British trichologist Philip Kingsley, whose signature hair care line was formerly carried at Saks Fifth Avenue during the early Eighties, plans to relaunch the brand at salons in the U.S.
“It’s the first clinically based product line created by a hair expert,” claims Kingsley. “There are so many celebrity stylists coming out with styling products. But they don’t know about hair and scalp science.”
Based on the science of hair and scalp texture, the line contains 40 products designed to cleanse, condition, style, protect and treat hair. Kingsley is able to test existing and new products on visitors to his clinics in New York and London.
His hair care line is currently available on QVC in the U.K. and at about 300 U.K. salons and stores, including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and John Lewis.
In addition to securing distribution for his line in U.S. salons, Kingsley is in talks for additional distribution with retailers like Space NK. The line will also be sold on the company’s Web site, philipkingsley.com, which is set to go live on Sunday and is expected to generate $1 million in retail sales during its first year.
The Philip Kingsley line is designed to address multiple hair and scalp concerns. “It’s been outselling the top three hair care brands combined,” said Kingsley, referring to the line’s sales performance at Harrods. “My products get your hair looking good and healthy, which ends up giving you a better style.”
Kingsley estimates that the product line will bring in over $5 million in first-year retail sales both in the U.K. and U.S. combined.
Kingsley, who has been a trichologist, or one who specializes in hair and scalp care, since 1957, first brought his signature line to the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship 25 years ago. He said the line sold out on its first day and that the company reached $1 million in first-year retail sales.
Shortly after the Saks success, Kingsley expanded his brand in department stores before Elizabeth Arden took over distribution in 1984. Three years later, Kingsley bought the company back and withdrew it from most U.S. retailers before partnering with Alberto Culver in a licensing agreement to manufacture and distribute the line at high-end U.K. salons.
Related Articles
Two years ago Kingsley decided to give his company a makeover by reformulating and repackaging the entire collection. One of the line’s bestsellers, Elasticizer, $42, a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment designed to deliver moisture and increase silkiness and elasticity, accounts for 26 percent of the line’s sales. The formula also provides UV protection and prolongs the life of color treatments.
By summer, Kingsley plans to introduce a line of nutritional supplements called PK4Hair. PK4Hair is a protein supplement to be taken four times a day to help deliver protein to the hair. Other new products that are planned include Preen Cream, a lightweight moisturizing and protective serum based on duck preening and shiny feathers for fine to medium textured hair, and Smooth Cream, meant to protect and control medium to coarse, curly and frizzy hair, while adding shine.
Kingsley also plans to introduce a fragrance-free color line designed for sensitive scalps next fall. According to Kingsley, the range will be aimed at consumers with color-treated hair and will protect hair against the environment.
To celebrate his 50th anniversary in the hair business, Kingsley is coming out with his fourth book in October. The 50-page book will include an illustrated hair care tip on each page.