After many agonizing trail - and- errors - and more errors, here is a tip: Always, but always, use the Clairol that is MADE IN USA. The reason being, I have found and tried, to my horror, that Clairols are easily available, especially in metros like Mumbai.
However, be v v careful and avoid using those made in Australia and UAE. Here is a simple test to determine if you have the blueblooded Clairol or the wannnabe one.
Test:
Price: The best ones are made in the US one and those are much much more expensive than the wannabe Clairols. I buy the standard bottle for close to Rs.800 - and never regret it for a moment.
Buy from good, big, pricey shops - if you value you hair. Avoid the neighbourhood kirana shop like the plague. They merely refill Clairol bottles with cheap local shampoo - that washes away your hair and your wallet. However, speaking of big shops, I bought a Clairol from Asiatic Churchgate, and threw it away the next day. It was filled with something - that was certainly not Clairol...so try from a few shops...when you come across the genuine McCoy, cling to it with life.
The perfume doesn’t vanish with time. The fake Clairols - as I like to call them - smell like water after a few uses. The real one, smells like a bouquet even after a year. In fact, your hair smells great even after a couple of days - ask your sweetie to take a whiff... If he swoons even after 48 hours of wash...you got yourself a winner shampoo!
The best teacher is experience...once you use an original Clairol - you are addicted. You just KNOW when you come across a fake.
Ask US-returned relatives to bring you a huge Clairol - the mega saver pack. It’ll last you apprx. for one year - and will cost apprx. The same as local Clairols.
Unfortunatley, there is no gee whiz solution I can offer. You’ll only know the fake / copies from the original once you have shelled out the moolah and tried it at least once.
Lastly, if you are the Scroogy types, kindly avoid Clairols. But if you think your hair is your crowning glory, go ahead and buy one right away. You won’t regret it.