7 Secrets of Beauty and Wellbeing: Keisha Lawler

Talk about a girl on a mission! Jamaican-born Keisha Lawler’s mission – and her passion – is curls. She describes herself as ‘a curly hair specialist’ and her haircare company Trepadora is designed for women who want to embrace their own natural curls and waves. The formulations for Keisha’s haircare collection (she also has a dedicated salon) use potent extracts from rainforest botanicals combined with clinically proven ingredients to improve the condition of curls and waves.

Now 45, Keisha has wanted to help women feel good about themselves since her teens when she worked at beauty counters in Jamaica. In 2003 she came to the UK and started working at Toni & Guy. For the next few years, Keisha wore her hair straightened but in her late twenties things changed. ‘The thought of having to travel yet again to my closest, black-owned salon to spend most of my day waiting to get my hair relaxed and scalp burnt started to really grate, so I decided to see what my natural hair would look like.’

That’s when Keisha discovered just what a struggle it was to find both products for curly hair – ‘which is the most delicate of all hair types,’ she explains - and also a specialist salon. In 2009, her first venture was an online platform for curl education and carefully chosen products for curly hair.

Then, five years ago, Keisha launched both her own salon for curly hair – called simply Trepadora (trepadora.com) – and also Trepadora Curl Therapy, her range of vegan-certified products designed for curls of all sorts from corkscrews to gentle waves, and suitable for all ages from three up.  

Here are Keisha’s beauty and wellbeing secrets.

1. Go vegan. I was a vegetarian for years and then I finally made the transition to a complete, whole food, plant-based diet and I have never felt better in my life. I see the benefits in my skin and the nourishment of my body in a holistic way. My energy levels have increased and I feel my vitality has improved, which is kind of important when you are in your 40's.

2. Sleep routines are important. I aim to be in bed by 10pm so my body gets time to repair. I love using ilāpothecary Beat the Blues Room Spray/£29 for 50ml, to help me settle and relax for bed.

3. Green therapy. Walking in nature is uplifting and good for my mental health. I try to take daily walks, which I find always improve my mood especially on days that have been stressful.

4. Self-care anything… Whether it be caring for my curly hair, skin or body, taking time out to self-nourish is self-love. My favourite products for bath and body are Soapsmith Whitechapel Hand & Body Wash/£16 for 300ml, and the matching Hand & Body Lotion/£18 for 300ml. The lilac and violet scent is heavenly! 

5. Always being mindful of my blessings. I am a cup half-full kind of person but on days that feels impossible I remind myself of all the things in my life that are good. It keeps me balanced and sane.

6. Scalp massage. I love giving myself a scalp massage at night. It’s a great way to release tension and also great for hair growth as it gets the circulation going in the scalp. I use my Trepadora Miracle Maca Moisture Balm/£13.50 for 100ml, for this treatment. I apply a small amount of my Balm to my fingertips then, using a light to medium pressure, I massage my scalp in small circular motions working from front to back for at least five minutes. So soothing and relaxing! 

7. Dance, dance, dance. One of the first things I do in the mornings is get my music on. I love to dance around as I get ready. It makes me feel happy and joyful, which is a great way to start any day. My staple is Bob Marley’s Legacy album - there’s nothing like Reggae music to uplift the spirit and restore the soul. Just stir it up!