Hairlovers....Star is Back!

Oh My gooooooosh!! I can't believe I've been this lazy!! 

Or was I de-motivated or busy or basically lost for hair words and updates? I'm happy to be back in the space and I absolutely apologise for keeping ya'll waiting. I really missed blogging..was always on my mind but my schedule and life got so fast paced I barely had the energy to write. Been updating on my Youtube Channel though as often as I can though. 

So what's been going on with my hair? Well, after the chop, I am not sure what I want with it now honestly. I'm really yearning to get a low cut at the end of the year, but I don't want it to be short as I don't know what styles I'll be able to wear till it grows long enough to style. But I do love my natural hair and having loads of natural hair products and Cantu sheabutter products, almost the whole range is surely a factor. My natural hair feels happier than my texlaxed hair when I use most of the products I have. I'm being biased smh now opting more for products made for natural hair. 

Do I really want to go natural? Off the top of my head, my answer is no. But I do feel like growing it natural to see if I like it as much as I love all the natural hair ladies I follow. The thick updos always keep me going like wow! Maybe I am just afraid my hair won't be as thick as those I see online eventually. Oh it's a mix of everything between sure and confused...lmao. 

I can't keep my hands out of my natural hair and though it is mostly coily, it is not as coarse as it used to be. I figure it gets better as it grows longer or something like that. 

                                                         

 

I usually do flat twists and this here is my first attempt at large braids. Not bad huh? And I got a new camera as a gift from Nelspruit Communications UK ,and I was so so happy. Yaaaaaaaaaay yaaaay yaaaaaaaa!! Time to get better pictures up in this space! 

I will write more often...and thanks to you all for your support over the years. 

STAR IS BACK!! 

Cheers....muaaaaaaah!! 

Big Chopped!! Relaxed to Texlaxed!

And............ I'm just so excited I can't believe myself. I just lost a lot of length but I mostly feel so liberated and so back to the "feel good" factor that came with this hair journey in the beginning...No more do I feel like hair days are going to be work days. Honestly, that's just how this whole neglecting my hair started. It was real work with handling the 3 textures and I realised that now after my wash day after cutting my hair off. 

And surprisingly, that huge chunk in the crown that is almost completely natural, I seem to be giving much more tender loving care. Is it because it is short and I want it to grow out faster or because it is natural and I'm loving it? Hmmmmmmm, confused myself. 

Maybe I'm jumping too fast now...let's see how the next wash days will leave me feeling. Want to see how I cut it all off? Check my video below.

Let's grow it all back ...will we?!! 

Cheers,

Star.

My Hair Goals for 2016

It's been a minute and all too soon, we are already in the 2nd month of the year. That really tells that time flies and what one has got to do, one has got to do now!!

So I decided to put down my hair goals for the year. It's the first time I'm actually writing them down and I feel like I can really be serious with accomplishing them. I definitely want to get a step further than getting 6 inches in a year because this is my Year of Trimming and I'm going to lose a lot of length. 

Check out what my hair goals are in my youtube video here: 

Consistency is Key and Patience is Golden. I pray for both this year.

Have you got any hair goals for 2016?...I'll love to read them.

Cheers,
Star.

Hair Update: Wigging all December

It's been a minute and I know y'all wondering if I went into hairding (hiding) again...

It's so tough at work at the end of the year I hardly have time for my hair. So I've chosen to keep my hair in wigs till we break for Christmas. And I'm totally loving the easy care routine. No worry over styling. This is getting nicer each time I try it and I'm looking at wigging more next year...#new year  hair resolutions being made already.

And, I'm no fan of human hair as I feel it is expensive but bought for the first time and we'll see how it goes. Video update on my wig , hair extensions purchased and how I keep my hair underneath here: 

 I just need a mannequin head to start wig making! Don't forget to like and leave comments below. 

Cheers,

Star.

Hair Update: Almost 6 weeks post

It's been a real struggle for me lately with so much texture in my hair to the point where I just feel it is best to leave my hair alone. 

Unfortunately, there is only one hairdresser I can trust to braid my hair without half falling off my head due to pulling and tugging; and she's on maternity leave. Looks like I have to wait a few more weeks before I can get a long term protective style.

In the meantime, I've adopted a no-comb lifestyle. I just moisturise and seal, and put my hair right back into a style without combing. I finger detangle to remove as much tangles as I can, but I am so used to my hair no being so smooth and sleek anymore.

If I don't get it done this weekend, will probably grab one of my old wigs and try wigging till I make it at least past 8 weeks before I relax. I'm loving all the stuff I'm using in my hair at the moment...groganics products, afroriri products, hawaiian silky 14 in 1 and a couple of others....and biotin. For now, I see no real need to change products. 

Check out my review of NOW Biotin 5000mcg....

I want to retouch my new growth honestly..it's enough to do so but I just want to go past the general rule of 8 weeks . 

Cheers,

Star. 

Details of Last Relaxer Day!

Hi lovelies,

Just as promised, here goes my relaxer day in as much detail as I can give. Having to deal with 3 textures at 18 weeks post was not feeling funny anymore. Wash days began to feel like horror days and I just didn't look forward to it. Not, not, not that kind of feeling I want to have as far as my hair is concerned. So as much as I really wanted to get to 20 weeks, I just woke up that night and at 10 pm , I had absolutely no desire to wake up with hair not retouched. It was late, I was tired but Lord knows where I found my way to my relaxer. 

Threading for wash days were not working anymore and I had to try braids. It was far better than threading and it definitely is the way to go for my texture and length of hair now. I had been keeping my own hair in these large braids under my wig after I took my braid extensions out. 

I parted my hair into 4 large sections, detangled and coated the already processed parts with castor and coconut oil mix. I used a lot of oil as I bought the Motions Relaxer in super strength and didn't want to risk processing the already texlaxed parts.

I do not use a comb on relaxer days as I find that it delays the process for me. I make the parts with my hands and apply the relaxer with my hands. I always wear gloves. 

I scooped out enough relaxer and stirred it to get it into a smooth paste. This relaxer was so soft already that was a step I could have skipped . 

I made parts quickly and applied the relaxer starting in the back as always; cos my hair grows thicker in there. It was my first time of using this relaxer and so I worked very fast as I wasn't sure how it would process. This relaxer surprised me honestly. It was so gentle and smooth to apply, didn't have that huge awful relaxer scent. I actually had to put my nose close to it to smell it to be sure it was a relaxer. I was amazed at how it felt on my hair...like a deep conditioner. Hair felt soft within minutes of application.  I had no sensation at all after 15 minutes....that was a nice surprise considering it was super strength and I thought I won't make it through 10 minutes. Boy, I was so wrong!

I worked the relaxer with my fingers, stretching the new growth for the last 5 minutes of the time and then I rinsed it out. It rinsed out so easily. Meeeeehn, I had such an awe with this relaxer. How do I describe the feeling.....

I applied ES Keratin Hair Treatment right after and then followed with ORS aloe shampoo twice after rinsing out. I then apllied ORS replenishing conditioner and waited for 15 minutes before I rinsed out. 

I then used my fan to airdry, applied Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 as a leave in, Afroriri butter to moisturise and Afroriri Hair and scalp conditioner to seal. I used a little pure castor oil for a final step.

My hair felt .....hairmazing!! I was in real love! Need I say more?! 

I was so confident I would have no issues for a long while and I put on my satin cap and went right to bed. I have been enjoying my hair for the past week. No issues with reversion. My texture is just the way I love it and my hair is in it's glory days once again. 

Styling has been easy and believe me, I still comb my hair no more than twice a week. Most of the braids and updo styles do no need to be very sleek so I just style and use a comb to smooth it afterwards. 

I'm considering a long term protective style soon but I'm mighty bored with braids or twists now...been my go-to option for the past months.... and would love to try a weave this time.

What product surprised you pleasantly recently? 

Cheers,

Star.  

What's In My Stash (Part 1)

Hey everyone,

So over the past months I have tried to keep my hands away from more products. I was successful to some extent but couldn't help buying these products I'm yet to use. I was particularly excited about getting  free T444Z Hair Products Shampoo and conditioner and can't wait to try it out. 

Check them out in my new video. 

Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe.

Cheers,

Star. 

Relaxer Update: Motions Relaxer At It's Best!

Hey everyone,

I've been so busy lately I have not updated y'all on my hair and what's going on with it. I relaxed my hair almost 2 weeks ago at home. I loved how the Motions relaxer I used felt on my hair and how the results I got were.

               

After : August 2015 

Before: October 2014 

My ends are much, much thicker and better now. And having trimmed twice between these 10 past months, I am mighty happy with my hair. All the vitamins and the growth products I'm using have definitely been worth it. 

I will do a post later on the relaxer day and the process. 

Cheers,

Star.

Pamper Your Hair Challenge : Edition 2 Begins!!

It's amazing how many ladies in Ghana and Nigeria, and everywhere else are catching the "Pamper Your Hair" fever!! We really want thick, long and healthy hair by the end of December......who doesn't want that?

Thank all the ladies who joined in Edition 1 and I'm so happy many of them are joining in Edition 2 again, as well as a couple of new ladies. Who wins the prize in Edition 2? 

Let's meet our wonderful ladies who have decided to care for their hair consistently for the next 6 months! 

Ama

Genie 

Emprezz Abena 

Irene 

Mimi

Naa Adjeley 

Aba 

Emefa

Ruby 

Pat 

Rosemary

Adoma

Maame Akosua 

Ayeyi 

Maamle 

Nana Yaa 

Rashida 

Maame Akua

Augustina

Adoma

JUDITH 

SOPHIA 

ANITA

24 Amaaaaaazing ladies are in the competition!! 

And by popular request, I'm updating 1 rule. All ladies who do regular check ins , at least monthly throughout the challenge stand to compete in the Final Voting Contest!! Just remember to care for your hair, and hashtag #ghpamperyourhair2015 with an update photo at least once a month on Instagrama and Facebook. Everyone else can join in the competition, however only the ladies above stand the chance to win 3 Groganics Products and a Length Check shirt at the end of the competition in December. Once again, photos with hair combed back or pulled back are preferrable and can be sent asap if you were unable to do so. It helps to easily judge your progress!! 

All the best ladies.....and on, on we journey to waist length! 

Cheers,

Star! 

VOTE NOW: Who Wins Pamper Your Hair Challenge Edition 1?

Finally! Finally! Finally!!

We are all so excited that the challenge has ended and now it's time for one lucky lady to win the Afroriri Starter Pack which contains 5 amazing product from Afroriri Haircare!! Whoever wins, your hair is going to be so glorious after using the Afroriri products for a few weeks!! Trust me!

All the contestants did very well. Most of those who submitted ending photos had made progress with their hair; either in length, thickness or health. The contestants who did not check in at least once a month by posting progress pictures with hashtag #ghpamperyourhair2015 were not considered in the final selection process.  

Please find below the final 3 contestants who were chosen based on their overall progress.

Whose hair has improved the most in the last 6 months?

Is it.............

MAAME AKOSUA

Is it.........

MERCY

Is it.........

MAYBEL

The TRIPLE M......their names all start with M....amazing! The time has come for us all to decide. Please look closely at each lady's before and after photo in the grids; and vote by typing out the NAME of the lady you think made the most progress in the COMMENT SECTION.

Voting ends at midnight on 20th July....means there are only 4 days of voting. Woooohooooooooo!! I can't help but feel excited for these ladies! There's no time to waste.

Every vote counts!! Let's vote wisely!


LET THE VOTING BEGIN AND MAY THE BEST HAIRSISTA WIN!! 



Cheers,
Star.

Pamper Your Hair Challenge Ends!!

Hello lovely hairdies, 

It's so amazing it's half year already!! 

How is your hair journey so far? 

Remember I started a challenge to help us all keep pampering our hair? Yaaaaaas!! The 1st Edition has ended!! Finally, one lucky contestant will go home with a pack of Afroriri products. 

The contestants for the first edition should kindly send their comparison photos; before and now via message on my facebook page. You can also post your photo to instagram and use the hashtag #ghpamperyourhair2015. 

When does the next edition begin? 

Begins on the 16th of July. Anyone in Ghana or with an address in Ghana can join! 

Winner takes home:

GHlonghair Length Check Shirt

Groganics Growthick Hair Fattening Shampoo

Groganics Featherlite Voluminising Conditioner

Groganics Gro and Wild Intensive Growth Treatment 

Read more about the rules here and do join in the July to December edition and win some of my favourite products!! The rules remain the same. Use the hashtag #ghpamperyourhair2015 and indicate it is your starting photo. Send your starting photos before 16th July to be entered into the next edition. Those who contested in the first edition can contest again. 

Voting for the 3 finalists for the first edition would be on the 20th of July here on this blog. Remember, it is all about health and length........ all the best to everyone who contested!

Cheers,

Star. 

New Protective Style: Twists

Howdy everyone,

Last weekend was a busy one. I had to go away from home for a couple of days and I was not too worried about what to do with my hair as I could wear a scarf for the funeral service I had to attend. On the first night, I moisturised my hair as usual and was detangling in sections when my comb broke! Like that was my favourite comb y'all. I didn't find it funny at all and realised I just couldn't deal with the thickness much more. 

My hair has gotten so thick over the past 6 months....I am just in a happy place right now..though I admit I'm still learning to embrace the challenges thicker hair comes with. 

So I just asked a friend the next day if there was a really good braider around and I was happy he did get me a good one. I got my hair braided up within 2 hours with 2 packs of extensions. It was totally painless. I asked her not to attempt to comb too much as I had done so already. She just made the parts and braided them up. Usually, I do not allow braiders to comb my hair especially when they section into the little parts to be braided up when I am more than 4 weeks post. Once they comb through initially with the big combs and tie it up, it's just sectioning and braiding time. I always insist on this when I meet new hairdressers; though some find it weird, they still comply. 

My braids are waist length.  I hadn't done twists in like forever and just wanted to see if it would "suit me". This was smaller than the last box braids I had, but I wanted it this size because I do want to keep them in for at least 6 weeks. I want to beat my itch to relax and really hope this helps. I will care for my hair though it is in braids as always. I will have a video up on my Youtube Channel on my braid care regimen soon.

And you know when you are feeling good about your braids, you just can't help taking a zillion photos! That's my favourite among the whole lot and hope I win your smile with mine!

Which do you prefer? Box braids or twists? 

Cheers,

Star. 

Hair Challenges I've Joined So Far

Hello lovelies,

Besides the Pamper Your Hair Challenge I am hosting myself, there are so many hair growth challenges out there and being totally all for long, long, and thick, thick hair by the end of this year, I have joined 3......and 1 more. The 3 are kind of major and the last 1, I deem minor because it is easy.

Let's see:

Let's Grow Our Hair Challenge: This is co-hosted by some of my favourite bloggers and I'm in as there will be mini challenges each month to keep participants in check. I really want to dedicate my time to my hair much more this year. 

Growth Challenge 2015 by Phro Group: This is hosted by Phrophro. It is also aimed at hair growth but it is at different levels based on how you want to wear your hair the whole year. I'm doing the Rested Growth Routine. I am challenging myself to keep in my protective styles for 6-8 weeks at a time and I found it perfectly in line with my own hair plans. 

Castor Oil Challenge by Sunshyne: I've decided to try Jamaican Black Castor Oil as a growth aid again. I will be using the Jamaican Mango and Lime brand and hope it works for me. I tried JBCO 2 years ago for growth and didn't see much so I only used it to seal in moisture.Will massage onto my scalp 3 times a week and hope to see results. This time, I will go through the 3 month period the challenge will last. It ends in April. It is hosted by Sunshyne.

Ms Direction Healthy Hair Challenge:  Healthy hair care practices is the focus of this challenge. I deem it a great challenge to because if hair grows fast and breaks fast as well, there will be little to no progress. Having reminders to pay attention to retention is also key. Hosted by Miranisa.

The last one is The Mane Challenge which is simply using Manetabolism Healthy Hair Vitamins which I would begin in May. I just started taking Groganics Vitamins as I don't want my body to get used to the Manetabolism Vitamins....

I will keep up with all the mini challenges the best I can...I aim to get no less than 4 inches more by June, 2015. 

Which hair challenges are you in? 

Cheers,
Star. 

Relaxer Day: At 9 Weeks Post

Hello hairdies,

9 weeks post relaxer

Once again, I gave up on stretching after 9 weeks. Do I consider it a fail? Not at all, because I always tell myself to do what makes me happy. And if at any point in time, even when it comes to my hair, anything about it makes me unhappy, I change it immediately. No second guessing. 

I just couldn't handle all the new growth....or just simply wasn't prepared to. And my hair was breaking much more than I wanted while detangling. Know how I go gaga over just 1 strand breaking off. I was just not prepared to feel bad about my hair. The new growth I had was over 2 inches anyway which is more like results from  a 16-20 week stretch without growth aids so I just grabbed the last bit of relaxer that was left and just slapped it on the sections I had detangled for my weekend wash. I was all smiley after that. Believe me, like I had won a lottery. 

Texlaxed roots

I used the same process I used here.  Only thing I did differently was to smoothe a little with a wide tooth comb. My new growth is denser nowadays and so coily...I figured I would still have texture even if I smoothed, and I was right. I used the same products but the relaxer I used was S&S relaxer made by Ghandour Cosmetices.

The thickness I have is amazing and I just love the look of the strands. I'm just at a point in my hairy life where everything I am using is just awesome! 

I wrapped my hair up for the night and had very smooth results the next day. I used AfroRiri hair butter and scalp&hair conditioner to moisturise and seal my hair......and once again, I felt like a million dollars. Look at the shine and how well moisturised my ends are. By the end of the day, my hair still looks "brand new". The ends don't give me that "I'm mighty thirsty'' look. 

Relaxer Results

That trim I wanted to get when I relax, I didn't think I needed it just yet so I skipped the trim. My right nape broke really badly last August and I see that it is filling in nicely. Will just have to wait till next relaxer day...and trim if I need it. 

This is just a great way for me to start my year in 2015. I am filled with so much optimism that not even a setback will dull my shine....I am discovering more about myself on this journey, loving my hair more, loving myself more, loving my life more. Every bit of it. 

Do you have any challenges with your hair that bother you? 

Cheers,

Star.

Wash Day: Weave out and Massive Growth!

Hello hairdies, 

No words can explain my joy when I finally took my weave out over the weekend. I had kept the weave in for 7 weeks.....a week longer than the last weave which was good. Means now I am pretty sure I can keep protective styles in longer. This time, the fear of the hot, dry harmattan weather wrecking havoc on my hair made it all the more easier to keep it in. My sister helped to take the tracks out and together, we undid the cornrows. The amount of shedding and breakage was not massive. Just normal for a 7 week period.

 I had to do a protein treatment immediately because my hair was just too soft and limp. Moisture overload! So I prepooed with ORS Mayonnaise mixed with jbco, coconut oil, honey and eggs. I left it on my hair for about an hour and washed with ORS aloe shampoo, and followed with Groganics shampoo and conditioner. My hair felt soft yet strong after that. I decided to use Kuza cholesterol which I hadn't touched in a long while to DC just to use up what is left as it is not a product I will buy again.

After airdrying, I used Creme of Nature argan oil leave in, I moisturised with AfroRiri hair butter and used the Afroriri hair and scalp conditioner, before sealing in with black castor oil. My hair felt and looked really really good. 

I then decided to check my length after I realised I had between 1.5 and 2 inches of new growth in the past 8 weeks which is AM-AAAAAAA-ZING!! Wooooooooooow! (I keep forgetting to use the length check Tee's I have ). I am officially Bra Strap Length. No doubt in my mind. 

I can give the credit to Manetabolism Healthy Vitamins because I wasn't really using any topical aids except my moisturising mix to oil my scalp. I also did inversion a few days to removing the weave...and knowing I don't get an inch from inversion, and the growth doesn't show till after a week of inverting, I am very convinced the hair vitamins really worked well for me. Besides, the first 2 months I used the pill, I didn't invert but still had awesome new growth. I'm out of bottles and currently using Groganics vitamins which worked amazingly well too though I took 1 a day. I am taking 2 a day as recommended this time. 

Next day, my kinks had shrunk so much and I knew I would give in and relax if I had to deal with styling daily. I just threaded my hair up and I've been wearing wigs since Sunday. Right now, I might just leave my hair alone for a week or 2 and then relax. I did say I wanted to stretch no less than 12 weeks this year, but I do have the growth I would have had in 16 weeks so I think anyday is a good day to relax and the chances of overlapping would be slim.

I got invited to speak on "Hair and Health" at an event on the 14th of February in Accra and I want to wear my hair out that day so I won't install any long term protective style till then. My monthly goal is to reduce manipulation , minimise breakage and retain any growth I get. Every strand counts, always.

Did you reach your hair length goal for 2014? 

Cheers,

Star.