Beauty Boss: Philip B., Founder of Philip B. Botanically Powered Haircare
Philip B. Founder of Philip B. Botanically Powered Haircare.
This week’s Beauty Boss is Philip B., celebrity stylist and founder of the award-winning Philip B. hair and body products. Philip B. launched his Rejuvenating Oil treatment in 1992 and has since continued to expand his collection of innovative high-performance products with a focus on scalp health as the foundation for beautiful hair. The products contain active botanicals, pure-plant extracts, and gentle ingredients for healthy, shiny hair.
In addition to his haircare line, Philip B. is a favorite stylist of Hollywood celebrities, including many A-listers. We chatted with Philip B. to learn more about his product collection, his top haircare tips, and his most memorable celebrity styling moments.
What are you most "famous" for?
It's simple: sourcing solutions for instantly better hair with great products. I figure out the pressing problems and develop solutions for happier, healthier scalps and hair—and a happier healthier life.
Do you have a favorite celebrity style you created or a particularly memorable experience from your work as a celebrity stylist?
Hands down it was my first time working with Sharon Stone, that was the beginning of it all for me. Her hair was totally overcooked. It was so over-processed, fried, and hungry for nourishment. She was in a panic and I had gained a reputation as the hair alchemist in LA and New York. One day, Paramount Pictures called me and said we need your help—Sharon Stone’s hair is breaking and we do not know what to do. I said, ‘How did you find me?’ She said, ‘Everyone knows that you are the hair guru!’
So I met up with Sharon and the lead stylist overseeing the hair team, Paul LeBlanc, at our 5th Avenue and 57th Street location. Paramount had closed down all the streets around Rockefeller Center to shoot at considerable costs (of several million per day for several days), and her hair was so bleached and damaged that it was breaking and literally impossible to style. Not only was there no time to create a wig or extensions, the look needed 100% continuity—something I learned about quickly, so fixing her hair was the only option. While I was nervous, I immediately knew what I needed to do to restore her hair.
Hair-rejuvenating lipid rich oils, plenty of proteins, and an assortment of amino acids for strengthening and vitality were on the menu to rebuild, re-elasticize, and strengthen her hair, plumping each strand to restore its resiliency all while bolstering it against future damage. Using the best clinical strength natural botanical ingredients, I was able to treat it, feed it, and nourish it back to life from root to tip in 24 hours.
This was not movie magic. I literally transformed her breaking, dry damaged hair to not just "look the part" but be the part of better healthier hair. It bounced back immediately. She was amazed and my reputation as the 'hair doctor' soared to new heights.
When did you launch the Philip B. brand and what inspired you to create your own line of products?
I officially launched my namesake brand in 1991 in New York at Bergdorf Goodman, but I had been making products in my kitchen since 1987, blending and mixing formulas for my clients' hair and scalp issues, creating a maintenance program that was easy to follow at home for a healthier lifestyle with no itching or flaking and even improved sleep.
I noticed that most of the products either masked problems or made them worse with harsh chemicals, detergents, or heavy duty surfactants that were causing trauma, not treatment. I knew I could do better and find natural solutions.
What should people know about your line?
Philip B. is a range of advanced botanical-powered hair care blends for every hair type, color, and concern. I create the best care for the scalp to ultimately grow better hair. I use pure botanicals and essential oils at potent, unheard concentrations for the hair industry. My formulas are more similar to skin care and have not only dramatically changed the way we grow hair, but ultimately how the world perceives luxury care for hair and scalp.
Philip B. Peppermint Avocado Shampoo.
Is there a hero product that you are known for? Do you have a favorite product?
For nearly 20 years, I would say the most important hero product has been my Peppermint Avocado Shampoo. It is a clarifying shampoo that is so restorative and invigorating. It's a sensory experience for the scalp and hair. It has amino acids that are at therapeutic levels not just cosmetic concentrations.
As you wash, it helps to stimulate the nerve endings. It removes physical build-up and increases cellular turnover, circulation, and relieves tension with amazing results. Basically, it is a combination of this product and technique of proper washing and scalp massage that makes it a perfect treatment on its own and prepares the scalp for any advanced care.
But there is a new Philip B. hair and scalp hero in town and she just arrived this month. It is my CBD/CBG scalp and body serum, which is literally groundbreaking for treatment of skin, scalp, hair, and body. It soothes and helps inflammation, chronic conditions, and works wonders for psoriasis, eczema dermatitis, and even scalp acne—all of which are flaring up with the quarantining and uncertainty.
Philip B. CBD Scap + Body Oil.
Where are your products sold?
Globally in top salons, specialty stores, apothecaries, curated e-commerce sites, as well as some select hotels (in their shops and/or day spas).
What are your must-do hair care tips and are there any hair secrets you can share, especially during times of stress like we are currently facing?
Destress your tresses with calming products, hair massage for oxygenation, and circulation—all "not so secret" necessities for great hair any time—but even more so during times of stress and strain.
The party is at the scalp. so brushing hair every night is a best practice for calming and relaxing and feeding the hair strands. It moves dead skin cells and sebum down the hair shaft. As the moisture nourishes the hair, it brings back to life and youth. It's also an incredible benefit to the scalp and hair increasing cellular turnover. We know that better hair comes from a better scalp, so if you treat it well it will thank you.
Take a washing break, especially if you have a dry or balanced scalp.
Put away your hot tools for a while and let your hair dry naturally.
Indulge in a home mask with great ingredients like avocado, banana, and my CBD -- for an intensive treatment
And always remember the greatest hair comes from a greater scalp!
Philip B. Brush.
Any other health, self-care, scalp, or beauty tips?
Don't guess. Get a solution that is the right resolution—use treatment shampoos that are right for your needs.
Sebaceous glands can be overactive or under-active. If you are properly diagnosed, you can get to the root of the problem and devise a treatment program with great products.
Make time for a hot oil treatment and use that time (20 minutes or so) combined with the power of a bath to relax your nervous system.
Prepare for a better sleep and hydrate and remineralize your body with a bath in the early evening. Natural oils and magnesium salts are great for the skin from scalp to toe.
Wellness tip?
To really relax, pay attention to completing deep breaths—something we take for granted. We don't do this with depth or intention nearly often enough.
Who inspires you?
In the hair industry there were two masters who inspired me, both of who passed away in recent years:
Vidal Sassoon, who was an incredible talent. I loved him as a person and a friend. If it is true that hair defines you, he defined hair—creating precise cuts and styles that made a statement.
Horst Rechelbacher, who was the founder of Aveda Corporation, was also a mentor who inspired me. His passion, integrity, and interest in toxic-free products for the mass market was groundbreaking and forward-thinking at the time. He pushed more natural but effective formulas for the United States. I was blessed to know him and consider him a friend. He paid me the highest compliments with my formulas. Horst thought he both understood and made products with pretty high-powered natural botanical concentrations—until he tried mine. He said he only really knew the true power of potencies after working with my products.
Today, and in life, I have to say it is my husband Michael who continues to inspire me with his energy, passion, and insane creativity. From our packaging and design ideas to homemade holiday gifts, gold leaf chocolates, custom gift bags or his amazing baking in quarantine, Michael gives everything 100% love and passion.
Secret to success?
Work is hard, but when you are hard at work knowing you are truly helping others, the reward far outweighs both the “hard” and “work.”
Best advice?
Find your passion and R-U-N with it. Passion will fuel you, it will sustain you, and it will give you boundless energy. Passion will propel you forward even in times of adversity.
Favorite ways to relax?
Listening to music—arranging music. My inner DJ helps me to calm the soul and please the spirit.
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy