The potency of plants

Probably one of the most expensive shampoos in the world at more than Bt8,000 for a modest sized container, Philip B Botanicals has a long list of Hollywood superstar and celebrity endorsers of its luxury hair care brand including Lady Gaga, Robert Redford, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Aniston. Now, with the products on sale in Thailand at the Emporium, Reveal on Thonglor Soi 13 and Thanisit Salon Plus in Nan province, the brand will no doubt soon have a few Thai celebs queuing up to serve as its local ambassadors.
    The brand, which was founded in 1991, has pioneered the way the world regards pure botanicals and potent essential oils as a solution to hair and skin care.
    Bryant J Olson, who holds the reins in Bangkok, says the brand came about when the Hollywood stylist, concerned that his famous clients were losing their hair, had their shampoo analysed and was horrified to discover that it contained the same toxic cleansing agent as laundry detergent. He immediately put his degree in chemistry to use and set about developing a product made from only the purest of ingredients.
    “All the cleansing agents used in Philip B shampoos are derived naturally (from coconuts and lavender) and enhanced by the finest pure botanical extracts. Amino acids are key ingredients,” Olson says.
    The brand also refrains from any form of animal testing preferring instead to try out its new products on clients, friends, employees, and of course, the stylist himself.
    The brand offers three types of shampoo that are guaranteed to be a hit with Thai customers, the most popular of which is likely to be the Russian Amber Imperial. Advertised as the most restorative and colour-protective shampoo ever made, this gives you the sexy, full, shiny-smooth hair of your dreams – in just one use. Distinctive for its thick, honey-like formula, it lathers up luxuriously and scents hair with warm, sensuous notes of Amber Oil. Eleven L-amino acids (used at active strengths) and protective silk, wheat and soy proteins repair hair at a cellular level and a Russian-inspired blend of chamomile, grape seed, rosemary, nettle, burdock and sage infuses hair with emollients for a healthy gleam.
    With a generous dose of pure, crisp peppermint oil and 16 plant extracts, the Peppermint and Avocado Volumising and Clarifying Shampoo creates a tingly-cooling sensation, invigorating the scalp and the senses.
    For the brand’s Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo, moisturising botanicals are treated with high-vapour energy, breaking them into tiny molecules that sink in and strengthen hair from the inside out. A time-release botanical delivery system (made with natural Safflower oleosomes) infuses hair with lasting glossiness, bounce, and the light, seductive scent of pure Oud. All products are Paraben free and colour and keratin-treatment safe
    For the skin, the “Thai Tea Mind and Body Wash” is the must.
    “Philip B travelled to Thailand 20 years ago and fell in love with the freshness and aroma of Thai tea. On his return home, he designed a body wash with a light, energising blend of skin-silkening extracts indigenous to Thailand and it sold so well that it is still being produced today,” Olson says.
    He does however caution care when buying the Chocolate Body Wash for children, which is made of real chocolate.
     “Just don’t let the kids drink it,” he warns.