“It was a huge breakthrough when I realized that I could transform and synthesize a product into what I wanted to see and feel.  So, I continued to create products myself in hope to fulfill my need for high quality and performance.” Philip Pelusi

The Philip Pelusi products we all know and love as stylists today are truly the evolution of an artist.  That is, Philip Pelusi the product artist.  Philip is most definitely an artist of hair and was awarded prestigious “World Master” by Art and Fashion Group International in 1995.

But in 1965 when Philip first started working with hair, he felt limited, not by his own level of creativity but by the products available on the marketplace.  So, the product artist in him was born.  Taking a position of “100% commitment to quality”, says Pelusi, he sourced out the best chemists and ingredient house in the world to create his formulas, setting no limit on budget for research and development. 

And he continues to create new products to this day as well as update and upgrade his second to none Philip Pelusi haircare formulations from over the decades and plans to well into the future.  Take a look at the evolution of just a few of Philip’s one of kind products…

Did You Know? are fun facts and photos about how Philip got started in the industry, his salon journey, the history of his products, with more adventures on the horizon!  See ALL Did You Know? on Did You Know? – Busy Stylist

“I didn’t invent the haircut, I just made it better.” ~ Philip Pelusi

In 1972 Philip created his trademarked Volumetric™ The Pelusi Method Haircutting System.  Born out of his natural instinct for hair shape, texture and design, his Volumetric™ The Pelusi Method Haircutting System is a unique and consistent method of cutting, benefiting both the stylist and the guest. 

“I created this organic cutting system to take into consideration texture, density, growth patterns, fall lines, and the shape of the head.  Through this cutting system, we create a custom cut for every client,” says Philip.

The Volumetric™ The Pelusi Method Haircutting System is a blueprint for successful training for on-boarding New Talent at Philip Pelusi.  Philip shares, “Our extensive training program gives stylists a vast array of creative techniques to create any haircut our clients request.  And their training in continual throughout their entire career with us.”

Philip has taught his system around the globe and most importantly here within his Philip Pelusi salons.

In 1984 Philip was honored as “Top Designer of the World” by Lo Zeffiro and in 1988 he launched and lead The International Volumetric™ Haircutting Tour into Asia and Canada.  And in 2005 Style Magazine declared Philip one of the “Top 5 Hair Cutters” in the world!

Fast forward to 2022, the timeless techniques of the Volumetric™ The Pelusi Method Haircutting System helped build a powerhouse team of incredible New Talent and will long into the future!  Get into the Volumetric™ time machine with these never seen images of Philip in cutting action…

Did You Know? are fun facts and photos about how Philip got started in the industry, his salon journey, the history of his products, with more adventures on the horizon!  See ALL Did You Know? on Did You Know? – Busy Stylist

It all started organically, Philip simply wanted to take photos of his and his Designer’s work.  The outcome was a burgeoning photographer, himself!  Shooting an amazing 50,000 photographic images starting in 1965 usually from 2 cameras, one color and the other black/white film.  Sometimes shooting 1,000 images in one day!

He saw photography as a way to not only immortalize the work he and his team created, but also an avenue for more creative expression for his team.  Hair, makeup, photo styling, the works!  Teams working side by side creating their vision.

These photos also served as an original source for TV, billboard, and print ads as well as artistic décor for the salons and The Philip Pelusi Center for Talent Development.  Most images were photographed in the Talent Center but also in NYC, Italy, Japan and beyond!

Today, this photo passion is still going strong with the new Philip Pelusi Beauty School Collaborative Photoshoot Events!  And will live long into the future with his Designer’s snapping their own pics and sharing them to an even wider audience through social media.  Can we say Philip started the original Instagram?!?!

Did You Know? are fun facts and photos about how Philip got started in the industry, his salon journey, the history of his products, with more adventures on the horizon!  See ALL Did You Know? on Did You Know? – Busy Stylist

Here’s a Philip Pelusi fun fact…  Philip, known well for sculpting his favorite medium of hair, got inspired to sculpt this incredible wig!  Nope, not made of hair, but instead with over 7 pounds of metal pins each pinned on one at time.  Today this artistic marvel would definitely make it onto any Avant-garde social media platform.

Created and photographed in 1993 at The Philip Pelusi Center for Talent Development, this artistic marvel was then worn by one of Philip’s frequent hair models in all out heavy metal gear.  The place just vibes creativity!  Get inspired, see photos below! 

Pin Wig and Photo by Philip Pelusi.  Design Team Assistants Tom Jefferson and Jeffrey Reitz.

Did You Know?  Philip Pelusi The Hair Artist…

Philip is known for being an artist, of business, products and of course hair!  Philip has cut and styled hair for decades, analyzing and augmenting literally thousands of hair fabrics.  Behind the chair is where Philip created his trademarked Volumetric™ Pelusi Method organic hair cutting system.

Working with hair texture is where Philip got the inspiration to create world renowned haircare product lines.  But most important to Philip, this is where he created his vision for the guest service, consultation, product education and so on.  He literally eats, drinks and dreams about hair! 

Philip shares “I wanted to elevate the status of the hair designer and raise the bar for beautiful hair!  The Pelusi Salon and Experience is designed to be a place of growth and artistic success for all!” 

Check out these incredible images from over these many decades, starting way back at one of his first runway shows…

Did You Know? are fun facts and photos about how Philip got started in the industry, his journey along the way and the history of his products. 

Good info especially for New Talent to get caught up on the last 55 years!  Wow, such an incredible journey with more adventures on the horizon!

See ALL Did You Know? on Did You Know? – Busy Stylist

A Philip Pelusi “Did You Know?” ~ The Birth of Philip’s Squirrel Salon!

Do you recognize that guy in the middle?  How about the cool bass door handle?  This photo of Philip and 2 of his team at that time was taken around 1975!  Yup, they are standing in front of what is still today the Philip Pelusi Squirrel Hill Salon. 

A big step in Philip’s endless pursuit of elevating the beauty profession to its rightful place of awesomeness and importance!  And he is still at it today with big dreams on the horizon.  Check out this super groovy, out of sight, far out, (FYI 1970’s lingo for fabulous!) image…

Philip, tell us about your first Philip Pelusi Salon?

“While I was in beauty school, I worked at a salon in Shadyside doing towels and shampooing.  Guests would request my shampoos and I specialized in hair treatments and scalp massage.  I worked there the whole time I was in beauty school for tips and income and to become comfortable in a salon environment.”

“After I graduated, my first job was at the SAKS Fifth Ave Salon in downtown Pittsburgh.  I was the only Designer ever hired at this prestigious salon right out of Beauty School.  I loved working with clients, everything about the salon/guest experience but I knew I wanted more and had a vision of what I wanted the guest visit to look like, so I opened my first salon.  I wanted to create, not only beautiful hair, but a beautiful business for myself and everyone on my team.  And our journey continues today!” Philip Pelusi