How to Tell if Salon Hair Products Are Original (Malaysia Guide)
Share
Quick answer: The safest way to get original professional hair products is to buy from the brand's authorised distributor or an established salon supplier with a physical shop. Then check what you receive: a price that's realistic, clean and sharp packaging, batch codes and dates that match on the box and the bottle, proper labelling (including the local importer or distributor where applicable), and that cosmetics are notified with NPRA, Malaysia's regulator. Be cautious with prices far below the market and sellers who can't tell you where their stock comes from.
Original, parallel import or fake: what's the difference?
| What it is | The risk | |
|---|---|---|
| Original (authorised) | Genuine product supplied through the brand's official channel in Malaysia | Lowest risk: correct formula, storage, labelling and support |
| Parallel import (grey market) | Genuine product made for another country, brought in outside the official channel | The formula, labels or shades can differ by market. Storage and age are unknown, and there may be no local support |
| Fake (counterfeit) | A copy made to look like a branded product | Unknown ingredients: risk of allergic reaction, scalp burns, hair damage and unpredictable colour results |
8 checks before you buy or use a product
- Price: a professional product selling far below its usual trade price is a warning sign.
- Seller: buy from the authorised distributor or an established supplier with a real address, a registered company and a physical shop you can visit. Ask where the stock comes from. A genuine supplier can tell you.
- Packaging quality: look for blurry printing, spelling mistakes, odd fonts or colours, loose or missing seals, and caps or pumps that don't match the usual version.
- Batch code and dates: a batch code should be printed or embossed clearly, and should match on the box and the product inside. Check the expiry date or the period-after-opening symbol (e.g. 12M).
- Labelling: professional cosmetics sold in Malaysia should show ingredients, warnings and the manufacturer, plus the local importer or distributor where applicable. A label entirely in a foreign language, with no English or local details, needs questions.
- NPRA notification: cosmetics sold in Malaysia must be notified with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). You can search notified cosmetic products on NPRA's website.
- The product itself: if the texture, smell, colour or performance is different from what you're used to with the same product, stop using it and check with your supplier.
- Paperwork: salons should always get a proper invoice. It's your proof of source if there's ever a problem.
Why it matters for salons
- Client safety: colour, bleach, perm and rebonding products are strong chemicals. A fake can cause allergic reactions, scalp burns or breakage, and the salon carries the responsibility.
- Predictable results: colour and treatments only perform as expected with the genuine formula.
- Your reputation: one bad result can cost a regular client.
- Support: warranty and technical help usually only apply to stock bought through the proper channel.
How NX guarantees original stock
NX Hair & Beauty Supplies has supplied Malaysian salons since 2010. Read our Authenticity Guarantee.
- NX is the sole authorised distributor of Venash Professional and Alushe Professional in Malaysia (see Venash vs Alushe).
- You can see and check the products in person at our showroom at T-063, 3rd Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur (open daily 11am–7pm).
- WhatsApp us on +60 16-297 6299 with any question about a product's origin, or ask about a trade account for your salon.
Frequently asked questions
Are hair products on Shopee or Lazada fake?
Not necessarily. Some sellers are official brand stores or authorised resellers. But marketplaces also have sellers of parallel imports and fakes, so check the seller's identity, ratings and stock source, and be wary of prices far below the market.
How do I check if a cosmetic is notified with NPRA?
Search the product or brand name in the notified cosmetic products search on NPRA's official website.
Is a parallel import the same as a fake?
No. A parallel import is a genuine product made for another market, while a fake is a copy. But parallel imports can have different formulas, labels or shades from the local version, and no local support.
Where can I buy genuine Venash Professional?
NX Hair & Beauty Supplies is the sole authorised distributor of Venash Professional in Malaysia. If you're buying Venash elsewhere, ask the seller where their stock comes from. NX can help confirm.
What should I do if I think a product is fake?
Stop using it, keep the packaging and your receipt, and contact the seller and the brand's distributor. If anyone has had a reaction, seek medical advice.
