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Elizabeth // Natural Hair Style Icon

Avatar • Apr 17, 2012

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
E:
My name is Elizabeth. I am a Jersey Girl, a Wyoming Cowgirl, a Florida Gator, and a Georgia Peach. I am a wife and a mother, so that means I pretty much do everything and itโ€™s a joy! I also do a lot of writing because Iโ€™m working on a PhD in art history at the University of Florida.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
E:
My quarter-life crisis, which was basically me waking up one day and realizing that I had not reached the milestones that I set for myself. I wanted to be published, finished with school, tenured, running a small business, and training for a marathon. I realized that there was nothing done โ€“ only bits, pieces, and phases of things. Going natural was something I had always wanted to do. I stopped and started transitioning at least three times. But in the middle of my โ€œcrisisโ€ I looked in the mirror and was not satisfied with my hair. It was time for a change.

When and how did you transition into natural hair?
E:
I got my last relaxer in the Spring of 2009. By Fall the raggedy unruly stringy mess was out of control so I got two-strand twists with extensions. I kept them in until December (rotating them every few weeks at the shop). Unfortunately, when I tried to take the twists out my hair was a matted tangled mess. Any growth I had attained was lost. I had to cut the twists off in December 2009.

In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
E:
Ditching chemicals has simplified my grooming routine. Itโ€™s not easier, just simpler.

How would you describe your hair?
E:
I would say my hair is thick and kind of wooly and soft. The texture is hard to describe because itโ€™s different all over. In othersโ€™ eyes itโ€™s unreal because by the end of the day I have to tally how many people ask me if my hair is real. I get some of the nastiest side eyes after I respond.

What is your regimen?
E:
It took me a year to figure out which products worked best for my hair and Iโ€™m glad that I did not give up through the frustrating (and expensive process). Once a week I detangle with Suave Almond + Shea Butter Conditioner. I get it at Samโ€™s because I go through a lot! Once detangled and in sixteen sections I wash, condition, and style with Kinky-Curly products. I air dry as much as possible, but I usually have to use the diffuser too.

How do you retain length and moisture in your hair?
E:
I am very methodical and slow when I wash my hair. Once I apply the Curling Custard I keep my hands out of my hair until itโ€™s dryโ€”not even a towel. I retain length and moisture by making sure that my ends and edges are protected at night and my hair is steamed in the shower in the morning. I think I retain the most length by just leaving it alone. I rarely style my hair. The only manipulation it gets is at night to apply Kinky-Curly Perfectly Polished before I pin my hair up. I only trust my sister-in-law to braid or twist my hair at this point in my life.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that youโ€™ve learned from?
E:
I thought I had to deep condition the way I saw others do, but it didnโ€™t work for me. It added an extra step of manipulation, which led to broken hairs. Also, Iโ€™ve learned to take the advice of others with a grain of saltโ€”just โ€œNod & Smileโ€.

Whatโ€™s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
E:
I leave it alone between washes. I do not manipulate my hair unless itโ€™s wet.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
E:
My Blog: http://afroartnerd.blogspot.com/, Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AfroArtNerd, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afroartnerd, Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/afroartnerd, and Iโ€™m on Instagram: afroartnerd.

Anything else you want to add?
E:
Thank you BGLH! I literally did not know how to comb my hair when I started this journey. I appreciate what yโ€™all do!

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About Meosha

Just another lover of natural hair and expression. - Style Icon Coordinator for BGLH

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treece
treece
8 years ago

Whoo. Lotta hair

Ogo
Ogo
8 years ago
Reply to  treece

Riiigghhhhhhhtttttttt!!!!! Now this is some hurrrrr!

Sigh, I wish mine was thick. <_<

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Ogo

LOL! Thanks Ladies.

Alexandra
Alexandra
8 years ago

Beautiful!!!!

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Alexandra

Thank you.

nellboogie
nellboogie
8 years ago

Your hair and style is REDIC!!!!!!!!! Bravo, Ma!

Nadia
Nadia
8 years ago

Love your hair and your blog!

O0oro0O
8 years ago

Beautiful ! And woaw your hair / hair accessories and your colorful style me likey ^-^

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  O0oro0O

Iโ€™m so humbled. Thank you.

Sieta
8 years ago

A whole lot of hair! Beautiful, I like her style, so simple.

Ogo
Ogo
8 years ago

So Iโ€™ll be the first to say that Ms. Elizabeth should probably do a closet raid on here.โ€ฆ

Love your style Ms. E โ€” I would steal that wrap half-sleeve thingy youโ€™re wearing over the purple/fushia dress in a MINUTE โ€” continue to werk! *snaps*

(Also, I love that youโ€™re so smart! Best of luck on your dissertation!)

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Ogo

Thank you so very much!

nelle
nelle
8 years ago

love the barbie shirt! Where can i get it?

Naelle
Naelle
8 years ago
Reply to  nelle

I think you can get that Barbie shirt at Hot Topic!! On their website as well ๐Ÿ™‚

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Naelle

Yes, my hubby got it at Hot Topic. Also saw some at Forever 21.

Sweet T
Sweet T
8 years ago

I love her hair. And yes she MUST be featured for a closet raid. Iโ€™m going to University of Florida this Fall. Whatโ€™s the natural hair scene like down there?

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Sweet T

There is a salon that specializes in caring for textured hair the site is: http://www.anutwist.com/index2.html. I havenโ€™t been to a stylist in Gainseville, so I canโ€™t give you my opinion. People have the prices are not fit for a college student.

One of my UF cohorts has a site on black womenโ€™s body image including natural hair. Sheโ€™s very, very passionate about the issue: http://www.bodyimagecentral.com/

We must keep in touch.

hassan
hassan
8 years ago

you have hair & style for days!! i love everything i see!lol

faren
faren
8 years ago

Did my undergrad at the J school at UF. Go Gators!

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  faren

The gator nation is everywhereโ€ฆGo Gators!

Keturah
Keturah
8 years ago

Beautiful hair! Love it!

Journey
8 years ago

LOVE IT!! You have tons of growth since 2009! The Barbieโ€”I want it!!!! Your style is very unique it goes perfectly with your hair!

Avanti
Avanti
8 years ago

She is SO cute! Reminds me of a black Penelope Garcia (from Criminal Minds). ๐Ÿ™‚

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Avanti

LOL! I had to look her up & when I did I was like โ€œthat lady has my clothes on!โ€

Kitty
Kitty
8 years ago

Love it! You hair and fashion sense are both fabulous! Werk!!!

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Kitty

Thanks, Kitty!

Tasha
8 years ago

I love your thich Gorgeous hair! Your style swag is on point too. Go girl!

Elizabeth
8 years ago
Reply to  Tasha

Thanks?

evadiva
evadiva
8 years ago

Lovely head of hair.

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Charlene Cooper
Charlene Cooper
8 years ago

Great Style, love the hair! You Rock!

Tenisha
8 years ago

drooling.โ€ฆ wish my hair was this voluminous from all angles

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