HEAD MASTERS
Social media stats show that conversations about scalp health have more than doubled since last year. Get to the root of the problem with these skincare-inspired treatments
Singer-songwriter Alesha Dixon shares her hair story and the hard-won wisdom she will pass on to her daughters
After a busy 12 months – launching her own wellbeing brand NobleBlu, relocating to Sydney to shoot Australia’s Got Talent, publishing her sixth children’s book and releasing a new single, War – what’s next on Alesha Dixon’s agenda?
“A holiday, hopefully!” she tells us. And beyond, the 42-year-old wants to “spend the rest of the year working on music”, she says.
“It feels like I’m returning to myself when I’m back in the studio. It’s an important part of my personal healing and therapy.”
Being a mum to daughters Azura, seven, and two-year-old Anaya has spurred Alesha on to embrace natural products and she says: “Motherhood has taught me how to be kinder to myself in general, and not give myself such a hard time.” The TRESemmé ambassador talks to hello! about the brand’s new, natural Pro Pure range, how she manages her hair thinning and why she’ll never ditch her signature top knot.
Alesha, how do you protect your hair from over-styling?
“My number one rule when I’m not working is to wash and condition my hair, put a treatment in and then leave it alone. When I’m at home, I don’t straighten it, I don’t put any heat on it and I allow my curls to breathe. I’m always experimenting with hairstyles, and having my hair done is a massive part of my job – I have lots of braids, use extensions and lots of heat.
“Over the years, my hair gets thinner. I’ve been using the TRESemmé Pro Pure range and I love the fact it makes my hair feel like it’s been nourished and hydrated, but it’s also repairing and maintaining it. That’s important to me because it’s heartbreaking when your hair doesn’t feel the same as it used to. The range is all natural, plant-based and free from any nasties.
“How we feel about our hair, as women, is really important. It can literally transform your mood and how you feel about yourself.”
How important are natural products to you?
“It’s in every aspect of my life. I don’t think it’s possible to live a completely teetotal life – it’s all about balance. There is no such thing as perfection; we can all strive for it, but we’re always going to be imperfect.
“For the most part, I’m very conscientious about what’s going into my body, from the food that I eat to the products I’m using on my skin and in my hair. Today, I ordered a new natural deodorant from Milk + Honey. You rub it in rather than using a spray-on and roll-on.”
Representation matters – how important is diversity in beauty advertising?
“From when I first got into the industry over 20 years ago, I have always dreamt of having a hair campaign. I remember watching hair adverts and never feeling like I was represented. It was almost like it wasn’t for us and that was a really sad feeling.
“But the world is becoming more inclusive. When the opportunity came along to work with TRESemmé, it was such an amazing moment for me. And I knew what that would mean to lots of women that have hair like me or look like me. It’s such a big deal. It’s important to embrace your curls and I’m all for everybody celebrating their hair and being able to experiment.”
Do you have a favourite hairstyle?
“I love getting my hair braided. When I was in Australia recently, I got my whole head braided and that’s fantastic. You can wake up and you’re good to go. You can literally have that hairstyle for a couple of weeks, as long as you wrap it at night. I just had my youngest daughter’s hair braided and she looks super sweet. Also, everyone knows I love a top knot, that’s for sure! I love that you can just wrap your hair in a little scrunchie and you’re good to go.”
You look absolutely incredible. Can you take us through your skincare regime?
“I always cleanse my face, morning and night. After a day of filming, I take my make-up off using the Wishful Cleansing Butter. I stopped using face wipes a long time ago when I realised how damaging they are to the environment. Slather those cleansing butters all over your face and your make-up comes off so easily. I use the AlumierMD Ultimate Boost Serum and, at night, I use Omorovicza’s
Plumping Cream that I sometimes mix with its Miracle Oil. If I want a break from that I’ll use the Sisley Black Rose mask.”
You’ve got five minutes to leave the house: what products are you bringing with you?
“The Tom Ford foundation stick in Sienna. For my concealer, the Estée Lauder Double Wear concealer. I would go for the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, usually on top of the Sisley Chocolat lip liner. At the moment I’m trying a new mascara from Code8, too.”
What was the first beauty treatment you booked after lockdown restrictions were lifted?
“I treated myself to a massage straight away because I work out quite a lot, my muscles are always tight and my arms are always a bit sore carrying around my toddler.”
How do you practise self care?
“I get out in the woods with my dog. Being out in nature always feels like I’m being kind to myself. I do a yoga or Pilates class or I FaceTime my personal trainer Janet, whom I’ve worked with for over ten years.
“If I’m being really honest, the minute my toddler goes down for her nap, normally around one o’clock for a couple of hours, I just want to be horizontal. Literally lie down and do nothing. Maybe watch a show – I’m obsessed with Pose at the moment.
“I also take my NobleBlu supplements every day and eating a really healthy lunch and dinner feels like self-care. On the weekends, I have my fun and don’t overthink it. I eat what I want, I like to have wine and I like a gin.”
What advice would you pass on to your daughters?
“We tell our babies they’re beautiful all the time, but we really put the emphasis on who they are as people, how they treat others.
“We grow up in such a superficial world, surrounded by and bombarded with images of things that are sometimes unobtainable and not necessarily reflective of real life. It’s super important for us to constantly drive home that message to be a kind person, a good person, that they’re beautiful on the inside and to have self-worth.”