The year 2012 was just brought to a close and there is no doubt that it boasted many successes and failures alike. When it comes to our hair, it is very important that we build on the successes and work at improving our areas of failure.

For most naturals, one of the challenges faced is that of implementing and maintaining an effective hair care regimen. Typically, when we fail to achieve our hair goals, it is not for lack of knowledge as to how to do so but it is usually a result of inconsistencies and lack of commitment.

The beginning of a new year is a great time to assess where we went wrong and resolve in our minds that we are going to make some changes in order to achieve what most naturals desire -- a healthy head of hair.

Adapting the following New Hair's Resolutions will most likely lead to an overall improvement in the look and feel of your hair:

1. Develop and Stick to a Hair Care Regimen

One of the most fundamental principles in embarking on a successful natural hair journey is adopting and maintaining a suitable hair care regimen. This is, perhaps, one of the most challenging and overwhelming aspects associated with the decision to go natural. I cannot, however,over-emphasize the importance of figuring out how to build a good, solid, healthy hair care regimen.

Having a regimen helps you to keep on target with your hair goals. A hair care regimen is simply, a plan of action designed to improve or maintain the health of your hair.

When deciding on a hair care regimen, simplicity is key. With the hectic lifestyle that most people lead, it is not feasible to adopt complicated and overly time-consuming routines. Find what works for you and follow through with it.

Creating a regimen is not so much based on the products used but more so on the processes. Deciding how often each aspect of your regimen is done is of utmost importance. For example, if you deep condition once per week and moisturize daily, that forms a part of your regimen. The whole picture would include determining the frequency, method, and products used in your cleansing, conditioning, styling, maintaining and trimming routine.

If you find it difficult to keep up with the varied steps or timing, don't hesitate to make a physical note of the guidelines set to accomplish them. Looking at a schedule will certainly act as a reminder of the details involved in your regimen.

There will certainly be instances where unforeseen circumstances will cause you to deviate from your normal routine. But for the most part, as much as it depends on you, try to stick to the regimen which works in the best interest of your tresses.

2. Consistency With Bedtime Protective Styling

A very effective practice in any natural hair care regimen is that of bedtime protective styling. Setting your hair in a protective style before bed helps to prevent hair damage such as breakage and split ends. It also facilitates effortless styling of your hair the next morning (or whenever you wake up). Bedtime protective styling options include two-strand twists, plaits, flat twists, bantu knots, etc. These styles are all geared at protecting your hair, especially the ends of your hair.

Sleeping for extended periods of time with you hair hanging loose is a recipe for disaster. Your hair can become matted, tangled or, worse, suffer from single strand knots. Single strand knots occur when a single strand of hair coils up around itself in such a way that it forms a knot. Usually these knots are dreaded as they can only be removed by trimming them off.

In cases where matting and tangling occur, it becomes very difficult to comb the hair, making it more likely to break and harder to style.

In addition to styling, it is also of paramount importance that your hair is covered, preferably with a satin cap, before going to bed. The satin cap further protects your hair while you sleep. If your hair has direct contact with the linen on your bed, it can cause friction between your strands and the fabric, potentially leading to breakage. The likelihood of this happening can be minimized by avoiding the use of bed linen made from cotton or any other fabric that is not silky in texture. Many people opt to sleep on a satin pillow case as somewhat of a safer alternative. Using a satin scarf or cap is a preferred precaution as it also acts as a means of maintaining moisture in the hair throughout the night.

Consistency is key. We all have, at some point or another, slacked off in this very vital aspect of our regimen. I must admit that I myself have been guilty of unintentionally and intentionally going off to sleep without taking the necessary steps to ensure that my hair is protected. With our very hectic schedules, it can be very difficult to stay on top of our game. Let us resolve in our minds that we will make a concerted effort to stick to this routine and ultimately improve the health and appearance of our hair.

3. Reduce The Amount Of Heat Applied To Your Hair

If ever there was a natural hair enemy, it is heat. Frequent and excessive application of heat to natural hair will over time cause damage. The potential consequences of heat are sometimes irreversible. Heat damage is not always immediately apparent, but in most cases, with extended use, it will become obvious that hair is weaker and less healthy.

Hair straightening tools damage your hair draft from the inside out, making the hair dull, more brittle and less elastic.

Reduce the amount of heat applied to your hair to a minimum and if possible, avoid it all together. Your hair will thank you for it.

4. Maximize Moisture

Natural hair needs moisture in the same way our bodies need water. In order for natural hair to thrive and be healthy it is imperative that it has sufficient moisture at all times. Depriving your hair of much craved moisture can have very damaging effects. Hair that is not well hydrated is at risk for becoming extremely dry and brittle.

Water is one of the best sources of moisture for natural hair. There is a common misconception that natural oils are sources of moisture; but, in most cases, oils only act as a sealant and simply helps to seal in the moisture applied from other sources.

Water-based moisturizers are also great for introducing moisture to your hair. You can easily identify water-based moisturizers as they list water among the top three ingredients in the product information section of the container.

Having identified the source or sources of moisture that you will incorporate into your regimen, you will then have to ensure that there is frequent application. Daily introduction of moisture to the hair is recommended.

Moisturized hair is not only poised to be strong and healthy, but is also very soft and silky to the touch; it also often looks very shiny.

Maximizing moisture only takes a matter of minutes. Completing this brief and easy step at the same time each day makes it easy to ensure that it is not neglected or overlooked.

If ever there was a natural hair care practice that should never be ignored, it is that of moisturizing. Make every effort to make this a constant part of your regimen and you will be sure to notice a vast improvement in the condition of your hair.

5. Minimize Manipulation

Natural hair is more likely to thrive if it is not constantly being manipulated. Excessive manipulation can expose your hair to undue damage. Manipulation involves combing, brushing, cleansing, styling or, simply, touching your hair. Natural hair, especially if tightly coiled in texture, is very fragile and has a tendency to be brittle. These factors result in natural hair being more susceptible to breakage if exposed to too much manipulation.

Many naturals go to the extreme of totally eliminating the use of combs or brushes in their hair altogether, opting to use their hands as the styling tool of choice.

Truthfully, many naturals who have been able to achieve long, healthy hair, have testified that they have taken the approach to "set it and forget it." This approach minimizes styling manipulation, limiting it to approximately once per week. In such cases, ladies would for example twist their hair up and keep it twisted for a whole week. This can be successfully achieved if moisture is spritzed into the hair from a spray bottle, eliminating the need to physically rub moisturizer into the hair. This low-manipulation approach has been tested and proven to be a guaranteed way to retain length.

It is virtually impossible to totally avoid touching and manipulating your hair. However, when the need arises, ensure that you exercise care and gentleness, in order to avoid undue damage.

Making an effort in this regard will definitely result in a more rewarding natural hair experience.

6. Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

One of the main reasons why many naturals revert to using chemicals is the boredom that they experience with their hair in its natural state. It is believed that there are limited styling options where natural hair is concerned but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Natural hair presents a world of styling possibilities that can be unearthed if you allow your creative juices to flow. Some persons may not possess the natural ability in this regard but the worldwide web has its very own styling academy which can provide you with a wide array of hairstyling options, ranging from very technical to the most basic. I have personally gained a wealth of knowledge from that medium as it relates to tips and techniques for styling my hair.

A twist out is not the only hairstyle that a natural has to resort to, neither is an Afro. There are updos and pin-up options, ponytails, braided dos, etc. that can be explored from time to time.

Don't be afraid to change things up with your look and definitely don't hesitate to experiment as some of the best creations are a result of experimentation.

Candie's Natural Hairnamix was birthed a few months after Jamaican native Rossette "Candie" Allen began her natural hair journey in May 2010. She gears this column toward naturals, transitioning naturals, aspiring naturals and the naturally curious, sharing experiences, expertise and experiments while celebrating emancipation from chemical slavery.