My 6-Month Healthy and Length Retention Hair Challenge

A  Real Decision Is Measured By  The Fact That You  Have Taken New Action. If There Is No Action, Then You Have Not Truly Decided.
                                                Anthony Robbins 

(source:via themrswiththefro)

- Starting Statistics: Collar-bone length(layered, it's longer in the crown)

- Goal: healthy, bra-strap length.

- Regimen: a combination of traditional and Ayurvedic.

I was supposed to have started in June but I got scissor-happy and trimmed off a few more inches. Although it was neccessary, there is no need to hold on to damaged ends, for me anyway.
So, I started on the 1st of July, the Challenge is definitely on!

I'd always wanted to maintain a strict Ayurvedic regimen because Ayurvedic herbs and oils are purported to make hair extremely healthy, thick and full of body. But I couldn't earlier because it's been difficult to find the basic herbs and oils I need in Lagos. After much searching, I did get Henna and Fenugreek seeds at the Indian Market(It's really just three Indian grocery shops situated beside each other)in Ilupeju. And then I got Coconut Oil from EmJay's on Adeola Odeku, although i've since moved on to the Parachute brand.

Another aspect of the challenge is protective styling, not just the styles, also techniques that are neccessary for protecting my hair. Like detangling, combing(or not), maintenance etc. I'm going to post about my regimen and the products I use, Ayurvedic and others.

Have you ever been on a Hair Challenge? How was it for you? Please, do share your travails! :)
xoxo

Absolutely Fabulous Spotlight - Emmanuella

What's your name and where are you from? - Emmanuella Thomas, from London, England. With origins  from Nigeria and Jamaica.

What do you do? -I'm a legal secretary. But I do other things as well; like selling Mary Kay products to women to give their skin a unique glow. I am also a hairdresser which I started because I didn't like the customer service I received from Salons. So my business caters to the customers' needs and requirements.

My hair was quiffed in front and pulled back into a pony-tail

How long have you been natural? -  Since birth.

What keeps you chemical-free? -  Well, I've seen my Mum, Aunty and Sisters suffer hair breakage from chemical usage, and I vowed never to do that to my hair.

M y hair was corn-rowed, pulled into a pony-tail and my bangs  straightened

What's the best thing and the challenges about staying natural? - The best thing has to be the compliments I get when they see the length and the thickness of my hair (as its so rare).
The challenges should be the maintenance of my hair.

It gets thicker over time and slowly becomes unbearable to manage. But I genuinely love having long hair. I love being able to experiment with my hair.

What's your hair routine/regimen? -  I wash twice every month, steam once every month and trim every 6 months. When washing, I condition it as well.

Blow-dried and pulled into a ponytail

Do you have any must-have products?  -  I would have to recommend PRO LINE Comb-Thru Softener.

Where do you get your products from? -  I get them from my local hair and  beauty shop in Stratford.

My hair was corn-rowed to the tips and the ends put in a bun 

What's your favourite style to wear? -  I like pulling it back into a ponytail. And having a 'fro- bob' at the back!

Where do you currently get hair tips and ideas from? -  Black beauty magazines and the internet.

Are there any words of encouragement or thoughts you'd like to share?  -  Yeah, to all the naturals, keep pressing on, I know it may feel like a chore, but when every woman looks at your long, healthy luxurious hair (with envy) ;). It'll make you feel that much better!

Where can we find you? - My name is Emmz 'Emmzy' T on Facebook.

PHILOMENA KWAO

 There are People who have Money and People who are Rich.
                                                                                                - Coco Chanel

  I know there has to be lots of black plus-sized models in the industry, but where are they really? You rarely see them in editorials or even on the runways. I see so many stunning plus-sized models but very few of them are black! So i've decided to go on a "black models-finding" mission, I hope it yields positive results!    
So, you all could either come along with me or sit  back, relax and i'll post my findings for you to see!

      She's a 22 year old Ghanaian from Dartford, Kent. The size 16, former Miss Ghana UK 2008, is not just all gorgeousness as she also holds a first class degree in Economics from Bristol University and is presently for an MSc in International Health Management at the Imperial College, London! Wow! High-achieving, geeky, hotness indeed!

         She edged out all the other contestants in the modelling competition organised by Cosmopolitan Magazine, Models1 and Style369.com. She is now signed with Excel-Models1, the new division of  Models1. I wish her all  the very best in her career and hope that in the next few years her face would grace very many campaigns!      

                        
You could check out the full shoot in the past May issue of Cosmopolitan. 


 And here's a link to the MailOnline story on her: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2124574/Philomena-Kwao-hopes-Britains-black-plus-size-supermodel.html

All pictures from Philomena Kwao/Tumblr

Emmanuella

Gasmilla "The Azonto King"

A Man's Homeland Is Wherever He Prospers.
   Aristophanes

"Charley! Watch out for Gasmilla!" Lolol
The Azonto bug is still going strong, and i'm still loving it. Now what makes the Azonto experience different for me, are the accompanying songs by the hip-life artistes like Gasmilla, Sarkodie etc. I'm not leaving out Naija artistes like WizKid or Inyanya etc, but this post is about Gasmilla "The Azonto King" so i'm going to concentrate on him.

   Now I do not understand "Ga" or anything else in "Aboo Daa Twoi" but I don't need anyone to translate the beats or the tempo of the song for me! It's hopefully the beginning of the best of Gasmillazonto! lol

   He was born Milla Lamptey, a Ga from Botianor in Ghana, on the 15th of December, 1984. A Hiplife/G-House artiste, he was first discoveed by the management of Cold Eye studios while in Wesley Grammar Senior High School, where he was one of the prominent names on the entertainment scene. He also worked with Fifth Project while he was in the Institute of Professional Studies(IPS) where he was one of the best Rappers. Hmmm! No surprise there. :)

   He got the recognition due him when he dropped his first major single "Aboo Daa Twoi", which is absolutely the bomb.com! Everyone who loves to dance, even if its not the Azonto, would love the song. Gasmilla is currently signed to Blue Paper Entertainment. I sincerely hope this is the first of many hits to come and wish him the very best in his career. "Anyin ke ke baiye!" I hope my GH peeps don't get offended that am murdering their language! lol


 xo xo