Ever since moving to our new house, I’ve been looking for a place near my house to get my hair done.  I’m not really talking about anything crazy, just a simple doobie and a trim every now and then.  Who would have thought it would be so hard?!?  I had a terrible experience, a not so great experience and then two good experiences – so I’m on the right track.  At the latest ‘test’ run I asked about keratin treatments, my last keratin was in September last year!  If it wasn’t for this blog, I would have no idea how long it’s been – but seriously?!?  A whole year almost?  That’s super long and my hair is in need of a keratin treatment before I run back to the creamy crack 🙂 So anyway, I asked about a keratin treatment and the owner told me that she only uses Salerm KAPs Filler, with my limited Spanish and her English I wasn’t able to get the answers to all the questions I had, but I turned to the internet.  Unfortunately, there are hardly any reviews on Salerm KAPs Filler, I’m guessing because it’s on the newer side.  Here’s what I found on my own, via the Salerm website:

KAPs Filler is the result of years of investigation with the aim of achieving an advance with regard to the keratin treatments already available on the market. KAPs Filler carries out two actions simultaneously: on the one hand it creates a straight result and, on the other, treats hair damaged through external aggressions. The result: shiny hair with natural movement and totally frizz-free.

Sounds pretty promising, right?  I was quoted a price of $180.00 for my hair, which is a savings compared to my typical keratin treatments.  I’m really considering trying it out and if I do you know I’ll be sharing the experience!  So stay tuned.

Usually during the colder months, I tend to avoid doing wash and go’s and other styles that require me to wet my hair more than once a month.  I’ve wanted to give my hair a break from the roller-sets and Dominican salons so I’ve been co-washing a few times a week and moisturizing and sealing my hair nightly in two strand twists then wearing a bun during the day.  My hair has been loving this break, I’ve been wearing my hair up so much I’ve decided to just turn it into a Hide Your Hair Challenge.  In addition, I’ve stumbled upon my new Winter Nighttime Hair Care Regimen.

Here’s my 4 step Winter Nighttime Hair Care Regimen

Step One:

Divide hair into four sections.  I like to use these these little clips to help me divide my hair.  I also use these clips when I’m deep conditioning in sections and blow drying, so they really come in handy.  I also use them on my little one when I’m styling her hair.

Step Two:

Take the first section and finger detangle, apply a water based moisturizer and then seal with an oil or thick cream.  Currently, I’m loving a mix of leave in conditioner and aloe vera juice.  To seal I’m loving Alikay Naturals – Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer.

Step Three:

Two strand twist the section, then repeat on each section until finished.

Step Four:

Apply some gel to the edges and then tie it down.  My all time favorite gel to really get those edges to lay down and stay down is this one.

I’m all about keeping things simple because the simpler it is the more likely I am to actually do it consistently.  Consistency when it comes to healthy hair care is the key to seeing results.  If you come up with a healthy hair regimen that has too many steps or takes too much of your time you will start to skip steps or forget about the regimen entirely.  Take it from me and keep things simple.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done a hair update so I thought it was time!  After my last keratin treatment fail, I’ve been toying with the idea of not using anything at all and just going natural.  I never thought in a million years that I would be considering going natural, but when I look at my little girls hair and see those little curls I’m just like  🙂  I LOVE LOVE LOVE her curls.  Seriously, she is just the cutest and she inspires me in so many ways that I never thought was even possible.  Not to get too far off topic but Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  To steer back on track, I don’t want her to ever want to change her hair texture just because I change mine.  Children typically look to their mother’s as a role model and she’s inspired me to embrace my own ‘natural’ look.  That’s not to say I will never have my hair roller-set and blow dried straight ever again, that is my preferred look I just don’t want to permanently change my hair texture to straight or semi-straight anymore.

READ THIS TOO: Toddler Hair Care Regimen

What I’ve noticed is that my hair is so much thicker than before, it’s a bit harder for me to handle.  It’s probably because at first I was treating my hair like I would before, I now know that I have to use different techniques and ways to treat and maintain my hair.  My healthy hair care regimen is going to be changing as my hair continues to grow out and I learn what works best for my and my new hair texture.  It’s a learning curve for sure, but I’m getting the hang of it.  The best thing I’ve learned so far is to have patience when detangling.  Going slow and detangling section by section from the bottom up for all of my hair takes quite some time but it’s so beneficial in the long run.

READ THIS TOO: The Truth About Trims

What’s next?  TRIMS!  One of my healthy hair care goals is to trim away all the relaxed ends that I have left.  I think it will be so much better once those relaxed ends are gone, even though my hair was never bone straight it was never as curly/textured as it is now so the ends stick out like a sore thumb.  When my hair is wet you can really tell where it the relaxer is, I want to have one uniform look.  Instead of doing a big trim to get rid of all the relaxed ends in one shot, I’m going to be dusting and doing trims slowly to keep my hair around the same length that is it now.  Unless, I get impatient and just chop it off in my bathroom 🙂

My overall hair goals for 2016 is to rediscover my hair, master maintaining this new texture and maintain the overall health of my hair.  What are you healthy hair goals for 2016?

Design Essentials Natural is answering the call to quench thirsty hair with their new Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Collection. Each product’s formula is expertly designed to deliver maximum hydration to hair using nourishing botanicals and the oils of Coconut & Monoi, a fun and tropical combination perfect for the drying, damaging winter season!  I have to say when the opportunity came up to try out these new products I was excited, I’m a fan of Design Essentials products, I love anything coconut for hair and deep moisture is right up my alley.

So far, my favorite product from the collection is Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Milk Creme.  I recently washed, conditioned and sat down to do my little one’s hair so I decided to swap out her usual moisturizer from our Toddler Hair Care Staples for either the Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Milk Creme or the Milk Souffle.  I opened up both and used the milk souffle on a section and then used the Milk Creme on the other section.  I loved the way the milk creme felt on her hair, I feel like the Milk Souffle defined her curls more than anything else but the milk creme actually really moisturized and conditioned her hair.  So I used the Milk Creme on each section before I cornrowed it into a two puff style.  I left the ends of her hair unbraided and once I was finished braiding it all up, I used the milk souffle on the puffs.  Her curls were well defined and moisturized and the braids were thoroughly moisturized.