Ghanaian Emprezz

 The Olaplex No.O and No 3 have received massive hype within the hair care community and for good reasons. I'll post a full review on YouTube soon.  I began with the  No.0 on dry hair and topped up won't the No.3. I left it in for a while and then shampooed and conditioned the hair. Though I like the John Frieda Hydrate shampoos, the conditioner doesn't really have much to offer. However, I'm glad I've tried the Olaplex and would be definitely invest in the large size. I moisturized with the As I Am So Much’s Moisture and Olaplex Oil. My hair is doing okay now and I look forward to seeing more length retention .

 Your hair product may contain additional ingredients in the firm of emoliants and Occlusives in order to deliver the best results. Occlusives  act as a barrier to hold that moisture in. (Sealants) include:  Petrolatum Mineral oil Lanolin Waxes Silicones These ingredients have had a bad reputation but the problem isn't about the ingredients but then how we use them and when we use them. I stopped the No mineral oil bandwagon years ago when I gained better knowledge of ingredients and their correct usage. Emoliants are lubricating and film-forming and help smooth, soften and seal the hair cuticle. They are hydrophobic or water-repelling ingredients which prevent loss of water from your skin and hair.  These include:  Oils Butters  Ceramides Basically, some products may contain all of these! When sealing, these ingredients play a crucial role in preventing moisture loss. Several emoliants can double as Occlusives too! In the LCOB technique, we essentially combine humectants, emoliant

 Humectant simply refers to substances that attract water from the air or from deeper in the skin. This equally applies to the hair! Occlusives refer to substances with the ability to prevent moisture loss. This gives rise to the need to  moisturize and seal! Keeping moisture in the hair has been out mantra over the years and with the influx of new ingredients and brands, therw are now new ways to incorporate moisture into the hair. Hyaluronic acid is also noted as a great humectant as well as Glycerin. There are two new ingredients on the horizon now; the Polyglutamic acid and pryyol Aside the moisturizers we use, you can still incorporate additional humectants. To use hyaluronic acid, spray a little water based leave in conditioner and then apply the hyaluronic acid and then seal with your butter or oil. To use Glycerin, the same method applies. Aloe vera is also great for prepoo treatments.  P olyglutamic  acid helps draw moisture from the atmosphere into your skin. Its properties a

In as much as coconut oil has a reputation for being one of the best oils that actually penetrate your strands,  there are some whose hair just doesn't like it and here's why.

The final relaxer for 2021 went pretty well and I retained so much length within 6 months! 1. We used the mega growth relaxer and she did well to apply to just the new growth. 2. She did comb the relaxer through the hair hence I didn’t sit down for more than 5 minutes. She rinsed out with the mega neutralizing gel 4 times because I asked her to. Then, she followed with wave nouveau conditioning neutralizer for another 10 minutes.  3. She used the John Frieda detox conditioner and then followed with Pantene hair treatment serum and then blow dried the hair as I was pressed for time.  After a week, I moisturized with the As I Am So Much Moisture and then Ayurveda oil. You can check out the full details in the video. Now, to the highlights. 1. The highlight was basically bleaching the hair! After that, my hair dresser shampooed the hair and then conditioned it. She used small rollers to achieve curls. 2. I intentionally did just the ends because I will definitely be trimming the ends duri

 How is it possible to achieve your hair goals ? Begin this December! You can’t set off on a journey unprepared. How would you achieve your hair goals when you’ve not set anything in motion. Assuming you want to hit armpit length, what are you doing to reach that goal? I know you may have done a monthly outline like I used to do. That usually works for a couple of weeks in the new year and then it crushes. To keep the momentum going means recreating and re-evaluation of your goals on a monthly basis. What if there is a smarter way to go about it? What if you use the month of December to try out what you want for 2022?  Let me share some samples.  Goals: Try new techniques and new products from three or four brands. Do more protective styles. Eat healthy. Limit use of heat.  How do you achieve these goals before 2022?  You want to probably use weaves or sew ins, braids, wigs, buns etc in 2022. Pause! In order to succeed, formulate your goal like this: Evaluate your 2021 hair styles. Wha

I’m currently 4 weeks post relaxer and it’s been a smooth rider so far! My baby’s christening is in a couple of days so I had to get something decent done just to raise my glow up game!  I began with dry hair - I applied the Maui shampoo and left it for close to 10 minutes in the hair. It wasn’t intentional but I’m going to be shampooing like that these days. After leaving it in the hair, I combed through several times to make sure it was well distributed in the hair.  When I rinsed it out, my hair felt super hydrated and soft. I applied the John Frieda detox masque and left that too for some minutes. My hair was amazingly easy to comb through and it stayed moisturized until I applied the Pantene serum and the rest of the products! Next day, I got some cornrows installed. I should be able to keep this till mid December or more and then consider the next protective style!

 Amal gloss is a combination of Amla powder, conditioner or deep conditioner and oils of your choice with a few drops of essential oils.  🎀Currently 3 weeks post relaxer  1)First step: Shampoo 2x with mega growth stimulating shampoo 2)Applied Amla gloss and let it sit for 5 minutes  3) Rinsed out the Amla mask under shower whilst the water run down the hair. I used a wide tooth comb to help get the residue out  4)Applied Tresemme conditioner for another 5 minutes because I still had some Amla debris in the strands 😁 5)Followed with the Pantene multiplier, and Mielle ginger moisturizing butter before using a scarf to lay down the hair. PS: I skipped the salon because I wanted to do the gloss myself Check out my daily hair tips on my Instagram page @ghanaianemprezz  Next wash, it will be an oil rinse wash!

 Clarifying your hair means using a product that is able to remove build up in the hair. For this wash, I decided to clarify because I hadn’t washed in two weeks. 1) Applied the Giovanni 50:50 clarifying and moisture shampoo twice! This really leaves the hair quite stripped and clean too. I also have ORS aloe creamy shampoo that clarifies and chelates - I’ll use that next month.  2) Used the Aussie moist 3 minute miracle deep conditioner and this lives up to its reputation- extremely moisturising. 3) Used As I Am so much moisture and Giovanni direct leave in moisture conditioner and sealed with Mielle ginger butter.  I air dried and now, I miss my length! This combination really worked for my hair and I looked forward to more hydrated hair. I do moisturise twice a day too because I want to reach maximum hydration soon.  I will try a salon wash and roller set after the next relaxer to see if it will work. That’s in about 8 weeks time.  This week, I’ll do green house effect on Sunday, Tu

Whilst changing hair products too frequently is the hallmark for some, there are others like me who hold on to products for too long! To change that narrative, I’ve added a whole new range of products to enhance moisture retention.  There is Giovanni 50:50 shampoo and moisture conditioner, grape seed and avocado oil, neutralizing shampoo and conditioner, As I  Am So much moisture and Ultra growth oil from Difeel, Maui hibiscus shampoo, bamboo shampoo and Tresemme conditioner and Mieele Organics hair butter (probably my first time of using butter).  The main reason for such changes is  that I’ve used up some of the old products. In addition, my hair isn’t in the same state as it was some months ago hence I need to find new products to suit the current state.  This week’s wash began with the Profectiv mega growth neutralizing shampoo to clarify the hair. I followed with sheamoisture manuka honey mask and then rinsed off. I covered the hair with shower cap for some minutes and  applied ul

Using herbal rinses are quite popular in the hair community due to their immense benefits to the hair. Let’s see how you can incorporate Rosemary or other herbs in your regimen.  1. First you need to get rosemary leaves ie the normal one for cooking and boil for 5 minutes and allow to cool down.  You may use the dry or fresh leaves.  2. As you wait for the rinse to cool down, wash your hair with shampoo, rinse it out.  3. Pour a good amount of your rosemary rinse into the hair, cover with a shower cap for about 5 minutes and then rinse out. 3.Apply conditioner or deep conditioner as directed, then, rinse out.   4. Apply your leave in /moisturizer and oil and style your hair.  Rosemary rinse can be done on a monthly basis to strengthen the hair.  5. As a dandruff scalp mist, add a few drops of peppermint or tea tree essential oil and spray on your scalp daily. 

Postpartum hair loss can defeat all the efforts we put into caring for our hair. You can't prevent it but if you have the energy to do these things, postpartum hair loss may be less severe for you. [1] Don't ditch the prenatal vitamin! Once your precious one arrives, keep taking your vitamins. Your body will be recuperating and will need all the nutrients. If you can take a postnatal vitamin, that's also very helpful. Take it for as long as possible, even 2 years. Folic acid is equally good.  [2]Begin your Ayurveda rinses before baby arrives if you can. This won't stop the hair loss but it will promote faster growth. Kelp powder, Amla powder, shikakai, henna, aritha and a wide range of these herbs can combat the hair loss! Personally, I’ve prepared enough to last 6 months in order to allow my hair to benefit from it. I began using these herbs in the last part of the third trimester of pregnancy. [3]Wearing extensions etc can’t  prevent nor stop the hair loss. However,

Your hair regimen must vary according to your hair needs and seasons. One regimen can't cater for all the changes that occur as the months roll in. If your regimen isn't yielding any result, it may be time to evaluate it.  1. Using too many products at a time. We all wish for quick results but an overkill of products will hinder your progress too. For instance, it's not necessary to use a rinse out Conditioner and deep conditioner at the same time. Neither is changing brands within days of usage a good thing. Allow at least 3 months or more to try new products.  2. Too much manipulation and styling: Combing daily may not be advisable and so is trying to create new hair styles daily.  3. Changing regimen too frequently: Don't switch regimens within a couple of days just because you want quick results. Some regimens take up to even 6 months to yield results.  4. Listening to many conflicting advice: You think her regimen will work for you so you discard yours. This applie

 Babies arrive with a head full of hair which can sometimes be a bit more difficult to manage. We don’t want to expose them to chemicals and at the same time, we want healthy hair. Although my baby is a boy, I still want to make combing easy and also prevent matted hair. I follow a basic regimen: I shampoo about 2x a week with the baby shampoo and rinse off . Then, I apply baby oil to the hair and use an Afro pick (not Afro comb). For the other days, I simply wet the hair with water and apply the baby oil.  Prior to the regimen, I observed that his hair was turning brownish and I knew it was due to the daily  shampoo and the sponge. Once the new regimen set in, the hair began to reverse to the original dark colour again! The bonus? The curls are popping! I’ll keep you updated as the months roll by.

It may seem strange to talk about pre Postpartum hair or skin care but it is really beneficial to plan your routine ahead of time. For the pre Postpartum, it's all about how you want to restore your glowing skin and get your skin back to normalcy. It may take weeks and months but planning will speed up the results. One of the first things I began doing was being consistent with cleansing, toner and moisturiser when I hit week 35 of pregnancy. I purchased the Nip and Fab mandelic gel wash to gently exfoliate the skin. I used that to wash the face and alternated with Simple Facial Wash.  After that, I used Garnier facial mist or the Revolution hyaluronic essence to create enough moisture in the skin. I followed with a creamy moisturiser and the face oil from Jo Naturals as last step or switch it with The Ordinary hemi squalene oil. This routine took a maximum of 5 minutes in the bathroom and 5 minutes out, totally 10 minutes. I did it once a day regardless of the number of showers I