Here are some of the commonly asked questions we've received over the years.
We've organized them by category so you can easily find answers.
ISSUE: Keratosis Pilaris
December 10, 2008 | Special Cases
Dear Philip,
For years, I’ve suffered from keratosis pilaris – also known as bumpy “chicken skin” – on my upper arms. I’ve been to dermatologists and used many lotions and treatments, but nothing worked until I got a sample of your Cucumber & Orchid Hand & Body Crème, which came inside a box of your other wonderful products that I ordered for my hair. I used the lotion all over and was surprised to notice a couple of days later that my bumps were gone! I read that 40% of the adult population suffers from this condition. I am going to tell everyone I know about your products. You are a miracle worker! I’ve already placed another order and will continue to try all that you have to offer. Have you considered creating some facial-care products? I have no doubt they’d be the best on the market.
Wow. Thank you very much! We all appreciate finding successful results with a product. Figuring out the right formula for your body can be such a journey. I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with well-known L.A. dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., for eight years now. Studying scalp health has led me to learn a great deal about skin on the rest of the body, too. I choose all of my botanical ingredients for their healing properties. Better yet, I make sure they’re used at a concentration that actually gives results. Case in point: The Cucumber Orchid Crème you loved so much is truly state-of-the-art. It’s made tetropeptide and oligopeptides for cellular rejuvenation, plus a high level of panthenol and phytantriol to provide major hydration and softness. And yes, we’re working on more skincare now. So keep an eye out!
ISSUE: Relaxed Hair
December 10, 2008 | Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, Fine & Limp Hair
Dear Philip,
I relax my hair and it’s thin and dry from over-processing. Which line do you recommend for my hair type and why?
All together now: Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo. It’s an amazing rejuvenator for fried, overworked hair. Alternatively, a Four-Step Hair & Scalp Treatment would do wonders for you, too. Use it once a week and on the morning of your next salon appointment: Women all over the world have told me that they’ve gotten better results and far less breakage when they apply my Rejuvenating Oil (part of the Four-Step treatment) right before they have their hair relaxed.
ISSUE: Peanut Allergy
December 10, 2008 | Special Cases
Dear Philip,
I saw the recommendation for your products in the November issue of Vogue and am extremely interested in them. I’m also, however, fatally allergic to peanuts and I see that at least one of your products is made with peanut oil. I’d like to know more about where and how your products are manufactured. Are the products with peanut oil made in the same facility and on the same equipment as products that don’t contain peanut oil?
I sympathize with you — having a severe allergy is such a challenge. While it’s true that all of our products are manufactured in facilities where peanut byproducts are used, our equipment is meticulously sanitized. There are a few products I can recommend to you with confidence, including Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo, Katira Masque and Scent of Santa Fe. You must be familiar with patch testing: I always recommend that an allergy sufferer try a one-inch patch test on her inner arm and check for a reaction with a 24 hours. And if you have any doubts, check with your doctor first.
ISSUE: Fine, Highlighted & Waist-Length
December 10, 2008 | Curly Hair, Fine & Limp Hair
Dear Philip,
I’ve just discovered your products! Being a an organic-minded purist — with very damaged, highlighted, fine, waist-long hair – I’m very excited to try them but have no clue where to start. After reading all the wonderful product descriptions, I know I could use them all, but can’t afford everything. I just got your Katira Masque, but what else?? I live in Hawaii, so on top of the drying effects of my hair color, I also have to deal with the sun, ocean and pool chlorine. I don’t want to cut my hair again — and I might not need to, since it’s slowly breaking off… Please help!
The natural oils from your scalp don’t tend to make it past the first 5-6 inches of your hair. So for someone with fine, super-long hair like yours, it’s especially important to give the lower reaches some intercellular moisture – something really rich and nourishing, yet light enough to not weigh you down. A Four-Step Hair & Scalp Facial Treatment gives a lot of bang for your buck. You’ll be amazed at how different your hair will feel after just one application; after that, use it once a week. In your case, Russian Amber would be the icing on the cake – use it sparingly and one jar should last you 4-5 months. And as for styling, I’d recommend Maui Wowie. It rocks in terms of giving hair volume and smells amazing. I spray it on damp or dry hair. (Since everyone’s hair is different, I make sure my products are versatile.) Play with it and see!
ISSUE: Curls, Color & Humidity
December 10, 2008 | Color-Treated Hair, Curly Hair
Dear Philip,
I have an abundance of naturally curly hair. I wash and condition it daily, and use a smoothing gel to straighten it as I blow-dry. Because of a genetic predisposition to early gray, I’ve also used permanent hair color for years. As a result, my overworked hair is very dry and turns fly-away if there’s the slightest bit of humidity (unfortunate in my humid Southern locale). I read about your products in Vogue and it sounds as if the smooth, shiny hair I’ve always wanted might actually be possible! Please tell me which products you’d recommend for me, as I’m overwhelmed by the variety in your product line!
The easy answer is Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo – just one use will revitalize burnt-out hair and give back its natural weight and shine. (Think of it as an investment: It sounds expensive, but you only need to use a little bit at a time.) To reap maximum benefits, I’d like to see you try a conditioning jelly like our Katira Masque, too. Check out my YouTube video and follow the directions. Before blow-drying, you might also want to comb a bit of Drop Dead Straight through your hair – it’s a light, silicone-free product for a nice, natural sheen. And if the barometer’s up, Anti Frizz 57 makes a great finishing touch to help humidity-proof your hair – so light and nice.
ISSUE: Coarse & frizzy
December 4, 2008 | Curly Hair
Dear Philip,
My hair is long, thick, curly, frizzy and red. I’ve tried everything, and it looks terrible when I leave it curly. I mostly straighten it, and that takes forever just to make it look halfway decent. PLEASE HELP MY HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!
Annie
Dear Annie,
All curly hair has a natural wave formation that can be really beautiful. Yet, if they’re dehydrated, curls can turn kinky and unruly, so you need to find a way to silken and soften them up. On coarse hair like yours, I get the best results with this sequence: a Revitalizing Oil treatment; Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo; Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo for moisture, shine and strength; and Katira Masque for incredible softness and manageability. Try it and let me know how it goes. And look on the bright side: Red hair usually goes gray quite late.
ISSUE: Chemically relaxed hair
December 2, 2008 | Dry Hair
Dear Philip,
I’m black African with chemically relaxed hair, and I struggle with extra dry hair, especially during the winter months. My hair usually breaks off at this time. Do any of your products work well on black hair?
Many thanks,
MIre
Dear Mire,
We make products that are fabulous for black hair. Our light, plant- and flower-based Rejuvenating Oil treatment and African Shea Butter shampoo and Lightweight Deep-Conditioning Crème Rinse (also make with wonderfully hydrating Shea Butter) come immediately to mind, as does our ultra-nourishing Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo. Any combination of these products will address your breakage during the winter months – and probably forever. But considering the degree of breakage you’re dealing with, I’d start with Katira Masque. One application will in all the damaged areas in the hair cuticle, so each strand is automatically thicker, shinier and more elastic. Even after you rinse it out, the masque leaves a weightless film on the hair that protects it from heat styling, too.
ISSUE: Body wave gone bad
December 1, 2008 | Damaged Hair
Dear Philip,
I ordered a bunch of your products: shampoo, cream rinse, the toning mist, lovin’ leave-in, and the rejuvenating oil. I learned about your products in a magazine that I read about a week after my stylist RUINED my hair with a HORRIBLE body wave. I received your products just yesterday, immediately put them to use, and now — just one day later — my hair finally feels healthy again.
I just wanted to say thank you, SO MUCH!
Rachel
Dear Rachel,
Thanks for your wonderful email. I get the nicest letters from women around the world, and I’m so glad that you found success with my products. I take great pride in making them! Definitely try my Katira masque, which is coming out this Monday. I’m looking forward to you having more great hair days!
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