Synergy Beauty

What a diversity in contemporary fragrance universe! Renowned nose Serge Lutens is launching two perfumes at once. Nuit de Cellophane is a cellophane fragrance with notes of tangerine, honey, osmanthus and jasmine. We’ll get the chance to check this seemingly strange composition very soon, by the middle of March.

After a very trying day that began with a colossal water leak from the shower all the way down into the dining room and straight through that into the basement, and ended with the traffic jam from hell, all I could do with myself was head for a hot bath. Adding NEOM Bath Oil in Tranquility blend was the best thing I could have done. Normally I’m sceptical when essential oil blends promise to make me feel sexy, relaxed, sleepy, energetic or whatever, thinking that mainly the benefit comes from a tub of hot ache easing water and the stillness of having that moment to oneself. However, Tranquility really did leave me feeling rather laisse faire about a total refurbishment, and certainly helped me feel truly relaxed. Unlike other oils that profess to moisturise the skin - only the minute you towel off, any moisturising benefits are gone - this one really does. There is no hint of dryness and I still smell blissfully lavendery. It’s got a high ratio of essential oils (sweet basil, lavender and jasmine) in organic safflower and jojoba oil. At 32 pounds, it certainly isn’t cheap, but this is one instance where I’d recommend splashing out.

When you're pregnant, there are lots of weird things that happen to your body. But I was seriously not prepared to find out this news: That pregnant ladies are basically walking, talking skin-care-makers for their kids. Researchers at Leiden University in The Netherlands have been studying an all-natural moisturizer mothers produce in the womb—a "buttery ointment" with the not-so-catchy name Vernix caseosa. (I get the gross factor, but bear with me.) Apparently this stuff not only keeps your baby from being born a human prune (consider that it spends nine months essentially underwater), it also helps baby's skin stay hydrated and fight off infection after it's out in the world. The scientists just released a study with promising results on a synthetic version they created to heal some adult skin diseases. And, their hopes are that it just might one day be the mother of all moisturizers for healthy skin. Stay tuned.

There is no need to be ashamed if you are a lady who is currently experiencing some hair loss. You are not alone. More women than we actually think are suffering from female hair loss. This and many other facts of baldness on women should be properly understood.

Social Stereotype

The main reason why we rarely hear of or even imagine women suffering from the condition is because of the prevailing social stereotype. Of course, short hairstyles are now socially acceptable for females. Baldness however is not. It is quite common for us to think that women should have thick, luxurious hair regardless of age and hairstyle. This is probably why those with thinning hair simply prefer to keep mum about their conditions. The truth is however, 1 in 4 women suffer from the condition. It is therefore as common as loss of hair in men.

Hair Loss Myths

Frequent hair treatments, hair styling and coloring, according to enduring belief, are some of the most common causes. Frequent handling of hair in these ways may really result in hair breakage near the scalp. Hair damage of this kind however is not permanent. Hair will eventually grow back and the worst that may result in over treating hair would be hair dryness and probably split ends.

Other Causes

There are many different causes of loss of hair in women. The most commonly believed causes, however, may actually be responsible for only 5% of such cases. These causes include alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia and trichotillomania.

One autoimmune disorder is the Alopecia areata which results to bald patches and/or diffused thinning. Telogen effluvium is another condition in which numerous hair strands shift from the growing phase into the falling phase. Traction alopecia is the result of tight hairstyles like ponytails, buns and braids in which large amounts of hair are pulled off. This may eventually lead to scarring alopecia in which areas of the scalp become scarred. Trichotillomania is a serious psychological condition which is characterized by chronic hair pulling which can lead to bald areas.

Most Common Cause

Hormonal changes also cause 95% of women’s baldness. Estrogen level imbalances, an over or under active thyroid gland, child birth, menopause and hormonal therapies may be the culprits in female baldness.

Difference with Male Hair Loss

Although baldness in women caused by hormonal factors may be a common condition in women, it should be understood that the time and age for such condition is different than in men. Women may suffer from it as soon as they hit their early twenties. Most women who suffer from loss of hair also do not frequently develop bald patches.

Women’s hair loss is usually diffused and thinning only on certain areas like the front hairline, the top of the scalp or the back of the head. Having severe and wide bald spots may be a sign that you need to see your doctor.

I’ve just been sent samples of the new Juicy Tubes hitting the shelves of Boots in May. They’re amazing! Normally, I loathe flavoured gloss - especially mint that hangs around all day long tainting everything you eat and drink - but I’m so impressed with the ingenuity of the flavours that I think I can make an exception. I’ve tried Fresh Mint Tea (the green one) and while it really is just too minty for me, as the gloss goes on it leaves a vaguely lime hint of colour that’s actually very pretty. I wouldn’t wear it unless I had some tan on my face and definitely wouldn’t touch it if I had a hang over (green over green - never a good look), but I like this hint of something edgy. Other flavours are Authentic Lavender (pink with purple undertones), Vital Mandarin (yellow), Genuine Tomato (sheer red/pink), Pure Sesame (bronze/brown) and Just Tofu (pearly/clear). The outer packaging is recyclable and made with 50% cotton and 50% recycled material.

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