Successful companies will at some point have to tackle the task of making and selling cheap imitations on the market. GHD Hair is one such company and even though they go to great lengths to protect their brand, online stores still get away with selling fake versions of the GHD hair straightener. How do you know if you are buying a fake? There are many telltale signs that give it away.

1. E-bay: Anyone can sell on E-bay. It’s so easy for counterfeit products to pass for the real thing, for money to change hands, and then the seller disappears. Remember to check seller ratings and reviews, but try to avoid using this site to buy GHD.

2. Foreign Sites – Most counterfeit products, including GHDs, come from China, so keep this in mind. Buy from a seller in your own country where they must comply with their countries standard trade laws. Make sure there is a home address and phone number.

3. Website: Does the website look like the official one from GHD? If so, they are probably selling fakes by making you believe that they are the official website. Authorized sellers in your country will not only sell GHD hair straighteners, but many other brands, so beware of single-brand websites.

4. Payment – Never pay for an Internet product without using a credit card or paypal. Using these methods ensures the purchase. Fake websites will prevent you from receiving payments through these, as they probably don’t plan to send you anything, so keep this in mind.

5. Product Features: Although it will be difficult to see product features on websites, if you have the opportunity to look before you buy, educate yourself on the features of the brand you are buying. For example, some GHD models have specific features, make sure they have them before you spend your money.

6. Price – GHD hair straighteners go on sale, but don’t confuse the real ones that are on sale with the fake ones that are cheap. GHDs are usually £80-£120, around 50% off and they start to get suspicious. You just don’t get actual products that are 50% off RRP.

7. Serial Numbers: GHDs have serial numbers on the label. The GHD website allows you to enter the serial number to check if it is fake or not. Very helpful if you can get your hands on the series before you buy them.

8. Holograms – Real GHDs have hologram stickers on the label and inside of the straightener.

9. Plastic Hinge Pins: Hinge pins on fake GHDs are often plastic when the real thing is metal.

Follow these steps when searching for GHD hair straighteners and you’ll end up with a real product.