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: Hot-weather Hair Emergency
June 26, 2009 | Fine & Limp Hair, Thin Hair
Dear Philip,
I have fine hair that’s cut in a forward swing with the sides resting at or just below the shoulder line. My problem is that it looks really great right after I style it, but I am unable to maintain the look! I live in Texas and the hot, muggy weather flattens my hair as soon as I walk outside. I use a root lifter, medium-weight styling spray and a final heavier spray. I’ve experimented with different brands and nothing seems to work. Please help!
First off, you’re using too much product – a fatal mistake on fine hair. Try taking a different approach, where you make your hair thicker and fuller from the inside. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the 4-Step Treatment with Rejuvenating Oil would be perfect for you. The treatment plumps up and strengthens individual strands like crazy. (Fear not: The Peppermint & Avocado shampoo in the kit lifts away any excess oil on the surface of your hair.) Follow with a Katira Masque treatment (which also adds weightless volume and elasticity) and, finally, a couple of key styling products: a golf-ball-sized amount of volumizing mousse and light spray. If you need extra volume, add a touch of dry shampoo at the roots and you’re golden.
ISSUE: Limp Hair & Dandruff
June 26, 2009 | Dry Hair, Fine & Limp Hair, Special Cases, Thin Hair
Dear Philip,
My hair tends to fall flat, and I also have dandruff. What kinds of shampoo should I use to solve the problem?
Use these two back to back: The Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo, followed by Anti-Flake. Leave each one on for a couple of minutes before you rinse. The Peppermint Shampoo will clean away oil and dead cells to leave your scalp feeling clean and healthy; the Anti-Flake contains healing, dandruff-obliterating ingredients as well as aloe, to leave your hair swingy and soft. You’ll see amazing results.
ISSUE: Minimizing Damage
June 2, 2009 | Color-Treated Hair, Curly Hair, Dry Hair
Dear Philip,
I have highlighted blonde hair that’s wavy and a little on the dry side. But my big problem is my scalp, which is really sensitive and dry; I’ve had problems with it since I was a baby, and easily react to most shampoos and conditioning treatments. What do you think about Katira — do you think I’d be able to use it?
Absolutely. Like all of my products, it’s phthalate-, paraben- and petrochemical free; plus, the primary ingredients are water, glycerin and Katira, a pure, all-natural plant extract. (As with every product you use on your scalp, do a patch test before you apply it all over your hair — but I think it will work for you. Please let me know if it doesn’t.) My Rejuvenating Oil — a gentle mix of pure plant and flower oils — is another great option for sensitive types. Run it through your hair, blow-dry for a few minutes (so the oils sink in) and shampoo away the excess. The result will be bouncy, shiny, healthy perfection.
ISSUE: Minimizing Chemical Damage
June 2, 2009 | Dry Hair, Special Cases
Dear Philip,
My mom was sick and had a perm while she had medication in her system. Now her hair is dry and fried. Would your products help to cure it?
First of all, I’m sorry to hear that your mother was sick. I hope she’s feeling much better — and yes, I can help her hair. Right now, she needs to baby it: Deep-conditioning treatments and leave-in moisturizers make all the difference. Make sure that your mother uses an intensive conditioner once a week. (I recommend the Rejuvenating Oil or 4-Step Hair & Scalp Treatment.) For everyday, she’ll need a nourishing shampoo like White Truffle Moisturizing Shampoo or Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo, and a light yet deeply reparative conditioner: White Truffle Nourishing & Conditioning Creme should do the trick.
ISSUE: Fried Hair, Reborn!
June 2, 2009 | Color-Treated Hair, Damaged Hair, Dry Hair
Dear Philip,
I have been using your Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo, White Truffle Conditioner, Katira Masque and 4-Step Hair & Scalp Treatment since the new year. My hair was so dried-out and straw-like from years of hair color and medicinal side effects. But today my hairdresser says my hair is healthy and strong. I’d been doing weekly jojoba-oil treatments overnight for years and while that made a difference, it was nothing like what happened over the past 4 months. I’ve been washing my hair daily and the texture still improved like crazy. Thank you — I’m so happy. The Russian Amber shampoo and Truffle conditioner are definitely worth the price. I’ve used the Russian Amber daily for 4 months on my long hair and still have a third left! It really is a miracle.?
That’s wonderful news — I love hearing success stories like yours. You chose a perfect combination of products, too: As you’ve found, they really do give seriously damaged, lifeless hair a whole new look and feel. Thanks so much for writing in!
ISSUE: Hair Loss
June 2, 2009 | Damaged Hair, Special Cases
Dear Philip,
What’s the best way to stop my hair from falling out?
The first thing to do is to see a doctor to rule out any hormonal problems or underlying medical issues. If you come out with a clean bill of health, you can do a couple of things: Protect the hair you have by (a) using a gentle yet invigorating shampoo like Peppermint & Avocado Clarifying & Volumizing Shampoo or Scent of Santa Fe; and (b) regularly stimulating your scalp with a nylon and boar-bristle brush. If you need more aggressive intervention, I’ve heard good things about over-the-counter minoxidil, Propecia and red-light laser treatments, too. Check with your doctor.
ISSUE: Thin, Dull, Frizzy – Hair at Age 50+
June 2, 2009 | Color-Treated Hair, Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, Fine & Limp Hair, Thin Hair
Dear Philip,
I’m a haircutter from St. Louis, Mo, with over 30 years experience. As my clients get older, I’m faced with a reccuring challenge: Women over 50 with hair that’s getting thinner, drier and losing its sheen. If I use volumizers, their hair gets frizzy. If I use smoothing products, it lies thin, flat and lifeless. Whether or not the hair is colored, it has somehow lost its youthful shine. (It’s difficult enough dealing with this personally, but most of my clients are in the same boat.) I haven’t tried your products, but would love to know what you recommend for women over 50 — especially because we’re such a fast-growing age group.
I’m so glad you wrote. I see this problem all the time and you’re right — the challenge is finding the perfect treatments to moisturize and gleamify your hair without weighing it down. It’s totally worth the effort: Restore the youthful sheen and bounce of a woman’s hair and you take a decade off her appearance, just like that. I worked for years to come up with just the right solution for my celebrity clients, and here it is: My Four Step Hair & Scalp Treatment, followed by Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo and Katira Masque. Take a look at some of my how-to videos; even the models couldn’t believe the results.
ISSUE: Author, Author
June 2, 2009 | African-American Hair, Color-Treated Hair, Curly Hair, Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, Fine & Limp Hair, Hair Masque, Special Cases, Thin Hair
Dear Philip,
Is Philip B. going to write any more books?
Funny you asked: I’m thinking about doing a book or a TV show and am gathering material. Please let me know if there are any particular subjects you want me to address!
ISSUE: How Often Should I Use the Katira Masque?
June 2, 2009 | Hair Masque
Dear Philip,
I just got the Katira Hair Masque and was wondering how often I should use it.
It all depends on the condition of your hair, and how you like to style it. If your hair is damaged, or if you’re just looking for extra manageability, bounce and shine, I suggest using the Katira Masque once or twice a week. If you like to wear your hair gelled back, you can wear the Katira everyday — either on its own or mixed with a little Cream of the Crop. That way, you get it all: soft hold, deep-conditioning, protection and a healthy gleam, too.
ISSUE: Hair Lightening
June 2, 2009 | Color-Treated Hair
Dear Philip,
I’ve been coloring my hair for several years, but now it’s too dark. Do you have anything to lift color so I can start new or do I need to go to a hairdresser?
Good question. One reason why your hair color is so dark might be because you’re dragging the dye all the way to the ends each time you color. It works better if you just treat the new growth; your hair is more porous at the tips, and thus more likely to sponge up dye and go to the dark side. (Not to mention, the ends should be a little lighter than the rest of your hair — that’s how it works in nature, and creates a more believable effect.) Unfortunately, there’s nothing in my line that will strip color — even my Peppermint & Avocado Clarifying and Volumizing Shampoo is tempered with so many botanical conditioners that it deep-cleans your scalp without affecting your color. In short: It’s time to go to the salon.
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