Simply Abu Dhabi XIII

W ithHollywood stars, industry professionals and prestigious royalty as his regulars, Philip B is a hair stylist to be noticed. Fully established in his field, respected by his peers and frequently called upon by his A-list clients, once you’ve had the Philip B experience, you won’t look back. California has always been his working playground but there came a time when using products from other brands just didn’t meet his, or his clients’, demands. So as an innovator and creative mind, Philip set out to develop his own products. No longer did he want to use the typical combinations of detergent, water and fragrance. His line was to contain natural concentrations and botanical oils, all tested on his willing clients. The primary concern was over-processed, colour-treated, damaged and unruly hair. Starting out at home, mixing together various specific ingredients, the products started to deliver amazing results. This then led to Philip working with labs and scientists to produce even more advanced formulas, whilst still maintaining his botanical ethos. The first product to gain a following was the ‘Rejuvenating Oil’. A few drops onto the scalp and the build-up of excess cells, sebum and product deposits are diminished. What you’re left with is an impeccably clean and fresh feeling, with your hair plumped and smoothed. Healthy hair is restored and deeply conditioned but without imparting an oily residue. Within a short time, Philip B’s clients were continually ordering repeat purchases of his oil. This then led to it going into local retail in 1991 and once beauty editors were spreading the word, it sold out. Philip was on to a winner and decided to diversify and expand his range with ideas for many other products to help his clients achieve incredible hair, at home. It’s not only the hair that is cared for; body, skin and mind are all considered. A sensory journey, no matter what product you try. As far as shampoos and conditioners go, your first class ticket to a perfected mane would be to try the Russian Amber Imperial line. Designed to treat coloured hair and restore vibrancy, the unique ingredients will also repair damage. Weightless strands will be frizz-free and soft to the touch whilst also preventing your colour’s tone from fading. Eleven L-amino acids work to enhance the strength of the hair and its rich texture means that a little goes a long way. The Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo is infused with healing amber oil to calm aggravated hair. The newest member of the Philip B product family and creating transforming results of its own is the ‘Oud Royal Forever Shine Collection’. Promising ‘Mega-Bounce’ and ‘Mirror-like Shine’, we can be safe in the knowledge that whatever Philip B states can be achieved, is nothing but the truth. Botanical ingredients working their miracles as ever, these are now on a ‘time-release’ schedule, drip-feeding the hair with small molecules to hydrate each hair shaft, inside and out. Safflower Oleosomes are the key element here, instilling a high shine finish together with voluminous movement. This range is a big seller in London’s Harrods department store as well as being the best seller in Dubai. New clients to Philip B’s transformative products are joining his hair care revolution all the time. Free from sulphates, phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, propylene glycol and sodium chloride, you can rest in the knowledge that your hair is being given the best treatment without any nasty additives. Coloured hair and straightened hair can also safely use this line, as sweet blue lupine peptides protect colour whilst again L-Amino acids tame any frizz. Whatever product you choose to try, be sure that your hair, body and lifestyle will never be the same again. Whether you indulge in some ‘White Truffle’ hair care or add some ‘ChocolateMilk Body Wash’ to your routine, luxury and incredible results await you. Never before have natural ingredients created such a stir in the industry worldwide, with Philip B’s clients forever staying loyal to him and his concoctions. I was lucky enough to ask theman himself some questions, here’s what he had to say… What was it like starting out in Hollywood? It was fun. Movie stars, glamour, glitz - I was young and got a job in a really good salon and worked my way up. What was a big turning point for you, professionally? When I started designing my botanical treatments for clients and word of mouth spread. Soon, there was so much public demand, internationally, that I had to focus on my business full-time. When did you discover that your talent was unique? When important people in the industry started telling me how talented I was, and how different and powerful my treatments and techniques were. Celebrities started calling in the middle of the night and on weekends with hair emergencies. I remember Paramount Studios called me once to help Sharon Stone because her hair was breaking during the filming of a movie. From the first treatment, her hair responded 150% and so they asked me to keep going. Was there a moment when you thought…’I’ve made it’? When Vogue magazine, in 1993, said that my 4-step treatment left your hair feeling like the heroine in a romance novel. And Forbes magazine said that it was one of the top 100 things in the world that are worth every penny. Describe an average day in your life… It depends. I wake up, take a morning flight to a European city and meet with distributors or stylists or run training sessions. On other days, I work on designing products or researching new formulas, botanicals and raw materials. I want my customers to get the best that they can get. Tell us about some of your favourite celebrity clients… I love Sandra Bullock. She always makes me laugh and is totally unpretentious and fun, and she has gorgeous hair. I also love Julianne Margulis. She's beautiful, inside and out. Are there any tresses that you still want to get your hands on? Kate Middleton. Do you have a favourite product? My Rejuvenating Oil. At the end of the day, it’s all about the foundation. Without that oil, I couldn’t work miracles on these women. Oud Royal is your newest release; what was the inspiration for this line? The spiritual essence of oud and to develop a super-active, healing product for the hair. I came across oud essence on my travels in the Middle East and fell in love with the exotic, smoky, woody, sensual scent. I was surprised that the Western world had no idea; other than Tom Ford and a select few, it hadn’t caught on. How about the future, are you aiming to cure any other hair woes? Yes. I’m always looking for solutions for damaged hair and I’m currently working on a new formula to treat thinning and weak hair. Do you have any products coming up that you can tell us about? Insta-Thick, a revolutionary new hair thickening spray. It makes all hair thicker, fuller and more luxurious, and the effect lasts for days. What do you do in your valuable free time? Make new music mixes, socialise, cook dinner for friends, ride my bike and swim. Do you believe in fate? Yes, when I look at the big picture it’s interesting to see how things have fallen into place and how everything seems to interconnect. What’s the most satisfying part of your job? Making people smile, seeing them look 10 years younger, seeing their hair move in a gorgeous and youthful way. Does diet affect our hair? If so, what has the best nutritional value? Yes. It’s important to have enough protein and dark leafy green vegetables. Vitamin A is so essential. Where do you see the future of hair styling going? There are no boundaries, no limits. People are open to extensions in a new way. Creativity has gone wild. But there’s still that focus on having beautiful, healthy-looking hair. At the end of the day, if you take care of your crowning glory, you’ll always feel like a queen. What advice would you give budding entrepreneurs out there? Follow your passion. What has surprised you the most? How many people don’t really understand what goes into a good shampoo and conditioner. Quality ingredients used in effective concentrations - it makes such a difference. And the lack of knowledge about hair: people know far more about their skin than they do about their hair. Who is the Philip B woman/customer? The educated consumer. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Don’t stop till you live your dreams! Also, change is exciting. Keep it rolling and don’t get stale! 3 1 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I