#woman crush
This week’s Woman Crush Wednesday features the delectable Ms. Minks one of my very very good friends, show her some love! If you are new to this blog, our #WCW segment showcases different women with different hair types so we can learn a little bit about their hair and beauty secrets! So far we have heard from Lydia Forson,Hayet Rida(thathayetrida.com),Anita Erskine,Ama K. Abebreseh,Kokui Selormey,Dede Buckman (accracraves) and so many other fabulous women!
We love to hear from you! Send me a message [email protected] if you or someone you know would like to be featured, variety is the spice of life!
Now, let’s hear what Minks has to say
What do you do for a living?
Living the broke life of a student! I am about to be a 2nd year MBA candidate at George Washington University
How long have you been natural-tell us the whole story
My last relaxer was November 2013. So I guess I’ve been natural for about three years. I wish I had some deep story about why I went natural but I don’t. My relaxed hair was thin and I was tired of it so going natural seemed like a good option. I wasn’t too sure what I would look like so I transitioned for 10 months and cut away the relaxed hair a bit at a time so I didn’t have the shock that comes with the big chop.
What do you LOVE about your hair?
I love how versatile it is and how much volume it has. My relaxed hair did not help my tiny face, especially when it was freshly relaxed and I didn’t like that. My natural hair, especially when I have it in twist outs, hides that tiny face.
What bothers you about your hair?
The upkeep of natural hair gets me. Twisting it at night, to the detangling and the washing, it’s such a process. I don’t trust any hairdresser to take their time to do it right so that’s time I have to take out of my schedule to get it done. With relaxed hair, most of the hardwork is done by someone else in the salon.
Whats your favourite protective hairstyle?
Kinky twists are my go to protective style, shout out to Aunty Philo and her girls in east legon. Takes me all of 2 hours and I’m out of there. I’m yet to find someone as good in DC.
Whats your weekly regimen?
In terms of styling, I always start the week with vim so Sunday night I twist the life out of it. Rock the curls Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday as the curls vanish I pin it up with some volume on the top. By Thursday I’m over it and I’m just putting a band in there (looking like a pineapple) trying to get through the rest of the week.
What’s your daily regimen?
I always spritz some water in there to start and then I put a little bit of my nkuto (pure shea butter), olive oil mix that I make myself. And then style however my heart desires. Depending on how tired I am at the end of the day, I put it into large twist (4-6), cover with my silk bonnet and then pass out.
What is your favourite makeup product?
Eye liner
What’s your favourite hair product?
“As I am” twist defining cream – they aren’t lying about the definition it gives, but more importantly, it moisturizes the hair well.
Do you have any special tips/tricks for us?
Nope, none
Any advice for the ladies who want to go natural?
Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before you go down this road! Everyone shows you their bouncy curls but they never tell you the work that goes into maintaining natural hair. And know your hair (texture). Don’t be drooling over 3a hairstyles when you grow 4c hair, you’ll be very disappointed.
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Hello hello! Welcome back to the blog! Make sure you subscribe before you leave :) If you are new to the blog, welcome to this week’s Woman Crush Wednesday where we showcase different women with different and learn a little bit about their hair and beauty secrets! So far we have heard from Lydia Forson,Hayet Rida(thathayetrida.com),Anita Erskine,Ama K. Abebreseh,Kokui Selormey,Dede Buckman (accracraves) and so many more fabulous women! Click hereto read their stories This week’s woman crush is entrepreneur extraordinaire, Regina Honu.
Regina is currently the Vlisco Ambassador, scroll down to read more about hair, makeup and business tips and tricks
Tell us about yourself
My name is Regina Honu, a daughter in a family of six and a wife to an amazing man. A social entrepreneur and a software developer. I was born in Kumasi and went to Christ the King, Holy Child and Ashesi University. I am currently the CEO of a Technology Social Enterprise. When I am not using technology to drive social change, I love eating, watching movies and having fun with my husband.
What gave you the confidence to pursue your dream of working in technology and becoming a social entrepreneur?
Growing up I heard a lot of what the role of a woman was and what my place would be. I loved maths, science and technology. What I didn’t like was that technology was so male dominated and we were missing out on the female perspective in the technology that was being created. I experienced first-hand the discrimination and sexism women faced in male dominated fields. I wanted to change that and make things better for the next generation of women. I also love creating great technology products that change the world.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the fact that I get to impact lives on a daily basis. I love writing code and I love leading an amazing team.
If you could go on vacation anywhere tomorrow, where would you choose and why?
Zanzibar, I hear it is really beautiful and I love discovering Africa.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I would expand on the work we are doing at Soronko Solutions into more countries, build the biggest all girl coding and human centered design school, start a campaign to change policy, buy my family anything they wanted and take a year off traveling the world with my husband.
How would you describe your sense of style?
I think I am edgy and not afraid to take fashion risks. I don’t like to follow trends but set my own.
Are you a jeans or dresses kind of girl?
It depends! A good pair of jeans is everything. But I love how feminine I feel in a dress.
What’s your favourite fashion trend at the moment?
Using African fabric to design edgy and modern outfits
What does your role as the Vlisco ambassador entail?
The ambassador role for me is about embodying the brand. I get the opportunity to motivate young people especially women and girls to chase their dreams using my life story as an example. I also get to step out in style in Vlisco’s new collection every quarter. For me personally, it has provided the opportunity to merge technology and fashion with my #Stylewithcode campaign which aims to get more women and girls to study and pursue careers in Tech.
What activities have you done to date as the Vlisco ambassador?
I was able to start this campaign called #StylewithCode where we went across the country educating women studying STEM in the university on the opportunities in the tech space and recruiting them to join our Tech Need Girls Mentor program. I have to say being the Vlisco Ambassador really got the attention of our target audience. We were able to recruit and educate more women and girls to consider all the amazing opportunities in coding and creating technology. We even had a Vlisco fashion show in our recent networking event where we connected accomplished Women in Tech to aspiring women and girls in tech.
What’s your earliest memory of Vlisco?
Passing by the billboard for the first time, I was like wow I loved what the model was wearing, the design and the colors. The tag line stood out to me. The true original. I was like that is what I want in a fabric and a brand to be, the true original.
How do you feel when you wear an outfit from Vlisco?
I feel like a million bucks. I love the feel of the fabric, the colour, the designs and how I automatically start to walk taller and prouder. Vlisco makes you stand out. I love that!
What’s your favourite Pret-A-Couturestyle and why & what’s been your experience of Prêt-a- Couture to date?
This question is hard. There is so much to choose from. But I have to say I love the versatility of the wrap dress. You can switch it up for day or night depending on how you accessorize.
I Loved my Prêt-a- Couture experience. I normally struggle with other tailors who never get exactly what I am looking for. I settled for readymade. The Prêt-a- Couture experience made me see what proper tailoring is all about. I loved the attention to detail, the great customer service and the final result. And most of all, it’s very affordable.
What’s your favourite Vlisco outfit currently in your wardrobe and why?
I have this jumpsuit that was designed by Melanie Crane which is really edgy. It is a combination of two fabrics. When I wear it elongates my frame, shows my figure and turns heads when I walk into a room.
How do you accessorize your Vlisco fabrics?
Normally my accessories are minimal. The rich colour of the fabric and unique patterns makes you stand out. Too many accessories will look tacky. It is either a nice pair of earring, a bangle or a nice clutch. Oh and a nice pair of heels. You can never go wrong with heels.
How long have you had natural hair and what made you decide to go natural?
I have had my natural hair for 3 years. I hated my relaxed hair. It was light, limp and looked dead. I wanted hair that was thicker and full of life.
What do you LOVE most about your hair?
I love that it is thicker, stronger and all the really cool natural hairstyles I can do with it.
What is your daily hair care routine?
Now that it has grown to mid length, I have to twist it every night before bed. I loosen the twist in the morning and normally style it in an afro. Sometimes I will thread it to get a really big afro.
What is your favourite protective style?
Braids
What bothers you about your hair?
Sometimes it doesn’t want to work with me. If I don’t twist it before sleeping or wash it, I can’t comb it.
Do you have any hair/style tips you would like to share with us?
Let me see, where can I start? For my natural sistas deep conditioning helps to keep the moisture and grow your hair. I think threading really stretches out your natural hair and gives it a really cool texture. Also avoid too much heat.
For more information about Vlisco Pret-A-Couture, like Vlisco on FacebookorInstagram
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Anita is a true inspiration! I have had the pleasure of working with her once and believe me when I tell you that the answers in this interview are a true representation of her bubbly, effervescent personality! If you are new to this blog, we have a #WCW segment every Wednesday (most Wednesdays) just to showcase how different women approach beauty and style and to inspire you if you find yourself in a rut and don’t know how to move forward.
Other women we have featured are Lydia Forson,Hayet( That Hayet Rida),Ama K. Abebrese, Kokui Selormey,Dede Buckman (Accra Craves).
I love reading these interviews, I find it fascinating that every woman has a regimen that they stick to which works for them. I do believe in sharing and collaboration and this segment is a great way to learn from each other! If you would like to be featured (or you know someone who would like to be featured), please emailme!
Let’s get into Anita’s interview now, enjoy!
Tell us about yourself
My name is Vered – Marian Anita Erskine! I am 37 years old! I am a wife, mother and the last of 8 children!
What gave you the confidence to pursue your dream of becoming a TV personality?
I never knew what exactly I wanted to be you know? I just felt whatever I committed my life to, had to include an opportunity to connect with people by being able to speak with them or talk to them! In September 1997, I walked into Metro TV which was situated at Pyramid House on the Ring Road in Accra. I asked them for an internship and they were happy to give it to me. A few weeks after they had me audition for a new live Saturday show called the Bold and Beautiful Omnibus! I loved being on TV! That experience gave me to confidence to pursue television!
What do you love most about your job?
I love that I am a story teller and a narrator! I love that I interact with people and they open up about their dreams, hopes, ambitions, failures and successes! When people tell you what they think, how they feel or what they have been through, it makes you respect them more and appreciate life!
If you could go on vacation anywhere tomorrow, where would you choose? Ibiza! I have only seen extremely exciting photos! Apparently it is an island that never sleeps! As I get older, I crave opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and do something wild!
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I would pay off ALLLLLLL MY debts! Buy two more houses, pay off my kids tuition for as many years as I can, pay my church dues off, take my parents, husband and children on holiday and move my company into the tallest building in Accra! Wait how much money would I have won? Ha-ha you see? I already have plans!
How would you describe your sense of style?
I am simple chiq. To be honest, I am only just discovering what I love. And that comes with discovering what I like and don’t like about my body. I am a very late bloomer! So I can say it’s only now that I am developing a true sense of style and it’s simple, comfortable, chiq and aspirational! Are you a jeans or dresses kind of girl? Absolutely jeans! I still have some pairs of long and lean jeans that I bought from the Gap in 2001! I bought them in every shade!!
What’s your favourite fashion trend at the moment?
It has to be my all black outfits and Adidas sneakers! It’s a self-made trend by the way!
What’s your earliest memory of Vlisco?
The moment my husband Regis told me about this Textile giant that was going to roll out a series of fashion shows that ultimately celebrated Women and helped Women express their individual style in a proud African Way! At the time, designers such as Christie Brown were just emerging and it was so exciting to see the breath taking outfits they were creating out of Vlisco!
How do you feel when you wear an outfit from Vlisco? Proud. Authentic. Feminine. Powerful.
Do you shop at Vlisco often? What’s your favourite outfit?
I love the wrap dress! It’s comfortable and totally sexy! It works for any time of the day or for any occasion! Oh and it’s so easy to get a Pret-a-Couture outfit made! There are over 20 designs to choose from in the Vlisco Pret-a-Couture catalogue which are all designed to mix and match with each other. Select one. Now select your Vlisco fabric. The Vlisco in house tailor will take your measurements and you’ll get a date for your first fitting! I have been a bit spoilt in the past because my outfits fit just fine! But Vlisco always advises you do a fitting to ensure you’re getting exactly what has been promised! When your outfit is ready, Vlisco will call you! And Voila! You’re ready to go! Custom made by Vlisco in a style of your choice and delivered in two weeks!
However, my absolute favourite Vliscooutfit has to be my very first Vlisco outfit made for me by Christie Brown in 2009! It brings back memories – I had just become a mother, struggling to understand my life and Vlisco brought me closer to women from all walks of life and of all ages! We all had stories and one common passion…which is Vlisco! I will never forget that event and I never want to let go of that dress!
What’s been your experience of Prêt-a- Couture to date?
I have had the best experience ever! The tailors know exactly how to craft your chosen style to suit your body! I don’t know how they do it! And Vlisco is always very honest on delivery time, which is something I truly appreciate!
How do you accessorize your Vlisco fabrics?
Well it depends on where I am going! I have my VliscoGala – I always go with my bold rings and chandelier earrings! Then I have my Vlisco casual – dressy which you’ll most likely see me wear on television for any one of my shows! For this, I will do my simple pair of gold or diamond studs and let the outfit do the talking!
What do you LOVE most about your hair?
My Hair????!!!! Well my hair has too many lives. Right now it’s at that extremely short stage growing out. But let me tell you, I own about 7 wigs all beautifully crafted by my hair dresser Golden Silk Hair! The owner, Francesca, gets me! What can I say? I have hair for every occasion!
What is your daily hair care routine?
My scalp is very dry so I am obliged to I wash my hair at least twice a week and treat my scalp and hair line to some good old shea butter! What is your favourite protective style? Wigs! Wigs! And more Wigs! I have heard some horror stories, yes…but my wigs save the day anyday!
What bothers you about your hair?
It never understands what I need!
Do you have any hair/style tips you would like to share with us?
Embrace your hair however it comes! As funny or eerie as I may sound, your hair is a reflection of you! It grows what you feed it! If you treat it right, it will adorn you! If you couldn’t care less, it will frustrate you! Your hair is like your face, nails and teeth. It reflects the time you have for it….. Trust me, I have learned the hard way!
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