There’s a hair controversy going on in the U.K.: The newest L’Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 haircare products commercial and print ads starring X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has complaints pouring in to the Advertising Standards Authority about misleading images. Consumers are upset because Cheryl is wearing hair extensions in the ads. So far the complaints have been rejected, however, because there is a disclaimer in the commercials and the print ads that states Cheryl’s hair is “styled with some natural extensions.”
This controversy blows my mind, since in the U.S. we always constantly see mascara ads where false eyelashes are used and shampoo and conditioner ads where extensions are clearly being used. I can’t imagine people complaining about it here. But what do you guys think–is this false advertising? Should L’Oreal have been more up front about Cheryl’s hair extensions? Or is the disclaimer enough. Check out the commercial below and see if you can spot the disclaimer.
In my book this is AOK. Hair extensions are a very real part of how many women are styling their hair today– they’re extremely common, and not just for celebrities. Plus, the disclaimer was there. Should this be causing an uproar? I don’t think so!
Emily, actually that is a very good point. Since so many woman have extensions, it is part of life. And it’s no big secret that in advertising behind the scenes things go on to get the models looking extra amazing… Retouching anyone?
hey, im a hairdresser and i feel that the point they are making may be due to the fact alot of people that arent better informed would look at her hair and instantly think they can achieve that look full shiny hair by that shampoo which i know is impossible…..whether they should have her in the advert or not i think its fine and cant believe people have enough time to call up and complain about something like that!!
Holly, I agree it’s amazing that people have enough time on their hands to call up complain about such things. Who are these people?? But yes, I agree, less informed people might think all they need to do is purchase a shampoo to achieve that kind of volume… But again: who are these people??
Haha, I like how the disclaimer was one second long.
But yeah, its always expected (at least for the USA) that models are wearing fake hair/lashes/everything in commercials. I do wish there was a source where you could find out 100% genuine results of products- the internet does a pretty good job, but its not always enough.
Audrey, I think since everyone’s opinions of products are different, you kind of have to try things yourself? But that’s expensive, obviously, so what I do is check a couple sources online before I try something new. I swear, online reviews have saved me! A really good resource is http://makeupalley.com/.
Yeah, I do agree that everyone’s opinions are different. As well as that some people are born with better features. I know (very few) people who have thick, gorgeous hair like Cheryl’s in this ad, but naturally! So yeah, it does depend on the individual. That’s why I like before-after pictures.
know what? I’M COMPLAINING. espesh the falsies/mascara ads. why wear mascara– the product they’re hawking– at all if you’re gluing on fake lashes?? they’re demonstrating fuller, longer, blahblahblah lashes and showing a complete lie as an “after.” it’s absurd! sooo much money is thrown at advertising, and like it or not, it’s effective. if the thought running through everyone’s head was “yeah, but i know it doesn’t really do that” then advertisers would be out of a job. i don’t like feeling manipulated and lied to and targeted like a chump. seems i’m in the minority here, i’m surprised! am i making calls and taking names? no, but i’m def bitching in the comments! (and not buying those products, ha!)
weak, limp, lifeless.. apparently she had the answer sewn into her hair.
Kat, it’s pretty lame and SO OBVIOUS when falsies are used in mascara ads. … but extensions in hair commercials is false advertising too. It’s weird, though, I’m just so used to this sort of thing at this point, you know? Like with the whole Demi Moore airbrushing scandal going on right now, I mean, every time I read about these kind of “scandals” I think: DUH. We all know A.) these people are tiny in real life and B.) magazines use airbrushing to make them even tinier and more flawless and inhuman looking. It’s not a did they or didn’t they. THEY ALWAYS DO. I just kind of go into looking at every ad, editorial, etc., assuming their is something going on that is not going on in my beauty world–be it fake eyelashes, extensions, or mega photoshop. Partially, I think we want to be sold a fantasy. … Fashion is art, blah blah blah. But on the other side, I do not need to see women with inhuman proportions. And I think if we’re talking about what a mascara can potentially do for our lashes, we shouldn’t be bullshitted by shown a set of full fake lashed.
sigh. I guess this might change (the advertising part) if we do start complaining? … Do we have time for that though???