Beauty Bible Loves... Philip Kingsley The Elasticizer
All together now: swish that glossy mane! And for many beauty editors, including us, the go-to product when hair is strawlike – dull, frizzy and prone to breakage – is the late lamented tricologist Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer, originally created for Audrey Hepburn, no less, to restore movie star bounce and shine after months of styling on film sets. (One of the most romantic product histories!) Today, Elasticizer devotees are said to include Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet and Zendaya, plus millions of other converts worldwide. (We’re not often given to ‘celeb endorsements’, but it’s a pretty cool line-up).
The producct is essentially a mask – but unlike others you apply it before shampooing, on to damp hair, then leave for 20 minutes or more if you have time. More is better, we find, even overnight if poss. Some people like to wrap their barnet up in clingfilm to supercharge the effect; we just pop a shower cap on top, which does much the same.
As you might guess from the name, it’s designed to put the elasticity back into dry, dehydrated tresses. That means instant shine and manageability with frizz and tangles banished and breakage reduced by up to 46% after just one treatment, according to research.
The blurb promises ‘obsessively smooth and soft’ hair, which makes us chuckle but it’s true; be warned, the results can lead to compulsive stroking of aforesaid crowning glory.
Unlike most of our Beauty Bible Loves, this obviously isn’t new. In fact, it’s positively venerable at half a century old this year. But it’s truly one of our Hall of Fame products – and remember we’ve tried lots and lots. And yes we actually BUY it, which is the acid test for a beauty ed.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment comes in a range of sizes from a 75ml tube, perfect for travelling, to the jumbo 1000ml pump dispenser – and when something comes in a litre size, there’s no greater sign of its popularity.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment/£21-104 for 75-1000ml – buy here
