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ASK PHILIP B.

ISSUE: African-American Hair With Dry Scalp and Breakage

February 14, 2009 | Accolades, African-American Hair, Damaged Hair, Troubled Scalp

Dear Philip,

I just want to say thank you. I read about your products in Vogue magazine and they have changed my life. I’m an African-American woman with chemically treated hair and I suffered with breakage and extreme dry scalp for years. I started using the Anti-Flake shampoo, the Rejuvenating Hair Oil and the Katira Hair Masque and the condition of my hair changed dramatically and in an instant.

I no longer have dandruff, I have little to no breakage when I brush my hair and my hair is bouncing and behaving. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on special treatments, prescription shampoos and high-end hair products. In just one use, Philip B. products corrected scalp and hair issues that neither doctors nor top stylists could resolve.

As a black woman, I often feel that top-of-the-line hair products aren’t designed with my hair type in mind. I can say with confidence that Philip B. is perfect for my hair!

Thanks for your beautiful letter. It not only made my day, but everyone in my company’s day as well! It’s wonderful that Vogue has supported our brand from the beginning, and that you found us. I’ve made it my mission to create intensive rejuvenating treatments for EVERY hair type, yours included. And I’m glad that you discovered Anti-Flake too. That product has a following like you can’t believe.

ISSUE: Curly Hair On The Thin Side

February 14, 2009 | Curly Hair, Fine & Limp Hair

Dear Philip,

What do you recommend for fine, curly, mixed-texture hair? I live in North Carolina and the weather is mostly warm.

Your hair needs moisturizing shampoos and intensive conditioners that don’t add extra weight. I think you’d see great results from the White Truffle Ultra Rich Moisturizing Shampoo and Nourishing & Conditioning Creme. They both contain over 22 percent pure botanical extracts - a level that’s unheard of in the beauty industry, and means that you get a serious dose of emollients that come from plants and flowers instead of animal fats. So your hair will be light and bouncy and moisturized - not heavy or flat. The Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo (an all-in-one cleanser and revitalizing treatment), the African Shea Butter Gentle & Conditioning Shampoo, and Scent of Santa Fe Balancing Shampoo would all be great for you, too.

ISSUE: Curly, Poufy Hair

February 14, 2009 | Curly Hair, Damaged Hair

Dear Philip,

Do you do permanent hair straightening in Los Angeles? I’ve done Yuko, which damaged my hair, and Keratin, which just gave it shine. I hate my hair. It’s always curly and frizzy and I love it straight. The flat iron is ruining my hair.

You’re a Katira girl. My own sister deals with the same issues, and blows her hair out 3-4 times a week. Here’s the regimen we’ve perfected for her - she’s seen breathtaking results with it: 1. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo followed by Katira Masque - that’s every few days. 2. Alternate that with the Four Step Hair & Scalp Treatment. I should add that I think permanent hair straightening is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair - it ranks right up there with permanent waves. So please invest in some super moisturizing treatments, and use them faithfully. The more you torture your hair, the more you have to nourish it.

ISSUE: Thick, Curly, Frizzy Hair

February 14, 2009 | Curly Hair

Dear Philip;

I’m a Causasian male living in Singapore, where it is very warm and humid. I have hair that’s very curly, and so thick that my hairdresser keeps thinning it out. If I even touch my hair during the day, it gets very frizzy. Can you please recommend products for me? I want hold and a slicked-back style that stays “wet/oily/shiny” all day long, even if I run my fingers through it.

I agree that thick, curly hair in humidity can be a nightmare. First off, tell your stylist to stop thinning your hair - it can remove some bulk but you eventually end up with thin, wispy frizz. Secondly, start conditioning. You’ll find that your hair is a million times more manageable if it’s soft and supple as opposed to wiry and coarse. Here’s the regimen I’d recommend: 1. Once a week, use my Four Step Hair and Scalp Treatment. It will put essential lipids back into your hair, for more of a curl formation and less frizz. (Given your situation, I want you to take the Rejuvenating Oil and sleep with it in your hair overnight. The next morning, complete the remaining three steps in the kit. The Lightweight Deep Conditioning Creme Rinse is great for your type of hair - it softens and silkens it. And the pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist will help counter frizz.) 2. Post treatment, apply Katira Hair Masque to damp hair, let it dry naturally, and rinse. That will smooth and hydrate your hair even more. 3. Cocktail your styling products. I’d mix a dab of Cream of the Crop together with gel and a dab of Katira Masque or Anti-Frizz Formula 57. That’s something I do all the time for my clients - just put it on wet hair and watch it dry into beautifully shiny ringlets. Bonus: You’ll be able to run your fingers through it and, unlike gel, it won’t flake.