For that reason, owing to a particularly bad experience a few years back, I’ve spent the past few years trialling as many hair products and tools as I can, with one mission in mind:
Nourish my hair back to good health.
Now I don’t want to blow my own trumpet (who am I kidding, toot away Lydia!) but I feel like I might have finally got there.
With that in mind, I’ve shared my top tips below. Please bear in mind that this has been a process – please refer to this guide if you’re just starting out – but there’s no denying that the products below have worked wonders for my hair in recent months…
Before I start breaking down tools and products, there’s no point investing in the best hairdryer on the market if you’re not looking after your insides too. In the same way that we all know now that our diet and wellbeing affects our skin, our diet and wellbeing affects our hair too. With that in mind, I’ve taken Hairburst vitamins daily for well over a year now to ensure that my hair gets all of the essential vitamins and minerals that it needs. Not only does your hair feel noticeably healthier after a few weeks of consistent use but the impact it has on hair loss is noticeable almost immediately.
The night before hair wash day, I saturate my hair with R B Organics hair oil, pop it in a bun and sleep with it in. Not only does it give your hair enough time to soak up all of the goodness but it smells divine so feels like a little pocket of luxury before bed.
When I wake up, I jump straight in the shower and wash the oil out using Aveeno’s Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo. I only discovered this because it was stocked on Ocado (I’d run out of shampoo so added it to my weekly shop!) and oh my goodness, it has changed the game! My scalp feels nourished and it cleans your hair without stripping away the goodness.
Once I’m out of the shower, I use a tiny scoop of the Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Masque which works like a leave-in conditioner. I used to scoop giant handfuls of it out but now I use it sparingly on the ends of my hair and work my way up to the roots if needed. It replenishes the protein in your hair and as the product description says, has been made with ‘extremely damaged and over-processed hair in mind.’
My feelings about investing in a good brush echo those that I mentioned in step one. There’s no point in investing in all the above if you have a brush that serves to damage that work. With this in mind, the Wet Brush Pro is the only brush that I use now. I’m not sure how it does it but it’s so gentle on the hair whilst navigating even the most stubborn of knots with ease. You can thank me later on this one – you won’t regret it!
Next up, it’s Bonacure’s Peptide Repair Rescue – Again, designed with severely damaged hair in mind. I use a small amount of this on the very ends of my hair to seal each strand and keep split ends at bay.
Before drying, I spray Beauty Pie’s Super Healthy Hair Heat Protecting Spray all over. Not only does it smell glorious (hello cocounts!), it feels weightless and does the job of protecting your hair from oncoming heat wonderfully too.
In my opinion, I’d always opt to spend money on a good hairdryer over a good curling tong because well-designed hair dryers keep frizz at bay (and you don’t have to spend a lot to get a half decent tong these days!) I use GHD’s Helios Hair Dryer on a day-to-day basis because it helps to add the all-important volume that I’m seeking, without leaving me looking like Hagrid dragged through a bush! I don’t have any secret drying technique I’m afraid – just throw your head upside down and go for it, if you ask me!
Finally, I use this thick barrelled curling tong (that I found on Amazon for £25!) to get big, beautiful waves that stay. The trick is to keep the temperature setting moderate – I tend to use 185 degrees FYI – and curl small chunks of hair at a time. You don’t have to hold your hair on the heat for long. Simply wrap each section around the barrel, hold for a few seconds and release!
Ready for an afternoon in the early Autumn sunshine on horseback
Ad outfit
Leggings @lemieuxproductsofficial
Top @gymshark
Blazer Lydia Millen x @karen_millen
Earrings @astridandmiyu
Boots @amazonfashioneu
Gloves @hollandcooperclothing
Ad When the turn of the seasons encourages you to wrap up in classic clothing from the beautiful British brand that is @lkbennettlondon , retreat to a cosy, country hotel and hunker down for afternoon tea with your husband. Use LYDIALKB20 for 20% off until 28th October #WearingLKB paid partnership
I had so many messages about my work from home outfit last week I thought I’d share it complete with accessories
Ad Outfit
Jumper @goelia_official
Trousers @lkbennettlondon
Shoes @emmylondonofficial
Jacket @marcelalondon_
Fragrance @diorbeauty La Colle Noire
Can you guess where I’m off to for afternoon tea?
Ad Outfit
Coat @lkbennettlondon
Dress @aavelleofficial
Hat & boots @hollandcooperclothing
Fragrance @penhaligons_london
Tights @wolford
The Autumn Equinox has arrived and as the nights draw in there’s so many opportunities to reconnect with nature.
Hosting a very special breakfast for my girls in honour of @princestrust and @thebrilliantbreakfast to raise money to help young women turn their lives around through work, education and training. A donation of £5 can enable a woman to simply travel to an interview which could go on to change her life forever so I would absolutely love it if you would join me in hosting your own Brilliant Breakfast between the 9th and 15th October, whether it’s simply coffee with a close friend, or encouraging your entire office to get involved, the funds raised will go towards helping young women, aged 11-30 create better futures for themselves.
And thank you to my angel @hello.petal.flowers for giving her time and creative flare to bring my vision for the breakfast to life, of course you don’t have to go with florals like me, but if that’s something you enjoy this is the perfect opportunity to throw a lovely breakfast with your girlfriends with a cause that will help so many other women, front and centre!
Ad Because being old fashioned is always fashionable
Such an honour to drive to @goodwoodrevival with the @astonmartin team in the iconic DB5 to celebrate 110 years of the brand and 60 years of the DB5.
Outfit
Dress @dior
Hat @aavelleofficial
Gloves @cornelia_james
Jewellery @garrard