Estel Jennings, a 39-year-old mother from Walsall, has launched a thriving hair care business after being dismissed by doctors when she sought help for perimenopause symptoms at just 35.
Dismissed by Doctors
Jennings experienced severe hair loss and brain fog but was told she was 'too young' for perimenopause. She told BlackCountryLive: 'I'd forget what I was talking about and words didn't form anymore for me.' NHS doctors 'laughed' at her concerns.
Creating a Solution
Frustrated by expensive £50-a-month hair treatments, the mum-of-two used her science background to create her own affordable hair oil at home. She began making batches for friends and family who noticed improvements in her hair.
Business Success
The business, Idyllic Hair and Skin, launched on TikTok in summer 2024 and quickly gained popularity. The company sold out at the NEC Christmas fair and has since been featured in Vanity Fair magazine.
Diagnosis and Future Plans
Estel was eventually diagnosed with perimenopause by a private clinic. She said: 'A private clinic then diagnosed me with perimenopause and I was prescribed HRT.' The special educational needs teacher now plans to quit her full-time job to focus on the business.
