We’ve all seen those charming little jars at markets, boutique-style bottles on TikTok, or DIY recipes claiming to be gentler, purer, more “natural.” The logic seems sound: if you know who made it, it must be better, right?

Not always.

While small batch and homemade hair products can feel intimate and ethically crafted, they also come with risks that don’t always get talked about. Just because something is made with care doesn’t mean it’s made with stability, consistency, or proper safety checks in place.

Here’s what’s up:

Without stabilizers or preservatives, even the most lovingly crafted formula can spoil fast if not kept in the fridge. Sometimes within weeks. That might mean bacterial growth, mold, pH shifts, or a full breakdown of the product’s effectiveness. And if a formula changes between batches because of ingredient variability or lack of lab testing? You could end up with one bottle that works beautifully, and the next causing irritation, buildup, or worse.

We’re not anti-handmade. We’re pro-informed.

Your scalp is a living, breathing ecosystem. It needs consistency, safety, and pH-balanced formulas that support it, not disrupt it. That requires more than good intentions; it requires formulation science, batch testing, and accountability.

That’s why at Wicked Hues, we trust brands like Eufora. If something feels off, they don’t just guess. They test. Every batch. Every time. That level of quality control about client safety as well as professional reputation.

So if you’re trying something small batch, here are a few questions to ask:

• How long is the shelf life? Has it been tested?
• What preservatives are being used, if any?
• Is the product pH balanced for the scalp?
• Has it been tested for microbial growth?
• Are ingredients consistent between batches?

If you don’t know the answers, we won’t either! While we’ve done a lot of research on a lot of different brands on the market, there’s a reason we don’t do small batch.

We love evidence-based, consistent results. We love knowing exactly what’s in it and why.

Because while aesthetics matter, safety matters more. And small batch doesn’t mean small risk.

And when it comes to client safety, Eufora takes it a step further. If there’s ever a concern with a product, they will:

• Check the batch code against their warehouse reserves,
• Offer to test the specific bottle you received,
• And verify that the packaging and formula haven’t been compromised.

They hold themselves to high standards down to the type of plastic used in their bottles as well as ingredients as well. This is how they’ve caught counterfeit products being sold through third-party retailers (yes, even on Amazon) that contained glue, solvents, Dawn Dish Soap, or other wild additives. (That deep blue was a dead giveaway as Eufora doesn’t use artificial dyes.) It’s also how they ensure the plastic bottle itself isn’t breaking down and leaching into the formula over time, as we’ve seen in other brands.

Eufora stands behind what they sell. But that guarantee only applies when it’s purchased directly from Eufora or from an authorized Eufora salon like ours. If it comes from Amazon or another third-party seller? Unfortunately, you’re on your own.

We trust them with your hair and skin, and even our own lungs from breathing it in over time, because they back it up with science, transparency, and accountability.

Because while aesthetics matter, safety matters more. And small batch doesn’t mean small risk.