RoundBrushHair! > Dominican Hair Care Blog

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.