HAPPY NEW YEAR
Firstly, Happy New Year! This is my first post of 2021. I never thought we would get here after the year we all endured, but through perseverance, we made it!
To all my new and returning visitors, I pray that you all have a prosperous new year—a year of love, happiness, good health, and wealth. Amen!
Now, let’s get into this update.
Storytime
The Calm Before the Storm
New year, new hair—how fitting, right? Let me bring you up to speed on everything that has happened since my last post.
In December 2020, I did quite the shopping—both online and in stores—to prepare for my trip to Accra, Ghana. A lot of my purchases consisted of gifts for friends and family, though I did manage to grab a few items for myself.
Aside from the essential items needed for travel, I purchased the Revlon Pro Collection Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler, the BetterLength’s Natural Textured Drawstring Ponytail, and the BESTOPE Hair Straightener, which were equally necessary, if not more—and I will explain why.
During my stay in Accra, I had a formal function to attend, and of course, it was important that I looked and felt my best on that particular day. Not to mention, after staying home for approximately eight months, this was probably the only opportunity I was going to have to get dolled and attend a formal gathering before getting *cues Akon – “Locked up” (quarantine edition)*.
THE HAIR INSPIRATION
So the plan was to book an appointment with a makeup artist to “beat my face to the gawds” and to style my own hair.
The hair look I was going for was basic, yet giving inches (16″). I decided to stick with a style I was already familiar with —my signature middle part, low bun—but elevate the look with the Natural Textured Drawstring Ponytail from BetterLength.
Although I lack expertise in hairstyling, I felt confident I could pull off the look with the assistance of the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer/Styler and the BESTOPE Hair Straightener for that sleek finish.
The Storm
The Day Before the Function
The day before the function, I had some errands to run in town at Rawlings Park, (Makola Market Street) in Accra. What I thought would be a brief trip took all day—and was literally hell.
If you have ever visited Rawlings Park, you know it is not an “easy stroll in the park.” From sitting in traffic for hours to maneuvering on foot through massive, busy crowd—not to mention under the hot disrespectful sun—it was not a pleasant experience at all. To make matters even worse, I was walking around on an empty stomach, only to not get what I needed in the end!
Upon arriving back at the family house that evening after a hopeless trip, I immediately got started on my wash day routine.
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Here are some important pieces of information you must know:
- My wash days are a full-time shift, unpaid.
- I was required to be at the function for 7:00 AM, which meant I needed to set off by 5:50 AM to make it on time. As for the makeup artist, she informed me that she would depart at 4:00 AM from Tema to Taifa.
- I still had to do the following to my hair:
- Blow dry: I ripped the life out of my hair using the Revlon One-Step Dryer/Styler. I would not recommend this tool to anyone with tight, coily, kinky textured hair
- Straighten: I attempted the “chase method” approach as if I knew what I was doing (Chase method: Simply put, it is the process of running a fine- or moderate-tooth comb through your hair simultaneously alongside a flat iron, which allows you to get a smooth finish with fewer passes).
- I also had to wash, blow dry, and straighten the drawstring ponytail—which sheds quite a bit, so I suggest minimal manipulation if you decide to purchase one.
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Time was kicking my ass; I had way too much to do in such limited time. You can only imagine the repeated strain I applied to my hair follicles from the constant pulling—especially while using the Revlon dryer and attempting the chase method. It was an epic fail.
I did not achieve the smooth finish I had hope for even after applying excessive heat on my hair. I proceeded to middle part my hair and laid it just how I liked it. With no sleep, I finally got my hair situated a little after 4:00 AM.
Now, the only thing left for me to do was attach the drawstring ponytail to my bun and secure it in place. I figured I would let the makeup artist assist me with that—and just that.
Hmm… Here is where things turned left.
The makeup artist arrived at the complex at 10 minutes to 5:00 AM. With time clearly not on our side, she quickly set up her station and got started with the makeup application.
Once she completed her work, I walked into the bedroom to grab the drawstring ponytail (bear in mind, I had not seen myself yet) and looked up at the mirror …
Sometimes There Isn’t A Rainbow After the Storm
I returned back to the common area and handed the makeup artist my ponytail, which she agreed to attach and secure for me. Let us not lose focus of the fact that she had ONE job apart from the HORRIFIC face beat she had just completed.
Just in case you are wondering, I was very vocal about not liking my makeup. Normally, when I don’t like a service provided, I keep it mute and keep moving. However, in this situation I could not stay silent.
Then, she proceeded to pull out my scrunchie, unravel my braid, and brushed my hair—completely altering the placement of my ponytail! At that point I said, “F**k it”—everything that could have gone wrong that day went wrong.
The makeup artist continued brushing and gathering my hair into a mid-height ponytail, using a thread to TIGHTLY secure my hair in place (as if it had not endured enough torture already) prior to attaching the drawstring ponytail.
In that moment, I was livid: All I could hear was my inner voice repeatedly saying, “Make it make sense,” because this shit was not making any sense at all.
How was it that after hours of putting in the work—washing, blow drying, straightening, and placing my hair in a position specifically tailored to suit my face—it resulted in me looking like a clown?
Moreover, I was running severely behind schedule. It was approximately 6:10 AM, and remember, I was supposed to leave at 5:50 AM. I must have told the makeup artist multiple times to pack up and leave because I could not afford to waste any more time on formalities. On the contrary, she was more concerned with attempting to fix the horrific job she did on my face.
The only thing that could fix that mask painted on my face was makeup wipes. I made sure to pack my NEUTROGENA® All-in-One Make-Up Removing Cleansing Wipes, along with eyeliner, mascara, a hair brush, and some skincare products—because everything was coming off on my way to the function, drawstring ponytail included.
In the end, I neither looked did nor felt my best; both my hair and makeup completely missed the mark. Let me just say, I looked better on my worst day than I did on that particular day.
The Current State of My Hair
I put my hair through such a traumatic experience—from the usage of heat-styling tools to the makeup artist mishandling it. I jeopardized the overall health and strength of my hair for a sleek, and modern hairstyle that wasn’t even fulfilled.
It is safe to say (being that this is a non-judgement zone) that my hair is currently heat damaged. It appears and feels lifeless, dry, and brittle. In addition, there has been a noticeable change in my texture, and I have been experiencing excessive breakage, tangles, and knots.
Since returning, I have cut off approximately 3″ (if not more) of my hair out of frustration. In doing so, my hair is now uneven. I am officially back to the drawing board.
On the Road to Recovery
I want to quickly share the products that I have been using to aid in restoring the overall health of my hair:
Shampoo: African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo
Protein Treatment: Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment
Leave-in Conditioner: Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Natural Oil Intensive Hydration Masque
Oil: An oil concoction (a variety of oils) or Olive Oil
Moisturizer/Cream: Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter
Final Thoughts
I regret booking the makeup artist and asking her to attach the drawstring ponytail to my hair.
Honestly, if I had achieved the desired look I was going for on that particular day, I genuinely would not have felt any grief over the hair damage I sustained, as I went into it fully aware of the risk.
Despite everything, the only thing I would have done differently was prioritized my week more efficiently and better time management.
In the Comments Below
Let me know if you have any suggestions on what I can do or use to nurse my hair back to health as I embark on this road to recovery.
HAPPY GHANA INDEPENDENCE TO ALL MY GHANAIANS!
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