GIB LLC, aka Brazilian Blowout Slapped on the hands by the Feds!

 

Here is the settlement!!!!!  Of course in my beauty industry you wont see this in a trade magazine, or posted by the any so-called industry website! Because it’s all about money. Advertising dollars are what sustain beauty industry publications, and independently owned websites. Behindthechair.com is owned by Loreal, and Hairbrained.me is an independently owned website. Advertising dollars are what sustain these entity’s. Modern Salon is owned by Vance Publishing Corp, and it goes on and on. Why would they write anything negative or truthful about the industry when they can potentially get the money from a manufacturer to have them buy future advertisement in their magazines or websites. It’s not about protecting you as a professional or informing you in a neutral way. It’s all about the coporate dollar, Not your health! The professional beauty industry preys on the non-educated, just like the cosmetic industry preys on the non-educated consumer.

The settlement requires GIB, LLC, which does business under the name Brazilian Blowout, to cease deceptive advertising that describes two of its popular products as formaldehyde-free and safe. The company must also make significant changes to its website and pay $600,000 in fees, penalties and costs.

“California laws protect consumers and workers and give them fair notice about the health risks associated with the products they use,” said Attorney General Harris. “This settlement requires the company to disclose any hazard so that Californians can make more informed decisions.”

Today’s settlement is the first government enforceable action in the United States to address the exposures to formaldehyde gas associated with Brazilian Blowout products. It is also the first law enforcement action under California’s Safe Cosmetics Act, a right-to-know law enacted in 2005.

In November 2010, the Attorney General’s office filed suit against GIB, LLC for violating five state laws, including deceptive advertising and failure to provide consumers with warnings about the presence of a carcinogen in its products.

The settlement covers two products used in a popular salon hair straightening process, the “Brazilian Blowout Acai Smoothing Solution” and the “Brazilian Blowout Professional Smoothing Solution”.

The complaint alleged the two products contained formaldehyde but were labeled “formaldehyde free.”
Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about certain exposures to chemicals in the products they purchase. Formaldehyde is on the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer.

The complaint alleged that that GIB – the manufacturer of the Brazilian Blowout products – did not inform customers or workers that formaldehyde gas was being released during a Brazilian Blowout treatment, and therefore product users did not take steps to reduce their exposure, such as increasing ventilation. Under the terms of the settlement, GIB is required to:

– Produce a complete and accurate safety information sheet on the two products that includes a Proposition 65 cancer warning; distribute this information to recent product purchasers who may still have product on hand; and distribute it with all future product shipments. The revised safety information sheet — known as a “Material Safety Data Sheet,” or MSDS — will be posted on the company’s web site.

– Affix “CAUTION” stickers to the bottles of the two products to inform stylists of the emission of formaldehyde gas and the need for precautionary measures, including adequate ventilation.

– Cease deceptive advertising of the products as formaldehyde-free and safe; engage in substantial corrective advertising, including honest communications to sales staff regarding product risks; and change numerous aspects of Brazilian Blowout’s web site content.

– Retest the two products for total smog-forming chemicals (volatile organic compounds) at two Department of Justice-approved laboratories, and work with DOJ and the Air Resources Board to ensure that those products comply with state air quality regulations.

– Report the presence of formaldehyde in its products to the Safe Cosmetics Program at the Department of Public Health.

– Disclose refund policies to consumers before the products are purchased.

– Require proof of professional licensing before selling “salon use only” products to stylists.

GIB will also pay $300,000 in Proposition 65 civil penalties, and $300,000 to reimburse the Attorney General’s office fees and costs.

Unilever’s Suave Product is still under Investigation!

 
Profile Picture
 
Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit Unilever Trumbull. CT 06611. Actual Kit UPC 7940019562 Modular Display Unit Description and Case UPC : Suave SA Keratin Smoothing Kit 8PC PDQ 10079400228786 Suave Mixed Keratin 17 PC PDQ 10079400233025 Suave Keratin Kit 12PC Wing 10079400240221 SV SH CD Kit Keratin 12PC 15 Inch PDQ 10079400241372 Suave SH/CD/SA Keratin 258PC Bin 10079400244359 SV MB Naturals/Keratin 670 PC Pallet 10079400245790 Standard Case: SV Smoothing Kit (ATG) 12 1ct 10079700195620. Recall # F-1332-2012
CODE
All lots
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Recalling Firm: Unilever United States, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, by letters dated May 8, 2012.
Manufacturer: Les Emballages Knowlton Inc., Knowlton, Canada. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.
REASON: Unilever has received numerous consumer complaints related to undesired hair treatment outcomes and potential consumer misunderstanding for Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
381,288 Kits
DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide
 
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods. Unilever markets the product under its wholly owned Suave brand name as a Keratin-based hair straightening product that is “an affordable at-home alternative” to professional salon treatments that’s “formaldehyde free.” However, 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.

So when do we stop thinking of ourselves and start thinking and helping others. Where did simple kind compassion go in a world of give-me. Where did listening and  understanding one another’s problems leave our day-to-day life. When we know the truth and not say the truth that is the most common sin of all. .  Do you really care anymore.

 
I just used this product a few days ago and my hair is also fried. And when I went to the store to try to find a deep renewing conditioner the product was still on the shelf! I don’t know what to do with my hair at this point. I’ve been trying to nurse it back to life with coconut oil and mayonnaise but it still isn’t enough. Help?!
Sent from my iPhone
 
I too used this product and fried my hair…4 haircuts later still having issues with dry hair and itchy scalp. Any ideas on what I need to do to promote good hair health?
Thanks
 
Hello Mr. Kellner,
Help it has been 4 months for my hair and it continues to break off and is fried.  It seems like it is getting worse not better.  I have spent over $2000 and yet I am still struggling.  No one is responding to my letters Unilever, Suave or Kroeger. I tried to join a class action lawsuit with Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten but they have not contacted me back yet either.  The $12 is not sufficient and my current professional stylist believes it will be at least another year before my hair is back to normal if ever.  I can not afford this!!  
 Is there any hope we will get some resolve from the company.  Please someone help!! This is truly a nightmare and not only has it ruined my hair but my personal life, my professional life and my personal well-being have all been severely compromised.
Any information that you might have regarding where I might go next would be greatly appreciated.
Suzanne M. Light, Pharm.D.
 
I used this kit twice the first time my tightly curled hair was soft shiny the second time at first I didnt see any change in my then a couple of weeks after my hair started coming out by the handfuls it took me three years to get the growth I had now all Ivan do is cut it all off and do intensive conditioning treatments .something should be done to suave for the damage it has done to my hair.thank you
Sent from my iPhone
 
Hello Joseph,
My name is Dawn Rettew, a hairdresser/make-up artist, three-time salon owner.
I would like to thank you for your courage in addressing the issues of our profession.
Having been a “brainwashed sheep” myself, I understand most of what you are saying.
I would like to break into private labels and have attempted this in the past with no success. Mostly, I’m not able to know which companies to trust anymore and the up front cost is too high.
There are no products left that are not diverted. I especially like the way the product companies are not including “online discount drug stores” as diversion. To me, online sales are diversion. I’ve signed contracts with companies promising to do my part and now I can walk into any Target, TJ Max, most online outlets and purchase the very same products
At this point, I don’t even trust having my own private label for fear of losing even more credibility with clientele. They lie about the ingredients. etc. I’ve been made to be a liar one too many times. If you have any private label insight that you would be willing to share with me, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m just looking for a product line that is non-diverted, the best available ingredients at the best available prices without the deceptive practices that go along with them.
I appreciate you honesty,
Dawn Rettew
 
I bought the treatment on 3/23/12 from Wal-Mart and I used it a week later.  I have previously used Sally’s brand about 8 months prior so I knew what I was doing and I read the directions correctly.  Not even a week after I used the Suave brand, my hair got considerably lighter, which has never happened and my hair started to fall out.  Even now, every time I was my hair, more of it breaks and I am losing it by the handfuls.  I only use the treatments because after I had my daughter, my hair got wavy and thicker only in the back and I wanted an easier way to maintain my hair.  The treatment I used before worked wonders and seeing as Suave’s was a whole lot cheaper, I took a chance.  I know it is not supposed to make it straight, but it is supposed to make it easier to straighten, and this did not do as it was supposed to.  I saw the recall at my local CVS and wanted to know what I am supposed to do from here?  Thanks for your time.
Ashley Mier
 
 

Get your head out of your ASS!

In my next film “Beautiful Lies”, I highlight a lot of entrepreneurs in my industry. Professionals who have heart, integrity, passion and ambition. In an industry where it is dominated by manufacturers deceiving the professionals for their own financial gain. Starting off as an entrepreneur is no easy task, certain types of characteristics must be in that individual in order to persist in this industry. And I am talking about true motivated individuals who will find forms of networking and avenues of advertising to brand themselves. So many professionals in my industry always seem to go to the industry magazines, websites, and organization to get the “PAT ON THE HEAD”. Why?

Why does an individual in this industry need to go to the industry websites, or organizations to sell their creation. Your doing it the wrong way. For instance if you make a hair care line or makeup line, normally an individual would think to get it to the salons, hairdressers, makeup artists within their profession. Hair show prices are expensive, and paying for a booth at a show could put a lot of entrepreneurs out of business. When you sell to your accounts, advertise them on the internet, inform the consumer about the benefits of your product line. Encourage them to purchase it at their salon. Advertise in magazines outside of your industry, and also learn to be a writer. There are unlimited blogs and networks to help you gain awareness with consumers outside your profession. Paul Mitchell, Nexxus, Big Sexy Hair, Tigi, Bumble&Bumble use this form of advertising to increase sales. Why not you?

Call up your local city magazine, check out their prices for advertising I guarantee it will be cheaper than Behind the Chair, Salon Galaxy or going thru the PBA. You need to acquire more “Bang for the BUCK”!. Just like the industry manufacturers when they sell to you, they will also sell to the commercial sector of retailing. In our industry the magazines charge the big bucks that only the major hair care lines can afford. And the entrepreneur cannot afford that, that is how the magazines sustain themselves. Every manufacturer that sells to the commercial sector is paying for advertising to sell to you in our so-called industry magazines! They are covering their bases within the industry. They advertise in magazines, ELLE, VOGUE, etc. They can afford that. The hair shows are also the same, it’s all about the “LOCATION” at Beauty shows, especially at the entrances of the convention centers. The prices’ of booth space are astronomical, but they can afford that. Can an ENTREPRENEUR, I think not. Sharing booth space at a show is a good idea, that is where the networking part of entrepreneurship comes in. Find an individual who you can work with, Haircolor and Makeup go together. Haircolor and Styling tools go together, Haircare and hair color and Makeup are all complementing of each other. Share a booth at a trade show together.  Advertise one another, wether it be on the internet or local advertising. Explain the benefits of your product to the consumer, explain where the salons in their area carry your type of hair color, or hair care, or styling tools.  Let them buy from your accounts and also advertise your accounts! Cover all your bases, with the consumer sector.

Video advertising is just as important, create a 30 second clip of you hair color, hair care, and have it filmed and edited by a professional. Remember presentation is important. Talk about your hair care or you hair color. Loreal supposedly sells a professional hair color to the beauty industry, and they also produce hair care, styling lines for the industry. You will buy these products from them to perform your services to your customers and also sell them retail from this manufacturer. In turn Loreal will create their own consumer hair color, and shampoo’s, and styling products. They are extremely smart. You will buy from these company’s, who are competing against you. You have been set up to FAIL FROM DAY ONE! You  are competing with a manufacturer who is covering all there bases! Why do you support these company’s who also make a consumer line of hair color and hair care? Think about it! This is not good business sense.  SO WHO IS FUCKING WHO? You support company’s who no longer can give you an exclusive product? Students will come out of a Paul Mitchell school and that is all they know, Paul Mitchell produces clones and salesmen and saleswomen. Ingenious idea. Free advertising for their company. So these graduates are so hyped up with bullshit the company doesn’t care this is free brainwashed people who will sell their product to the consumer who comes in there salon. In the back-end of it all Paul Mitchell will sell to the consumer sector. No brand loyalty from them. Why should they its all about financial gain. Sales pay bills. Thats fine. But you are the one getting screwed in the long run. They sell you fake loyalty, well here is the bomb, “Bullshit does not pay the bills”. Wake up!

An ENTREPRENEUR CAN, HE OR SHE BELIEVES IN THE BRAND LOYALITY AND STICKS BY IT!

It’s just the norm for my industry! No Biggy.

 

$12 For Custom-formulated Hair Color Plus Application Kit Courtesy Of ESalon.com — Shipping Included!
 

Estelle Baumhauer, Color Director

Estelle is eSalon’s Color Director and is the person responsible for ensuring that eSalon delivers its clients the same quality hair coloring formulations offered at some of the world’s most exclusive salons. Originally from France and trained in Paris, Estelle has been an expert colorist at renowned salons around the world, including Dessange in Paris, New York and Washington and Warren-Tricomi in New York.

Now in Los Angeles, Estelle is here to make salon-quality hair color affordable for everyone. This is your newest sell-out industry scumbag!

AJ Lordet, East Coast Style Ambassador

Top colorist AJ Lordet made a name for herself in New York at Pierre Michel by bringing a French twist to the art of hair coloring called Balayage – a hair painting technique that originated in France. She brings the same trend spotting and creative flair to her new role as eSalon’s East Coast Style Ambassador. This is also your second newest industry scumbag!

These tow FRENCH entrepreneur claim ther product is the reason to get away from the Haircoloring Trap! They claim on their website that their way of hair coloring is the best way. And these two scumbags are so-called professionals in my industry. You know the other FRENCH company what they have done to our industry here are a few more, to add to the problem.

“The results are never as good as going to a salon”

“I don’t have the time to go to the salon”

“Getting my haircolored at the salon gets expensive”

“The color doesn’t always come out the same”

Stop Playing “Color Roulette” With Your Hair

You and your hair deserve better. You deserve a color and dye that’s made just for you. And you deserve a hassle-free, inexpensive alternative that allows you to have perfect looking hair, all the time. That’s why we’ve decided to create a new paradigm in hair coloring. It’s called eSalon.

And get this everyone they were even promoted by the so-called industry magazine Modern Salon.

So when people email you, about ME. Take a look who is selling out WHO in this industry. Or do you even care?

AJ and Estelle make a formidable team as they are on the cutting edge of whats next in color and share eSalon’s passion to provide the same guidance and quality hair color formulations offered at some of the worlds most exclusive salons.  These were so call professionals in my industry, who share our secrets of formulation, and technique’s. How To videos are also offered on there website!. When is enough, enough! what will it take fellow professionals? Wasn’t the Formaldyhide from BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT THE KICKER FOR YOU?

But don’t worry its just a normal day in my WONDERFUL INDUSTRY! Go sell some Paul Mitchel. Everything is O.K!

False “salon-only” advertising!

ARE YOU STILL USING THERE SHIT!!!!!!

Sales of hair care products represent an important revenue source for salons; indeed, the profit margin on these products is generally higher than the margin for the hair care services provided in the salons. Manufacturers have false advertising and unfair competition under the Lanham Act, and injunctive relief. Manufacturers state that the their product labels, on company websites, and in print advertisements, that their hair care products are available for purchase exclusively through salons and not through mass-market retailers such as CVS and Walgreens. Although the manufacturers maintain that they offer their products exclusively through salons, since at least 2004 the manufacturers have engaged in widespread diversion of their products to mass retailers. “Diversion” here is defined as the sale of products marketed as salon-only through stores that do not have salons on the premises. Diversion now accounts for “more than $1 billion of the beauty industry’s $5 billion in annual sales of salon-only products.” Plaintiffs contend that the defendants’ false “salon-only” advertising damages their reputation with consumers who purchase products at their salons, only to discover that the products are also available at mass retailers.

L’Oreal USA, Inc. (“L’Oreal”) manufactures and sells several lines of hair and skin care products, including the Matrix, Kerastase, Redken, and Pureology lines of products. Prior to 2011, Matrix products were labeled “For sale only in professional beauty salons.” Kerastase products are labeled “For professional use only”; Pureology products advise that they are “Available Only at Fine Salons and Spas.” A sample distribution contract between L’Oreal’s distributor and a salon notes that diversion damages L’Oreal’s goodwill with consumers. The contract provides for liquidated damages in the amount of $100 per unit of L’Oreal product diverted by the salon.

TIGI Linea, LP (“TIGI”) manufactures and sells the Bed Head line of hair products. Bed Head products are labeled as “Sold Only in Professional Salons.”

Conair Corporation (“Conair”) manufactures and sells the Rusk premium line of hair care products. Rusk products contain the label “Sold exclusively in professional salons.” Rusk products can be purchased online.

John Paul Mitchell Systems (“Paul Mitchell”) manufactures and sells the Paul Mitchell line of hair care products. The packaging of these products contains the following warning: “Guaranteed only when sold by a professional hairdresser, otherwise it may be counterfeit, black market, and or tampered with.” Paul Mitchell advertisements in magazines advise readers that products are available “Only in salons and Paul Mitchell schools.” A sample contract between a Paul Mitchell distributor and a salon states that diversion “seriously damages the reputation and good will established by [Paul Mitchell] and the Distributor and interferes with their business relationship with other SALON customers as well as the consumer.” The contract provides that the distributor or Paul Mitchell shall be entitled to at least $25,000 in liquidated damages for any diverted products.

The Wella Corporation (“Wella”) manufactures the Sebastian line of products, which are labeled “Guaranteed only when sold by an authorized salon.” A sample contract between Wella and a salon for the distribution of Wella hair care products provides that diversion “damages Wella’s brands, trademarks, and goodwill and damages its contractual relations with its distributors and other salon customers.” Wella’s contract also provides for liquidated damages in the event that the salon is found to be diverting Wella products.

Why Dont you support a Entrepreneur!!!

From the producers of the “Real Hair Truth,” comes the next film in
the RHT series, “Beautiful Lies.”

“Beautiful Lies” produced by Jotivi Designs, Inc, will be released in  December 2012.

“Beautiful Lies” will encompass entrepreneurs, manufacture deception,
marketing, ingredients, product labeling, deceptive labeling,
formulating your own brand, health and welfare, as well as uncovering
what professionals are using in the salon and what is in salon
products.

There are many new members in this film and also a few will return
from the first film “The Real Hair Truth.”

In “Beautiful Lies,” we will hear from OSHA and FDA on the topics of
health and welfare. We will be closely informing the viewer of what
they are using in the salon and whether it fits the standards and
regulations that OSHA and the FDA have recently passed pertaining to
Keratin Treatments.

Being an entrepreneur is not an easy task and “Beautiful Lies” will
discuss all of the topics regarding entrepreneurship: the highs and
lows of starting your own business from scratch, product lines, books,
videos etc. The viewer will learn the “hows” and “what nots” in this
segment of the film. Motivation, Perseverance, Ambition; the film
“Beautiful Lies” covers it all.

“Beautiful Lies” will be completed by December 2012 and will be
available for Digital Download as well as DVD purchase. In this film
we do not advertise major manufacturers only the real beauty industry.
This film was solely funded by Jotovi Designs Inc, and is not seeking
any form of sponsorship. And as of February 11, 2012 “Beautiful Lies”
is Copyright in this Website (including, without limitation, Text,
Images, Software, Logos, Icons, Sounds Recordings. Films and HTML
code) is owned or licensed by Jotovi Designs Inc. All editorial
content and graphics on this site are protected by U.S. copyright.