In our country, humidity can undo a hairstyle within minutes. Hair has become more than just a beauty statement. For many Filipinos, it is also a daily struggle against frizz, flatness, oiliness, and heat damage. Much of the local market relied on Western products that are made for climates and hair concerns far different from those in the Philippines.

Celebrity hairstylist Paul Nebres knows this challenge well. Raised in Pasig City, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines graduate built his career one client at a time before becoming the creative force behind some of actress Nadine Lustre’s most memorable hair looks. But beyond styling celebrities and working backstage on shoots, Paul also carried a deeper realization throughout the years: Filipino hair deserves products made specifically for Philippine conditions.

Before gaining recognition in the beauty industry, Paul said his early years were filled with uncertainty and constant learning. He started young while still studying in university, working alongside makeup artist Jelly Eugenio and Nadine, long before any of them became established names in the industry.

“Honestly, I started really young, still in university, so there was a lot of learning on the fly,” he told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.

One of the biggest challenges during that period was proving himself without a strong portfolio. He realized that credibility in the beauty industry is not instantly given but earned.

“You show up, you work hard, and you hope people notice the results,” he said. “The lesson I learned from that early period is that credibility in this industry isn’t handed to you. You build it one head of hair at a time. And the relationships you nurture early on matter more than any shortcut.”

As his experience grew, so did his understanding of the common hair problems Filipinos face. Working with different clients and celebrities exposed him to recurring concerns rooted in the country’s tropical climate.

“Frizz and flatness come up constantly, because our climate is brutal and the humidity hits fast,” he explained. “What I keep coming back to is how little attention we give to the scalp as a foundation, because an unhealthy scalp means weaker, more stressed hair over time.”

Heat damage is another issue he believes Filipinos often underestimate. Between the country’s high temperatures and the frequent use of hot styling tools, hair becomes more fragile over time without people immediately noticing the effects.

These observations eventually inspired him to help create Betterhair, a brand developed alongside photographer BJ Pascual and fashion designer Vania Romoff, specifically for Filipino hair and scalp needs. Paul recalled how difficult it was to find products that could survive long shoots and humid conditions without making hair stiff or greasy. Most of the products he relied on had to be sourced abroad because local options were not performing the way he needed them to.

“We’re a tropical country, this is our reality every single day, why isn’t anyone designing specifically for this?” he recalled asking himself.

Years of experience working in fast-paced environments taught him that products needed to perform under pressure, especially in the Philippine heat and humidity. Because of this, he became highly critical of products that left residue, crunch, or unnecessary weight on the hair, especially under camera lights. Every product, he said, was designed with real-life conditions in mind.

Today, while continuing to grow his career, Paul hopes to see Filipino beauty products gain international recognition not by copying foreign trends, but by offering solutions uniquely rooted in the tropical experience.

“My dream is for Filipino brands to be on shelves internationally,” he said. “Products that understand tropical hair in a way no European or American brand ever could. That’s a lane that belongs to us.”

To aspiring hairstylists, Paul’s advice is grounded in authenticity and consistency. He encourages young creatives to focus on learning, improving their craft, and developing their own voice rather than chasing glamour too early.

“Show up consistently and be genuinely curious,” he said. “The technical skills will come with practice, but what separates good stylists from great ones is how much they actually care about the craft, about the person in front of them, about constantly getting better.”