WHO IS SHE? WHAT DOES SHE DO?

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

Everyone would like to know, who is Naa Kowah? 
I'm Naa Kowah Quaye. Truly Ghanaian and proudly Ga. I'm a passionate person who pursues her heart desires with so much positivity. Just like any other homosapien: I laugh when the moment calls for it, I smile sometimes, and I frown or even cry once in a while when I'm emotional...lol, but hey that is life. And above all I'm a natural hair enthusiast. 

How long have you been natural?
This is my 2nd hair journey I must admit. The previous is history but my current is 3years.

Do you have support from the people around?
Hmmm well I when I started this whole natural hair stuff I got ridiculed by relations and friends inciting the common adage 'natural hair isn't for 'kpenkpeshie' heads like u. (That's a Ga word used to refer a tangled mass or hair which is very coarse and difficult to handle). However I was the least bothered (Minaa am3 po- ga saying for i don't care about their opinions). Every now and then I do receive nice compliments about my hair which I do appreciate but don't know if I should term that as 'support '.
Previously my mum who used to discourage me all the time has now returned natural so I don't hear those horrible remarks anymore so now my ears are at rest.  Finally my bae loves my natural hair!*winks*

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

Why Natural?
OK I remember vividly that I once returned from the salon so angry at myself and the hairstylist. My hair wasn't fully relaxed and to top it all I spent so many hours just to get it done. Also I suffered from scalp burns all the time and suffered severe headaches from those dryers
...So to cut the long story short I decided to transition and return natural. During this journey I fell so much in love with my hair and began to appreciate what Mother Nature gave me.

Natural for life or just for a while?
With chest out and head held up high I proudly pronounce myself to be natural for life!  No turning back.

Your long term and Short term goals
Short term hair goal: I hope to retain at least 3inches to hit BSL by December 2016.
Long term hair goal: Well so long as I live in good health and remain natural I hope to embrace the highest length that my hair growth can offer me but I'm only shooting for waist length

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

How did you start this journey? 
When I first started the only products I used were Shea butter and just shampoo until turning 1year, It dawned on me that I needed to cater for my hair after attending a natural hair event (Kinks n Curls in 2014) I bought Eya Naturals ' shampoo, rinse out and leave in conditioners. Anytime I shampooed, I conditioned, apply my leave in and seal with Shea butter. 
  
Any bad hair moments?
Hmmm I've tried to keep this memory in recess but every now and then it keeps popping up. My 1st greatest bad hair moment was when I had to chop off all my hair that I grew for 2yrs and start all over again in 2013. I used a cream to soften my hair which unbeknown to me was a texturizer! It made my hair straight and had a severe hair shedding. I was deceived *face drops* but hey life still moves on.  Lol.
Then again sometime last year in my 2nd hair journey, I decided to give the banana treatment a try since I heard and read about how good it was. I was sure I blended the banana very well but didn't sieve it. To cut the long story short I ended up with several banana pieces in my hair. It wasn’t funny at all as I almost finished my bottle of conditioner just to comb these banana flakes out. I got very mad at myself as I had to suffer picking up several banana residues for a whole week. Till now though I love the fact that it strengthened and moisturised my hair. (Plus it’s stretching and curl enhancing. effects), I've always been leery about giving it another try.

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

What is your Regimen?
Well I really do not have a strict regimen that I follow. What I do is anytime I shampoo I follow with a deep condition treatment (a combo of my conditioner,  aloe Vera gel honey and any oil I have i.e. EVOO or EVCO) when I run out of aloe gel  I simply use conditioner and oil with or without honey depending on how I feel lol. To keep my hair moisturised I spray daily or every other day with my aloe Vera and water mix or sometimes I use my diluted rinse out conditioner (VO5) Days on which I'm lazy I just refresh with a mist of water. Sometimes I prepoo with my conditioner plus coconut oil which is moisturising and makes detangling easier for me.

Do you have any favorite products? And why
At the moment my all-time favourite product is Alberto VO5 moisturising conditioner (moisture milks) it's got loads of slip for easy detangling. It does just what it says... 'Moisturising '. I can't go without mentioning my loyal ingredients, shea butter which seals in moisture and aloe Vera gel that soothes my scalp and keeps my scalp itch at bay. And oh my love and hate affair honey which also adds moisture but I hate the fact that it lightens my hair color.

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

Tell us about your current journey (your favorite protective style, your hair life… everything)
Though I've had some pretty bad hair days I must say my hair journey has also been fun.  I've had the opportunity to know my hair better than before and been able to switch things up to suit the needs of my hair. My favorite protective style is kinky twists. It gives me the chance to wash my hair anytime I want without messing it up since its texture almost matches my hair. My favorite natural hairdo is the puff or a bun with twists at the front. I find it so easy to do and maintain plus it's stylish as well.
 
Any Role Model?
I'm my own role model. When I look into the mirror I see a vibrant young lady who has come so far to appreciate her God-given hair. Despite the pit falls and that ugly and most regretful moment when I had to chop off and restart all over in 2013, I  NEVER GAVE UP. So yes and I repeat I'm my own role model. That notwithstanding, I also admire the likes of Ama K Abebrese,  Mz Vee , Becca and the few other celebrities who are naturals like Moi. 

Advice to Naturalistas out there

SOURCE: PERSONAL ALBUM

At this juncture, I implore other naturals out there to be CONFIDENT in their kinks and curls. Appreciate and value your hair. Always remember all heads of hair are never the same.  What may not work for you may be someone’s Holy Grail. Don't compare your hair or journey with others because we are all different. Last but not least don't get discouraged by bad hair moments or any hateful remark about your hair. Whenever you feel like giving up, remember what has kept you that far and move on. Always remember, our natural hair is beautiful! It does grow! It's our heritage! Let no one take it away from you.