Modern Salon and Alison Shipley Bias reporting of the Beauty Industry!

Modern Salon will promote old news before it tells the true tales of its industry!
Modern Salon will promote old news before it tells the true tales of its industry!

In an industry  of False reporting, Deceptive labeling, and lack of representation of the Beauty Professionals in my industry. Reporting comes  from individual’s who have less than 5 years experience as a hairdresser and writer makes me want to puke. Especially when they report on issues that are over two years old and they are very partisan in their reporting.

In a recent article from the  comic book magazine Modern Salon edited and published by Vance publishing. There was an article written from a novice editor ALISON SHIPLEY, EDITOR OF FIRST CHAIR & MODERN SALON’S EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA/VIDEO.(Can they give these kids a big enough title to stimulated there ego)? She reported that the Suave Keratin Treatment is as follows. Consumers are saying the product (Suave Keratin Treatment) caused them (The Consumer in the retail sector severe hair loss and other damages). It is also reported in MS. Shipley’s article, “hundreds of women nationwide are suing the manufacturer and designer of Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit, a hair treatment product designed to smooth frizzed hair”.  This is a story that I personally sent to Vance Publishing on 3/13/12 to take notice and let the industry know, but being a truth seeker they thought my reporting was to “Blunt”.. The company that produces the product is Unilever, who also produces the following product.

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TIGI (hair care) You know the shit you buy for your salon and that is located in a grocery store.

But they mention no reference to Unilever. Why? Because they need their advertising dollar, their article is very basic and no links provided to the reader. Given that the poor kid probably thinks she is doing the industry a service. This was not reported by CNN, and this was a big enough story to tell the industry but as usual it got placed in the heap of (Don’t tell we need the advertising dollars from Unilever for our monthly comic book). And it also shows to the “Blinded Beauty Industry Sheep”, that your devoted manufacturer will sell you out to the commercial sector. This is a service that is done in my industry, they normally call the Keratin Treatments. These types of “Kits” for the consumer to do at home should only be done in the salon. I said that about hair color at home before but that fell on deaf ears to the sheep of the industry.

In my blog on July 9th 2012 I stated that, “Unilever may not be able to substantiate its claims. In addition, Unilever may have failed to inform consumers that the Product contains a chemical known as “Tetrasodium EDTA,” which is mainly synthesized from formaldehyde. Unilever also may have failed to inform consumers that the Product contains a chemical preservative known as “DMDM Hydantoin,” which is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser with the trade name Glydant. Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An investigation is underway regarding Unilever’s marketing and advertising practices under the Suave brand name. Unilever states on their website that 160 million times a day, someone somewhere chooses a Unilever product. From feeding your family to keeping your home clean and fresh, our brands are part of everyday life”.

On Jezebel.com it is a reliable news website I highly regard for investigative reporting than the comic book Modern Salon., it is reported that in their article written on 10/15/2013 that.

Last year, a group of women filed a class action lawsuit against Unilever, the manufacturer of Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit, alleging that though the product was marketed at a Keratin smoother, it actually contains a formula to chemically relax the hair. According to the women, this caused everything from melted hair to scalp burns to increased and permanent hair loss and resulted in an aesthetic that would certainly not prompt anyone to GET THIS LOOK! And last week, a judge rejected Unilever’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, which means it will be going to trial.

According to the suit, Unilever also tried to get women who had reported side effects from the product to them to sign a release preventing them from suing the company, in exchange “for as little as $50.00 for a haircut.”

 Why don’t you report that Ms. Shipley? But I bet that Ms. Shipley was told not to go to far in this subject. Why? Because Unilever advertises in the comic book. “God forbid , lets just write about the situation and scratch the surface of the problem.” The sheep will not even notice it. Keep them young and dumb.  But lets not say UNILEVER!

TheRealHairTruthLogo

Try to do the right thing in life Shipley, I guarantee you will not go far. But you will sleep at night!

God forbid you lose your advertising dollars also!

Editing can make you a major buyer of Bayer Aspirin!

Editing can make you a major buyer of Bayer Aspirin!

Editing and Editing can make you a major buyer of Bayer Aspirin! I would not wish this task on anyone. Luckily this is my second feature film so I knew what to expect, so this is a more creative experience THIS TIME. But all in all Post Production can Kill you!!! I would only wish this on the Government and President and the Devil. Also a note to some in the film. We had a few interviews we filmed a few years ago of professionals in our industry. And we had to let them go in the film due to there, I guess you could say “Lack of sticking to their Goals”or “Giving Up”. Whatever it is, It is, What it is. Some of these people are not even in the industry anymore. And we also found out that some of these filmed professionals (Interviews) were not what they said they were. Basically just talking SH.. to get some free advertising.I went through that with my first film, “The Real Hair Truth. We had a bunch of Phonies who just wanted “Face-Time” To speak their BULL…. Not again. You know what is the funny thing about people we filmed in the first film and also this one. The lack of promotion of the films and the lack of networking with others in the films. So sad! We interviewed people in our first film and when the film came to the “Diversion” Part the individuals filmed were “Buddies” with JP Mitchell. They would say off camera that “Diversion” Was bad. But when they came on camera they sounded like they played both sides of the fence. Sad when a bunch of so-called ” Phoney Ass Icons” could not band together to make an influence on the film or the industry. Basically they were still looking for a job with a manufacturer or sell there “Shi.” on the internet, ‘Loreal, Pm, etc”. No skin off my back I still sold over 10.000 Units. Thats all good time goes by and we all change. So sorry to have to edit some of these people out of the film. But I don’t need any “Mud” in my face after the fact. I have tons of footage to work with. And you want to make sure that your Editors have more than enough to work with!

Beware of Misleading Brand Names, Slogans and Logos!

THE BEAUTIFUL LIES

One important topic in my next film, “The Beautiful LieS” is labeling of hair care products. Advertising is key to success for a business in the beauty industry and a manufacturer or entrepreneur will say and do whatever is in the parameters legality. Stretch it, twist it and they the manufacturer will also go outside of what the government guidelines and use the printed information on the product container to their benefit until the government catch’s them.  Manufacturers often use misleading brand names, logos and slogans in an effort to dupe health conscious consumers into buying their products.  Constant vigilance is necessary when making purchases of  personal care products.

BULLSHIT keratin-complex

(Keratin Complex has aldehydes that when used with the  Flat Iron form formaldehyde. Pure and simple fact. Read there MSDS sheet if you can get one. I don’t think that the manufacturers are the ones who are going to “set the record straight.” There is bit of conflict of interest here. I would tend to trust third party (A Chemist) more than someone who has something to lose if we stop buying their products. Also on the container it is read as, “OSHA COMPLIANT”. OSHA does not endorse and or all beauty products. See how a manufacturer can stretch there usage of words. By the way OSHA did send Keratin Complex a letter to change there wording on the product label.)

These products are used for your home use and also for services that are given to you in a professional salon.  Take it from me everyone, so called professionals in my industry are the sheep of all sheep. They will take the word of a sales person coming in there salon front door. And listen to the advertising SPEAL from them and the next thing they will ask the salesperson is “How much is a whole line? Do you have a intro deal?,  Do you take payments?”. Not bothering to ask for the MSDS sheet for the product. A MSDS sheet is required by law from a manufacturer to the person using, purchasing or selling the product to see the listed ingredients in any and all chemical or hair and skin products used on a consumer in a so called licensed professional beauty salon.

BIG BROTHER

In this day and age the FDA is your GOVERNMENT watch dog for you. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its responsibilities include “[protecting the public health by assuring that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary and properly labeled.” This responsibility entails regulating a large number of companies producing this nation’s food, making appointments to the high-level positions within the agency very important. And anything and everything they say you should take there (FDA) word on if it is healthy, toxic, or illegal.

BIG BROTHER

But in this day and age would you take the governments word!

A good example is the 1976 slogan in which a soft drink manufacturer claimed that their product “Adds Life”, thus giving consumers the impression that the product was not only refreshing, but also somehow added to their well-being. The slogan should have read something to the effect that the product “is addictive, will rot teeth and will contribute to obesity and diabetes”. Tobacco companies have typically used beautiful, young, wealthy-looking models with perfect teeth to advertise their products, when the “grim reaper” would be more appropriate.

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Don’t Read Slogans – Read Labels
Take the time to read labels on packaging to find out what exactly it is you are buying. Packaged cereal such as muesli is considered by many to be an excellent breakfast choice. However, a closer look at the ingredient list will reveal that many muesli products are packed with refined sugar, fat and preservatives. Don’t be fooled by slogans such as “Nature`s Choice”, “Nature`s Best” or “Happy and Healthy”. These slogans imply that the contents are nutritious and wholesome when they are often far from it.

Manufacturers will also try to get around legislation regarding honest labeling. For example, in Australia and New Zealand, the word “light” can only be used if the ingredients it refers to meets the criteria for low fat and sugar content. However, companies increasingly use the word “lite” to get past this requirement.

When Organic Doesn’t mean Organic
Shampoo manufacturers are notorious for dishonest labeling. “Organic” is a favorite word they use, suggesting of course, that their product is a healthy pure organic product to use to wash your hair. Careful scrutiny of the ingredient list will reveal that many shampoos with this slogan are as far from being organic as the next cheap, toxic shampoo on the shelf.

bullshit

Golden Syrup is not Honey
Golden syrup is a pale treacle made during the process of refining sugar cane juice into sugar; or by treatment of a sugar solution with acid. While it may have an appearance similar to honey and is often used as a substitute for honey, it is a pure cane sugar product. Slogans on the can may lead the consumer to believe that syrup is the same as honey.

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Don’t be fooled by misleading Brand Names beauty products. slogans and pictures. Be informed about the products you use. Research the product if you can, or at the very least, read the ingredients listed on the packaging.

IT’S ALL ABOUT PERCEPTION!!!

 

 

Trailer for the film, “The Beautiful Lies”

Pretty good reviews for all the Trailers for the film. ‘The Beautiful Lies”!
The Beautiful Lies (Official Trailer) – 48,888 views – 2 months ago By Andy Mathias
“The Beautiful Lies” (Official Trailer) – 44,043 views – 1 year ago By Mike Gottino
“The Beautiful Lies” (Official Trailer) – 44,043 views – 1 year ago By Mike Gottino
“The Beautiful Lies” (Official Trailer) – 40,612 views – 2 months ago By Paulo
Way to go to all three editors for the film!

The Beautiful Lies is a documentary about the cosmetic/beauty industry featuring the up’s and downs of entrepreneurship in a industry dominated by major manufacturers. This film also covers product labeling, product marketing,and deception of universal hair care, hair color and treatments that are sold to the consumer. We are showing the viewer the few great entrepreneurs of the beauty/cosmetic industry who still value their craft and the peaks and valleys they go through! Release date December 2013.

Joseph Kellner

Real Hair Truth – Michael Gordon Playing it Cool.

The Beautiful Lies

Up until the 2006 sale of the B&B brand (the salons, the products, et al) to Estee Lauder (most people don’t realize that it also owns Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Origins, Jo Malone, Smashbox, Aveda, and Darphin), from time to time you could catch a site of Mr. Gordon on the premises.  His mannerism always struck me as a peculiar combination of a relaxed composure (grapevine has it that he is into Buddhist spirituality) and a blatant assholiness toward some employees.

But, as I always say, you don’t get to be a successful entrepreneur by being warm and fuzzy.  To survive in business you need to be tough.  Some of us can be tough and decent at the same time.  Unfortunately, that’s very rare.  Well, since I didn’t need to deal with him personally, I was able to abstract  into what he was as a small-business owner: someone, who started from nothing and grew his brand to international recognition.  I admired him for his courage, drive, and strategic savvy.

Also, one cannot dismiss the fact that for Mr. Gordon it wasn’t just about branding, growth, and money.  He was truly a hair-man, devoted to the idea of creating high-quality products that satisfied a wide spectrum of needs.  Unlike the vast majority of other famous salon owners (Sally Hershberger is one example), who are engaged in “private label” merchandising (i.e. buying generic, mass-produced,  “juice” and pouring it into containers with their names), Michael Gordon actually developed unique mixtures, which are used to great effects in many salons and homes.

It was his quality standards and unrelenting drive to succeed that fascinated me.  Imagine my surprise, when I read in New York Times that this remarkable and shrewd businessman was arrested for tax evasion.  And it wasn’t even for something cleverly devised (not that I would approve that) – no, it was plainly stupid: he didn’t declare on his tax return the $30 million capital gain generated by that famous sale of B&B.

The charges (both criminal and that of stupidity) against him are mounting: when he was questioned by IRS about this omission, he claimed ignorance of the fact.   And that’s lying to a federal agent, because apparently there is evidence of his active attempts to hide this money.

What is the point of lying like that anyway?  Didn’t he sign his tax return back in 2007?  He never heard of capital gains? Weren’t there a horde of lawyers and accountants involved in the closing the deal?  Nobody mentioned the tax liability?  Hard to believe.

NYT didn’t make it a secret that IRS has acted on a tip received from a “confidential informer.”  Of course, they did.  Truth be told, IRS doesn’t have sufficient resources to look for specific violations of the tax code.  The best they can do is to react to the red flags selected by their algorithms.  Your employer reported your earnings, but you didn’t include them on your tax return – an inquiry will commence.  Itemized deductions  exceed certain levels, even if by $100 – the flag will be raised.  Meanwhile, corporate executives receive multi-million dollar perks and call them “business expenses”; private shareholders transfer stocks and property between related parties and don’t recognize capital gains; owners make equity withdrawals and show them as loans – and none of it ever get noticed.

However, the situation changes if someone makes a call, sends a letter, or an electronic message to IRS, detailing a case of the tax evasion.  If this someone provides sufficient information and the violation is big enough to prick up agents’ ears, they will be on the case right away.  Especially if it involves a notable figure that can get media interest (hey, you cannot blame IRS agents for wanting some attention).

Even though IRS has, what they call, a whistleblower reward program, it’s not easy to get paid for reporting tax violations.  Obviously, in most cases, the informants are not motivated by money.  Typically, they have some sort of a relationship with the evader and it resulted in two outcomes: an incredible animosity that goes way beyond a simple grudge and the knowledge that the government is being shortchanged.  The IRS becomes a mere weapon of revenge.

This is why Leona Helmsley went to jail in 1992.  The Queen of Mean dragged behind herself a trail of disgruntled contractors, corporate employees, and household help, who really hated her.  Some of them possessed hard evidence proving that millions of dollars spent on personal properties were billed to Helmsley’s real estate business.

And that’s why Michael Gordon got arrested.  In his brazen manner, he must’ve rubbed the wrong way someone with the first-hand knowledge of the $30 million unreported gain.  That hurt someone dropped a note to IRS.

Do I have to state the obvious?  Don’t steal big bucks from government – it’s dangerous.  But if you make a conscious decision to dodge some taxes, make sure that no one knows about it but you.  And I mean NO ONE.  If that’s impossible, make sure that you are super nice to those who are onto you – they have your freedom in their hands.