PHYTO haircare recently launched their professional line consisting of nine plant-based styling products. PHYTO’s (meaning “derived from plants” in Greek) founding ideology was to create a synergy among the plant world, our hair and the environment around us. While the word “green” is so easily thrown around for the sake of marketing, these products are actually produced in a non-polluting production facility (meaning natural gas, eolian energy, recycled water etc), so kudos to PHYTO.

The company was founded by Patrick Alès, a renowned Parisian hair stylist and former hair guru to Jackie O and Catherine Deneuve, who loved to experiment with plant extracts and essential oils. PHYTO’s key ingredient is acacia collagen, which hydrates and protects the hair from external stresses caused by styling tools.

I’ve tried every single one of the nine PHYTO Professional products (minus the one for curly hair) and these three standouts were my favourites: the Workable Holding Spray, the Intense Volume Mousse, and the Fiber Paste.

The Workable Holding Spray ($26 CAD) is brushable, never stiff, and never dry, due to its key ingredient myrrh, a natural resin that provides holding power and shine. It also smells lovely, a little earthy from ginseng, and not super-strong like most hairsprays I’ve encountered. The Intense Volume Mousse ($26 CAD) is great for someone that needs a little boost in volume (like me). Again, the key ingredients here are acacia collagen, ginseng, and myrrh. Lastly, I loved the Fiber Paste ($26 CAD) which helped me battle those stubborn baby hairs along the hairline.

PHYTO Professional products are available exclusively to selected hair salons (Halo in Vancouver).

www.phyto-canada.com