Libby Boxall, On How Getting Gorgeous Hair Led to Partnering With A Kardashian

There's no denying La Famille Kardashian are a crew of savvy businesswomen. So when none other than Khloé Kardashian partners with you on your collagen supplement line, you have to ride the wave. Dose & Co founder Libby Boxall did just that, and tells us about what helped her through her emotional and physical postpartum challenges, which were heightened by being so far from home, and how she keeps her skin Kardashian-levels of perfect, even in freezing Midwest winters.

“One of the most challenging periods in my life was four years ago, when my husband and I and our then six-month-old daughter moved to America. I was suffering from extreme post-partum depression at the time, and moving to a new country was a huge challenge.

I think having little support and always feeling exhausted really took its toll on my mental health. I was constantly so anxious and overwhelmed, and doubting myself as a mother. I also lost a lot of hair; it was scary to realise the impact my poor mental health was having on my body.

Eventually, I realised I had to start making time for myself again. After having a baby, you can really forget to take care of yourself, especially when it comes to diet, exercise, and self-care.

I began to eat more nourishing foods and walking daily to boost endorphins; I found this absolutely essential. I also found a personal support system, and had a few close friends that were a major part of my healing process.

I learned to be gentle with myself, to change my expectations, and to practice self-forgiveness. I learned how to breathe. I learned that the most I ever need to focus on is one moment at a time. Most importantly, I learned that asking for help is often the strongest, most courageous thing you can do.

My favourite beauty product is the Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque: this has been a lifesaver for my skin. Living in Minnesota where it’s freezing for six months out of the year means my skin can get incredibly dry, and this product brings it back to life.

Every morning I cleanse with the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, followed by the Skin Reset Even Tone Skin Serum by Emma Lewisham, which I’ve just started using; it’s worth the hype. After having my second baby, I experienced quite bad pigmentation and this is clearing it up. In the last month I’ve also been using the Two Birds Beauty Replenish and Repair Bio-Retinol Serum to also help reduce pigmentation, as well as irritation. Then I put on Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream, which is incredible! It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and feels super hydrating and luxurious.

Since I’m working from home each day, I try not to use makeup much to give my skin a break. So at the end of the day I generally only need to remove the SPF.

In the evenings I like to use the Emma Lewisham Supernatural Anti-Ageing Peptide 72-Hr Crème night cream, which is really hydrating, and then before I go to sleep, I use the Syrene Aqua Restore Eye Essence. It contains seaweed extracts to help maintain and boost skin elasticity, and I find it helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes.

I think my first beauty products were Maybelline mascara and coloured eye shadow; I remember loving anything purple or blue! Now I only wear neutral tones and keep things very minimal.

I’m really loving the dewy and bright skin look at the moment. I use Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer to prep the skin, followed by NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, for good coverage. Then I’ll add bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush and Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. I do like getting my eyebrows tinted, as I think that definition is key to framing the face, so then I can just use Anastasia Beverly hills Clear Brow Gel to tame them and keep them in place.

I’m generally quite minimalistic with my makeup. However, if I do decide to doll myself up, then I’ll use Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner with the bareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara to really open up the eyes.

To me, beauty is an investment in yourself. I think it’s really positive to take time to make yourself feel better, to look the way you want to, to highlight features you like, or to make your skin healthier.

What I loathe about the world of beauty, though, is this current culture of obsessing about looks in a way that’s causing young girls to feel as if they’re failures or don’t measure up.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding have really dried out my skin, so I love products and treatments that will help with hydration and pigmentation. Skintopia in Commercial Bay in NZ does a Signature Facial which is my favourite for refreshing and revitalising my skin. They combine a vitamin C mask with a skin resurfacing mask – it’s amazing. I also love the Codage Hydration Facial at Spring Spa in St Heliers, NZ, which includes an enzyme peel to stimulate cell renewal.

My favourite hair salon is Loxy’s in Ponsonby, NZ; they do the best blow waves.

My hair is quite wavy and I’m very low key with it unless I’m going out. I use MONDAY Haircare Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner and MOROCCANOIL Mending Infusion serum. At the moment, I’m loving the ELEVEN Australia Miracle Hair Treatment to add shine and control frizz. If I’m going out for the night, I’ll add some beachy waves with the T3 curling iron (Ed. note: currently unavailable in Australia).

My personal style is very classic and casual. I love wearing jeans and t-shirts with sneakers, which are always Nike – comfort is key!

If I’m going out, I love a beautiful maxi dress with heels. My favourite designer is Cult Gaia, as they have the most amazing range of dresses that can be dressed up and down. I also love Aje, Georgia Alice, Paris Georgia, and Jacquemus.

As a naturopath and nutritionist I spent years working in clinic helping clients with their health and diet. My true passion has always been to help others with their health, especially women.

A lot of my clients had ailments that could be supported through good quality supplements and a healthy diet. I was always recommending other brands of protein and supplements to them, and over time I realised I wanted to create my own range of supplements that could give them all the benefits I wanted them to have.

After my own experience with postpartum hair loss, I tried almost every supplement out there to see if anything would help my hair grow back, and the only thing that worked was collagen. Not only did it stop so much hair from falling out, but it helped with my skin, joint health, and nails.

We knew Khloé Kardashian took collagen supplements already, so we sent the products for her to try, and she absolutely loved the range! So much so, that she wanted to become not only a spokesperson, but to invest in the brand as well.

She found the products really helped with her postpartum hair loss after having her daughter, True, and she was a fan of our plastic-free packaging. She reached out to us once she’d tried it, and that’s how our partnership started. It was all very surreal, and still is!

Since studying nutrition 10 years ago, I have become a big advocate for exercise and eating well. Nourishing your body is the foundation for good health.

I follow a high protein diet and try to eat a lot of greens to ensure I’m getting enough nutrients. When I’m eating well I have more energy and improved concentration and attention span. I’m also breastfeeding, so am even more aware than I usually am of what I’m putting into my body. I still think it’s important to treat yourself though. For me, this is usually with milk chocolate or a spicy margarita.

I start every morning off with a Dose & Co collagen coffee; I’m still getting up a few times through the night for my second baby, so coffee is a priority.

After that I have breakfast, which is usually eggs, avocado, and chilli, and a protein smoothie (made with berries, Dose & Co Collagen Protein Powder, and oat milk). I love having plenty of protein at breakfast to keep me energised for the busy day ahead. Lunch is usually roasted vegetables with a second protein smoothie. And for dinner I love making a vegetarian lasagne, vegetable fritters or fish, and kumara fries. I also like making veggie bowls with quinoa or brown rice, salsa, hummus, and vegetables and then adding salmon or chicken. Everything I make is super easy, as I have limited time, but I like to keep things nutritious and high protein so I’m satiated, and have a good milk supply.

Five days a week, I try to get my exercise done after brekky. It will usually be a personal training session, a quick 15-minute home workout, or a brisk walk around the block. Exercise is one of my favourite ways to boost endorphins and get in the right frame of mind to begin the day.

I have a personal trainer that I see three or four times a week, TJ at TightenUp BodySculpting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I started training there when I was pregnant with my son, just over a year ago. The workouts are challenging but fun and are usually a mix of weights and resistance training.

When I’m in New Zealand I train with Rhys Jolly at Playground Fitness; I have been training with Rhys for six years now. I highly recommend one of his classes if you’re ever nearby.

My favourite way to relax is by walking. If I had the time, I could walk for hours every day: it’s the best way to relieve stress, clear the mind, and feel energised.

I’m lucky to live close to so many beautiful lakes in Minnesota, and having incredible scenery nearby certainly helps make a walk even more enjoyable. Now that it’s coming into summer here and it’s finally warm enough to leave the house, I’ll be making the most of the amazing walking trails around the lakes. If I’m after a way to take care of myself that is less active, I will have an Epsom salt bath or go and have a facial.

I was always afraid of ageing, but I think having children really changed my perspective and helped me learn to become a bit more comfortable with change.

Being able to accept and adapt to change plays an important role in having a positive attitude. Life is filled with ups and downs, and we can make it easier on ourselves if we can learn to meet its challenges with less resistance.”