If your hair resembles the tousled mane of the woman in the main photo -lucky you! For the rest of us such a lustrous look requires 60 minutes of round brush rotation, WOW volumizer (colorwowhair.com) and a Dyson hair dryer. Without WOW my hair literally has no volume. Hairdressers create styles of this ilk for clients en route to simchas, but unless your coiffeuse fits in your case, your holiday hair is down to you. For anyone with a Jewfro, summer is the purple patch when you’re beach ready without the aid of Bumble & Bumble Surf spray. This is not the case for women who have reached that stage in life when there are more new hairs on their face than their head. Men don’t uniformly embrace hair loss either as even the young ones with cool shaved scalps, look like their zaidehs in time.
The most common causes of hair loss are sensitivity to androgens, medical conditions such as alopecia, stress and anxiety or damage because of styling practices. Chemotherapy sadly brings hair loss too and there are salons who specialise in helpful treatments, such as Hair Solved (hair-solved.com) in Barnet which does bespoke cranial prosthesis; a system of matching hair to the client’s own to use through treatment and as the hair recovers. Also in Barnet Daniel Field Organic and Mineral Hairdressing has safe and effective alternatives to harmful hairdressing products and practices, so for severely damaged hair there is hope. But home is where we mostly wash, condition, iron and curl our hair, and there are some excellent DIY products.
To address the loss and bring about some regrowth, supplements help. Founded by supermodel Elle Macpherson in 2014, WelleCo’s The Hair Elixir (£42) promises to nourish, thicken and strengthen hair, as well as boosting it with an adaptogen to fast-track growth. Two capsules daily for a month gets results according to positive reviews and I’m two weeks into minimising hair loss. It also contains the adaptogen Rhodiola to help the body adapt to stress, a root cause of hair loss. welleco.co.uk/
It’s helpful when a supplement works on more than one body part, so Weed & Wonderful (£12.95) is a natural source of iodine supporting thyroid health, cognitive function, energy metabolism as well as thinning hair. Natural nutrition at its best.doctorseaweed.com
Stimulating inactive hair follicles is a key function of Pharmaceris – H-Stimuforten (£14), which I’ve also been using for a while. Improving microcirculation and cellular oxygenation as this slows down the ageing of hairs, augments hair volume and reduces scalp visibility which I hate. You leave the spray in once applied, but it doesn’t make your hair greasy and as with all products you have to stick with the regime for results. facethefuture.co.uk
Any leave-in product must smell good and I would wear Hair and Scalp Elixir (£53) by GF Fabulosity as a body lotion. That’s how fresh the scent is radiating from your head as it works on the scalp with Amla, a vitamin packed ingredient promoting growth with the rice amino acid protein that bonds to hair fibres to hold moisture and prevent breakage.It tames frizz too. gffabulosity.com also the Gustav Fouche salon in Notting Hill.
“I’m washing my hair,” has its uses, but not with Hairstory , the sustainable beauty brand with an anti-shampoo message. Hairstory believes shampoo is the worst thing to use on hair as its too harsh. Their solution is New Wash (£44) a detergent-free cleansing cream which is gentle, makes hair healthier and simplifies your routine as a replacement for oil stripping shampoo and conditioner. There’s not much lather, but you get more time between washes, less colour fading and though it’s pricey, it lasts. uk.hairstory.com
Some products are for specific problems, so if your hair stops growing in summer, the anti-dandruff Brown Sugar Shampoo (£6.69) brings balance to your scalp. With golden cane sugar crystals and aloe vera that increases circulation and stretch the cells of hair follicles, ultimately encouraging growth. biggreensmile.com. If the sun dries out your hair Spicy Orange Blossom Shampoo & Conditioner (£7.25) with shea butter, jojoba oil and orange blossom puts back strength, softness and repairs after being in a chlorine pool.
If you need help to conceal the gaps, Nanogen who make great shampoos also make Hair Fibres (£18.95) which add volume and thickness to fine or thinning hair. Easy to apply, they bulk and conceal scalp show and in 10 shades. Impressively water resistant, their Hair Fibre Locking Spray reassures. Boots and other stores.
Stacey Solomon is the mascot for small businesses and when she shared her love for the REHAB Vital Hairbrush (£12) and their Hair Oil Capsules, the little company sold out within hours. First known for their Silk Heatless Curler, the brush made from wheat-based straw is 100% plastic free and biodegradable with innovative flexible bristles that gently remove knots without breakage. The anti-static bristles distribute the scalp’s own natural oils and the capsules (£26 for a 30 day course) contain 10 times more vitamins than standard hair oil. Joe Walsh, Stacey’s husband will confirm the silkiness of her hair.
PICK A FRUIT
Plums, strawberries, blackberries…. are the season’s new scents.
Burberry Her Elixir Eau De Parfum (£94) Fruity notes of dark red berries
Issey Miyake L’eau D’issey Pivoine Pour Femme Eau De Toilette Intense (£70) Pear and white raspberry with peonies.
Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Forever Eau De Parfum £50 The heart is a potent black cherry liquor. Fragrances all from thefragranceshop.co.uk
Ormonde Jayne’s Indus (£135) Blackcurrant Buds, Lychee, Nutmeg, a heart of Egyptian Geranium and a soul of patchouli and plum
AOURA London Ruby Kiss (£9.99)
A Superdrug body spray gem of bergamot and peach.
I never invested in a single brand’s skincare range until I discovered TULA. Maybe it’s because a gastroenterologist created the products, and added probiotic extracts and superfoods, but I can see how they’re working. The purifying face cleanser, hydrating night & day cream and Triple vitamin C serum are a few of the hard workers and for £43 a travel size kit is a holiday must. tulaskincare.co.uk
Vegan direct selling beauty brand MONAT has come up with some splendid Exfoliating Peel Pads (£60) that reduce the intensity of dark spots and fine lines. With a blend of glycolic acid, amino acids, witch hazel, and cucumber water, you will want them with you on your travels. monatglobal.com
PS!!! An Opatra clinic has opened in Borehamwood! This is big news as the Israeli company which makes some of the most innovative skincare devices and products is offering treatments for a range of pre-summer improvements – think fat freezing and anti-ageing facials –and you can also stock up on their results-assured products. 020 7998 5708
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