Happy New Year Beauties! I hope your new year has been off to a wonderful start. With the new year comes new changes for many of us, and most of the changes have to do with self improvement.  So let’s make this a better year, for a better you.

To kick off the new year, I had the great opportunity to interview former model turned, celebrity hairstylist, Nadia Vassell.  Nadia has worked with many celebrities of the likes of Rihanna, Chrisette Michelle, Tika Sumpter and Ashanti and her work has been featured in many major publications such as, Essence, XXL, Smooth and Uptown Magazine.

I receive a ton of questions regarding hair care and trends, so it was great to get an expert’s response.  Take a look:

We’re about to kick off the New Year in less than a week. What are some hair trends that we should look forward to in the New Year?

We have seen everyone with the knots, braids and twist. If you’re going to do a top-of-the-head bun, make it more effortless and playful. Have some hair accidentally hanging outaround the perimeter of the head. This is perfect for NYE.

I know a lot of women who have decided to go natural recently. What advice would you give to them as far as products, hairstyles and maintenance, as they transition from relaxed to natural hair?

Bouncy blow-outs, this is just very sexy and elegant hair. It moves. This is healthy hair.Face framing hi-lites go perfectly with this style. Transitioning from relaxed to natural is notso hard when you have the right tools. A great shampoo and conditioner can be your bestfriend. My favorite is Mizani Thermasmooth Shampoo and Conditioner. This is if you decide to wear your hair smooth and straight. Both shampoo and conditioner prepares the hair forthe smoothing process. Follow with step three of the Thermasmooth system, The SmoothGuard, it protects your hair for the flat ironing process. End with the last step, The ShineExtend, which is an anti-humidity spray.

If you are transitioning and you prefer something more free and playful (curls), tryMoroccan oil Curl Defining Cream. It defines and shapes your curl. If you have very curlylocks, try Moroccan oil Curl Control Mousse. It’s perfect for frizz control.

I also know a lot of clients who are transitioning but are just not ready to chop all thatrelaxed part off. So they come in for weaves, which gives versatility and you don’t have toworry about applying heat to your hair. You can have fun with your weaves, do whatevercolor, texture and length your heart desires.

I’ve been hearing so much buzz about keratin treatments and how it’s much healthier than relaxers. Are keratin treatments really better for your hair?
There definitely has been a lot of buzz in the industry about keratin treatments. It’s anamazing new technology which eliminates frizz, gives you smooth, manageable hair.However, the buzz about this new service has not been positive because of the possiblehealth risk associated with them. These treatments may use a combination of formalin,keratin and heat to straighten the hair. There may be risk of exposure to toxins.
I, however discovered an alternative to the keratin treatment. New shape control, you canhave smooth straight hair, curled or waves. The product contains no Formaldehyde, andhealth wise, it will not compromise both you and your stylist hair.

I often have to battle with the fizzes during humid and rainy weather. What products would you recommend that won’t dry my hair out?

The Moroccan oil Curl control mousse is great for controlling frizz and is weather safe.

What are your top 5 hair products that you can’t live without?

1. Bed Head, TIGI a hair stick for cool people. I use as a finishing product to achieve asmooth, defined look.

2. Dry Shampoo- TIGI Rockaholic dirty secret dry shampoo. My bangs gets oily after 2 daysof getting my hair shampooed, so to have my hair looking like I just left the salon, I use adry shampoo, which gives my hair the life it needs.

3. Leave-in Conditioner

4.Moroccan oil Luminous hairspray.

5.Mizani’s Puriphying Shampoo.

Nadia is the owner of Nadia Vassell Salon in Manhattan.  For more information about the Nadia Vassell Salon and services, please visit her website www.nadiavassell.com