Paul Mitchell Hit With Lawsuit Over 'Made In The USA Claims

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges Paul Mitchell misled consumers with "Made in the USA" labels, despite sourcing key ingredients for its hair care products from overseas.

Consumers Affected: Consumers in California and Illinois who purchased Paul Mitchell products labeled "Made in the USA."

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS), the hair care giant behind popular salon-quality products, is facing a class action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading consumers with its "Made in the USA" labels. 

The lawsuit alleges that despite its patriotic branding, many of JPMS’s best-selling shampoos and conditioners contain key foreign ingredients—making its claims deceptive and in violation of federal and state laws.

Paul Mitchell Accused of Misleading "Made in USA" Labeling

Illinois resident Sam Lauer and California resident Regina Brookshier, the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, claim they purchased JPMS products believing they were made entirely in the U.S. with domestic ingredients.

Lauer, a frequent buyer of JPMS's Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo and several other products, says he relied on the company’s "Made in the USA" claims when purchasing from online retailers like FragranceNet.com. He later discovered that these products contained foreign-sourced ingredients, contradicting the label’s unqualified claim.

Brookshier had a similar experience when purchasing JPMS’s Tea Tree Special Shampoo from an Ulta Beauty store in California. The lawsuit states that she specifically chose the product based on its "Made in the USA" labeling but was not informed that key ingredients were sourced internationally.

Consumers Say Key Ingredients Sourced Abroad

JPMS, a company with estimated annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, is accused in the lawsuit of violating strict federal guidelines on "Made in the USA" labeling.

The lawsuit cites Federal Trade Commission regulations, which require that for a product to be labeled "Made in the USA" without qualification, all or virtually all of its components must be sourced and manufactured in the country. 

The plaintiffs argue that JPMS knowingly misled customers by omitting any disclosure about its foreign ingredients, while competitors like Redken and Giovanni provide clear labeling about global sourcing.

The complaint claims that JPMS’s actions led consumers to overpay for products under false pretenses, thinking they were supporting American-made goods. 

Similar Legal Actions Target Other Brands

JPMS is just the latest in a growing list of companies being sued over questionable "Made in the USA" claims. French’s mustard is currently facing a class action lawsuit alleging that some of its products, despite being marketed as "crafted and bottled" in the U.S., contain key ingredients sourced abroad. 

Similarly, major brands like Lowe’s and Reynolds have faced legal action for misrepresenting the origin of products like safety gloves and aluminum foil.

In their lawsuit, Lauer and Brookshier want to represent consumers in California and Illinois who purchased one or more of the JPMS products labeled “Made in the USA” that were made with or contained ingredients or components not grown or manufactured in the USA, within four years prior to the filing of the lawsuit. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Lauer, et al. v. John Paul Mitchell Systems
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-02438
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Abbas Kazerounian (Kazerounian Law Group, APC)

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