25 Mar, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
My favourite mascara is currently 40% off in the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
Beauty lovers on the hunt for a bargain will want to head straight to Amazon to shop this unmissable deal on my favourite budget mascara in the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale.
Currently on offer for just £7.86, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Burgundy Haze is one of the best mascaras on the market for long, fluttery lashes that won’t break the bank.
Amassing hoards of five-star reviews from shoppers who call it their ‘holy grail’, this best-selling mascara and its viral Black counterpart has consistently wowed shoppers with its ability to deliver full volume and endless length.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Burgundy Haze
Perfect for dramatic and more natural looks alike, this top-selling burgundy mascara works to volumise and extend every single lash from root to tip, delivering stunning length and thickness in a hue that makes blue eyes pop.
Perfect for dramatic and more natural looks alike, the top-selling mascara boasts Maybelline’s exclusive ‘Flex Tower’ mascara brush which bends to volumise and extend every single lash from root to tip.
Infused with bamboo extract and fibres for long, full lashes that never get weighed down, the washable formula is a classic for a reason, leaving lashes volumised, lengthened and truly looking Sky High.
Defining and curling the lashes with every sweep, this cult mascara doesn’t flake, budge or smudge – in fact, it’s one of the only mascaras I’ve used that doesn’t transfer onto my bottom lashes, and I try makeup for a living so that’s really saying something.
While I’m a big fan of the Burgundy Haze shade, you can also snap up the cult mascara in Plum Twilight, Space Diamond, Black, Brown, (nearly there…) Cosmic Black, Very Black, Waterproof and finally in a Primer formulation for achieving even bigger, bolder lashes.
And I’m not the only one who loves the mascara, with countless reviewers calling it an ‘amazing mascara’ and a ‘game-changer’.
‘LOVE this mascara, I have tried many brands, but this goes on so well, it doesn’t smudge or budge all day.’ Raved one five-star reviewer. ‘It feels more expensive so great value for money, and the colour I adore. This Burgandy is a WOW, you will regret NOT buying this mascara. I am a very happy lady.’
Another added: ‘I have the shortest, straightest lashes you could imagine, and they’re fair as well. So I’ve always thought I have small eyes.
‘Anyway, using this mascara I am not exaggerating when I say they are so long and curled, just by the mascara. Not even using an eyelash curler. I am hooked.’
‘I was sceptical this would be enough colour for my brown eyes as I’ve worn black mascara for decades. But although it looks pink on the brush, it actually looks great and most importantly I don’t end up with smudges under my eyes by the end of the day.’ A third wrote.
This is a deal you’re not going to want to miss…
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Black
This best-selling Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara has consistently wowed shoppers with its ability to deliver full volume and endless length for well under £10, making it a staple in the makeup bags of many.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Plum Twilight
Opt for plum hues with this Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Plum Twilight, ideal for those with green eyes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Space Diamond
Love a bit of sparkle? The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Space Diamond leaves your lashes with a gorgeous, glistening layer of glitter, perfect for parties.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Primer
Amplify your lash look with the help of this Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Primer, a tinted lash primer designed to lengthen, thicken and care for lashes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Brown
Perfect for natural makeup days, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Brown delivers the same high-impact length and volume but in a ore natural brown hue.
For those prices, you may as well snap them all up…
Disclaimer: All prices mentioned are accurate at the time of publication.
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25 Mar, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
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I’m a shopping writer – these are 14 best Amazon Spring Sale deals worth buying
SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.
Savvy shoppers rejoice: the Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025 are finally here and running from today, Tuesday, March 25 through the 31 – and we’ve already got our beady eyes on some unmissably low prices.
The annual Spring sale event is the perfect place to bag a bargain on everything from headphones and Ninja kitchen appliances to vacuum, Apple devices, beauty and so much more.
Even better, Prime members and anyone who signs up for a free trial can unlock exclusive deals that’ll have you swooning.
As a shopping writer for Metro, I’ve done the hard work for you and scoured the site for the top 14 deals available right now, including never-been-lower Remington Keratin Protect Intelligent Hair Straightener, Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, and more.
Keep an eye on this guide as we’ll be updating it as and when the best deals roll in. Happy shopping!
Remington Keratin Protect Intelligent Hair Straightener
The Remington Keratin Protect Intelligent Hair Straightener features a digital temperature display with five settings (160°C to 230°C), heats up in 15 seconds, and has an auto shut-off for safety. Its intelligent heat protection sensor adjusts the temperature based on hair moisture levels, offering three times more protection from damage. The ceramic plates, infused with keratin and almond oil, provide smooth, shiny, and healthy-looking hair, while the floating plate design ensures even pressure for consistent styling.
Oral-B iO5 Electric Toothbrushes For Adults, 1 Toothbrush Head & Travel Case
The Oral-B iO5 Electric Toothbrush promotes healthier gums by removing significantly more plaque compared to manual brushing, thanks to advanced technology. It features an AI-powered app for real-time brushing tracking, a pressure sensor to protect gums, and five customisable cleaning modes. The toothbrush also includes a two-minute timer and alerts for brush head replacement to ensure optimal cleaning.
Philips Shaver 5000X Series, Wet and Dry Electric Shaver
The Philips Shaver 5000X Series features SkinProtect technology and 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut blades for a close shave with reduced irritation. Its SkinGlide Protective Coating ensures smoother gliding, while fully flexible heads provide optimal skin contact. The anti-corrosion system maintains blade sharpness and durability, and with 55,000 cutting actions per minute, it delivers a close, smooth, and even shave every time.
Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker
The Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker helps protect lost or stolen items and simplifies family life by attaching to everyday objects like keys or bags. It features an SOS alert for unsafe situations, a free app to track misplaced items, and the ability to ring your phone even when silenced. Compatible with iOS and Android, it has a 350-foot Bluetooth range, up to three years of battery life, and is water-resistant. Adding Tiles to the Life360 app allows you to see everything and everyone on the same map.
soundcore K20i by Anker, Semi-in-Ear Earbuds
The soundcore K20i by Anker earbuds offer up to 36 hours of playback with their charging case and a quick charge feature. They provide clear sound with a 13mm dynamic driver and BassUp technology, and are designed for comfort with a lightweight, semi-in-ear fit. The earbuds feature AI-powered noise reduction for clear calls, customisable sound settings via the app, and a specialized Game Mode for enhanced gaming audio. Intuitive touch commands allow for easy control of playback, volume, and calls.
Amazon eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi router bundle
The Amazon eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi router bundle offers comprehensive Wi-Fi 6 coverage for up to 140 m², supporting speeds up to 900 Mbps. It eliminates dead zones and buffering, allowing seamless streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. The eero 6 supports over 75 devices, is easy to set up with the eero app, and doubles as a Zigbee smart home hub for Alexa integration. Automatic updates keep your network secure and up-to-date, and the system is expandable with cross-compatible hardware.
Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, 2200Pa Strong Suction robot vacuum
The Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner offers four cleaning modes for thorough home cleaning and features a brushless nozzle with 2200 Pa suction power to effectively collect hair, debris, and dust. Its compact design allows it to clean narrow spaces, and it has a long battery life of up to 120 minutes. Equipped with FreeMove 3.0 technology, it avoids obstacles and detects stairs to prevent falls. The large 500ml bin reduces the frequency of cleaning, providing convenience and efficiency.
Ninja ZEROSTICK Classic 5-Piece Pan Set
The Ninja ZEROSTICK Classic 5-Piece Pan Set is durable and long-lasting, featuring a scratch-resistant, metal utensil safe, and dishwasher safe textured surface. The set includes three saucepans (16cm, 18cm, and 20cm) with oven-safe glass lids, compatible with various induction rings. Made from smooth aluminium with lightweight handles, these pans allow cooking with little to no oil, ensuring food slides out easily without sticking.
Oura Gen3 Horizon Smart Ring
Easy to wear and super light, the Oura Smart Ring is the cooler, sleeker sibling of the smartwatch. Designed to be used alongside the Oura App, the Oura Ring works to provide you with accurate and personalised daily health data, insights, and guidance, tracking your sleep, activity, and recovery and so much more with advanced sensor technology.
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, Amazon Exclusive, Tongs
The Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, an Amazon exclusive, features six cooking functions and sleek copper accents. It saves up to 65% on energy bills and allows you to cook two different foods simultaneously with its two independent cooking zones. The extra-large capacity can handle up to eight portions, cooking up to 75% faster than fan ovens. The package includes silicone tongs, two non-stick dishwasher-safe drawers, crisper plates, and a recipe guide. It comes with a two-year guarantee upon registration.
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream 200g
The COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream contains 92% snail mucin, providing long-lasting hydration and soothing irritated skin. This lightweight, gel-type cream repairs and strengthens the skin barrier with snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, and betaine. It's perfect for dehydrated and damaged skin, and is obtained in a safe, environmentally friendly way. The cream is 100% natural, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Bed Head by TIGI | After Party Smoothing Hair Cream 100ml
The After Party Smoothing Hair Cream by Bed Head provides a silky, shiny professional finish, perfect for getting ready for a night out. Trusted by experts, it offers salon-standard style, ultimate frizz control, and protection against humidity. Suitable for all hair types, it can be used as a blow-dry cream or with air drying, and is especially beneficial for frizzy, dull, or coarse hair, adding extra shine and silkiness.
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing HydraGel Complex 75ml
The Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing HydraGel Complex is an oil-free water gel that provides 24-hour hydration, refining pores and plumping the skin. It contains hyaluronic acid to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while vitamin E softens and protects the skin's lipid barrier. Apply it day and night to the face and upper neck for healthier, radiant skin.
Splesh by Cusheen 3-ply Toilet Roll – Lemon Fragrance (72 Pack)
The Splesh by Cusheen 3-ply Toilet Roll offers premium quality with ultra-soft, thick, and strong tissue for maximum absorption and comfort. The 3-ply structure ensures durability and convenience with extra-large sheets. These toilet rolls are ultra-absorbent, hygienic, and designed to fit any dispenser. Made in the UK from 100% recycled and biodegradable materials, they are an eco-friendly choice for your home.
Vanish Gold Oxi Action Plus 500g
Vanish Gold Oxi Action Plus is a highly effective stain remover that tackles tough stains at 20°C in just 30 minutes. Its advanced formula prevents colour transfer, keeps clothes vibrant, and removes deep-seated odours, leaving garments fresh. For optimal results, add one scoop to each wash. Safe for everyday fabrics like cotton and polyester, it's an essential addition to your laundry routine, ensuring your clothes look their best.
Go on, treat yourself…
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I practised the Norwegian art of Dugnadsånd — and my mental health improved
When it comes to living a healthy, happy life, it’s safe to say that Scandinavia has it pretty well figured out.
First came hygge, a Danish concept that, according to the country’s tourist board, denotes ‘creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.’ And now, it’s all about the Norwegian art of Dugnadsånd.
Coined by the founder of the world’s first Happiness Research Institute Meik Wiking, the concept is all about ‘community or volunteer spirit,’ defining it as ‘the collective willingness of people to come together in the context of community projects – emphasising cooperation and selflessness.’
And, considering that Norway currently ranks in seventh place on The World Happiness Report (while its Scandinavian siblings Denmark and Sweden sit in second and fourth place respectively), it’s probably worth taking a leaf or two out of their book.
In 2024, 32.9% of Norway’s population spent time volunteering, while in the UK, just shy of 31.1% of people did the same. So, clearly we’re doing it – but what meaning does it hold for our mental wellbeing?
As Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic tells Metro, volunteering can foster a ‘sense of purpose and belonging,’ both of which are crucial for mental wellbeing.
‘When we help others, we experience a natural boost in mood, often due to the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine,’ Dr Elena explains.
‘It can also reduce stress, combat loneliness and create a sense of achievement, all of which are protective factors against anxiety and depression.’
Along these lines, she notes that humans are ‘inherently social,’ and ‘feeling connected to a community gives us a sense of identity and support.’
‘It can make challenges feel more manageable, increase resilience and even improve physical health by lowering stress levels,’ she adds.
‘In a world where loneliness is on the rise, having a strong sense of community can be one of the most powerful buffers against mental health struggles.’
Dr Kathrine McAleese, 47, runs the soup club in her village in County Down, Northern Ireland, providing three homemade soups every Wednesday lunchtime – as well as bread rolls, coffee and tea – for free.
Where Kathrine lives, which is ‘far from civilisation in a village on the east coast of the Ards Peninsula,’ she’s found building connections to be a truly ‘special’ thing.
‘It’s definitely helped me feel more connected and more empowered to contribute to the community,’ she shares.
‘I get to welcome people in, make them feel valued, catch up with their lives and hang out with the helper team who also want to serve others and build community, so on both sides it’s comforting.
‘I also tend to be a bit of a hermit through the winter when the weather is awful, so this gets me out of my shell to look out for others and get a place ready for them that will give them warmth, sustenance and company.‘
Elsewhere, 56-year-old Susan Widlake volunteers at both the Bury St Edmunds and Radwinter Repair Cafes primarily repairing hats – and loves connecting with the local communities over the nostalgic belongings they bring in to be fixed.
‘The conversations which are had when you are repairing an object are wonderful, with folk reminiscing about the object and previous owners,’ Susan, who lives in Saffron Walden, reflects.
‘Personally, I’ve loved hearing about hats that have been up mountains in Nepal, or ones which had been a mum’s “gardening” hat.
‘I love having conversations with people and them saying “oh, you’re the hat lady” or hearing stories from people about “how some clever ladies repaired a worn out teddy bear” and knowing that I was part of the contribution behind it.’
For Susan, one of the best parts is the connections she’s built with other repairers – one of whom even gifted her two hat blocks, the wooden shape that’s used to help craft them.
‘I repaired an old school boater which had belonged to a lady’s son who had passed away far too young, and I’ve actually met some professional costumer designers and seamstresses. It’s amazing just to sit and chat with them,’ she says.
‘What drives me in volunteering is making people smile. I like to have a way to share my skills, and show the beauty of being able to sit, sew and repair something is a great way to escape from the business of everyday life.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
The GP looked over his glasses, smirked, and then started to laugh.
‘We may need to name a special little syndrome for you,’ he said.
It was 2010 and I was once again trying to get someone to pay attention to my symptoms.
By this point, I’d spent years trying to convince myself that the feeling that no one believed me was paranoia. Yet I still went home, laughter ringing in my ears, and internalised it.
Obviously this was my fault. I was hysterical, a hypochondriac, a time waster. But I knew my symptoms were real.
It started in 2001. I was 30, freshly liberated from a relationship and had started a new job. Frankly, I was exhausted.
That’s no exaggeration, I felt hammered by fatigue and was living on caffeine and adrenaline, constantly collapsing on the sofa once home from work. And then the ghostly symptoms started.
Weird from the outset, even supernatural at times, it felt like someone was grabbing my left wrist and ankle. Sometimes I had numb patches, the feeling of a feather tickling my face, or ants on my skin. I limped sometimes but not others.
I felt ridiculous saying it out loud. It was like I needed an exorcist rather than a doctor.
Still, I was dispatched to a neurologist who conducted a raft of tests, sending me for an MRI scan of my head. He then suggested that this could be multiple sclerosis (MS) – a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system – which sent my stomach lurching.
As a hospital-based nurse, my experience of MS was seeing patients who had an advanced version of the disease. Normally they were confined to beds or wheelchairs – I didn’t understand then that the disease can present in many different ways.
However, an MRI (which is typically used to see if there is damage to the nerves in your brain or spinal cord), came back clear and I was discharged with no suggestions about what might be happening.
I self-diagnosed a stress reaction, which made sense. But the symptoms persisted on and off for months, in fact, years.
For the next 19 years my health waxed and waned. I had a merry-go-round of seeing GPs, neurologists, being scanned repeatedly and always told that there was nothing wrong with me.
Sometimes, if I saw someone new, doctors looked at me like I was being ridiculous when I told them my symptoms. Or, like on that one occasion in 2010, I was actually laughed out of the GP surgery.
One time, I went temporarily blind in my left eye and was told it was likely to be MS. But I was once again dismissed when the brain scan was clear.
Even after I received a clinic letter saying that the consultant was ‘utterly convinced’ that I had MS, a further brain scan led to the same punchline.
I felt isolated and frustrated, as did my partner.
While he was as patient and supportive as he could be, he didn’t understand why I was having these symptoms – always tired, always cancelling things – and neither did I.
A family member once suggested that the obvious answer was that it was ‘all in my head’. Funnily enough, in a way, they were right.
In 2020 I had a relapse – where new symptoms arrive or old ones get worse – that was so catastrophic it left me with a numb left side, limping, falling asleep in unexpected places and feeling constantly queasy until eventually I landed in casualty.
Another MRI scan (I’d lost count of the number I’d had by then) was ordered, only this time, it showed that my brain was peppered with scarring where MS had damaged my brain and spine.
In all likelihood, I’d had MS this whole time but the scarring before this major attack had always been minor and therefore didn’t show up on tests. Now though, the damage was pronounced and dramatic making it impossible to miss.
Finally I had the diagnosis I’d been searching for, for 19 years.
You’d think, after all that time I’d be ready for it. Yet, in spite of the multiple times I’d been told I might have MS, it came as a huge shock and left me feeling unmoored and afraid for the future.
Oddly, I also felt relieved and validated. Everything made sense.
I saw a psychologist to help me adjust, a specialist nurse to talk through treatments, and a dedicated MS consultant. They were all empathetic about the delay to diagnosis and offered me help to find ways to stay in work.
With their recognition and support, I carried on working as a palliative care specialist nurse for another three years – though I did eventually have to retire on health grounds due to severe fatigue (a common MS symptom).
Sadly, as I well knew, there is no cure for MS. But I’m now on monthly injections to try to stop it damaging my nervous system further. Even then though, I still have constant nerve pain, chronic fatigue, and areas of numbness.
My life has irrevocably changed since the diagnosis. Where I used to go to the theatre twice a week or spend hours walking my dog around London, I now spend much more time at home. Luckily, I’ve found pleasure in reading and watching films.
On the days when my symptoms are less, I embrace them wholeheartedly, making the most of that time to do things I otherwise can’t now. As a result, we are planning on swapping the hectic whirl of the capital for a slower pace of life on the South Coast.
Mainly, I wish there hadn’t been 19 years of the merry go round of ‘does he/doesn’t he’ have MS.
Having a diagnosis wouldn’t have changed what medical treatment I had because the MS wasn’t bad enough then to need medication, but it would have helped me feel validated.
Find out more
Chris Bridge’s latest book ‘Sick To Death’ is out on 27 March. Pre-order your copy here.
Maybe then I wouldn’t have spent almost two decades feeling like I was being dismissed and labelled as being hysterical or making it all up. Perhaps I wouldn’t have been left to cope alone each time the MRI scans were clear.
Whether the scans were or weren’t showing MS, I was struggling and deserved support and understanding.
I know my story is not the only one like this: many people frequently have neurological symptoms without a diagnosis and are often dismissed.
But people with functional symptoms (symptoms with no obvious physical cause) need and deserve as much help as anyone else – we just don’t always get it. I’d like to see that change.
In the meantime, I’ve channelled my anger and frustration into writing.
I’ve always written and am a crime fiction fan so decided to write about a woman with neurological issues and the chaos that ensues when she’s drawn into a murder plot. This lead character is discredited, disrespected and coping alone. Sound familiar?
Mainly, the catharsis from expressing my feeling of alienation, fear and rage on the page has been intense, but finally my ‘special little syndrome’ has found a home on paper and I feel seen.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
Share your views in the comments below.
David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Andrew Garfield, Matt Damon, Gordon Ramsay. What do they have in common? They’re among the long list of A-list men who’ve reportedly had hair transplants to combat a receding hairline or baldness.
Approximately 6.5million men in the UK are currently affected by hair loss, while the most common cause (androgenic alopecia aka male pattern baldness) affects 85% of men by the age of 50.
Consequently, men are forking out thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — on potential remedies, from surgical procedures to LED therapies and specialist shampoos.
In today’s climate, it’s typical for men to be mercilessly mocked for going bald, with neither Prince Harry nor boyband heartthrob Harry Styles safe from the wrath of social media once a photo surfaces of their scalp from an exposing angle.
But what about the men who are more than content just as they are?
Meet Schuggie, who refuses to allow online pressure to knock his confidence. While hair loss can and does cause very valid emotional distress for many, for Schuggie, it’s entirely the opposite.
A 51-year-old cèilidh caller (whose real name is Dougie MacInnes), he’s been bald for over two decades, having first noticed hair loss in his mid-twenties.
‘It didn’t really hit me until my early thirties,’ Schuggie explains. ‘Those were the days before caffeine shampoo, so the only way I found to fight it was medical shampoo at £40 a bottle. I couldn’t keep that up financially.’
Schuggie found it tough being bald, with terms like ‘slaphead’ thrown at him in a derogatory manner.
‘Years back, I went to a wedding, and during one of the dances, someone did actually slap my head,’ he recalls.
‘I remember at the time thinking, just smile, don’t lose the plot, keep going… but it really stuck with me.’
In time, Schuggie become more comfortable in his own skin. The name-calling has died down and he even finds himself laughing at old videos.
And Schuggie, from Inverness, says he has no desire to book himself into a hair loss clinic, despite the number of patients on the rise.
‘It’s not something I’ve ever considered, and I definitely still wouldn’t,’ he declares frankly. ‘From what I’ve seen on Instagram, the process looks rather painful, and there’s a lengthy recovery involved. It’s not for me.’
So while Schuggie’s hairstyling options are limited, and as he admits to being ‘jealous’ of his elderly friends who still boast impressively thick locks, he’s making the best of what he has, growing a beard and wearing funky hats to inject personality into his image.
But hair loss doesn’t just hit men in their forties and fifties, as 25-year-old Rupert Cole will attest to.
A PR professional from North Yorkshire, Rupert became aware he was losing hair at just 16.
Convinced he could stop his hair from disappearing, Rupert fought it with whatever he could get his hands on, with solutions including sprays and the medications minoxidil and finasteride.
‘I was prepared that it might happen at some point, because a lot of my family members are bald, but I didn’t expect it to happen while I was in school,’ he says. ‘It’s a tough thing for a teenager to go through.’
He eventually realised that seeking treatment in the form of cans and bottles was simply ‘delaying the inevitable’ and keeping him in the ‘awkward balding stage’. It was this that created momentum for Rupert to shave his head at 20.
‘For the first few days of being bald, I wasn’t a huge fan of it, but when I grew out my beard more, I quickly realised that I actually preferred the way I looked without hair.’
He adds that simply accepting how he looks makes him feel ‘more confident’, citing Jason Statham and Patrick Stewart as positive bald role models and declaring: ‘I wouldn’t go back, even if I could.’
‘I feel more attractive,’ he says proudly, desperate for society to catch up and stop deeming baldness as an inherently bad thing.
‘There’s a preconception that baldness is a failure of masculinity in young men because they don’t have a healthy head of hair, while bald men are often supportive towards one another.
‘I was the first of my friends to start balding, but I’m definitely not the only one now, and all of us wish we’d shaved it earlier and not been so worried.
‘At the end of the day, it’s going to go one way or another, and you’ll feel more confident if you embrace it, rather than letting it take over you slowly.’
Hair transplants are a big business. In Istanbul alone, baldness tourism is huge — up to 500 procedures are performed each week, and an estimated £1.5billion was spent on hair transplants in Turkey last year.
On why 400,000 men (making up 90% of these international patients) are undergoing the extensive treatment in the name of hair regrowth, aesthetician Ed Robinson weighs in.
The NHS doctor, who has his own Harley Street clinic, explains that a full head of hair is typically linked with success and confidence, with social media becoming a breeding ground for appearance-related insecurities.
‘Hair loss can affect people quite deeply,’ he begins. ‘My patients frequently admit to declining social invitations, avoiding having photos taken, and getting their hair wet out of fear of exposing its thinness or being ridiculed.’
Dr Ed has performed treatments for both high-profile patients and everyday folk but doesn’t believe a transplant is essential for rebuilding your self-esteem when balding.
What causes hair loss in men?
‘The vast majority of males with hair loss experience androgenetic alopecia, which is called male pattern hair loss,’ says Dr Ed. ‘This is typically when testosterone gets turned into DHT as part of its metabolism.
‘DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone responsible for you growing all the hair on your body that you probably don’t want as you get older (eyebrows, ear hair, nose hair) and is also responsible for you losing the hair you do want (on your scalp).
‘It forms the classic receding hairline, starting with the widow’s peak, then an M-shaped hairline that goes further and further back.
‘Some people are genetically predisposed to this happening earlier in their lives, but most men will experience it gradually over time.’
‘Ultimately, self-acceptance of how you look is always the safest way in aesthetics. It doesn’t involve you having to have any medications, injections, or non-surgical or surgical procedures.’
Something that’s helped with this, no doubt, is high-profile figures embracing their own baldness and setting a positive example, whether it be Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Stanley Tucci, or Prince William, the latter of whom was crowned the world’s sexiest bald man.
Take Pitbull as another example, whose fans actually buy bald caps and don black shades to recreate his look while attending his concerts in their thousands.
However, it’s important to remember that hair loss is a personal experience, something stressed by Brian Gross, who states that ‘every person has to tackle it however is best for them’.
Brian began losing his hair right after his first year of college. Hair loss is ‘ridiculously common’ in his family, meaning it wasn’t a shock, so Brian has been on a self-acceptance train for a long time.
‘I actually had a mullet in high school, but we all knew I was going to lose it, and my friends and I always made fun of each other,’ shares the 49-year-old. ‘When it started to happen, it wasn’t such a big deal to me.’
Brian, a publicist from California, first reached for the clippers in his early twenties and has been shaving ever since: ‘I’m fortunate enough to have a nice, clean-shaped head!’
The thought of a hair transplant isn’t something he’d entertain, especially after visiting Istanbul and witnessing men across the Grand Bazaar market walk around post-surgery, bandaged up. ‘It’s totally the norm there.’
‘I just had to accept that it was going to be this way,’ Brian declares. ‘Being bald has zero effect on my personal life now, and I wouldn’t want anyone, including women I date, to have issues with it either.’
As far as romance is concerned, Brian makes it clear from the off what people are getting, as he ‘always shows up to dates with a shaven head’ and ‘rarely’ posts photos of himself wearing hats.
‘I try my best not to hide it, and I make sure the other person knows that. I hear horror stories of men arriving at dates looking nothing like their photos, which is wild to me. What you see is what you get.’
In fact, shaving his head has become a hobby for Brian, who says one of his favourite activities when travelling is visiting barbershops around the world.
‘I love getting my beard trimmed, I use a Pitbull razor a couple of times a week, which feels great on my scalp… If people want to say mean things, I would question them, not myself.
‘Honestly, my life is amazing.’
The truth behind a hair transplant from someone’s who's had one
Metro‘s very own James Besanvalle underwent a transplant in December 2024, taking matters into his own hands in his early thirties after balding and receding.
How much did it cost?
The standard price for the procedure is £5,000, including a year of aftercare and hair loss drugs.
What did the procedure entail?
James was given local anaesthetic and, over a two-hour session, he manoeuvred his head and neck while doctors extracted 2,100 grafts of hair from the back of his head. These are small pieces of tissue containing hair follicles that are transplanted to another part of the scalp.
Bandaged up, James returned the next day for a four-hour sitting in which tiny incisions were made at the front of his head and on his crown to insert the individual grafts.
How painful was it?
On a scale of one to 10, James describes the sharp scratch of the injection as a four. The second day, he was more aware of what to expect. He also endured some pain in his neck and head throughout the op.
What’s the recovery process like?
Recovering from a hair transplant isn’t smooth sailing. James says sleeping was the most difficult part, as he was unable to get comfortable at night without touching the transplanted area.
His face also began swelling when the anaesthetic made its way down from the scalp, and he had to repeatedly wipe excess yellow serum from his forehead. After enduring the itching, James was able to gently wash his hair on day five and scrub off any scabs.
He now takes finasteride pills to stop any future hair loss and will undertake two platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments within six months of the procedure to encourage circulation and regrowth.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
24 Mar, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
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