I'm type-it-up Kind of Girl

Hi guys,

So I recently made a youtube video reviewing a pair of hair extensions from Zala, which is an ever growing Australian company. Now this was the first video I had made reviewing a product and wow did I learn my lesson! My review was roughly a 7 minute video where I talked about my personal experience with the company, and my thoughts on the product. Neither of which I honestly thought could get me sued for 'defamation'. But anyway, back to my story.

This video I made got 25,000 views within one week!!! Which I suppose is enough to make any company uncomfortable. People were listening to me!

In my review I discussed how I personally found that my clips were breaking within a few hours of receiving them, and although Zala do comply with the ACCC and the ACL, I did not want to send them back as I would rather sow my clips back onto my extensions myself as opposed to spending the time and effort to return them. But please note, they did offer to refund them, or supply me with new hair in return for the broken pieces (well thats how I interpreted the email). But I have always taken the 'DIY' approach and they can't rake deaths fingernails down my back for that. I did say I would not purchase from them again, which is my own personal choice. But in no way did I say they were ALL bad and that people should not, or that "all their clips were horrible don't buy from them". I personally found mine poor quality, and thats just me! But I was disappointed with the product and I felt it was quite unjust that I couldn't express my review on youtube simply because Zala offer refunds/exchanges that I should have accepted rather than write about my initial product. My experience could be the odd 1% of all their customers, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't express my disappointment after hearing so many positive reviews which I personally found deceptive in the end I suppose because quite a few of them are representatives, which I will mention later.

Another big issue with extensions is shedding. I did experience some hair shedding although it wasn't worth causing a ruckus over. I haven't really brushed them that often, and I found that they shed on their own; I didn't have to use a brush. But anyway, whether it's clothing from ASOS or BooHoo, or a pair of hair extensions, I usually sow it back together myself if something goes wrong, and Zala is no exception to my own personal preference. But I did like the quality of the hair itself, even though the extensions were more ashy than my actual hair colour, but I haven't found that the clips come away from my scalp, which is also a plus.

But nevertheless, I still felt the need to review them as I felt that the youtube videos present were outnumbered with videos that were sponsored by Zala, or receiving a commission when people use their specific coupon code as they were associated with them and receive a small % of money when people use them. I didn't feel as though these reviews were as real, or as authentic as someone who was unsponsored talking about their extensions because they want to share their totally unbiased thoughts. And voila! I elected myself to be that girl. I wanted to share my own experience with the company and my own feelings on the product, so I was totally outraged with I received a text from their lawyers that I was 'defaming' the company and had practically 24 hours to take it down.

Now, that's was a pretty big shock. Like wow, I could go to Sydney Civil Court over my opinion, for damaging their reputation. For talking about my own experience? How on earth? Am I living in Australia or Saudi Arabia?

Now I have re-read this piece a number of times, just to check if I have said anything false or made any wide sweeping comments. I'm not even sure if the text I received was a bit of a 'bluff', but targeting a 20 year old Uni student who doesn't even live in Sydney isn't something I believe is very honourable.. I don't even know if it's legal to retrieve my number from their files and give it to their lawyer (whilst spelling my name wrong 5 times via youtube, email, and by text combined.. Really feeling the personal customer experience touch.) without my consent. But what do I know about the law? I didn't know it was possible to end up in court for having a rant on social media - which makes me start to think that my tumblr could definitely put me in debt.

I have a voice, and will always have a voice. And I will continue to review products I didn't personally like, and I will continue to review products that I love!

They can't sue me for hating them, and they can't sue me for telling people why I hate them. This whole thing has been an absolute nightmare to me and those who support me.  I would give them 1 star out of 5 if their was a hair extension Trip Advisor equivalent.


Don't sue me,

Kira xx

(disclaimer: this is my review on the product, some factual information maybe incorrect/misunderstood so please don't quote me on anything hahaha. I am also not on a mission to damage the company, but I do want consumers to be cautious and smart consumers - which is why I want to contribute my own experience)