I'm 42. I look shocking. Help with hair please.

[SmileAndNod]

I caught sight of myself in the mirror whilst out today and was horrified at what stared back at me. I look easily ten years older, grey and haggard.

I'll start with a question about my hair if I may. I'm looking overdue a haircut. I was planning on growing it (usually a short choppy bob) and maybe getting it lightened, as it's naturally very dark, but years of covering roots has led to a dark build up which I think is making me look worse. However. My hair has started to fall out. Had a baby last year but it's still coming out by the handful, and is also greasy and lifeless. I think I may be peri menopausal - does this affect your hair? I've been to the doctors and everything ok - she's put it down to stress.

I want to get my hair done but I'm too embarrassed to ring my hairdresser. I think I'd cry. I want to feel glam again. No amount of make up is fixing anything these days. I used to look passable, now I generally look a mess no matter how much time I spend not that I have much of that

Any suggestions for any high street products that will bring my sparkle back - at least to my hair?

Thank you

Ok so today, I've painted my nails and bought a box colour to cover my roots. It's not ideal I know, but it's covered the greys that were so depressing me. It still feels in very bad condition and a bit yuk even though it's freshly done. When in the supermarket I saw some anti aging shampoo (!) that contained argan oil. Would that help to restore a bit of life? Was in a hurry and so didn't get chance to read the back to see what else was in it. Also found some hair supplements in boots but they were £80 a box

What is it with these 16 mo babies and not liking sleep?!

I'm off to proper shops tomorrow, my first child free day since before dd was born. I'm a little bit excited

Can't think of anything else to add but I heard good stuff re kelp and it's way cheaper than boots £80 supplements!

The argan oil shampoo can't harm your hair.

What shops are you off to tomorrow?

Totally sympathise. I'm 54 and menopausal and for the last 3 years my hair has been evil. Each strand is as thin as the finest cotton you can imagine; it's brittle and was shedding to the point I had a really thin bit at the front and at both sides. I was so miserable about it.

Anyhow I had a blood test and iron levels, while okayish were too low for hair growth and health. GP put me on 250mg ferrous fumerate. Also put me on vit D supplements as that was also very low.

I also added biotin tablets, silica tabs, sea kelp. Over the last 2 months the shedding has slowed considerably and hair is thicker at the sides and grows faster than it's ever grown. I've been on the iron and supplements for over a year now.

My hair has always been very fine, thin and uncooperative, so it wasn't like it was wonderful before but it got so bad I was just about to cover it with scarves.

A new hairdresser really made the most radical difference. I went to her for the second time on Fri and I have no idea how she manages it but has cut it to hide the thin patch and it looks the best it's done for ages. I felt so self conscious going to a new hairdresser (but my last one was increasingly making a hash of it) but she was lovely and I felt very comfortable there. It's now in a choppy, short style with flicky up back and sides and looks feminine and sweet. And is SO easy to do. No more coloured thickening spray needed to disguise bad bit now :)

So many women have hair issues that it really won't be anything new for them. Get recommendations, try find out who is good with your hair type/condition and definitely bit the bullet.