Pursuit of Prettiness: It's A Hair Mare

I’ve not done a Pursuit of Prettiness post in a while, so here’s a big’un. This year, as most of you probably know, I’ve been struggling with an eating disorder and all it’s effects. As much as everything seemed to go horribly wrong, one of the little things that really got to me was how much hair I lost.

Ew. I know, right? I sound like an old man- except i'm a girl and balding at 18!

The lack of nutrition in my body meant that my hair was the last of my worries and, thus, became brittle and started breaking off, while no more grew. I was repeatedly asked if I’d cut my hair, but it had just all fallen out, sometimes in clumps. I’ve seen tweets from girls needlessly seeking to lose weight saying things like “the worse part about losing weight is losing your boobs” to which every bone in my body longs to reply “wait until you lose your hair…”

The great phrase: ‘you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone’ seems applicable here (not in a dramatic sense). I took my long, soft honey blonde hair for granted for all those years. I never had thick, glossy locks but I had beachy waves on holiday and my hair went nice and golden in the sun. It suited me so much more than the bleached, dry straggles that have hung from my scalp for the best part of a year. I feel so ugly without my long hair.

In March, as I started to gain the weight that is making me look so very repugnant at present, I decided to go for the chop. I headed to Cobella in Selfridges and had my shoulder length hair cut into a swishy bob. At first I loved it, but it really didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off. I WANT MY HAIR BACK.

So this P.O.P post is dedicated to those looking to grow their hair, either as part of recovery from an eating disorder, or just because you too have made the decision to cut off your hair without fully considering it.

Here are my tips for sustaining hair growth that, so far, have worked for me. It looks like these tips are working, so please do let me know if you have any others!

EAT WELL

It’s such an obvious one but starving your body of the nutrients it needs immediately affects your hair, skin and nails. You really need to nourish your hair from the inside out. Protein is crucial, think nuts, fish and eggs. A healthy diet will show in your overall appearance, regardless of your weight.

SCALP MASSAGE

This is a little tip I got from my friend Harriet (an annoyingly gorgeous budding beauty journalist with a fantastic little blog here) for which I am eternally grateful! I have only been doing it for just over a week but have immediately noticed a difference to the volume and strength of my hair. Massaging your scalp for around 3-5 minutes a day makes a world of difference. Just massage your scalp gently as you condition your hair and it shall stimulate the growth of the hair. It also feels pretty darn nice. I like to treat myself to Bumble & Bumble Mending Masque which I put on, massage my scalp for around five minutes (bit of a bicep workout to be honest!) then leave the masque for a further 10 minutes. My hair is soft, glossy and looks so much healthier as a result.

SEA KELP

Another little tip from the lovely Harriet. Supposedly sea kelp tablets (which you can buy from Holland and Barrett- in the penny sale just now!) help promote the healthy growth of hair. There is, as of yet, no scientific proof of this but seaweed is iron-rich and therefore sure to be beneficial. It should take a while for me to see the results, but I shall let you know if this really does work. Harriet says she’s noticed a difference in her hair and has had it recommended to her by a few friends so I’d definitely suggest giving it a try.

BLOW DRY HAIR STRAIGHT 

Rather than ironing your hair every day, as I used to do, try blow drying it straight with a ceramic barrel brush, using a heat protector product to keep the condition (my favourite heat protector is the GHD one but i'm not fussy!)

MOROCCAN OIL 

I have heard great things about Moroccan Oil for assisting hair growth. I personally have not tried the Morroccanoil brand, but am very keen to. I actually use Keihls Argan Oil on the ends of my hair to keep it smooth. It is a weekly treat for my hair and I have started to massage my scalp with a few drops of Argan oil as well as applying a little to the midlengths and ends of my hair. It does promote strength of hair as well as length and there is very little better for your hair! Just don’t overdo the hair oil as fine hair is more prone to greasiness.

Hopefully you have found these tips reasonably helpful and please do let me know any more tips you may have on hair growth (recovery or not!) as I’m all ears! I’ll let you know how my hair progresses… As I’m sure you’re riveted. 

A Little Taste of SS12

So Christmas and New Years have been and gone, in typical blink-and-you'll-miss-it fashion, but there is still plenty to look forward to- mainly the brand spanking new year ahead of us!

I am hoping to give SW Fashion a bit of a 2012 facelift in the coming days, and am excited about what this year will bring what with a few potentially exciting opportunities!

But, as one of my favourite sayings goes, "cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow and live today"... (sorry to be going all mystic Meg on ya... I shan't make a habit of it!)

Anyway, SS12 is just round the corner and as the sales are flailing and only the rubbish bits and bobs remain, the new stock should start appearing like pretty little tulips in the grass (cute, eh?).

A few trend reports shall be coming soon, but here is my first flirtation with the new season- the Louis Vuitton bouffant.

My hair has become pretty shockingly dry and brittle of late, so i've been looking for a few flattering up-dos to detract from my pathetic excuse for hair. This one is a definite favourite. It is so easy, so pretty and so on trend for next season- how could you resist?!

I don't mean to blow my own trumpet, but I think my attempt at this wispy bun from the flirty Louis Vuitton show is pretty good- even if i'm not quite blessed with Kate's flawless bone structure or Ms. Rubik's annoyingly perfect features. 

And it's easy as one, two, three!

Step One: Simply spritz your hair with dry shampoo or apply a hair powder (I suggest Tigi Bed Head's new Candy Fixations range which does a hair powder called Sugar Dust that smells delicious!). This will create the perfect texture for volume and that wispy, mussed up texture. 

Step Two: Back brush your hair all over. If you have thicker hair then focus on the roots, but if your hair is very fine like mine, simply back brush it all. Once you look like you have stuck your finger in an electrical socket you are good to go! It will look horrendously messy, but brush your hair back from your face until it is smooth and gather the remainder into a ponytail or a bun and secure with either a clip or a band. 

Step Three: At this point, your hair should look tousled and volumised at the back, but smooth at the front. Then add your choice of hairband. Skinny and white/cream was the look at Louis Vuitton, but I opted for a beautiful embellished band from Anthropologie. Here's where you can really make the look your own, but if you want to keep it really on-trend go for something in a delicate pastel. Once the band is in, use your fingers to muss up the back even more and get your desired texture, then spray all over with a light hairspray.

This hairstyle is perfect with a pretty dress or blouse, but would also work for daytime to soften up an edgier look or add a new season twist to your jumper and jeans.

Let me know how it works for you, or tweet me a picture at @SWfashion_ !

Happy New Year everyone!