RoundBrushHair! > Dominican Hair Care Blog

Product: Tropical Bano de Crema Negra (Black Cream Treatment)

Price: $9.99

How to use:  Apply Tropical Black Cream Treatment on wet hair massaging gently. Rinse with plenty of water and repeat application if necessary.  

Personal Rating: 3 out of 5 

Tip: Be careful when you applying this conditioner. I used it on for the first time in the shower and some of it splashed onto the grout. It was a really difficult to remove. On the bright side, it does wash out of clothing pretty easily and it doesn’t stain skin or nails 

            The Crema Negra conditioner is a black (no, I mean, really black) jelly-like consistency. It’s extremely thick with a strange smell that lingers after you rinse. It reminds me of the Dax black tar grease my grandmother used to straighten my hair with.  It’s not oily or greasy and, to look at it you’d probably think it would alter the color of your hair by making it darker but it doesn’t. 

            I applied the conditioner after shampooing. The conditioner is so thick that I had to use a good amount of product to fully saturate my hair. I let it sit for about 10 minutes with a shower cap on so it could do its thing (steam from the shower allowed me to forgo the dryer). After rinsing, my hair was soft, but still slightly tangled with little to no slip. It was also pretty dull looking - even while wet. I decided not to apply it a second time as the instructions suggested because with certain products I can tell instantly how my hair will react – and I wasn’t feeling this one. I did, however, repeat the procedure on my daughter’s relaxed hair and my niece’s naturally curly hair. I noticed no difference in results between the first and second applications.                       

            While not one of my favorites, I must say that this product does soften all hair types pretty well. If you decide to use this conditioner, I recommend following it up with a rinse conditioner just to restore some of the shine and slip. Normally I suggest using a rinse only as an optional method of detangling, but with this product I advise everyone to use it. For those of you that usually skip the rinse, the softness you get from using this product is well worth the extra step. 

Note: With many hair products the manufacturer’s instructions are merely suggestions of how to get the best result from the product. Just because a bottle says ‘shampoo, rinse and repeat’ it doesn’t mean you have to repeat. Use your judgment. Your hair tells you what it needs and what it does not. 

Certain chemicals like hair dyes, perms and relaxers are the exception. Always follow those instructions for your own health and safety. Still, when in doubt ask a professional or refer to the instructions on the label.

A big thank you to all the RoundBrushHair Members for stopping by our booth at the 10^th Annual For Sister’s Only Event at the Washington Convention Center Saturday November 1st!

We had a great time introducing Dominican hair products and Dominican salons to women across the DC/MD/VA area. With over 25,000 people in the building, celebrities walking around (did anybody else except me catch Terrance Howard walking around with his shades), and performers on stage – the excitement inside the DC Convention Center was electrifying.

This weekend while cleaning out my garage I came across a box of old photos. There was everything from baby pictures, to prom pictures. A few of them I could have sworn I left in the storage room of my mom’s basement before I moved out. Needless to say, these were the embarrassing ones from my teenage years. I was extra tall and super skinny. My clothes were okay but, GOOD LORD! Was my hair was atrocious. Don’t get me wrong. It was styled to a T with every hair in place but when I think back on what I had to do to get it that way it’s a wonder I have a single hair left on my head. 

 Back in those days I could care less about a hair care regimen. Truthfully, I didn’t even know what one was. I used any shampoo and conditioner (rinse) that was within reach. Usually Suave or whatever my mom found on sale at the grocery store. Deep conditioners were a foreign thing. And a leave in conditioner, what was that? I used to keep my curling iron plugged in at all times because I knew I’d be using it in the morning before school and again in the evening if I needed a touch up.  

One of my favorite styles back then was the fan. If you never had one, you probably knew someone who did. It was quick easy and all the rage in the 90’s. Right after washing my hair I would grab my economy-sized jar of brown gel and a rattail comb. I’d cake the gel on with the comb and force my hair up into a high ponytail. I’d also leave a little piece down on the side for a dramatic effect as if I needed more drama with that style. I‘d secure it with a doubled up non-coated rubber band. . At this point I’m sure my hair was just begging for mercy but, that didn’t stop me from moussing the sides along with the hair in the ponytail. In my world there was no such thing as too much product. After all of that I’d use a toothbrush (yes, that thing you brush your teeth with) to apply even more gel to sculpt the baby hairs. No style was complete without that. I didn’t even get to the worst part yet: my hair was on the thin side back then because someone told my mom that I should be re-relaxing all of my hair with every touch up. So every six weeks I’d get the kit and go for it and if it didn’t burn it wasn’t working was what I was told. Anyway, back to the fan.   

I probably should’ve bought stock in the Stiff Stuff company because as much as I used to buy I could’ve used that money to open a salon. I’d spray the hair in the ponytail and comb it straight up then I’d start cookin’. While each piece of hair was still damp from the hairspray I’d fry it with the curling iron set on its highest setting. I can still hear the sizzle. After I raked through my crispy strands to shape them into a sky high hair-don’t I still needed one last healthy spritz of hairspray. Ahhh a masterpiece. All that was missing was some glued on rhinestones and a cloud of oil sheen spray.  And that concludes my frightening tale. I hope you’ll all be able to sleep tonight after reading this. I would love to hear stories and see pictures of some of your hair nightmares. Before and afters would be even better. Until next time…

(Did you miss me? I want to apologize for being M.I.A. for so long but, Chaka has returned! I would love to hear some of your ideas on topics that you’d like to see blogged about. Please e-mail me your thoughts at Chakalopez@roundbrushhair.com)

Chaka on:

Product Name: Nacidit’s Leave-in Conditioner

Price: $13.99

How to use: Apply a small amount onto towel-dried hair and style as usualPersonal Rating: 4 out of 5 (What it lacks in shine it makes up for in softness)

Note: Ladies please make sure that your stylist is using some type of leave-in on your hair prior to your blowout. Whether it’s it cream, liquid or spray it’s so important to use.

Nacidit Leave-in conditioner provides hair with a softness that is beyond measure. This is another product that works well with all hair types. It’s just a matter of adjusting the amount used to suit your own hair. The only disappointment was the lack of shine it left once my hair was dry. I applied the lavender colored cream in sections and felt instant softness. It also smelled great. It has a floral scent with a faint hint of berry. I was also pleased that the product was non-greasy. I used this on relaxed hair before a roller set and the softness was just over the top but still, no shine. This product is too fabulous to overlook simply because of its shine factor. A quick fix to the problem is to mix it with a little shine serum like Silicon Mix or whichever one you prefer.

To me leave-in conditioner is the second most important step in your hair care regimen with the most important being the deep conditioning treatment. The leave-in is that last step before styling. This is also the only non-styling product that is not rinsed. It acts as a heat protectant, sunscreen, it helps to prolong moisture, and replenish damaged hair. There are so many ways that we voluntarily bring stress to our hair and we sometimes forget about the involuntary hazards. Our hair, nails, and skin are made of keratin (protein). Though we’ve been warned for years about how over exposing our skin to sun rays is detrimental to our health we still neglect our hair. Our hair is exposed to the elements of sun, wind, pollution, and even the harsh dry air coming from the air ducts in our homes. This happens day after day all year long. We can protect our skin with clothing but, other than hats what’s left to protect our hair? Personally my hair is way too big to wear a hat without looking like Bozo the clown. You know, flat on top and a puffy fro around the sides? I see leave in conditioners as more than just a product used for manageability, shine and so forth. It’s more like a protective barrier in a bottle.

Tip: As a natural, I love to mix products to achieve the end result I’m looking for. Here’s a concoction I like to use after shampooing or co-washing to help control my wild hair :

2-parts Nacidit leave-in + 1-part Brillantina leave in + 1 part Silicon Mix shine drops = a quarter sized natural hair cocktail that hasn’t failed me yet.

Eli Castillo of RoundBrushHair.com spoke with this month’s featured stylist Harlet Fernandez of Harlet’s Hair Style Unisex Beauty Salon in Detroit, MI about hair trends in Detroit, using heat on your hair and her favorite Dominican hair products.

 Fast Facts:

Name: Harlet Fernandez

Home Town: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Years in hair care: 12 years

Years as salon owner: 5 years

Salon: Harlet’s Hair Style Unisex Beauty Salon

Salon Location: 5610 Springwells St, Detroit MI 48210

Salon Number: (313) 297-4275

Important salon information: In addition to the popular Dominican hair styling, you can also have your nails, make-up and waxing done. Harlet also does hair extensions (by appointment only).

Congratulations on being our October’s Featured Dominican stylist! One of the reasons we selected to feature you is because your salon is one (1) of very few Dominican salons in the mid-west. Would you say Dominican salons are popular in Detroit?  

Thank you for selecting me, I receive a lot of customers from your website. Yes, I would say we’re pretty popular. But like you mentioned, there aren’t a lot of Dominican salons here, so it makes it hard for women to find us.

How would you describe women with caring for their hair in Detroit?

I think women in Detroit take their hair seriously, especially African Americans. They are always looking for a good salon and good products for their hair. If they see something is working, whether it be a particular stylist or product they’re going to stick with it.

Do you see a lot of natural hair in Detroit or do you work more with relaxed hair?

Actually I have more natural hair clients than relaxed. I have very few relaxed customers.

That’s interesting! So maybe you can help me, at RoundBrushHair.com we get a lot of natural hair customers who have either been to a Dominican salon or want to go to a Dominican salon but aren’t sure how they can keep up the straight style. What do you tell your natural clients?

Well, I tell them not to put a lot of heat in their hair. What some are used to doing is going home after the salon and using the flat iron the very next day – that’s too much heat for the hair. I advise them to make a dobbie after they leave the salon (or before bed) and not to use the iron.

I also recommend using the Brazilian Keratin treatment. I studied the technique and how to apply the treatment in New York. It’s not a relaxer (not permanent) it’s a treatment that removes curls. It should be applied every 3 or 4 months.

What about me for instance, I have naturally curly hair. I don’t get relaxers anymore, but I get my hair straight at the Dominican salons in Santo Domingo. If I apply the Brazilian Keratin treatment won’t I lose my curls?

No, you will still have your curls. The only difference is that your curls will be more manageable.

What about products for the regular care of your hair? Which are your favorites for weekly or daily use?

The Silicon Mix Conditioner and Lacio Lacio Leave-In. I use both of these in my salon, and I also have the Lacio Lacio for sell.

Exclusively from RoundBrushHair - Harlet is offering free cuts with a relaxer or a free trim with a color or highlight service.

Print Coupon Here

Harlet’s Hair Style Unisex Beauty Salon

5610 Springwells St, Detroit MI 48210

(313) 297-4275

Special thank you to RoundBrushHair.com Member Joslyn for providing the images.

Chaka on: 

• Product Name: La Bomba Conditioner Rinse
• Price: $7.99
• How to use: Apply after using the conditioner massaging for a few minutes and then rinse with plenty of water
• Personal Rating: 3 out of 5
  

Note: If you’re looking for volume – this product is a must have.

I was so excited to try this rinse because I’d heard so many wonderful things about the La Bomba line. I was told about how excellent it was and how some Dominican stylists swear by it. This is the first La Bomba product I’ve tried.  The first time I used it was after my weekly shampoo and deep condition. I applied the white cream, which has the consistency of a thin lotion, while my hair was still damp. I massaged a silver dollar sized amount into my hair and immediately realized I needed more. After the second dose, I expected to feel my hair begin to soften -  and it did, but not much. So I tried combing it through and adding just a tiny bit more. It was as if my hair was a sponge that would swell up each time I added more of the rinse. That was the last thing I needed with my hair already being big, thick and, very curly. Next I put on a shower cap and let the rinse penetrate for about 3 minutes. Normally I just comb through and rinse, but I wanted to see if the product would do anything else. Once it was time to rinse my hair, it was a little softer but not much slip. And no, it wasn’t my imagination, my hair did swell up. I had to see if this was just a reaction from the products I used prior to the rinse but, after further attempts with other shampoos and deep conditioners, it still happened. I used the rinse a few more times for co-washing with the same end result without as much pouf as before. It was a mystery. Then I had a brainstorm:  

A family member of mine has thinning hair. It’s quite noticeable almost to the point where you can see areas of her scalp when her hair is combed down. She’s currently transitioning (going from relaxed to natural). I shampooed and deep conditioned her hair as usual and applied the rinse. Bingo! Her hair swelled as well. For her this was a good thing. Once I finished styling her hair it was noticeably fuller. Her biggest concern was that her bald spot would still show but after using this rinse it was barely there because the rest of her hair was thick enough to cover it. Amazing! Talk about your surprise ending. No matter what hair type I use this on one thing has been consistent: the shine. That positive aspect almost makes up for the, “aromatic spice”, smell that it leaves in your hair. It really lingers. I call it an aromatic spice smell because that’s what is listed as an ingredient on the bottle. It smells something like cloves. You’ll either hate it or love it. To sum things up, I recommend the La Bomba rinse if you feel like your hair lacks body. No matter what type of hair you have. Try it out and let us know what you think.  

Note: Conditioning rinses are hair detanglers. They are optional to use after deep conditioners or chemical processes. They’re ideal for co-washing (washing hair with a conditioner in place of shampoo).  I suggest conditioner rinses to anyone whose hair tangles easily after washing.

Chaka on:

Product Name: Aceite de Canela (Cinnamon Oil)

Price: $3.99

How to use: Apply a small portion to hair before shampooing and rinsing.

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 (This product is a must have)

Cinnamon oil is a mixture of essential cinnamon oil and liquid Vaseline (petrolatum). Essential oils are oils that have been extracted from a plant that have a specific scent or essence hence the term, “essential oil”.

Cinnamon oil in specific shows its benefits over time with continued use. It helps to minimize breakage and reduce shedding. It has also been used to stimulate the scalp which in turn promotes hair growth especially in, what I refer to as, the stress areas of the head i.e.: the temples, crown, and nape.

When I first opened the bottle I was surprised at how strong the smell was. I am not the biggest fan of the smell of cinnamon but hey, to each his own. I was afraid that the smell might linger and that the bright red color would stain my clothes so I was very careful not to drip any of the watery liquid.

Normally I apply pre shampoo oils directly to my scalp but in the summer months the heat causes perspiration and Vaseline can clog pores. Instead I apply the oil close to my scalp with a tint brush that’s normally used for hair color application.  I start by parting my hair into four sections with the end of the brush which is like the end of a rat-tail comb. I pour a good amount of the oil into a bowl, dip the brush in, and lightly dab it on my hair near the partings. I follow by massaging the oil through my hair and adding a little extra to my ends. I let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes without heat or a shower cap. Then I go through my usual shampoo, condition, and rinse routine. I’m pleased to inform those of you who are not big cinnamon fans that the smell is gone with the shampoo.

I gave this product a good rating mainly because its hair-health benefits and versatility. I say it’s versatile because it works well on dry skin. Just rub it onto my knees and elbows and ash is a thing of the past. This product did lose a few points because it’s not so kid-friendly. Mine can’t stand the tingling. Nor does it give the shine that I’m used to from other pre-shampoo oils. I’ve used this product on natural as well as chemically treated heads with the same results. What I recommend is using the cinnamon oil in problem areas and using oil such as the Coconut & Watercress or Whale Sperm on the rest of your hair. Possibly mixing one of those with the Cinnamon oil would work too. I think everyone should keep at least one bottle of this on hand especially in the fall and winter when cold-dry air tends to turn hair intro straw.

Note: Be careful when applying this oil especially near edges. The excess oil may drip onto skin or eyes and OMG CINNAMON BURNS!

September’s featured Dominican salon:

On August 29, 2008 doors opened to the first Dominican salon and Dominican hair product retailer in Landover, Maryland - Sintia’s Dominican Salon. The grand opening spared no expense as customer service, style and comfort were the main focus.

Upon arrival customers were welcomed as celebrities with curbside pink carpet and matching ‘grand opening’ pink and brown balloons. And if the outside didn’t impress you, the lavish layout inside certainly could not go unnoticed. Pink cushioned benches accented with brown plush pillows lined the waiting area and a towering 7 foot tall wooden finished armoire stocked with a wide selection RoundBrushHair Dominican Products gave customers the opportunity of relaxing or browsing.

Pink being the salon’s signature color couldn’t go unnoticed even if you tried – from the enormous pink butterfly logo which captures your attention as you walk through the doors to the pink blow dryers the stylists use to perfect that sought after Dominican blowout – pink was everywhere.

The salon is the brain child of Claudina Mesa who named the salon after her late sister Sintia who dreamed of having a Dominican hair salon some day. Sintia’s picture graces the wall of the salon with a striking resemblance to her older sister Claudina as if looking down on the salon participating in every aspect of operations.

Claudina opened the salon with American business partners Keisha Gilchrist and India Rogers to ensure the salon would meet the needs of African American women who frequent Dominican Salons the most. Customers are given service tickets to fill out before seeing any stylist which is translated into Spanish for the stylist to read. “The customer cards help both the stylist and client. The language barrier is the biggest problem with Dominican salons and it’s just one of the many ways we’ve set ourselves apart from other Dominican salons in the area” states Claudina as she offers champagne to a customer under the hair dyer.

To a person unaware of the salon opening less than 24 hours ago, the salon looked as though it had been serving customers for years. Every hair dyer was occupied (thanks to the grand opening special of free Silicon Mix deep conditioning), the smoke from the stylist’s blowers forced the front doors to be propped open and towels couldn’t be washed fast enough. “The grand opening weekend was initially just for family and friends, but at some point that got tossed out the window” laughs co-owner India Rogers who hustles to find more dryers to accommodate waiting clients.

But those waiting didn’t seem bothered, “it’s a new salon, so you can’t expect everything to go perfectly; but I can tell they’re going to need a lot more stylists in here” says Jacqueline Maynard who lives 5 minutes away from the new salon. Other customers sipped on champagne with strawberries and helped themselves to the “sweet shop” table full of cupcakes, brownies, lollipops and other goodies until a shampoo bowl became open. 

And if they weren’t sipping on champagne or munching on sweets, they were browsing hair products for sale. When asked about the partnership with RoundBrushHair to sell Dominican hair products co-owner Keisha Gilchrist said “these are the products most Dominican salons use, but until now you could only buy them online. We love the fact that women can now purchase these products directly from our salon and not have to worry about the wait time that comes with shipping. Also, women should be able to smell, look and hold a potential purchase and finally they have a place to do it!” The partnership was ideal for RoundBrushHair as well, founder Jennifer Drew recalls how “more and more we were getting calls from people living in Maryland who wanted to pick up products from our warehouse. And unfortunately the warehouse isn’t set up for customers, so I’m happy we found a home for the products at Sintia’s Dominican salon. We’re working on similar arrangements for our customers in other states.”

Minutes off the beltway in Landover, Maryland, Sintia’s Dominican Salon offers healthy hair, Dominican products and style all under one pink roof.

Take advantage of this exclusive $5 coupon good until October 1^st 2008 with your visit to Sintia’s Dominican Salon!

Click Here For Printable Coupons

Landover Crossing Shopping Center

8581 Landover Rd

Landover, MD 20721

Salon Phone: 301-685-5787

Chaka on:

Product Name: Lacio Lacio Acondicionador Intensivo (Intensive Conditioner)
Price: $11.99
How to use: After Star Shampoo, apply evenly to damp hair, in order to obtain an intensive capilar therapy, leave in for 1 or 2 minutes, then rinse with water and style as usual.
Personal Rating: 2.5 out of 5
*Note: I consider the product pricey because of the amount I needed to use to get even the slightest result for my hair texture.

Lacio Lacio Intensive Conditioner is a conditioning treatment used to revitalize damaged and over processed hair. It’s a very thin cream that has the same texture as your average cream rinse. This made me made skeptical from the beginning (most deep conditioners are very thick almost like pudding). It also made me wonder exactly how much water this product contained. If you’ve used the Lacio Lacio leave-in before than you’ll recognize this conditioner’s identical light-flowery smell. It’s slightly more potent but won’t compete with the fragrance other products you follow up with.

After shampooing, I applied the conditioner in sections. I simply use my fingers to part my hair in quadrants and then I divide each quadrant in half and apply the conditioner. This may seem like a long drawn out process but it’s worth it especially for thick curly hair like mine. Look at it this way; you’ll only have to do it once a week. I used to just slap a palm-full in to my hair and massage it in. Then I started to notice that the center of my hair, where it’s the most dense, wasn’t getting as much product as the rest. You may not need to do as much sectioning as I do, but I still recommend this application process. Much to my dismay, I found myself having to add more and more of this product for my hair to feel saturated. My hair acted like a sponge. Most times as soon as the conditioner touches my hair, I can feel it begin to soften. This was definitely not the case this time. After I felt I had enough product on my hair for it to work, I massaged it in and combed it through. I put on a shower cap and let it penetrate for 10 minutes or so.

After I took the shower cap off I could tell instantly that it didn’t do the job. It gave me the same results as a mediocre conditioning rinse would. I was not at all pleased. My hair felt kind of hard coarse, and tangled with absolutely no slip. After it was dry, I was even less enthused. My hair was dry and frizzy without the mega-shine I expected.

On the other hand, when my husband used it his results were wonderful. Then again, he has Caucasian hair. A lot of the conditioners I love weigh his hair down and make it greasy. This one was perfect for him. It did everything that the label on the bottle claimed it would. Using the Lacio Lacio leave-in along with it only enhanced the results.

On my daughters relaxed hair there were the same disappointments as I had with mine. I used the same application process on her with the exception of using heat from the hood dryer to process instead of the steam from the shower.

To sum things up, I like this product for Caucasian hair that gets oily easily. Those with dry or coarse hair should try mixing this with a heavier conditioner for better results.

No one loves a home remedy more than I do whether it’s eating chicken soup to fight the common cold or using oatmeal & honey for a face mask. We forget that all the chemical concoctions taking over store shelves today weren’t available years ago. People had to be very resourceful back in the time of my grandmother who’s now in her late seventies. Being resourceful was part of everyday life. Even in the 50’s and 60’s, when my parents were young, things were very different. I remember when baking soda toothpaste was first introduced to the market. My parents didn’t warn us of the horrible flavor because for them it was a step up from the pure baking soda they brushed their teeth with as kids. Believe it or not, it was also used as deodorant. Back then, the only staples they had in their medicine cabinets were Castor oil, Vicks Vapor rub, Watkins Liniment and Vaseline. If that didn’t cure, what ailed you then you’d be off to the doctor for a shot of Penicillin. If that didn’t do the trick, it was time to start picking out headstones. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that serious but sometimes when older folks try to make you see how good you have it compared to when they were, “comin’ up” the stories can go from a life lesson to a tall tale. The older I get the more I find myself telling those same stories to my kids as well as looking for more at home health and beauty fixes.

When I was younger, we would laugh at our grandmother telling stories about how she’d use bacon grease on her children’s’ ashy knees and elbows and they’d cry because dogs would chase them all the way to school. They swear it’s true but I refuse to believe it. Well, then again, this was coming from the same woman who told me I should always keep a bottle of Peach flavored Schnapps in my house in case of a cold or a teething baby. I don’t know about using it as a liquored up Orajel substitute but, it’ll surely knock the cold right out of your chest.

Lately I’ve been reading up on the many health and beauty secrets from around the world. I read that some Mediterranean women use an olive oil and sugar scrub to smooth and moisturize their skin. I’ve also learned that in India some use an uncooked white potato to deodorize their hands after cooking. It also softens them, which is twice as good.

Writing this blog has introduced me to people from various backgrounds and cultures. I know some of you have some really good kitchen cures and natural beauty secrets that have been passed on to you by your friends and family. Maybe you’ve invented a few on your own. Once upon a time, women in my family used brown paper bags and soup cans as rollers. Talk about making things work! I’m very interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas. It’s about time we go back to basics.