get Real FAQs

What is diversion?
Diversion is product being sold outside of its authorized chain of distribution.

Is diversion illegal?
Not technically. When diversion happens, there are breaches in contracts that occur but it is not illegal—we cannot go into retail stores and forcibly remove our product from the shelf.

How do drugstores, grocery stores and discount stores get Paul Mitchell product?
The product in mass retailers does not come from the manufacturer. There are wholesalers that supply those stores who are not affiliated with John Paul Mitchell Systems. Those same wholesalers go to great lengths to obtain product to sell to mass retailers. But, since it didn't come from us you can't be sure it is the real thing.

Is the salon product I buy at a grocery store, drugstore or on the internet the real thing?
Maybe, maybe not. The products found in grocery stores, drug stores or on the internet are either diverted, stolen, old, tampered with or counterfeit. The only way to guarantee professional salon product is genuine is to buy it at a professional hair salon or beauty supply where professional salon services are offered.

Is it safe to use these products?
It’s difficult to say. Independent lab tests conducted by FOX News on bottles purchased from a variety of mass retailers and grocery stores found enough bacteria that would make the user sick enough to require medical attention.

Are the products guaranteed?
John Paul Mitchell Systems only guarantees its products when purchased from a professional hairdresser or hair salon.

Aren’t the products more expensive in a salon?
Product at unauthorized outlets can cost up to twice as much as it would if you bought it at a salon. Get the real deal, not a bogus steal—only buy professional salon product from a hair salon, barber shop or beauty supply that offers professional salon services.

Where should I purchase Paul Mitchell products?
Only in a professional hair salon, barber shop or beauty supply where they perform professional salon services.

What can I do to fight diversion?
Purchase professional salon products only from a professional hair salon. Tell your friends about what you learned on this web site.

What should I do if I have already purchased a Paul Mitchell product from a mass market retailer?
We strongly recommend that you return the product and get a refund—products purchased outside of a professional salon are not guaranteed and and can be old, diverted, stolen, tampered with or counterfeit.