Kens Apothecary recently welcomed Philip B. for the very first time at The Gardens Mall. As a distinguished hairstylist and founder of Philip B. Botanicals, he is exactly the kind of person one can—and should—trust when he says he knows all about hair. His eponymous brand has been around for 34 years, offering a range of hair and body products that are developed with active botanicals and pure plant extracts. Some of his clients include Hollywood stars such as Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga, and Bradley Cooper. In an exclusive interview with Robb Report Malaysia, Philip B. reveals his secrets to stepping up your hair game.
The Must-Haves
“In tropical climates, your scalp becomes warmer and produces more oil while increasing skin-cell turnover,” he explains. “This creates the perfect environment for microorganisms that cause itching and inflammation.”
According to the haircare expert, the Peppermint Avocado Shampoo is perfect for tackling Malaysia’s heat and humidity. Its high, active levels of peppermint oil, and 16 healing plant extracts invigorate the scalp, normalise oil production, and create incredible lift and volume. When essential oils are infused in a Philip B. product, they are formulated with potent concentrations. “It’s about quality and efficacious levels, not just inclusion,” he says. “Most competitors use botanicals in tiny amounts as garnish. I use them at active strengths in synergistic blends.”
The same ingredient that nourishes the skin also nourishes the hair. Infused with hyaluronic acid—an ingredient often found in skincare—Philip B. describes the Weightless Miracle Serum’s ability to moisturise, plump, and smooth without weight. “It takes hair from straw to silk in seconds, is wonderful for polishing dry ends, and makes you look like you’ve had a blowout, even when you haven’t,” he exclaims.
If there’s one ingredient the hairstylist highly recommends seeking, it would be safflower oleosomes. “They’re extracted from safflower seeds and act as natural nanomolecular delivery systems that drive light lipids and amino acids deep into the hair shaft, helping to restore elasticity and strength on a cellular level,” Philip B. explains. “They work brilliantly to nourish all hair types and, because the oleosomes are time-released, your hair just gets lusher and more gorgeous as the hours pass.”
Protect and Pamper
For routines that don’t yet include weekly botanical oil treatments, take this as your sign to start. Recognising that most hair is lipid-starved, the hairstylist formulated the Rejuvenating Oil to deliver moisture back into the hair. “Your natural scalp oils only reach a few inches past the roots, so hair becomes increasingly dry toward the ends,” he notes. The best results are achieved by applying it to dry hair, massaging it in, heating it with a blow-dryer for 20 minutes, then shampooing. “The tiny molecules in Rejuvenating Oil absorb into the hair fibre, plumping and conditioning from the inside out. It leaves all hair types bouncy, conditioned, and frizz-resistant.”
As for those dealing with thinning or hair loss, consider Philip B.’s three-step Scalp Booster System. This features a plant-derived compound known as Redensyl, targeting stem cells in hair follicles to improve volume and density. “As a growth galvaniser, Redensyl has some impressive research behind it,” he says. “In my Scalp Booster System, it acts as an express route to the root, delivering the signal to increase action in your follicles.”
