Rogaine--My Hair Recovery Journey

A few years ago I noticed my hair was'nt as full as thick as it used to be. I could swear I was receding. And when I could see my scalp through the hair on the top of my head, it was time to face the fact that I was losing my hair.

I had blood work done and the doctors could'nt find anything wrong. So they put me on a combination of Rogaine and a testosterone blocker. The latter was a drug which caused me to lose water so I lost a bit of weight. After three months, there was no effect on hair growth or retention. Suddenly I got stabbing pains in my ovaries (or atleast that's where I thought they were) so I stopped the drug immediately. The pain was so bad, I almost keeled over as I was walking on the street!

The Rogaine worked. I grew more hair but it was a messy and greasy application. Twice a day with 5% minoxidil solution. I got a little peach fuzz on my face but the worst side effect was itching. My skin swelled up and wrinkled. Not even on the areas of application either. It was insanely itchy on my forehead and ears. Sometimes my ears would be red and feel like they were burning.

So I decided to stop because the discomfort was'nt worth the results. The peach fuzz went away and I stuck to taking biotin daily.

And a few weeks ago, I took up Rogaine again because I noticed my hair falling out and recession along the frontal hairline. I was getting obsessed and even noticed thinning hair on other women. Is it me or are there quite alot of youngish women nowadays losing their hair? Maybe there's something in the water here.

Anyway this time around I only used it once a day. I had a massive shed in the first two weeks which was expected. I saw myself in the mirror and it looked like I was balding! They say the initial shedding is good sign but I need to stop the treatment. My forehead and ears are so itchy I can't stand it anymore. This morning I woke up and my ears were burning and red.

In the hope that I'm just allergic to propylene glycol, I bought the Rogaine foam which does'nt contain this ingredient. It's meant to help the minoxidil absorb through the skin but I'd like to eliminate this to find out what I'm actually allergic to. Will keep you posted!

Stockholm Style - Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

I just come back from Stockholm and discovered Swedish style. The city is beautiful and everywhere I looked there was smart and clean design from clothing to home decor. This is typical of Scandinavian style and it's never gone out of fashion.

Thanks to my girlfriends who know fashion, I'm turning Swedish! It's my new style influence. The fashion is sophisticated yet understated. There are no tacky embellishments or lurid features. Just uncomplicated and straight lined design. 

We went shopping and hit up Swedish stores I've never heard of but they're in London, COS and Monki. 

I bought this necklace from COS. It was rather expensive for dress jewellery but I liked the design. 

I bought a H&M grey blazer on sale for 100 SEK or £9. Bargain!

And a splurge was Maison Martin Margiela for H&M perspex wedge pumps 1999 SEK. They had heaps of MMM stock in the Stockholm flagship store. They are hot but now to figure out where I can wear these...

Vintage Pierre Nicol Watch and Delvaux Bag

Ever since I found a vintage Favre Lueba, I can't pass a jewellery display case at charity shops without searching for more vintage watches. 

I found this one recently from Pierre Nicol for £5. I had to get the battery and leather strap replaced. Weeks later the watch stopped so I had the inner workings replaced. It's not as wonderful as a Swiss but I like the design. I think it's a mens watch which is why it's so big. A departure from the dainty ones I normally wear but now I can do big without chunky. 

I also bought this vintage Delvaux dark brown bag which is exquisitely made. I have'nt heard of this designer before so when I looked it up, I found out their bags are super expensive. While this one's a terrific bargain for £12, I don't think I can rock the elongated trapezoid shape. Still thinking about whether to keep this or not. 

The Bargain Hobbs Coat Which Wasn't A Bargain After All

I was on a roll with finding cool stuff in a charity shop. I found gorgeous LK Bennet ballet flats £3, Topshop top £4.25, Warehouse skirt £5, this slouchy leather pewter bag £8 and this Hobbs coat for a bargain £7.50!

When I tried it on, it looked amazing. Well I thought it did and two old ladies complimented gushingly on it. The coat was soft and the right beige colour so I could'nt resist. I figured it would be worth getting it dry cleaned and have the buttons reinforced and tears in the lining fixed.

I paid £32.50 for the service and it was'nt until I got it back home and tried it on, I realised the coat was too big. No matter how I tried, I could not rock an oversized coat. My boyfriend even politely said: "Errr the retro look."

So I bit the bullet and took it back to the dry cleaner. He said it would be a lot of work to take the coat in properly (it's a size 10 and I'm a 6) but he figured something out. Instead of taking it in from the two back seams, he'll take it in from the sides and take up the sleeves. Because he knew how much I already spent on the coat, he agreed to do the alternations half price. 

So here it is. It's still a bit baggy at the back but I do love the coat and it's perfectly warm for winter. So the £7.50 Hobbs coat turned out to be £65!