Paul Mitchell faces suit over 'Made in USA' claims for Tea Tree shampoo

John Paul Mitchell Systems is accused of misrepresenting its popular Tea Tree Special Shampoo and other personal care products as made in the USA.

The plaintiff, Regina Brookshier, says she overpaid for the Tea Tree Special Shampoo, which she purchased over the competition. Hundreds of thousands of bottles of the shampoo have been sold in California, according to the complaint. Paul Mitchell has said it sells one bottle of the shampoo every 14 seconds.

Brookshier claims seven causes of action, including violation of California's false advertising law and intentional misrepresentation. She is represented by Abbas Kazerounian and Pamela E. Prescott of Kazerouni Law Group APC in Costa Mesa.

The complaint quotes the California Supreme Court in Kwikset v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 4th 310, 328-29 (2011) as saying "The Legislature has recognized the materiality of this representation by specifically outlawing deceptive and fraudulent 'Made in America' representations. (Cal. Bus & Prof. Code section 17533.7..."

It goes on to say that Section 17533.7 was intended "to protect consumers from being misled when they purchase products in the belief that they are advancing the interest of the United States and the industries and workers. . ."

The complaint says that the key ingredient in Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree line, tea tree oil, is sourced from a farm in Australia. It alleges similarly deceptive marketing practices for other Paul Mitchell products.

"Given its expansive resources and operational sophistication, it is difficult to understand why defendant so clearly violated the well-established laws, rules, and regulations surrounding the use of 'Made in the USA' or any derivative thereof, other than to deceive consumers and for its own personal financial gain," states the complaint signed by Kazerounian. Regina Brookshier v. John Paul Mitchell Systems, 25STCV22176 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed July 28, 2025).

John Paul Mitchell Systems announced new packaging and branding for its Tea Tree brand in April 2024. It said one shampoo and conditioner was sold every 14 and 39 seconds, respectively, through authorized sellers in 2023. It touted its product line as using "100% responsibly sourced Australian tea tree for products formulated with tea tree, sourced from a Certified B Corporation farm that was awarded an EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainable practices, as well as the company's commitment cruelty-free products."

Paul Mitchell representatives did not respond to a request for comment.