Podcaster and beauty expert Natalie Elliott explains why the hair products in the new celebrity edition of the OK! Beauty Box will ensure your locks stay healthy, thick and full for the winter.
Our hair is such an important part of who we are. Hair brand Grow Gorgeous says: “It's more than ‘just’ hair. It’s self-expression. A conversation starter. Your identity. Gorgeous hair has the power to put a joyful spring in your step.” I think they have hit the nail on the head (so to speak!)
Keeping our hair in top condition is an important part of our daily routine. The problem is, our hair is directly linked to our body’s inner health and wellbeing, and if we have lost balance with our gut or hormones, this can affect the condition of our hair.
When putting together her latest OK! Beauty Box, Billie Shepherd included two haircare products from Grow Gorgeous that are aimed at helping optimum scalp health and healthy hair growth. On that topic, I’d like to share some expert advice on how to help keep your hair in peak condition.
Women experience so many changes to their bodies throughout their lifetime. These are mostly due to our fluctuating hormone levels, which are affected by puberty, our monthly cycle, pregnancy and menopause. These can play havoc with our hair and can, in some cases, lead to hair loss and thinning. Although hormonal hair loss is very common for women, it can be worrying and seriously affect your self-esteem.
I was joined on the OK! Beauty Box podcast by expert hair trichologist and star of Discovery+ TV series The Hair Loss Clinic Eva Proudman, who told me: “There are lots of factors that can cause [hair shedding or thinning patches]. It’s a dietary thing, it’s a sleep thing, it’s stored vitamin and mineral levels. When you’re pregnant, your body is very good at keeping you very well. When you have the baby, it could have been a traumatic birth; if it’s your first baby you may be very anxious, so you don’t eat or sleep well. The hair is very boring, and it likes routine, regularity and a nice calm life!”
Don’t we all! And in reality, as busy parents juggling careers and family lives, the perfect diet or night’s sleep just isn’t always possible.
The good news is that our bodies love to find their own balance. If we aim to follow a balanced diet and lifestyle, including lots of exercise, fresh air, staying hydrated and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, it will often regulate itself. The odd glass of wine, late night, or takeaway binge will have very little negative impact upon your hair or skin condition. Of course, you should see a doctor if you are concerned about ongoing hair loss.
What’s in the box?
Here’s my rundown on the products Billie has personally recommended for giving your hair a boost.
Grow Gorgeous Thickening Hair & Scalp Mask
There are many ingredients within this mask that as a beauty expert, I would associate with skincare products. For instance, there is hyaluronic acid which gently rids the scalp of dead skin cells, oat lipids to protect the scalp barrier, and caffeine to help stimulate hair follicles.
It’s easy to forget that our scalp is formed of the same skin that is on our faces and can benefit massively from the same nutrient-rich formulas. As Eva noted, “The scalp is the growing medium for our hair. If you keep your scalp healthy and well balanced, your hair will be healthy and well balanced.”
For the hair shaft itself, coconut and shea oils are wonderful ingredients as they are able to penetrate deeply and provide moisture, strength and shine
For optimum results, I would recommend sleeping with this mask on. This allows plenty of time for the active ingredients to penetrate both the scalp and hair shaft. Billie uses this product regularly and says it doesn’t weigh her locks down. “This is perfect for my fine hair and it helps increase volume instantly thanks to ingredients that physically fatten up hair strands.”
Grow Gorgeous Hair Growth Serum
It doesn’t surprise me that this is a best-seller! It contains pea sprout extract which is designed to restore hair’s thickness and vitality. Grow Gorgeous brand manager Freya Stewart says: “You apply 20 drops a day and massage it directly into your scalp and [the nutrients] will help to stimulate the hair follicle and really help to give you that fuller, thicker, healthier looking hair.”
Billie herself says she’s seen a real difference from using it, commenting: “I've found it’s really helped to thicken my hair, which is often damaged from over styling.” The serum is not greasy and so can be worn throughout the day, making it easy to fit into a busy lifestyle.
Listen to Natalie on The Beauty Room brought to you by OK! Beauty Box for in-depth chats with your favourite celebrities, brands and beauty experts.