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: Deep Conditioner For My Platinum Blonde Hair?

August 11, 2011 | Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, This Month's Hair Q&A's

Dear Philip,

My hair has been bleached platinum blonde for years, and it’s sooo dry and damaged. I use a K-pak treatment for protein along with a Pureology hair mask (along with probably 15 other products!) and they just aren’t doing it for me, it’s still super, super dry and seems to not want to absorb any moisture whatsoever!! I have high hopes for your deep conditioners, so which one would you recommend for my EXTREMELY DRY, POROUS, hair?? I want my hair to be silky and soft again!

Thank you!

It’s a tough situation: You have the color you want but the texture is gone. To restore it, you need to be strategic about the kinds of conditioners you use, since very dry, damaged hair tends to lose moisture easily. A few things I recommend:

1. My Lovin’ Leave-In Conditioner. You need a product that will coat your hair to keep the moisture in. At the same time, you need something fine and light that won’t weigh you down. Run a dollop of the leave-in conditioner through clean, damp hair and style as usual.
2. Lightweight Deep Conditioning Creme is great for parched, damaged hair, too. It’s packed with healing Shea Butter, a powerful hydrator that’s naturally sheer and light.
3. Russian Amber Imperial Conditioning Creme helps in a different way; the amino acid complex in the formula help strengthen and rebuild damaged strands and has a wonderful silkening effect.
4. If your hair is very coarse and dry, you’ll benefit from the Katira Masque, too — it will help to even out the porosity of your hair and enhance its manageability.
5. Finally (and this is key), I recommend a steady diet of Rejuvenating Oil treatments, which go a long way toward reviving porous, dull, brittle hair. And hang in there: With a little extra effort, you can have your beautiful blonde shade and the healthy texture that should go along with it!

ISSUE: Dry, Brittle, Color-Treated Hair

August 11, 2011 | Color-Treated Hair, Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, This Month's Hair Q&A's

Dear Philip,

I’m an African American who has lupus. I have a relaxer and color in my hair and i want to know what can i use to get my hair growing again and stop it from shedding and being so dry. I’m allergic to anything that has sulfur in it. Also, the edges are very thin or there is nothing there. Please help. I’ve tried everything and am still not getting the results I want.

Focus on babying your hair as much as possible. Soak it with Rejuvenating Oil and, at least to begin with, sleep with the oil in your hair overnight. From there, my African Shea Butter Shampoo and Lightweight Deep Conditioning Creme would be perfect for you. (The latter is super-healing, lightweight, and smells wonderful: It’s infused with Pure Orange Rind Oil, Lemon Rind Oil and a hint of Gardenia.) If your hair is breaking and brittle, use the Lovin’ Leave-In Conditioner, too. For extra credit, you can add the Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo and/or Conditioner to your regimen. Both are terrific at rebuilding damaged hair. Thanks for writing in!

ISSUE: The heavenly scent in your Lovin’ Leave-in Conditioner - what is it?

July 13, 2011 | Product Ingredients

Dear Philip,

I recently discovered your Lovin’ Leave-in Conditioner and found it not only to be great for my hair, it also makes my hair smell like heaven. I would love to have a perfume or eau de toilette like that!

Is there a key component (maybe nettle? or chamomile? I don’t really know these ingredients!) that is responsible for the scent? Or do you have a perfume or eau de toilette in your product line with a similar fragrance that I can use on my skin?

Best,
Danny

Dear Danny,

Thanks so much for your message. The key note in our Lovin’ Leave-In Conditioner is fresh green tomato mingled with lemon peel extract, passionflower and chamomile. We don’t have a perfume version, but you’ll find the same lingering, botanical scent in our Lovin’ Hand & Body Crème. We think both products smell intoxicating and are thrilled that you agree!

Kind regards,
Philip B.

ISSUE: Rejuvenating Oil/Ingredients

July 13, 2011 | Product Ingredients, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates

Dear Philip,

I noticed a slightly different ingredient list for this product. If you go to Beauty.com, their list is not the same as yours. Their list is the same as what was on an old bottle I bought years ago. Yours now has all but one ingredient, that being Ylang Ylang flower oil and others that were not on the original list. Why is the list different now and is the original ingredient list better or worse than the newer one?

Also, I noticed 2 ingredients I am familiar with on 2 other products. Why would you use propolene glycol and sodium lauryl or sodium laureth sulfate? These are really unhealthy and I was surprised to see them in your ingredient list. I will buy the Rejuvenating Oil but will not buy anything containing harmful ingredients.

Eva

Dear Eva,

Thanks for your thoughtful message. As you noticed, we’ve recently reformulated some our products to improve their quality and to reduce their carbon footprint. That’s reflected in our new ingredient lists.

Now, to the two ingredients you cited:

1. You’re right to be wary about sodium lauryl sulfate. SLS alone is very destructive to hair and skin — it’s as harsh as some dishwashing liquids. If you want to burn your hair, destroy your color and get a skin disorder, go right ahead and throw straight SLS on it.That said, in some cases, SLS can be amazing. It’s all about balance. I buffer down the SLS in our shampoos with such a high level of essential oils that it becomes gentle and creamy — the best possible way to clear away any dirt or build-up while distributing conditioning oils throughout your hair, even to the ends. In some cases, I use so many plant and flower oils that the SLS is rendered all but inactive: It’s just there to carry the oils and help you lather up.

   That’s because my shampoos aren’t the conventional detergent-water-fragrance mix. They’re made from intensely conditioning oils used at active, therapeutic levels and gathered from exotic places around the world. So, in this case, fear not. The sulfates we do use are specifically designed to deliver nutrients and potent conditioning agents to your hair, not to counteract their effects!

2. Most of our formulas were created years ago, when there was no question about propylene glycol’s safety. Even today, the Food & Drug Administration maintains that propylene glycol is “generally recognized as safe,” and it’s used in everything from toothpaste to baby wipes. We use a touch of propylene glycol in a few of our formulas as a carrier for botanical essences. Again, it’s hugely buffered with essential oils and other nurturing and beneficial ingredients. As we modernize the formulas going forward, however, we may phase out propylene glycol altogether. Either way, we’ll definitely keep your comments in mind. Thanks for taking the time to write to us.

Kind regards,
Philip B.

ISSUE: How to Use Katira

December 7, 2010 | Dry Hair, Hair Masque, How to Use

Dear Philip,

Hi! I have bought the Katira Hair Masque because I heard so much good about it. But after using it I’m so disappointed! My hair feels even drier after and the shine is completely gone .   I do not know if I do something wrong but I do not think so…

I use the Peppermint Shampoo and then towel-dry a little before I put in the masque. I leave it for some time and then rinse it out. After I use some conditioner as well. When the hair wet and the masque is in it feels like dry paper or something and after rinsing it out it still feels very dry. To comb it is a pain! I use your shampoo, conditioner and also the oil but this is a disappointment… I hope you get back to me because I do not think this is the way it should be. Other hair masques make my hair look great but this just makes it even drier. Thanks in advance!

Sorry to hear you’re having trouble. Katira is so different from other hair masques that using it can involve a learning curve. Here’s what you need to do differently. Shampoo your hair AND USE CONDITIONER FIRST. Then towel dry your hair, apply the Katira Hair Masque, and let it sit on your hair until it’s COMPLETELY DRY, like a hard helmet. (You can use a blowdryer to speed the process.) By actually drying on your hair, the katira jelly imparts into each strand. Then rinse and style as usual. Use the masque that way, and Katira should give you amazing results. Please let me know how it goes!

ISSUE: Superdry Hair

December 7, 2010 | African-American Hair, Dry Hair

Dear Philip,

I’m and African-American female and have worn my hair in an Afro ever since 2001, when my doctor diagnosed me with scarring alopecia. My hair is very, very dry and extremely hard to comb. I have tried Pantene, Nexus and other shampoos and conditioners, but nothing, absolutely nothing has made my hair soft and manageable like it was before my diagnosis. Can you recommend which of your shampoos, conditioner and something to apply to my scalp to keep my hair from remaining dry?

I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles. When hair is as dry as yours, you need to use a power-packed hydrator – something that will impart into your hair and strengthen it from the inside out. The best thing would be regular Rejuvenating Oil treatments, which will help to soften and repair your hair. If your hair still feels dry, rub a little oil between your palms and scrunch it into your hair when you get out of the shower. And when you order the oil, ask for some samples of our Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo and Conditioner. I think they’d be amazingly helpful, too.

ISSUE: Question About Ingredients

December 7, 2010 | Product Ingredients

Dear Philip,

Why on earth would you use Peanut Oil as an ingredient in your products? Now I understand that there are millions of allergies to millions of things (there are people who are allergic to cold water. Yes. Look it up if you don’t believe me), and they have to make the choice of what they buy and use and it’s their responsibility. But seeing as peanut allergies are practically an epidemic these days, I’m just curious about who made the choice that it would be a good idea to put this in your product?

I think the LEAST thing you could do would be to BOLD the font on the word “PEANUT” in the ingredients list. Not everyone is as careful as me.

My entire line is based on healing essential oils from fruits, nuts and plants, and the reason that I use peanut oil in some of our products is because it’s wonderful for moisturizing. It also works beautifully in synergy with other botanical oils like almond, walnut, sesame, olive and jojoba. That said, the percentage of peanut oil I use is very low, and I’ve never heard a report of anyone having a bad reaction to it. But I’ll keep your concerns and thoughtful suggestions in mind. Thanks for writing.

ISSUE: Oily Scalp + Thin, Dry Hair

December 7, 2010 | Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, How to Use, Thin Hair, Troubled Scalp

Dear Philip,

I am a 27-year-old man and have long brown hair to my shoulders. I’ve had a problem with hair loss since age 17, and my hair is thin, dry and straight. I also have an oily scalp, and a little dandruff in my eyebrows. A week ago I started to wash my hair with Anti-Flake shampoo, and I use the Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo on alternate days. After each wash I apply a normal conditioner on the ends of my hair; otherwise it becomes very difficult to comb.

As I’ve read on your website my treatment should be:

1. Rejuvenating Oil applied with a hair dryer
2. Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo
3. Anti-Flake Shampoo

Should all of this be applied daily? Is it necessary to use the hair dryer? Is it necessary to use some conditioner or some other product?

Here’s what I recommend for you:

Once a week: A Rejuvenating Oil treatment.

1. Apply the oil to dry hair and massage it in with your fingertips. And yes, it’s important to use a hair dryer to warm up the oil – heat helps the oil sink into your hair and loosens dead cells and debris from your scalp.
2. After letting the oil sit on your hair for 20 minutes, work a dollop of the Peppermint & Avocado shampoo into your hair and then get in the shower and add a bit of water.
3. Lather it up for 3-5 minutes – that will leave your scalp feeling cool and fresh. Rinse. Your hair should feel balanced all over.

Every day: If you wash your hair everyday, use the Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo or our Scent of Santa Fe Shampoo, which is nice and balancing and will make your hair feel softer. Finish with the Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème on the ends only and Rinse.

Every three days: Use the Peppermint Shampoo (leave on for 2-3 minutes) followed by Anti- Flake (also leave on for 2-3 minutes before you rinse).

Together, that regimen should get your scalp and hair in great shape.

ISSUE: Gluten-Free?

December 7, 2010 | Product Ingredients

Dear Philip,

I recently found out I have celiac disease and I need to be using gluten-free hair products. I love Philip B products. Are any of them gluten-free???

No gluten ingredients are intentionally added to Philip B® products. However, since you have a gluten allergy, we recommend doing a small patch test before trying any of our products, just to make sure that you won’t have any kind of reaction. Best of luck!

ISSUE: Curly, Highlighted Hair + Dry, Itchy Scalp

December 7, 2010 | Damaged Hair, Dry Hair, How to Use, Troubled Scalp

Dear Philip,

I’m having a hard time figuring out the best product for my hair type. I have curly, long, highlighted hair and my scalp is dry, flaky and itchy. What is the best shampoo and conditioner to use? Also, which of your styling products do you recommend for a quick style and go? (I usually wash my hair, apply a leave in conditioner, a styling product such as AG Recoil, then hairspray, and let it airdry.) I’m looking for a simple routine that controls my curls and stops them from turning frizzy, bushy or crunchy.

The best thing for you would be a Rejuvenating Oil treatment.

1. Put a generous amount directly on your hair and scalp (your hair should be dry) and massage it in to help dismantle the cells and flakes. Use a blow dryer to warm up the oil and help sink more deeply into your hair.
2. After 15-20 minutes, apply some Peppermint & Avocado Clarifying Shampoo on top and massage it in for 3-5 minutes. Then get in the bath or shower and add a little water and lather up to break down any excess oil: Your hair will hold on to the moisture it needs.
3. Follow with my Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo. It’s even more effective when used after the Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo, and it contains a moisturizing aloe complex. Together, that should take care of your scalp problems.
4. Use the Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse on the ends.
5. Also, the pH Detangling Toning Mist spray is a really important product for you – it corrects the pH of tap water and makes your hair and scalp feel good.
6. As for styling: Crème of the Crop “Lite” is great for curly hair. Just rub a dab between your palms, run it through damp hair, style your hair with your fingertips and let it air dry. Your curls should come out springy, soft and shiny.

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