My eureka MOMENT!

Three women reveal the turning points that changed their lives for the better

- GILLIAN HARVEY

‘I thought I’d never be beautiful’

Lizi Jackson-Barrett, 42, lives in Essex.

As I lay in bed, I felt tears roll down my cheeks. All my life, I’d strived to be more like the beautiful women you see in magazines. Now I’d lost my hair, my dream was completely out of reach.

For me, 2017 had been eventful and exciting – as well as caring for my eight year-old twins, I’d requalified as a life coach after a career in teaching, started my own business and got married to my new partner.

But then, on the evening of my 40th birthday, in October 2017, I was standing at the mirror, trying to tame my long, frizzy curls when I discovered a smooth, egg-sized bald patch. I was horrified and made an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Within a week, I was diagnosed with alopecia (a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles). Although the dermatologist prescribed steroids to stop my hair falling out, nothing seemed to work and soon I was completely bald. I was devastated, knowing that no matter what I did, I’d never look like those beautiful women. But then, as I lay on my bed in tears, a thought struck me: maybe this means I can stop trying to be someone I’m not. Relief literally flooded through me.

Looking in the mirror the next day without judgement, I decided being bald quite suited me. Buoyed up, I posted my first bald selfie on Facebook. The problem with having no hair is when you put your foundation on and don’t know where your face ends! I joked. I wanted people to see that I was OK and didn’t want sympathy.