New Year You, Hairdo You, Dew-faced You, Just Do You, YOU
Going home during the holidays can be stressful. For people of the African diaspora heading to the continent for the culmination of “Year of Return” events was sure to have been an emotional journey.
In Ghana, the last two weeks of the year always include many celebratory events, and this year included almost daily music events, art exhibitions, a plethora of day parties and club-hopping opportunities at night. Not to mention all of the cultural-historical excursions available to Ghana's ports, castles, natural reserve sites, and villages.
If it sounds like a lot, that’s because it is a lot. Repeat: going home for the holidays can be stressful. But if you come prepared with ideas about ways to de-stress you’ll give yourself a chance to fully enjoy “Year of Return” events without feeling overwhelmed.
Below are five health and beauty experiences to seek out, whether in Ghana for Year of Return or beyond. They’ll help you tap into the cultural and natural landscape of the country while also serving as stress reducers, allowing you to fully process all the feels.
Hair Braiding
Whether you go get your hair done straight from the plane or en-route abroad, a new hairdo can work wonders lifting your spirits as well as your looks. When it comes to black hair there is no bounds to the imagination as a marker of beauty. I generally go to places that family recommend but for you, I’ll rely on the reviews of the internet. Two well known hair braiding places in Accra, that seem well reviewed are:
mirror mirror
Auntie Alice’s Braiding Centre located behind the Trade Fair Center.
and
Twist n Locs Salon with locations in Osu and East Legon.
If these locations aren’t an option, then instead of trying to vet all of the hair-braiding places in Accra (impossible!) I’ll advise on how best to not get your edges snatched, before you even arrive. Because even if you think you’re prepared, you’re probably not prepared.
Prepare your hair and have it stretched and dried before you arrive or bring along your preferred shampoo/conditioner/leave in combos to have your hair prepared at the salon. But also bring along your heat protectants because after washing your hair, you will need to stand guard of high heat (blow dryer/dryer settings). Let them know if you are tender headed to avoid your scalp being pulled in multiple directions, unless that’s the look you’re going for or you need to be finished fast. The more intricate the style the longer it may take.
Waist Beads
With your waist looking delectable like corn kernels…
Photo credit: Bazil Julius @wibazil via Unsplash
Waist beads in Ghana have a long history and are one of the more intimate ways that girls and women have traditionally expressed beauty. Being measured for waist beads occurs as one grows up (from toddlerdom through puberty) indicating the passage of time. Gifting of beads during puberty and marriage is very popular and means specific things for specific tribes. Today, a brand that I admire and who is re-imagining the beauty of waist beads is Nabia Beads (@nabiabeads). The beads can be found at The Shop Accra or if you follow them on Instagram you can see where their next engagement is. Love their IG content as well as the in-person measuring and workshops that they provide. If you are ever in Koforidua or Agomanya (Eastern Region) on a Wednesday or Saturday then the bead markets at both locations are world-known for selling new and recycled beads of all sizes and varieties.
Natural Beauty Products
Empty Cocoa-pods
Photo credit: Rodrigo Flores @rodrigoflores_photo via Unsplash
Getting locally sourced beauty products is often as simple as a trip to a market, where you can stock up on large quantities of glow-inducing, moisture-enriching, and cleansing products. From tubs of shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and black soap to bags of dried hibiscus leaves, clay and dried moringa. I mean the list can go on and on. If however, that seems like more than just a hassle but also an issue at Customs, then my two go-to spots are The Shop Accra and Elle Lokko/Lokko House (for unisex products) I’ve already written about my love of them here and here.
If you are in Ghana for a bit longer or if you’re itching to plan your next trip back, then excursions up north to see where and how and where some of these resources are sourced would certainly be worth it. Celmar Travel and Tours offers a Shea Butter specific trip, and Can Do Land Tours offers a Cocoa farming tour.
Custom Tailoring
WoBusu was largely inspired by the thousands of seamstresses and tailors throughout Ghana. Growing up, leaving the country without getting new measurements and customized clothing was unthinkable. I’ve wanted to figure out a way to make the thrill of handmade adornment accessible to many, because the whole process made me feel uniquely beautiful. Over the last few years I would bring back custom wares for friends and family, and thus, the seed of WoBusu was planted.
Photo credit: Nana Adom Brempon IG: @kiss_deezy
When it comes to vetting a local seamstress or tailor you can come with a design/pictures in hand or select from widely popular “look books” that they provide. Feel free to ask your new Ghanaian friends for suggestions, or ask people who made their dope outfits. They’ll feel like their on the red carpet; but, also know that they may not feel up to sharing. If that’s the case then, there are certainly other options for you, that approximate bespoke without the full bespoke experience (from Christie Brown to Vlisco and many other Osu boutiques).
The two brands below allow for slightly more customization and have created a luxurious couture feel for the standard textile-selection to measurement process.
Keky3 Fabrics (@keky3fabrics) which I’ve written also about here. Located adjacent to Hotel Georgia in Airport Residential, this fairly new fabric store also holds ready-to-wear items and staff is able to assist in the customization process.
Nallem Clothing (@nallemclothing) has several locations and vendors in the country, but they also do custom orders online. A Ghanaian owned line for over 15 years, Nallem brings a Northern Ghanaian aesthetic to the fashion world.
Day at the Beach
2020 Beach Poses… Go
Photo credit Muhammadtaha Ibrahim @planetelevene via Unsplash
The allure of the beach is pretty self explanatory, but this last suggestion is all about how rest and relaxation nourish inner beauty. My first recommendation is to try and get out of the city to experience Ghana’s beaches at their finest. An often recommended beach is White Sands Beach Resort and Spa in Gomoa Fetteh. Although basically still in Accra, for a full day trip it’s easily accessible.
I’ve been to several off -the-beaten path beaches over the years, and often the further away from Accra along the coast a spot is, the better. But I’m not going to spill everything here. The second beach recommendation feels like a hide-away because it is a bit further. Aborigines Beach Resort in the Volta region, has great views of where the Atlantic and Volta River meet.
Two more pro-tips:
1) when possible, pair a beach day with a spa treatment or massage package especially if where you are travelling actually off-the-beaten path and thus un-paved roads.
2) If you’re ever at The Shop Accra check and see if they’re still doing their Sunday “Take Me To The Beach” tours. And if they are, reserve a space, and thank me later.
~Cheers to all things YOU in the new year, Fam.
~Ohemaa Serwaa