My Hair Recovery System

January is when new routines begin, or old ones snap back into place. For me, that meant rediscovering boxing. It’s something I did religiously about 15 years ago, and last fall it found its way back into my life thanks to my son’s track coach, who introduced us to Mendez Boxing in Harlem. It’s the real deal.

The first few times I dropped my son off, I sat on the sidelines. By session two, I realized how ridiculous that was. I was watching something I loved happen right in front of me and not participating. So I got back in the ring, helped along by a Christmas gift from my son: new gloves and wraps.

I was in the best shape of my life when I trained at Aerospace, owned by Michael Olajide and Leila Fazel. When it closed, I was genuinely sad. Boxing was the one workout that truly clicked for me. I was never great at it, but I worked hard and got better every class.

My current routine is intense. Four rounds of jump rope, three minutes each. Shadowboxing, bag work, conditioning, followed by planks, sit-ups, mountain climbers, and burpees. Mendez also offers a free women’s class on Sundays, which I highly recommend. One note: if you prefer pristine gyms, white walls, mood lighting, and scented towels, this is not your place. It’s authentic, and a little intimidating. In the best way.

Now let’s talk about the side effect: sweat.

I am not a big sweater, but this workout changes that. Face sweat. Eyebrow sweat. Sweat pools into your eyes while your hands are stuck inside boxing gloves, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. You just deal. And honestly, I love it.

Obviously, your scalp sweats too, and because I don’t wash my hair every day and have zero interest in dryness, color fade, or spending extra time on it, I needed a solution. After some experimenting, I landed on a routine that actually works.

Before the workout, I apply dry shampoo. There’s no science here. I just figured it can start absorbing while I sweat. After the workout, I reapply dry shampoo. I like Living Proof. It smells clean and fresh without lingering.

Next, I massage in Dae styling cream. Even if my scalp is sweaty, the rest of my hair tends to be dry and frizzy. The scent is sweet and subtle and fades quickly. After applying, I immediately tie my hair up and let the cream set while I do skincare or makeup. It needs a little time to settle. I would say about 5-10 minutes.

The last step is the L’Oréal root touch-up click pen. I love the brush applicator, and the formula is magic. I much prefer it over the spray, which I find drying, messy, and impossible to control. The pen is precise, doesn’t transfer to my white pillowcases, and keeps the hairline looking natural. The only downside is the size. They really need to make a jumbo version. I buy it in bulk. L’Oréal, if you’re listening, supersize it!

I’ll be back weekly with thoughts on beauty, getting older without losing yourself, technology, and the things I promised myself I’d try this year on my Coconut List.

I wish you a wonderful 2026.