For years, I’ve been meaning to give collagen powder a try. I’ve always been intrigued by the potential hair, skin, and nail benefits, and some of the collagen smoothies I see on social media look positively delicious!
Between frequently styling my hair with heat, recently highlighting my strands, and getting routine gel manicures, I’m consistently testing the strength of both my locks and my nails. And as someone who usually goes makeup-free Monday through Friday, I was interested to see if supplementing with collagen could naturally improve the look and feel of my skin.
When The Vitamin Shoppe launched its new women’s wellness brand, TrueYou, featuring Head Over Heels Enhanced Collagen Powder, I knew it was finally my moment to give collagen a go.
About TrueYou Head Over Heels Enhanced Collagen Powder
Formulated with collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid to promote healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints, TrueYou’s Head Over Heels Enhanced Collagen Powder is specifically designed for women.
In case you’re late to the game, collagen is the protein that makes up everything from our hair and nails to our skin and joints. (Each two-scoop serving of Head Over Heels packs 18 grams of protein, a nutrient I often fall short on in my diet.) And hyaluronic acid? An ingredient famous for supporting plump, hydrated skin that you don’t normally find in all collagen products.
Head Over Heel also includes the TrueYou’s signature Women’s Equilibrium Blend, a blend of phytonutrients that includes Diindolylmethane (DIM), which research has shown can support a healthy estrogen balance.
The powder is unflavored so that you can mix it into any drink (the label recommends eight ounces of liquid). I appreciated the versatility of being able to add it to the many different beverages I sip on throughout the day.
Trying The Collagen
For one month, I incorporated Head Over Heels into my daily routine. My first order of business: to figure out which sip I preferred to stir it into. I tested it out in iced coffee, orange juice, and hot tea—and the tea was my personal favorite. The powder dissolved quickly in the boiling water and was an easy addition before dropping in the tea bag to steep. Having landed on this as my favorite way to drink my collagen, a nightly mug infused with the Head Over Heads became my go-to.
As I scrolled through TikTok one day during my trial period, I also came upon a new idea for getting my daily dose of collagen: the trending Coconut Cloud Smoothie, a creation of California’s Erewhon Markets. Versions of these aesthetically pleasing, blue spirulina-swirled smoothies were everywhere—and a key ingredient in this viral drink? Collagen. I knew I had to make one with Head Over Heels.
After securing all of the components (including the blue spirulina powder, pineapple, avocado, banana, almond milk, and a whipped coconut topping), I got to blending it all up. The result was not only ready for an Instagram closeup, but also a truly delicious (albeit rather involved) way to enjoy my serving of collagen.
Between my copycat smoothie and evening cups of collagen-boosted tea, I tried to keep tabs on any changes to my hair, skin, and nail health throughout the next month. While I will admit to skipping my collagen a few days here and there over the month (things happen!), I still believe introducing Head Over Heels to my regimen made a difference. For starters, despite highlighting my hair a few months prior, which had initially left me with very dry locks, my strands started to feel much softer and healthier. And even with back-to-back gel manicures on my relatively long nails, I miraculously haven’t broken a nail.
I haven’t been able to pinpoint anything specific that seems different about my skin, but I’d be curious to see how continued collagen use might benefit it.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt in my mind that collagen is a great addition to anyone’s wellness practice. I found that both my hair and nails felt stronger after supplementing with Head Over Heels—and I was happy to get in the extra protein into my diet, as well.
Considering I missed my routine a few times throughout my trial, I’m considering transitioning to TrueYou’s Go with the Glow hair, skin, and nails capsules. This way, I can still incorporate some collagen into my day when I’m out of town or find myself caught up in a busy schedule and really need the next-level convenience.
Still, I’m looking forward to finding different ways to use my Head Over Heels, whether that be the next all-over-TikTok smoothie or a new take on a classic recipe, like these Collagen Carrot Cake Muffins.
Lexa Krajewski is the Social Media Specialist for The Vitamin Shoppe.