The Biotin Experiment

A Review of taking a daily Biotin Supplement for healthier hair, skin, and nails for two years.

I have been growing my hair out since 2011 and it is currently several inches longer than it has ever been in my life! Along the way I have had to make choices (like doing less color/chemical services, mastering curling iron waves that last for three days without heat styling again) to maintain the health of my hair so that I could push past the long bob length.

In early 2017, I began to feel like my hair was thinning and it was starting to make me panic a bit. I could brush my hair and throughout my whole head I would find hair that was a length half as long as the rest (and we're not talking layers here). This was something I had seen before while working with clients and it was typically the result of a stressful phase in life having passed months earlier or post-pregnancy hair. In my case it wasn't the latter... it could have been stress, or something else.

Since we know that we grow something like 100 new hairs each day, I wondered if this was the simple explanation for the large amount of shorter hairs. I figured that there must be some truth to this idea and I just didn't notice it during all of the years that I wore my hair at shoulder length or shorter. Regardless, my mind still wasn't fully at ease and I decided it was time to try out a Biotin supplement and see for myself if they really work.

The Facts

Through a little research (on WebMd) I have learned that Biotin supports the health of the skin, nerves, digestive tract, metabolism and cells. While it is present in many foods making a deficiency rare, there are no known risks from having too much Biotin in your diet, resulting in an unknown maximum allowance.

My Natural Hair Today

The Downside to Biotin

I only have two complaints when it comes to taking Biotin.

I have a lot of fuzzy short hairs all around my front hairline. This is annoying in the instance that it poses a styling challenge. I need to try and blend them into the rest of my hair and when there is humidity they frizz out again. However, my hairline is much fuller now and the recession near my temples is less noticeable- so I'll take it.

My second complaint is my whisker! Yes, unlady-like as it is, need to share the full picture. Since taking Biotin, I have one coarse light hair that will grow just to the right of my chin. I check for it most every day and I always pluck it at my earliest opportunity! I must also mention that I am 37 years old and I have heard from other women that this is something that happens as we get a little older, so there is a chance that Biotin may not be the cause.

All the Details

As mentioned earlier, I began taking a daily Biotin Supplement in early 2017. While the results were hard to measure (minus the whisker mentioned above), I will admit that come Summer time the feeling of worry about my hair thinning had gone away. This might have been a placebo effect, but since I knew that I couldn't be hurting anything by taking it I thought that I might as well continue.

Fast forward to the Summer of 2018, and during a run to Walgreens, I found that the brand of Biotin I was accustomed to was sold out! I considered my options and went home with VitaFusion Extra Strength Biotin 5000mcg Gummies.

I continued with life as usual and was crazy busy since this was peak Wedding Season. One day I looked down at my nails and realized that I hadn't trimmed them in over a week and they were perfectly fine. This was around the same time that I began to grow a fuller front hairline. Then another week passed, and then another with no sign of a chip or a tear.

My old routine was keeping my nails polished and short to avoid breaking one at work and catching it in a client's hair all day. Now I can grow them as long as I want to!

Since these new results were blowing my mind, I decided to compare my new variety of Biotin to the old one and realized that I was now consuming double the quantity (from 2500mcg- 5000mcg) of what I was used to. That explained it!

While I haven't observed any changes in my skin, the benefits to my nails and hair have made me a believer, and I will continue to take this supplement and recommend it to others!

My Natural Nails Today with Traditional Nail Polish

How to Look your Best on your Wedding Day

With the peak of wedding season just a couple months away, it is a great time to focus on the best practices to prep your hair and skin for your big day! What I'm talking about here goes a bit deeper than simply selecting an upstyle and making sure that your favorite makeup inspo on Pinterest matches your flowers. What we're focusing on is more of the behind-the-scenes stuff; how to build the best possible foundation to achieve the flawless look you desire on your wedding day.

I along with Tilly (who is a makeup artist and esthetician on my team) have worked together to create a timeline for you including all of our best advice.

Before we begin I must mention that the information shared below is our best general recommendations based upon our experience in the Beauty Industry. We recognize that each woman and situation is unique and advise you to seek your own consultation and research before introducing anything new into your routine.

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Tilly giving our Bride, Kristen, the final touches before her August 2018 Wedding.

First, Let's Talk about Skin!

6-3 Months Before the Wedding

This is your best zone for experimentation. If you haven’t used fillers before, you’ll want to test your reactions sooner rather than later. Most fillers last two to three months, so if you’re not happy with the results, there’s still time for them to dissolve before your wedding day. While we are by no means saying that every Bride needs fillers, timing is a common question we are asked so we wanted to address it here!

If you’re planning to have any medical-grade facials, such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion, six months out is a good time to start. These procedures yield the best results when done in a series of four to six treatments.

You’ll also want to have a monthly facial leading up to your wedding. I find the skin looks the best for up to three days after a facial. So by scheduling your final treatment for the week of your wedding, you’ll have the glowing skin of your dreams!

3-1 Months Before the Wedding

During this phase, planning is key. Work with to your esthetician to make sure that your next few appointments line up to fall near your wedding day. For instance, if you get your bikini wax every 4 weeks, but your wedding is 10 weeks away, you’ll want to stretch out the time between those last few appointments so you have a fresh wax (with a few buffer days) before the honeymoon.

Your trial run will take place 2-3 months before the wedding.

Last Weeks Before the Wedding

If you plan to do a traditional tanning bed before your wedding, schedule a test run at least four weeks prior. This will give you an idea of what intensity you can expect, because at this point, you won’t want any surprises.

Should you opt for a spray tan, I recommend the airbrush method. This delivers an even look with less blotchiness and missed spots. A seasoned technician can even contour your body in all the right places. Just be sure to get your waxing done before your spray tan. The wax will remove the tan solution from your skin, which can leave you with farmer’s tan. Yikes!

Last Few Days Before the Wedding

In your final pre-wedding stretch, focus on getting as much sleep as possible. Build in time to unwind, whether it’s a massage or meditation.

Hydration is also key. Increase your water intake and find a hydrating masque for the night before your wedding. Under-eye patches are another great way to combat tired eyes in case you and your bridal party can’t get to sleep the night before. I put them on all my brides while they get their hair done, and by the time they’re ready for makeup, they look refreshed and well rested.

Ultimately, your skin will have a natural internal glow that your guests will assume comes from your overwhelming joy on this most special of days.

Kristen having her veil secured by Ann moments before the first look.

Now Lets Talk About Hair!

6-3 Months Before the Wedding

This is the time frame when you want to have an approximate idea of what your wedding day hair will look like. Your hair stylist can help you to narrow down your options, and then advise if an adjustment in your hair cut or color is needed. There are many styles that will look their best with some added highlights, a gloss, or subtle layers. It is best to try anything new in this period so that it can be perfected in time.

Select your veil and any hair accessories you would like to use. Sometimes these items need to be ordered so allowing a little extra time never hurts.

Work a deep conditioning treatment into your routine once a week and ask your stylist to use Olaplex when you have hair color services. We want to make sure that your hair looks and feels it's healthiest.

Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of vegetables and drink plenty of water. I am personally a big fan of using a Biotin supplement once a day to improve the strength of my hair (and nails).

3-1 Months Before the Wedding

Your trial run will happen 2-3 months before the Wedding and you will be able to see exactly how your hair cut and color work into your desired style. You can then make a final haircut/color appointment for the last month.

The Day Before the Wedding

Shampoo your hair the day before or the morning of your wedding. Be sure to NOT use a deep conditioner, since these can weigh down the hair and prevent your style from holding well.

Kristen & Chris

Meet the Artists Contributing to this Post

Tilly (pictured left) has over 12 years of experience as an esthetician and makeup artist, and she regularly advises future brides on how to face their big day with confidence.

Ann (pictured right) in addition to styling hair, enjoys coordinating all Wedding Day Beauty Services for her Brides. She considers herself to be quite organized, and believes that with proper planning you will be able to present the best version of yourself at your Wedding.

Late Winter Hairstyles to Try at Home

The Hat

When I set out to create some Winter Hair Inspiration, I knew my recommendations would not be complete without an adorable new hat with a pom-pom on top! While some may characterize a beanie as "outerwear", I feel that referring to it affectionately as a "hair accessory" instantly makes me just the tiniest bit happier about all of the bundling up that I need to do these days!

Lately, I have been sharing my tips on how to win at hat hair. It's really quite simple! I believe that winter hats are best worn with hair that is wavy or curly. Whichever your choice for texture, the key is to begin below the bottom of your hat. (I say that the cheekbone and below is a good place to curl or wave). This keeps all of your styling efforts from being smooshed on the top

of your head and looking all wonky once you take the hat off. My other piece of advice is to use a little dry shampoo (or even dry texture spray) at the beginning of your style. This can be super helpful, even if you have just washed your hair and it is totally clean. Having this added grit and texture will allow you to revive your flat hair once you get indoors and take off your hat.

All you need to do is massage your roots with your finger tips, or for added lift turn your head upside down as you do it.

As an added bonus, you will have oil-free hair for days after applying the dry shampoo from the beginning.

My hat, which happens to be super soft and warm in these single digit temps was purchased from ALDO.

The Headband

Recently, I have been loving a turban headband style. Not the traditional turban like you may be thinking, which is more like a folded piece of fabric, but a traditional headband that is covered in a luxe fabric which is pleated, folded, and in this particular case, knotted.

The key to pulling off this look today is to place the ends of the headband above your ears, and then angle the rest of the headband towards the face. (As seen in profile in the bottom picture).

I am all about versatility when I add anything to my wardrobe, so it's particularly exciting to me that this accessory gives us a few options. Try tucking all of the hair back, (which is a great look while at work) or leave some of it forward. Either way, you have a look that is effortless and has a

feminine vibe.

This headband which I got from J.Crew is snug enough to stay in place, yet is comfortable

enough to wear all day.

The Scrunchie Reboot

When I first began seeing scrunchies for sale again about 5 years ago I couldn't help having flashbacks to my late-middleschool to high school years as well as an episode of Sex and the City. If you're a fan, I'm sure you remember when Carrie told her author Boyfriend that the one fatal flaw in his other wise amazing novel was that he had his heroine running all over NYC in a scrunchie. A SCRUUNNNNCHIE (in SJP's highest pitch possible. Poor guy, he hadn't noticed that the hair accessory had gone out of

style.

As a woman in her late 30's I have had the opportunity to experience the second coming of a handful of trends from my childhood. Sometimes, it can be so fun to try on the new update of something we remember fondly. Or my particular favorite is when I acquire the new version of something I remembered wanting as a young lady, but didn't get back then. Let's be honest, the new versions of 80's and 90's styles

are much more flattering than they were back then. Case in point; overalls.

I created my low pony style here using 3 small ponytails with elastics, side by side at my nape. This allowed me to place the scrunchie securely over it without having to twist and double it up. The result is a scrunchie ponytail that keeps my hair looking full! I also pinched and pulled the hair on the top of my head to create some looseness and varying texture and a pretty face framing piece.

I created my 1/2 up style pictured here by first teasing my hair at the crown and securing it with an elastic. Then I gathered and twisted one section from each side and secured it to the original pony in the back with a bobby pin. Lastly, I covered my work (elastic and bobby pins) with a scrunchie doubled up.

My new set of velvet scrunchies from Urban Outfitters are the perfect thickness (not too thick or thin). The two pictured here also came with a navy blue, burgundy, and a deep green scrunchie to complete the collection.

I hope that you have found something here to inspire your daily routine and brighten your winter days. On a positive note, we are officially about a month away from the first day of Spring, and our days are about to get longer!