Whether you’ve braved fierce weather or winter colds, it’s coming to that time when hope — along with Spring Break, cruises, parties and fun — is coming alive. So, what will you do to create a great ‘do? Luxury hair brand Philip B. is here to the rescue! I was happy to be hosted to experience it.
I first discovered Philip B. through his totally cool book, Blended Beauty. It was a book detailing how you can mix up beauty products with delectable produce. Later, I would travel to Virginia on my birthday to buy his products at a fancy department store. Now, you can order them in your jammies from your room!
Friend, it’s not enough to run a brush through your hair. You need a comb to make a part. You need a comb to lay strands next to each other in neat rows, for a smooth, shiny look. Years ago, I read about what to look for in combs. You need to look between the teeth — there should be no seam and there’s almost always a seam. Not with Philip B.! They should be hand-polished and rounded tips. You don’t want your combing to hurt your hair. The combs look like tortoiseshell, but they’re made from plant-based cellulose.
The Detangling Comb is big and meaty and extra wide-toothed. You need that to get through snarls gently. You can use it on wet hair or dry. It measures 6.5″ L x 2.4″ W . It’s easy to grip and sizeable as to not feel like a pick, it’s a true comb. True story: Last week, I stashed it in a purse during an event where I had a lot of styling and product going on, for a gentler way of keeping everything put together. I was up at 3:30 am and didn’t get home until 3 the next morning. But, there’s actual proof out there that my hair was stylish: Part of my ‘do made the NYT Sunday Style section! The Styling Comb has part wide teeth — but not widely set apart — and fine teeth. These are good for styling bangs, making parts and a little teasing, too.
If you have silver, frosted or blonde hair, it’s hard to keep it from turning brassy and yellow. This can come about for many reasons. Older darker hair may have only lost some of its pigment on the way to being white — being at the yellow or mousy stage. Sun, swimming and washing can strip coloring. Also, if you color your hair at home <ahem>, you can’t get hold of the chemicals that would actually properly lift your color. So, the best some of us can achieve is Easter yellow.
Icelandic Blonde Shampoo is standout for helping this problem. I’ve tried all kinds of anti-brass products throughout the years, from mass-market to upscale salon brands, but Icelandic Blonde has important advantages.
So many purple shampoos hard-stain your hair so that you look like you slopped on some Manic Panic or it leaves a dark, ash tone for a week. Some purple shampoos (remember, red and blue make purple) have too much red, thus, adding to the brassy issue.
Icelandic Blond Shampoo is a cool, blue-laavender color and leaves a hint, not a tint. It also contains grapeseed oil, for moisturizing. This is a sophisticated anti-brass product.
When you’re traveling, you’ve probably already figured out not to use the “hotel” shampoos already. Even upscale hotels supposedly putting out upmarket toiletries — those name brands have likely been reformulated for putting out with the towels. What? You thought you were washing with the same stuff sold at the exclusive jewelry and perfume stores? Sadly, no. Why should you treat your hair on the road as well as at home? Because that’s when you’re likely to have the time of your life, photos taken, memories made. Don’t you want to have a good hair day then? Philip B. has a number of Discovery Kits that will last you a week. Trying the Forever Shine Collection Discovery Kit, this is a hydrating color-reviving shampoo and conditioner that still leaves your hair with natural volume and bounce, along with all-important Thermal Protection Spray. That will save you whether blow-drying, heat styling or hanging in the sun . . . all in TSA=approved sizes!
Your best outfit. Your best jewelry. Your best perfume. There are times in life — like my big NYT debut night, which was the teeniest part of my BIG GREAT DAY & NIGHT — when you want to pull out all the stops. The Russian Amber Imperial line has the best of the best hair care, with luxurious ingredients. The shampoo has a rich, warm fragrance, along with amino acids, pea peptides, time-released safflower oleosomes, rich amber oil, panthenol (Vitamin B5), chamomile, burdock, rosemary, sage and grapeseed oil. It even applies in a different way. Have you ever tried German forest honey? Very dark and almost completely solid. The shampoo is like that: you pinch a bit off and work it into your hair — it isn’t sudsy. Russian Amber Imperial Gold Masque also has apple fruit extract and argan oil, along with a buttery rich gold color to it. It turns damaged and dry hair into the gorgeous stuff! Trust me, you want this secret weapon on hand.
You know what I haven’t really seen on the market? Super luxurious styling products! Russian Amber Imperial Insta-Thick is a non-sticky spray that goes onto dry hair, to give your hair oomph without crispiness. It has the same luscious fragrance as the shampoo and conditioner. It does not powder up or flake and you can definitely style after using. I think full hair helps balance a fuller face.
Once you have your style considered, you’ll want to help keep it in place — with modern movement. Jet-Set Precision Control Hair Spray stops humidity from frizzing out your hair. You can completely continue to style after application and your hair will still feel like hair. I was out and about for 24 hours on my Cinderella day and I can tell from the NYT photo that the swoopy layers I made for my bob were still going strong!
Luxe & Down-Home Cuisine/Culture/Travel/Style 