by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

In Style Magazine shared these interesting stats.  “81% of women say they feel the most confident when their hair looks great.  72% say feeling good about their hair is empowering.”

One major component to a healthy head of hair is a healthy scalp microbiome or scalp surface.  How does this work?  Philip applied the same thinking and benefits of pre and probiotics inside the body to the scalp.  Healthy skin and scalps have specific microflora, known as good bacteria, that help guard against the growth of harmful bacteria that negatively impacts scalp’s health and strength. 

Good bacteria helps protect skin’s integrity.  So, if too much good bacteria is removed from the skin or scalp surface, such as through harsh shampoos, the scalp cannot function at its optimal level of performance and prematurely ages the skin.

The Tela Beauty Organics Life Force Collection contains pre and probiotics that help the scalp rebalance its microflora, helping it to flourish.  This in turn helps provide a healthy scalp environment for hair growth.  This means healthy, strong, vibrant, shiny, well performing hair.  In fact, Philip was the first on the professional marketplace with the pre and probiotic hair and scalp concept.  Want to learn more about these products?  Tune in tomorrow for Part III in our Tela Life Force series!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

Forbes Magazine wrote in a recent article, If you “ignore the thing that houses each hair follicle (the scalp)” that is “like ignoring the soil from which your precious plants grow.  You’ve got to nourish the soil.  My regular skincare regimen covers all the essentials…and the same goes for a scalp treatment.  It’s smart to incorporate it into your regimen.”

This is one of many recent articles about the importance of scalp care.  Guests read these and are therefore tuned into this huge emerging trend.  And Philip Pelusi is far and away ahead of everyone with healthy scalp care research and development with his groundbreaking formulas The Tela Beauty Organics Life Force Collection!

This “all textures” product line takes a proactive approach to a healthy scalp environment and a healthy head of hair much like the approach most take when it comes to antiaging skin care.  Start early, get on a good daily regimen, be consistent and use the right products with the goal in mind being younger healthier looking skin.  Think skincare for your scalp!  Want to learn how?  Tune in tomorrow for Part II!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

Today, product lines touting their environmental safety seems to be the norm.  But did you know that Philip Pelusi took this stance way back when he started creating hair care products over 50 years ago?  It’s true!  Philip Pelusi has NEVER created an aerosol product. 

No aerosol sprays, no aerosol mousse, no aerosol anything, not even in the 1960’s and then again not in the 1980’s when these types of products were in high demand by the public from which he could have had thousands of products sales.  But he still said no, aerosols do not fit into his product creation credo.

Why?  Well, we believe that Philip must have an internal crystal ball in which he can see into the future, seeing today’s “green” trend way ahead of anybody.  But he could also see what was right in front of him too, meaning he looked around his salon knowing he wanted to help protect the safety of his guests, his stylists, their hair, and the environment from the foe of the aerosol product.

Let’s unpack this!  Philip believed then and still does now that he that does not want himself as a stylist, his employees or his guests breathing in harmful aerosol fumes day in and day out, week after week, month after month, year after year.  He felt this would be dangerous to the body.  Think about it, stylists doing hair in a relatively small space with fumes whirling about on a consistent basis.  And it turns out decades later he was absolutely right!

Also, he believed that these aerosol carcinogens would inevitably be bad for the environment too.  Perhaps not ruin the ozone layer on their own but be a contributing factor to poorer air quality for the consumer using the product.

Additionally, Philip’s chief concern has always been with the quality of the guest’s hair fabric.  His mantra has always been that our hair is the most important fabric we wear.  We wear our hair fabric every day!  Hair products play one of most important roles in protecting and enhancing the hair texture and condition.  So why put drying carcinogens onto the hair via aerosol sprays or mousse?  Philip simply said no to that.

Instead, Philip created a strengthening non-aerosol mousse and 4 incredible non-aerosol styling and finishing sprays, P2 by Philip Pelusi Liquid Mousse, P2 Fluid Spray, P2 Define Root Lift Spray, P2 Rivet Finishing Spray and P2 Industrial Finishing Spray.  All non-aerosol and containing good for the hair ingredients such as plant proteins and moisturizers, UV filters and antioxidants.  And all of these formulas have been updated throughout the years too!

And one last mystery to unfold here, Philip’s intentional use of a small amount of an alcohol-derivative in his hairsprays so support his non-aerosol initiative.  Why?  Because all of Philip’s sprays are non-aerosol, they needed a way to get out of the bottle and onto the hair, to literally turn from a liquid into a spray.  And SD-Alcohol 40 is a safe way to do this!  Not a traditional “drinking” alcohol, this alcohol evaporates the second it hits the air. 

Simply put, the liquid “spray” comes up from the bottle up through the dispenser and then when it leaves the bottle, the split second it hits the air, this alcohol-derivative evaporates turning the liquid into a fine mist allowing it to disperse onto the hair without any alcohol getting onto the hair at all.  A non-aerosol workaround, if you will, to allow stylists and clients to get the hold and style they are looking for but with zero aerosol anything involved!

For more information about Philip’s Styling and Finishing Sprays go to our Philip Pelusi company website (click here) P2 Virtual Product Classes (busystylist.com) and view the P2 by Philip Pelusi Virtual Product Class ~ Special Effects ~ How to Shape, Craft and Hold!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

Today, there is a lot of conversation and marketing about ingredients.  What is in a product and what is not in a product.  But what isn’t talked about so much is the level of concentration of the overall formula.  An ingredient can be a great ingredient but if there isn’t much of that ingredient in the product or the product is watered down, then it has no positive impact on the hair or scalp.

That’s NOT how Philip Pelusi creates a product!  The opposite in fact.  Philip hand selects the best quality, best result ingredients.  But he also makes what are known as the highest concentrated formulas in the hair care marketplace.

Most product formulas on the market contain about 80% water and only 20% ingredient concentration.  You can clearly see how ineffective these products and the ingredients therein would be to the hair and scalp.  The ingredients simply serve a marketing purpose so the company can say “we have this or that ingredient” in their product.

Instead, Philip Pelusi products contain 80 – 100% active ingredient concentration and only 10 – 20% base blend ingredients!  The opposite of other products on the market.  P2 and Tela Shampoos and Conditioners contain 90-100% ingredient concentration and all other P2 and Tela products contain 80% ingredient concentration.

Every formula created needs some type of base for all other ingredients to be mixed into.  Just like cooking.  If I am making marina sauce, I will start off with the finest quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, then add garlic and so one until I build the entire recipe of marina sauce. 

The same is true with product creation.  Most companies start with 80% water as their base and then add the actual “effective” ingredients.  This is a much cheaper way to make a product.  Philip does NOT make his products this way.

Also, Philip’s “10 – 20% base ingredients” are specially formulated “base blends” that additionally have benefits to the hair and scalp.  Two examples of this are the 100% USDA Certified Organic Aloe in the P2 Shampoos and Conditioners and the 100% USDA Certified Organic White, Green and Oolong Tea in the Tela products.

But most guests don’t know this!  It is up to us as Stylists to tell our guests this.  As you all know, we are the catalysts to make the product come alive and special to the guest with information and styling tips etc. 

Otherwise, it’s just stuff in a bottle and anyone can try to sell stuff!  We don’t!  Instead, we offer the path to achieving great, strong, beautiful, healthy, stylish hair!  Philip Pelusi Stylist + Philip Pelusi Products = Beautiful Hair!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

Super clean is absolutely critical today when it comes to washing our hands thoroughly and following all of the cleanliness safety guidelines.  We have all taken cleanliness to a whole new level and rightfully so.  And clean is also important for good skin care and hygiene, meaning cleansing your face morning and night and showering after exercise, etc.

But the shampooing routine of “wash, rinse and repeat” for the hair has become passé.  For sure, cleanse every day to several times a week as need and most definitely if you have an extra oily scalp or dandruff issues.  But for most, cleansing the hair everyday isn’t all that necessary and for some it can cause more harm than good when it comes to controlling texture, guarding condition and color retention.

Coarse, curly, wiry, dry, thick textures, extra-long hair (a big trend now) and color treated hair (especially more complex or rainbow hued color services) can benefit greatly from skipping daily cleansing as appropriate.  Philip Pelusi shampoos are the gentlest shampoos on the market, do not strip color or moisture and are of course sulfate free.  But gentle cleansing is still cleansing.  Instead do a thorough hair and scalp rinse followed by an unsung product hero, P2 by Philip Pelusi Clenz Crème.  Let’s clear up any confusing and run through the ways this product can help preserve color, condition and texture. 

First to clarify, water is one of the great culprits when it comes to color fade but getting the hair wet to reboot your style or spring up curls or waves can be absolutely necessary a day or two after a thorough shampooing.  Rinsing does remove some the surface debris on the hair, especially if you are using water and shampoo soluble Philip Pelusi styling products but leaves behind most of the natural oils produced by the scalp. 

How to?  Rinse hair and scalp thoroughly, a least for a minute or two, gently moving the hair to let the water flow in between all of your tresses.  Next, depending on the length and density of your hair, apply a dime to quarter size amount of P2 by Philip Pelusi Clenz Crème and work through hair.  Leave on the entire time you are in the shower for maximum results.  Rinse thoroughly and style as usual.

Some find this routine works well after every other routine “shampoo day” and some find this is even more effective if done twice in between.  The longer, drier and coarse the hair will be the barometer for that.  And long hair guests can benefit by first applying P2 Clenz Crème from the ponytail point to the ends then shampooing the scalp with their favorite Philip Pelusi Shampoo.  This puts an extra buffer of protection on those much older and drier hair ends.

Philip’s Proprietary Sugar Cane Clenz gives the most subtle cleansing effect, purposely barely removing surface debris.  While USDA Organic Baobab Protein strengthens the hair and USDA Organic Baobab Oil hydrates adding slip and detangling.  P2 Clenz Crème works great on any texture with the exception of fine, sparse hair.  And don’t forget to spritz on our P2 RefresHair to freshen hair’s scent.  Think of it as a hair fragrance and style refresher all in one!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

If you know who Captain Kirk is and remember The Starship Enterprise, then you also most likely remember this expression, “Shields Up Mr. Sulu!”  Or in Star Wars, the Millennium Falcon’s Deflector Shield.  If so, this is exactly how Philip’s Tela Fiber Restore Pelusi Plex works in our beloved Tela Beauty Organics by Philip Pelusi Color Lock+!  Let me explain.

Healthy, non-chemically or non-color treated hair has a natural shield around it.  This natural “force field” helps shield the hair from fadage, moisture loss and to some degree heat damage.  But once hair has been chemically or color treated, this shield breaks down.  This is true even if the chemical or color service has been responsibly.  This weakened hair means its internal structure has been compromised.  Meaning its bonds or links are broken or damaged.  This can also happen due to aging, heat and even the environment i.e. the sun.

And not to make too many analogies, but this is akin to C-3PO telling Han Solo, “Sir, we just lost the main deflector shield.”  We do not want this happening to the hair.  In other words, hair’s natural shield is now vulnerable to other attackers (heat, water, chemicals, color) that will further breakdown the hair fiber.  This also means hair looks and performs like compromised or damaged hair.  It loses luster, feels rough and dry, and does not style well.

Fiber Restore Pelusi Plex, the cornerstone ingredient in Philip’s Tela Color Lock+, helps restore this shield as it strengthens hair’s internal structure up to 3x’s more than that of untreated hair.  How?  Its small molecule structure is designed to penetrate deep into the cortex creating new hydrogen and ionic bonds that help strengthen hair fiber similar to the levels in virgin hair a.k.a. it helps rebuild this shield.  Not permanently, nothing can do that, but with repeated use Tela Color Lock+ creates an environment for the hair to act, look and perform like healthy hair.

Fiber Restore Pelusi Plex acts like an oxidation shield to help protect color treated hair from surfactant or water stripping, so important especially since water is the #1 color fader.  Fiber Restore Pelusi Plex significantly reduces leakage of color molecules during and after shampooing by helping restore this shield naturally found in healthy hair.  This helps create long lasting color retention and conditioning effects as well as incredible vibrancy and shine.

One last note is how Fiber Restore Pelusi Plex’s benefits also improve the condition of the hair.  This oxidative shield also works to buffer the oxidative footprint of the hair color during application.  Less damage is done so the hair looks better afterwards.  Also because of its action in creating new hydrogen and ionic bonds this by default helps renew the condition of the hair improving strength, shine, and performance!  Who needs Mr. Sulu!?  Warp speed ahead Mr. Pelusi!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

A clean scalp is essential to maintain a healthy scalp environment and proper exfoliation plays a key role.  So, in addition to the USDA Sugar Cane Granules (written about in the Chic Geek Lift Off Part I) in the Tela Beauty Organics Probiotic Scalp Scrub, Philip has another totally unique way to exfoliate the scalp.

P2 by Philip Pelusi Roots Shampoo also contains Zinc Pyrithione.  This is a sloughing agent that naturally exfoliates and removes dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.  Plus, it has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties helpful when combating dandruff.  It is a long-standing ingredient used in dandruff shampoos for decades and enhances the abilities of this shampoo treatment.  It is totally unique to have both Zinc Pyrithione and Salicylic Acid in the same shampoo.

This dynamic duo for skin exfoliation is key to those who suffer from dandruff, where the body exfoliates as a much slower rate than normal, seasonal dandruff common in winter and in an aging scalp where the body’s natural exfoliation rate slows over time.

The more flakes and buildup, the more frequently you can use the P2 Roots Shampoo and the longer you leave it on the scalp, the deeper the results.  Meaning the product has more time to work.  This can be done as part of a Philip Pelusi Spa Hair Therapy Treatment in the salon and in the shower at home by simply leaving the shampoo on the scalp longer before doing a gentle scrubbing motion and rinsing it off.

Both P2 Roots Shampoo and Tela Beauty Organics Probiotic Scalp Scrub are balanced with hydrating ingredients.  Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Tela Hair Immunity Complex, Organic Peppermint, Aloe and Lavender (and much more!) in the Tela Probiotic Scalp Scrub.  And Marshmallow Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Silk Protein, Geranium, Oatmeal, Vitamin E (and more!) in the P2 Roots Shampoo!

And this is the perfect time of the year to start educating guests about these amazing products.  Even if one of these is something they just use seasonally or perhaps could help them all year round!

by Nikki B. ~ Product Education Director

A clean scalp is key to having healthy hair.  But this can be tough to achieve if someone suffers from dandruff and something not often thought of, the natural aging process of the scalp.  Dry or oily dandruff is obvious, you can see it and feel it.  But natural aging of the skin creeps up on us slowly over time.  We can see it on our faces via lines, wrinkles and dry skin. 

Face vs scalp?  But we don’t often think of this when it comes to the scalp.  But the scalp is merely an extension of the skin on our face, so it is simultaneously aging too.  Just like on the face, the skin cell turnover (known as exfoliation) slows on the scalp leaving a buildup.  The result when left unchecked is shrinking hair follicles producing thinner, lack luster hair, loosing the body and bounce of its younger days.  The follicles suffocate and sometimes can shrink to the point of nonexistence and once the follicle is left dormant long enough, the hair will no longer continue to sprout from that follicle.  Of course, this is not the only thing that stifles hair growth but needs to be addressed as one of the possible culprits.

Lift Off!  Yes, exfoliation is one of the keys to rejuvenating the scalp similar to how antiaging products work on the face, revealing new fresh dewy skin.  Also, a fresh clean scalp allows for better penetration of Philip’s scalp enhancing ingredients including proteins, moisture, antioxidants, pre and probiotics and more.  We have a couple ways to approach exfoliation at Philip Pelusi.

Hey Sugar!  USDA Certified Organic Sugar Cane Granules are one of the star ingredients in Philip’s Tela Probiotic Scalp Scrub.  The sugar put the “scrub” in this amazing scalp enhancing product.  Organic Sugar Cane Granules help to lift dead skin cells, dirt, debris from scalp and hair.  They help create a cleaner, healthier scalp environment and help create a better deposit of nutritional scalp ingredients in the product such as the Tela Hair Immunity Complex containing Pre and Probiotics. 

This product can be used as part of the entire Tela Life Force care routine, as it is part of in-salon The Tela Root to End Recovery Hair and Scalp Treatment and also as part of anyone’s Philip Pelusi product system.   Stay tuned for Lift Off Part II!

We very rarely have to say goodbye to a product at Philip Pelusi.  Over Philip’s many product making decades we have lost few and far between.  But alas we are bidding farewell to P2 Exfoliating but with the good knowledge that we have its’ Philip Pelusi doppelganger on hand!  Think of P2 Roots Deep Cleansing Shampoo as its’ hair and scalp loving sibling!

P2 Roots Deep Cleansing Shampoo has all the exfoliating goodness we all love about the P2 Exfoliating plus much, much more!  The same dynamic skin sloughing duo of Salicylic Acid USP and Zinc Pyrithione that naturally exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, is in P2 Roots Deep Cleansing Shampoo too.  It is incredibly unique to have both Zinc Pyrithione and Salicylic Acid in a shampoo and Philip was the first to create this mixture!

P2 Roots also contains Oatmeal and Geranium which act as skin antiseptics, calm irritations, moisturize and soothe.  Biotin (Vitamin H) and Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate USP) both help absorb and eliminate free radicals that pollute and break down the hair and scalp.

The high-end skin care complex of Calcium Protein, Zinc Yeast Derivative, Tissue Respiratory Live Yeast Cell Derivative, a mix of proteins and minerals, help promote healthy hair growth, shine, bind weightless moisture and strengthen.  Philip was the first to use this unique blend in haircare products!

Sodium PCA, a highly advanced and expensive humectant similar to Hyaluronic Acid, along with Panthenol USP (Vitamin B5) bind moisture in the hair and scalp and help protect from heat damage.  Silk Protein helps strengthen, smooth, create shine and protect.  Plus, P2 Roots has an amazing fresh, clean scent!

So, no worries my friend, every scalp and hair problem you want to tackle, meaning dandruff, dry scalp, removing color stains, oily scalp and creating a healthy scalp environment are all here in the P2 Roots Deep Cleansing Shampoo!

PS…if you are wondering what the “USP” stands for in the ingredients above, it means that ingredient is a pharmaceutical ingredient and that it is the finest grade of that ingredient.  USP means the quality is certified by the United States Pharmacopeia as the highest strength, quality, purity, and safety.  Every ingredient Philip selects, is the best in the world!

Let’s continue with our 2-part series on Philip Pelusi Rx Clarifying Shampoo Treatment.  Let’s take a deeper dive (pun intended!) into fact vs fiction when it comes to this phenomenal shampoo.

In Part I we reviewed everything about Rx Clarifying’s miraculous chlorine neutralizing abilities.  Next let talk about its incredible ability to remove minerals from the hair.  Why is this so important?  Hard city water, country well water and even salt from swimming in the ocean can all be absorbed or adhere to the hair.  Crazy, right?!  These minerals make hair hard to work with, not style well, making it rigid, causing tangles and fading hair color.

Philip’s Rx Clarifying contains what is called a Chelating Agent that attaches itself to minerals and carries them off the hair removing buildup leaving behind a clean state.  Most importantly, this Chelating Agent does NOT have the ability to remove color molecules.  Just like the chlorine neutralizers in Rx Clarifying, it doesn’t “speak” to color molecules either and can only remove minerals, that’s the science behind it!  All of these “removing” ingredients is also why Rx Clarifying makes it a perfect pre-perm shampoo, to remove all product buildup to allow for the best receptivity for the perm process.

Whether it’s tackling chlorine or minerals, Rx Clarifying should be used in the same manner we reviewed in Part I of this series.  Also, for tough cases where there is a lot of buildup, Rx Clarifying can be used as an in-salon treatment.  Apply to damp hair, massage through, plastic cap and popped under a medium-heat dryer for 5 – 10 minutes.  This helps the product penetrate faster by speeding up and deepening the penetration of the ingredients.  Afterwards, re-lather and rinse thoroughly and follow with an application of Rx DailyRx Xtreme Repair Treatment to add strength and a Philip Pelusi deep or instant conditioner to tackle texture.

Last, let’s list the other “good for hair” ingredients in the Rx Clarifying that help balance this formula.  Meaning these ingredients help make sure hair is left feeling soft, manageable and silky.  Proteins such as Wheat, Silk and Yeast as well as Calcium and Zinc help to strengthen and fortify hair.  While Sodium PCA, a humectant much like Hyaluronic Acid, helps bind moisture into dry hair.