It’s fair to say that I am intrigued by this brand that according to founder, Maria Hatzistefanis, is an ‘affordable range that offers real results and an alternative to invasive surgery.’ Hatzistefanis is also the founder of Rodial, a brand that offers products such as Tummy Tuck that apparently whittles away centimetres from the stomach using ‘stomach flattening micro fibres’ for a cool £100 per bottle. Now Nip + Fab’s Tummy Fix Cream sells for £18.95 and claims to reduce ‘abdominal girth’ by 2.5cm after 6 weeks. Well, how odd. Because Rodial Tummy Tuck claims to do exactly the same thing – in fact, according to the Rodial Web site, a little less. It’s only offering to reduce the abdominal area by up to two centimetres in 8 weeks, so despite paying over £80 more you can expect 0.5 of a centimetre less. I also notice that ‘Crash Diet Sticks are coming soon to the Rodial Website. Because, that’s exactly the kind of dieting we want to encourage, isn’t it? Not.
So here we have two brands from the same owner with one claiming to do even more in less time for under £20 than the cream at £100. It does not make sense. I’m not a business woman, but why on earth would you allow one brand to cannibalize the other? Rodial hit the news last week for lodging a legal objection against a medical doctor, whose professional view was that a Rodial product he was asked by The Daily Mail to give his opinion on may not be able to produce the claimed result (Rodial are hot on ‘clinical trials’ but if you search on their site under the term ‘clinical trial’, it produces nothing). But that aside, I think either way we’re being had. What helps you to lose weight is the fairly basic equation of input vs output. If you’re eating a lot and want to stay slim, you’ll need to exercise a lot in order not to tip the scales. The notion of rubbing some caffeine (or similar) laden cream into your fat in the hopes it will disappear defies credulity. If there’s any effect at all, it can be nothing but temporary unless you curb what you eat for good. But men and women with weight issues will go to any lengths and expense on a ‘promise’, and it’s heartbreaking really. Walking to the shop to buy your ‘waist whittling’ cream will probably do more to tone than the cream itself. While we all know that such product claims exist, and we all hope they’ll do something – well, anything – I’ve got an uneasy feeling about the ethics of someone who produces sister brands claiming in some cases to do exactly the same thing and yet the price disparity amounts to over £80. Words fail me. What I will say is that I have never yet met someone who has lost significant weight and puts it down to a fat reducing cream and there is nothing Fab about that. As for the implication that cream can offer a realistic alternative to cosmetic surgery…just irresponsible, really.
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10 comments
I really like how you bring attention to these issues or even the ‘behind the scene’ type of posts, such as the Unilever lawsuit.
I do think these creams are useful in reducing the cellulite appearance since I use vigorous massaging motions and am more active in remembering to use them.
Are they using different technology in the two tummy tuck brands? That’s the only way I can think of to justify the price discrepancy. Afterall, Lancome is owned by L’Oreal and both offer a wide range of anti-anging produce for much different prices…
Excellent post! You put things back into perspective and encourage people to not always believe everything they are told. That is why this is my (and surely not only my) favourite beauty blog out there. Well done and keep them coming! Big hug!
A great eye opener. I’m going to stay clear of these products. I hate when companies take the mickey out of consumers. :'( xx
Surely a product designed purely to prey on women’s insecurities and take advantage of them in such an extreme way that makes us out as idiots is just insane…. And yet even knowing this they have some strange power over me that makes it tempting!
x
Rodial products are completely out of my price range so I would never buy them simply because creams for weight loss, who are we kidding? Now I have tried three of the Nip + Fab range and been pleased with them and I would purchase again. For me, the stomach gel worked really well but only because I used it in conjunction with a sensible diet and I exercise frequently. Otherwise it’s not going to work. I certainly notice the difference if I don’t use it for a few days. Peculiar I know but I reckon it’s more water than fat. Which for the right dress means everything! I knew from the beginning that these were budget versions of Rodial, the press information was very up front. Why do companies do it, because it’s a new market for them to make more money. I don’t think it harms Rodial’s business at all, people like me wouldn’t buy it anyway. Those who do, some might switch to try it and revert. It’s all going down the same way as they say!
I’m a skincare consultant with Boots. If you read the ingredient listing on the Nip+Fab products, you’ll see their mostly mineral oil, with the exception of the Lip+Nip which is all lanolin. Not worth the price at all.
I’m just astonished by how gullible we all are and so desparate for something to work that we will part with silly money while keeping our fingers crossed that the snake oil works. What we really need is a fairy godmother but they are a bit thin on the ground these days.
I can’t believe that the authorities go after mascara companies with such vigour, yet Rodial has, for years, made these fantastical claims about its products (I’ve tried some of them and they do NOTHING but lighten the wallet) without being challenged. Rodial’s claims border on the criminal, IMO.
I can’t believe the claims Rodial made about their previous products and just when the recession hits they bring out a cheap product but with the same ingredients! Just goes to show the profit they have made out of consumers….
I use the nip and fab tummy cream and I must say it has done amazing for me. After having a child I was left with a jelly belly and starting using this cream within a week I noticed a difference and six weeks on I am very pleased with the outcome! I would like to state I have not been dieting or toning either. I wudnt say it makes you loose weight because it doesn’t but I would definatly say it tones and firms your stomach as I am living proof of that! I will always continue to purchase this product as the more I use it the more please I am .