Fashion + Beauty

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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L'Oréal scrutinized for Cheryl Cole's hair extensions in advertisements

L'Oréal

L'Oréal

With endless celebrity photoshop scandals and images of models being severely altered to meet beauty standards, it seems no one can actually live up to the outrageous ideals set for women these days. Up until now, we'd always been slightly suspicious of seemingly perfect shampoo commercial hair. Sure, the women advertising hair care products probably had their hair trimmed and styled by professionals beforehand, but we assumed they were showing off their real hair. This was not the case in a recent UK television ad for L'Oréal Elvive Full Restore 5 hair care line.

Singer and "X Factor" judge Cheryl Cole promotes the products, claiming they makes her hair "feel stronger, full of life, replenished with a healthy shine." The problem? The Times of London is reporting that the that's not her real hair in the ad; she's wearing very pricey extensions. And now her hairdresser is even stirring some debate over whether the extensions were actually synthetic, rather than made from human hair as the ad's disclaimer insinuates.

In the commercial, a quick message flashes for under two seconds that says her hair is “styled with some natural extensions." In corresponding magazine ads, the extensions are referenced in 2mm high font. Is this enough of a disclaimer? The Advertising Standards Authority in the UK told the Times they have rejected complaints about the ad since the information about Cole's extensions was “clear and legible.” A spokesperson for L’Oréal said, “Cheryl has worn hair extensions for some time. They are part of her look and are cared for in the same way as normal hair.” Meanwhile, a representative for Cole is defending the brand as well. “L’Oréal are within their rights and the ads are not breaking any rules," they said. "We would never comment on what type of hair extensions Cheryl is using because these are quite personal questions." [Times Online]



Do you think it was fair for L’Oréal to allow Cheryl Cole to wear extensions in their commercial since they provide a disclaimer? Or do you think it's still misleading?


 
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Comments 1-10 of 77
  • bronzegoddess's Avatar
    Posted by bronzegoddess Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:51am PST

    Seriously??? Anybody notice that Beyonce is also a spokesperson for Loreal hair products and we have NEVER seen her real hair. My point? Why is this news?

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  • M22's Avatar
    Posted by M22 Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:03am PST

    This has been the art of advertising for decades. When you turn on the tv you'e asking to be lied to. News? Shocking? I think not.

    Report Abuse
  • HuneysuckleLuv's Avatar
    Posted by HuneysuckleLuv Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:52am PST

    I think we're starting to take the hint that advertising is a rotten game of fibbers.

    Report Abuse
  • **living life to the fullest**'s Avatar
    Posted by **living life to the fullest** Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:21am PST

    Hair commercials and mascara commercials are completely misleading! Everyone knows that there is no mascara out there to make anyone's eyelashes look nearly as long and beautiful as they look on tv. Those lashes are fake, just like most of the hair in product commercials are. NO WONDER THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN OUT THERE WITH SELF CONFIDENCE ISSUEA AND DON'T APPRECIATE WHAT THEY'VE GOT!

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  • Mysterious Gryphon's Avatar
    Posted by Mysterious Gryphon Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:23am PST

    Advertizing is all about selling an image. That is what this is. Nothing more.

    NOT news.

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  • **living life to the fullest**'s Avatar
    Posted by **living life to the fullest** Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:27am PST

    ISSUES*

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  • Superwoman's Avatar
    Posted by Superwoman Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:23pm PST

    Of course it is wrong. What's next, an add for a autobody shop that shows a "fixed" car with a disclaimer that says, "this car is brand new and was never repaired by our shop"? What a joke.

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  • Sweet Sue's Avatar
    Posted by Sweet Sue Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:25pm PST

    Oh give me a break...This is ridiculous...People complain about nothing...Who cares...

    Report Abuse
  • T's Avatar
    Posted by T Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:30pm PST

    Yes she can use the hair...and the disclaimer on the commercial is big enough. It amazes people need so much to complain about.

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  • LoorLeeAnn's Avatar
    Posted by LoorLeeAnn Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:45pm PST

    As has been said by most all the other commentors, this is hardly a supprise. People have been using misleading information with .2 font "disclaimers" flashing for a milisecond at the bottom of the screen for years, and not just for hair products - more expensive things are advertised in such a way: clothing, toys, furnature (manufactured in USA with all components made in third world countries); car sales, medication advertisements (with a paragraph of tiny white print); chain store sales (big discount with only three in stock). This is the method to replace one that was popular among shady dealers in the nineties - the 50 mph voice overs, which only worked until the average Jo learned to understand what they were saying. Misrepresented hair products? Please.

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Comments 1-10 of 77

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