3 Year Hairniversary!!

Yaaaaay.....and I'm glad I started! After 3 years, I'm all smiley cos the whole journey has been worth it. I've not only grown longer and thicker hair, but I've made some awesome friends and started a business alongside. I dream of bigger and better things, all because of my hair journey. 

I texlaxed a few days ago and as usual had a lot of texture left in ...a little more than I wanted but there will be another relaxer day in the future and hopefully, I can stretch it out more. My focus has changed and I am more keen on thickness than growth; though having both will be awesome. Hheheehehhehe....makes me smile too wide each time I dream of thick, long, fabulous texlaxed tresses. 

It has been such an awesome hair journey. I've had my share of setbacks and challenges...I still have a lot of relaxed hair to get rid of as I began texlaxing last year and absolutely intend to be fully texlaxed by the end of my 4th year on my HHJ. 

I've learnt more each day as my hair gets longer to keep it in low to no manipulation styles to reduce breakage. I've discovered amazing products such as T444Z Hair Food, Manetabolism Vitamins, Groganics range of products and Vitamins, Afroriri range of products, Vitale and ORS range of products that I love and still use whenever I have the opportunity, just to mention a few; that grow, strengthen and maintain my strands and keep them healthy looking. 

To all ladies growing their hair along with me, Never Give Up!! And to you my awesome readers, each time I look at my pages views, I am so encouraged to keep going despite the frustrations because I have your support. Thanks you so much for your support and prayers, and well wishes......and let's keep growing together. Everything I do, I do for you!! 

THANK YOU!

MERCI BEAUCOUP!!

GRACIAS!!!

When did you start your hair journey? 

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. 

Tutorial: 10 Cute Hairstyles for Box Braids/Twists! (Video)

Hey hairdies,

So this was a highly requested tutorial of how I styled my twists while wearing them and I thought it best to do a video. 

Don't forget to subscribe and leave your favourite styles in the comments section!!


Thanks for stopping by and hair update coming up soon!!


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. 

Product Review: Afroriri Luxe Hair Butter

Hello lovelies!!

This is one post that I have been dying to make a video of but unfortunately I have technical challenges so would just write everything......and hope you catch the excitement in my words as you read. It's going to be a long post .....brace yourself...*wide smile*

Afroriri Hair Butter is the product I would be reviewing today!! 

How I got Afroriri Butter:  I got contacted by Afroriri Haircare some months ago on my facebook page asking if I would love to try out their products and review. Oh glory day.....my answer was YES....and so because I quickly checked out their website and the products especially the ingredients were very inviting. They sent me the hair butter through a fellow blogger in Ghana. Their products are made in Nigeria but they have agents in some West African countries and Ukraine.

Later, I also got their black soap shampoo, detangling conditioner, luxe hair and scalp conditioner and satin cap in the beautiful bag when their team visited Ghana at the end of last year and I will review the other products in following posts. 

Size: 250ml 

Price: It is sold for 35ghs in Ghana. 

Packaging: It comes in white jar with a simple glued-on label. Nothing extremely fancy. 

Ingredients: It is made of sheabutter, cocoa butter, castor oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, coconut oil....and a host of wonderful oils as on label below. It comes in the consistency of a whipped butter. 

I simply fell in love with these ingredients!! It came as no surprise to me that Afroriri butter won an award in Nigeria. Whose hair wouldn't love these rich hair goodies? With these ingredients, though the butter came solid, after a while it melted because of the hot weather. This is not a problem if you keep the jar upright where you keep it. However, because I have kids who love to play with my products, I refrigerate it to keep it solid as the product is able to seep from the closed jar even if tightly closed. I love how it easily melts onto my fingers when I use it. Also, I realised that when exposed to too much heat, the product evaporates a bit. It is best to store in a cool place. 

Scent and colour: I loved the scent from the first day. Very pleasant and toffee-like...sweet! It doesn't have the strong sheabutter scent that comes with  some other shea products. However, when I later got some other jars for my online store, the scent wasn't exactly the same as the first and the sheabutter scent was stronger for some jars. So I guess the scent depends to a large extent on the sheabutter, kernel, castor ..etc etc oils and that is understandable as their ingredients are organic. The colour also varies from jar to jar..I noticed this as well. But I had 2 jars for myself, different colours, different scents.....but the effect on my hair was the exact same. Perfectly moisturising.

Promises and Uses: Locks in moisture in hair strands, conditions hair making it softer nad more manageable. Strengthens and thickens hair and protects from dryness, split ends and shedding. Use as a leave-in conditioner, on slightly damp hair before blowdrying, as a scalp conditioner between braids and weaves and as a steam treatment. With continuous use, you will notice softer, fuller and richer hair. 

This product is extreeeeeemely moisturising for my hair. I would say that these promises are so true for my hair...100% convinced! It is just amaaaaaaazing that when I moisturise my hair with this butter, it just comes alive. No matter how dry, dull, tired-looking it is, as soon as I apply this butter, my hair feels like I just had a hot oil or deep conditioning treatment. I have used this product for over 4 months, and I still have the same feeling of awesomeness. My hair still loves it totally!! A little goes a long way so a jar can last for many months. A great deal is also that it works for all hair types...natural, relaxed, texlaxed, loc'd hair can all enjoy this butter.

I have tried this product in all ways except as a leave in conditioner on wet hair. It worked great as a deep conditioning treatment and I leave mine in overnight or for no less than 4 hours before shampooing. I usually deep condition on dry hair. My ends "heal" instantly and I can let my hair down confidently..... and I also love the volume I've got over time. I have less breakage and my hair looks and feels better, has great shine and is more manageable. I started using it initially on my hair as a moisturiser only but for the past month, after I saw some progress photos and the mention that  it was a growth aid too I have been applying it to my scalp and I have noticed thicker new growth as well. It promises to help grow hair in 4 weeks, and I believe it really does. I would keep applying it to my scalp every 3 days as I do currently. I wish I had time to apply it to my scalp everyday. Can't imagine how much new growth I would have had to deal with. 

Would I purchase this product?

Absolutely! YES, YES and YES as long as my hair keeps loving it. It is a 5 star moisturiser for me. It is currently my most loved every day moisturiser.  It is reasonably priced and lasts very long. And from the reviews I've got from other users in Ghana, Afroriri hair butter has come to stay!! I just love it!! 

Where can you get Afroriri hair butter to buy? You can contact Afroriri Haircare on Instagram @afroririhaircare and check if they have agents in your country. 

Have you tried any hair butters?


Cheers,
Star. 

Wash Day: Soft and Beautiful

Here again lovelies to update you on my wash at the weekend. 

The excitement I get from a great wash day lingers on for days and makes me look forward eagerly to the next wash day! How did it all go on Saturday?

1. Prepooed for about 6 hours with coconut oil and honey after detangling thoroughly. I applied the honey and oil mix to my scalp and massaged for a few minutes before applying over the rest of my hair.

2. Shampooed with Diva by Cindy stimulating shampoo (just love that soothing cool effect on my scalp).

3. Conditioned with Diva by Cindy stimulating conditioner (that tingles too.....love love ).

4. Soaked up excess water with t-shirt after rinsing out and applied Diva by Cindy ultimate hair treatment which I covered with a plastic bag and left in for about 30 mins.

5. Wrapped t-shirt around head to soak up water after final rinse. Once it was not dripping anymore, left it to dry about 70%, then applied Hawaiian silky herbal leave in.

6. Once 100% dry, I applied Diva by Cindy hair gro and T444Z to my edges. 

7. I applied Afroriri hair butter and Afroriri hair and scalp conditioner to hair and styled  in a simple bun with a comb band (I hope that's what it's called) after finger detangling thoroughly, and then detangling with a wide tooth comb.  

I do not comb my hair till it is 100% dry now. I realised my wet hair detests combs or finger detangling so I stopped wet detangling months ago..even soaked with conditioner. And the exciting news is that last week, I saw the smallest ball of hair I have seen in a long time.

The softness and shine of my hair is really amazing and I have far less tangles mid week. I have a harder time keeping my hands out of my hair because I love that "omg" feeling each time I run my hands through my roots. I don't struggle to put a comb through my hair like before. And I can do braid styles more easily now without fear of breaking my strands. That's the power great products hold over me especially when they are new in my stash. I just can't wait to have that amazing experience again and again and over and over again with the same "WOW"effect. 

         

                                                                               

I've definitely been feeling more and more like a Diva as the days go by. I've run out of Groganics shampoo and conditioner and will buy new bottles definitely...though my excessive shedding has stopped ......but I also want to see how much growth I get with this Diva by Cindy stimulating set. 

What range of products are you loving most right now? 

Cheers,

Star.

Hair Update at 4 Week Post

Thank you all for your patience and concern while I was away for God knows how long! All the while, I thought it was just a few weeks. My goodness, I'm ashamed it's been so long since I posted anything. Glad to be back and I'll not vanish like this again. 

I've been quite well and my hair is doing fine. Only issue is the reversion is getting worse ; or I'm just over-reacting? I really haven't gotten used to the texlaxed parts that much or rather the shrinkage that comes with it. I have found great products that make it easy for me to manage, but the shrinkage when I do not use heat is a little less welcome now but only because my roots look way thicker when that happens and my ends look miserable and far thinner. 

I relaxed 4 weeks ago at my regular salon and she did a great job. However, just a few minutes before washing it out, I let her smooth with a comb and told her to let it go over the texlaxed parts to loosen them a bit. My ends were thin and the left side had outgrown the right by far and she asked to trim it out a bit. I agreed and decided not to even look in order not to stop the trim as it's something I'd been considering for a long while. At first I thought it was a successful "corrective". But after 4 weeks now, doesn't look like it loosened one bit. Below is my hair after relaxing. I just took it out of a bun and took the photo without combing.  The ends are still way thinner than the middle. 

I try my best to prevent breakage by deep conditioning often, moisturising often (not daily anymore though this would be the best situation), and washing at least once in 2 weeks, if not weekly. I got that lazy and I think my hair doesn't like the "once in a while" wash. I noticed this week that it gets dried out quicker than it used to so I've had to moisturise at least every 2 days. 

My ends were not looking that healthy anymore after some lazy weeks and I snipped some off last weekend. I am yet to do a length check again.

Manetabolism update: I was on antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs for a long while due to an ear infection and my battles with malaria and mosquitoes ..... and I didn't take my pills that often. After 2 months, I still have some pills in my bottle. I've decided to wait till I'm totally fine before I start with the hair vitamins again. 

But 2 weeks ago, before my hair began to look horrible to me recently,....... well my sisters say I'm being complacent and getting scissor-happy again.....everything was fine. 

I got Diva by Cindy hair products from Cindy Tawiah a month ago and I've been trying them out for the past 3 weeks. I love how soft and manageable they make my hair feel, and I love the tingle the shampoo gives. Very soothing on the scalp. They give that silky feel after wash day. They don't weigh the air down at all which is fabulous. I use the leave in detangler every few days and the hair gro on my edges 3 times a week. I had an occasion at the end of March and I used the products for my wash. I used the detangler right in my hair before I applied a little grapeseed oil and blow dried it. My hair just felt so right afterwards!! I got that " Is that your hair?" question all weekend. 

Right now, my ends are better after the trim on Saturday but when I comb it all back and I see the thicker middle, I just feel like doing away with the bone straight ends. For now, I just bun it or tuck it away all week because I really want to continue growing it and cutting the straighter ends bit by bit though the desire to chop is overwhelming. 

I don't wish to come up with any surprise chop, but ........hmmmmmmmmmmmm....looks like I just want 3 or 4 inches off. 

How do you feel about your hair today? 

Cheers,

Star.

My Lime and Honey Facial Regimen

When it comes to acne and pimples, I've always been prone. I honestly didn't really mind until when I started looking at my pictures from my November 2012 when I started blogging. Then I realised it was getting worse as I had the dark acne spots increasing over time and getting more pronounced.

In April, I started trying to fade the spots. I read several blogs and checked with cosmetics shops. Black soap seemed popular in the blogging world. And honey and lime too. But I only tried black soap, and some other soaps and treatments (facial peels, lotions, scrubs) I got from shops. It started before I started taking women's and hair vitamins so I wouldn't blame it on those.

Before lime and honey regimen.

Then I decided to try the honey and lime facial scrub finally when I met a cousin who had always had bad, bad, acne issues and her face was almost clear. I asked the secret and she said, "Honey and Lime". That was the last push I needed and I jumped right on board.

2 months after using regimen daily.

I bought pure honey from Honey Lane Limited, because I wanted 100% pure honey and got some lime from the market.

My Regimen: I use a small bowl into which I squeeze the juice and mix with honey. I usually make just enough for 2 applications, morning and evening as I prefer it fresh. If there is any leftover, I keep it in the fridge. I wash my face and blot it dry with a face towel. I then apply my lime and honey mixture and leave it on my face till it's time to shower. I wash it off with facial soap. I do the same in the evening. Once in a while, when my face feels dry, I add castor oil and grapeseed oil to the mix.

I must say I am so delighted I finally tried it and after just 2 months, my spots have faded considerably. I still have a few tough ones and the occassional breakouts, but I'm sticking to this simple facial regimen for a long, long while.


What's your facial regimen?


Cheers,
Star.

Giveaway Ongoing and I got Manetabolism!!

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all doing great. I'm currently hosting the post meetup giveaway as promised on my facebook page. I had challenges with filming the video for my Youtube channel. 

The link to my page is www.facebook.com/ghlonghair. These lovely goodies below are up for grabs!! 

The giveaway is sponsored by UrbanMakes online store and ends on the 15th of October, 2014. 

In other news...very exciting....I got my supply of Manetabolism Hair Vitamins yesterday and started with them right away! I looooooooove Groganics Vitamins...they gave me so much growth within the 3 months I took them...even though I took one a day instead of 2 but I run out of those and I had a friend in the US who helped me get Manetabolism to use in the meantime. Besides, the PJ in me just has to try it out! I would take 2 a day without fail for the first month and see if I really get an inch. In future, once Groganics is available, I will buy enough to take 2 a day and then compare results. Want to see which vitamins my body responds better to. I am determined to come up with a list of staple products by the end of the year so that I stop buying everything with a good review.....lol. 

My weave would be 4 weeks old tomorrow and I have a lot of growth for hair I kind of left alone. I bet I have almost an inch of growth! I just applied T444Z weekly, D&L Braids and Weaves Anti Itch daily, took one Groganics pill a day, washed twice with Groganics Deep Freeze shampoo and conditioner. I am so happy my hair is "growing" again. I was stuck at the same length for too long and looking forward to more growth with these Manetabolism pills. I also need to do a length check as I snipped off some ends before installing the weave. 

What are your favourite hair vitamins? 

Cheers,

Star. 

<manetabolism> <hairvitamins> <Ghanaianhairblogger> <hairjourney> 

Loc Extensions Out.....New Products!

My hair has been boredom.com hence no update for so long. I just got so bored with the loc extensions that I took them out yesterday. They had just turned 4 weeks. I was horrified in the beginning when I realised how I had to cut my hair within some of the locs because I was right about my hair being longer than some of the locs at the back. Yes, once I snipped off the burnt ends of some of the locs, I cut my ends in the process. 

By the time I was done undoing them all, I was over the initial shock and sadness. I left some of the locs in the back with the intention to show it to my hairdresser as I told her several times to make sure she braided to the end at the back as I could not see for myself. I did keep a close eye as she did the crown and front and always pointed out where I saw my hair sticking out. The front was intact...but the harm had already been done at the back. I decided not to bother anyway as my back grows faster than my front. 

One thing I noticed was how easily my hair detangled this time. I was very consistent with spraying with Hawaiian silky, oil and water mix everyday and night. My hair felt super moisturised and silky. Totally frizz-free. Most of the knots detangled easily ....so i didnt have to use water, conditioner and oil. For the tough knots, I decided to try Hawaiian silky as a detangler and mercy me!! Why on earth hadn't I tried that before? It was completely amazing to see and feel how easily the knots came out. No stress, no long hours, no water dripping down my back.....less than an hour for detangling. Woooooooooooooow!! Hawaiian Silky for me is a winner!

I washed my hair with same products and technique as my last wash day except i didn't do a black tea rinse.....but I blowdried on warm setting because I did my wash late and I was too tired to airdry. I have no picture updates now as I broke my fon screen completely on Saturday, and I still haven't fixed my camera. Kindly bear with me in the meantime. 

I just started using the Groganics DHT Blocker system to help with my shedding. I am currently taking their 2 a day hair vitamins; but I take 1 a day. I also used the Liquid Scratch for my braids in the last week before I removed them. Will do a post soon about the products in the whole range I bought. I started inverting yesterday and will continue for 7 days...hopefully. I intend to get cornrows with my own hair at the weekend. 

What are your thoughts about the Groganics DHT Blocker System? 

Cheers,

Star.

One Thing That Won't Happen in 2014!!

2014 is really here!! Welcome to brand new beginnings....in all things and hair-wise too. Today, I stand at another start line ready to race my hair to full Bra Strap Length by December 31st. I need at least 6 more inches of hair to reach my goal considering that I will trim off at least 2 inches within the year. Overall, I need about 4 inches to reach my goal. It doesn't seem so hard as I picture it; at least not from the hair growth point. The main challenge is going to be length retention. The fight against breakage raves on!!

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehnnnnn.....I got big hair plans for this year. You have no idea!! Will tell you all about them in the series of posts coming up. But the biggest of my hair plans in 2014 is to stop buying everything with an "attractive" ingredient list!! Every product I read or hear about online. I was so into everything product-wise last year, buying every product I had seen raves about. Knowing how difficult it is to come by products here in our Ghanaian market, I always grabbed anything I had on my wishlist that I found somewhere somehow for fear that I may never see it again. I sometimes bought up to 4 bottles of a product I had not tried before. Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeehnn.......it was that bad!!

Between March and October last year, I had this much products. What I pictured here were not all as I had at least 9 other new products at my other house as well, delivered to my hubby but not yet collected. Twas too embarrassing to line all these products up again and take a pix. Meeeeeeeeeeeeeehn, meeeeeeeeeeehn, meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehn, I just failed at keeping my product junkie lifestyle tied down up till November when I decided enough was enough. It was no mean feat but I did well at not purchasing anything again.... at least not things I have replacement for.

Most of the products I bought have not yet been used up.  For those I have not yet tried, if upon use my hair doesn't like it, then I'll keep it and swap later at our meetups. 

So far I have made a list of the products that I like and will keep as staples if they continue working for me. My only headache is that my list is still so long. My hair seems to like a lot of the products with each product doing something unique. You know, those days when you feel like your hair likes one product better. Now that should have been a blessing but this is my curse. I am having a hard time selecting and cutting down on my "staples".

What's up with my hair? Been a while since I updated you. Well, I got comfy and didn't get to finishing my wash day posts....and now I guess I just have to let 2013 keep it.....lol!! I started undoing my braids yesterday simply because I didn't want to begin 2014 with "old" hair....hehhehehehhehhehe...but I never got to finish it up as I had to go welcome the new year in church. I just braided up the parts I had undone and held the braids in a bun. It was late so I couldn't take any pixs that were clear enough to show but I'm sure you imagine....*winks*....not so nice but good to go hairstyle. Will give you an update tomorrow. I had a detailed detangling video on my Youtube channel that I can't find in my videos anymore smh so I will do a video on how I detangle when I undo my braids. Please subscribe to get the update. 

How many products do you have in your stash? 

Cheers,

Star.