Hair status: from Tekken to tolerable
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Then: dry, wiry, “Eddy Gordo” physics.
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Now: smoother, silkier, still thick (lion core), but manageable.
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I still straighten lightly for neatness, but I buffer with care so it doesn’t roast.
What fixed it (slowly, boringly, effectively)
1) Shampoo & Conditioner (Tsubaki: mini review)
Picked up Tsubaki in Japan. Smells great; performance = nice, not miracle. Comparable to a good mainstream shampoo (I used Pantene before). Would switch if pricing/availability in Indo weren’t 💸 via online shop.
Curious about keratin? Same. In-salon keratin here ± IDR ~2,000k = my wallet said “nope.” Kerastase is great but also “beauty tax” levels of spend.
2) Hair Mask (Matrix Biolage)
I rotate masks, but Matrix Biolage has been steady. I mask 2×/week. It won’t rewrite genetics, but it softens, de-frizzes, and makes heat-styling less tragic.
3) Vitamin/Serum (must-have)
Rudy Hadisuwarno Hair Serum = my MVP. It tames thickness, smooths ends, and keeps the finish neat without greasy clumps. Of everything I’ve tried, this works best on my hair type.
My routine (for thick, heat-styled hair in hot weather)
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Wash 2–3×/week; scalp cleanse matters more than over-washing lengths.
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Mask 2×/week (mid-length to ends, 5–10 min).
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Serum on damp hair (ears-down), then air-dry 70% before any heat.
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Heat on low–medium, slow passes; comb-through between passes.
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Micro-trims every 8–10 weeks to stop splits from laddering up.
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Bali mode: loose buns/claws, avoid tight elastics, UV/heat protectant if outside.
Tools & tweaks that helped
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Wide-tooth comb first, paddle brush second (no snapping).
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Silk/satin pillowcase so lengths don’t sandpaper overnight.
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Cool shot at the end of styling = instant shine bump.
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Scalp care (occasional gentle scrub or clarifying wash) so roots don’t get sad.
Pros & cons of my current lineup
Tsubaki (shampoo/conditioner)
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Pros: smells lovely, cleans without stripping.
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Cons: not a miracle; Indo prices online can be high.
Matrix Biolage Mask
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Pros: reliable softness, frizz control.
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Cons: needs consistency; not a one-time fix.
Rudy Hadisuwarno Serum
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Pros: best smoothing for my thick hair, reduces poof, tidy finish.
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Cons: use sparingly to avoid weigh-down at roots.
Verdict
It took two years of masks, vitamins, trims, and kinder habits to move from “rebonding regret” to “I can wear it down in Bali”.
My hair’s not perfect, but it’s alive, shiny-ish, and mine.
Long next? Maybe. Short again? Possibly.
Rule #1: keep it healthy, the rest is cosplay.
Man, can’t believe I blabbed this much.
Ikkeru
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