Conversations through the middle

Putting the colour back

October 28, 2009

Yay! Haircare experts L’Oreal think they have found the answer to grey hair. Researchers at the company’s centre in Clichy, Paris, are developing a treatment they hope will restore grey hair to its original colour – and it could be on the market in 10 years.

Patricia Pineau, L’Oreal’s Research Communications Director, says: “Hair is an enigma. It is a fibre, a material with physical properties. It is also a living organ that grows, greys and falls out.”

She continues: “When hair goes grey there is a progressive disappearance of the melanocytes from the hair. While there are still mealnocytes in the hair, there is still hope that it could be re-pigmented.”

I can’t wait. As somebody who started going grey in her 20s (thanks Dad!) and who hates the muss and fuss of hair dye, it can’t come soon enough.

Oh baby!

October 22, 2009

Research tells us that women are having their babies later in life and news stories often scare us with the risks involved. I was 36 when I had my baby, it wasn’t something I planned for that stage in my life but that’s when it happened and I couldn’t have been happier.

Of course there are risks – but there are riskes whatever your age. Do newspapers and television have to rub it in with so much scaremongering?

I was interested to read about a new book this week, due out in December, called Pregnancy: Older Women – An Essential Guide. The publishers Need2Know call it a “friendly guide” that “walks mothers and partners through every stage of pregnancy…” I’m not saying women shouldn’t know about the risks – after all knowledge is power – but I think there’s a way to inform that isn’t about scaring you to distraction.

I was blessed, as was my good friend who had been told she had no chance of getting pregnant then gave birth to her son when she was 45.

Whatever age the babies come along, it’s a part of a woman’s life to be celebrated and embraced, not something to be afraid of.

Fruity beauty

October 20, 2009

There was a time when I was never out of The Body Shop. Like I suspect millions of other girls, I went dewy-eyed over Dewberry and was wild about White Musk. So I was thrilled to hear some of those stars of the 80s are back – at least for a while.

Dewberry Bath & Shower Gel and Dewberry Body Lotion are among them. I’ll have to pay a visit to my local store and take a trip down memory lane!

Luxury haircare

October 16, 2009

Tigi is one of my favourite haircare brands – not least because the products smell so good. Their new S-factor Diamond Dreams shampoo and conditioner is fab, with exotic ingredients such as cashmere, Champagne, diamonds and pearls – I felt like a million dollars after using it.

Meanwhile, big hair is back according to the catwalks, and a volumising spray such as Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Volumising Spray, together with Superstar Blow Dry Lotion, will help you get a head for heights.

One of my all-time Tigi favourites is Bed Head Brunette Goddess shampoo and conditioner – because I am of course and because it smells of toffee.