Elisa // Multi-Texture Style Icon

*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally

Introduce yourself!
E: My name is Elisa Turner and I am from Hollywood, Florida.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
E: I went natural because I really wanted to have wild, crazy colors in my hair and I knew I couldn’t do that without damaging my relaxed hair. I was also very curious about what my natural texture looked like. I have been natural since May 13, 2011 and I transitioned for 8 months.

How would you describe your texture?
E: My texture is a mix of 3c/4a/4b. My strands are fine in most places and overall very dense.

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
E: I cowash my hair 2 times a week and shampoo once every two weeks or as needed. Twist outs, braid outs, and puffs are my main styling choices. If I want really big hair I usually blow dry on cool and use IC Fantasia heat protector. If I want big curly hair I straighten and use Eco Styler Gel with flexi rods to create a curly fro. And if I’m getting bored or want a change, I straighten my hair and sometimes add extensions.

What does wash day look like for you?
E: Wash day for me is different depending on the style I’m going for. For a blow out/braid out I cowash with Suave Naturals Shea and Almond Conditioner, then use my Giovanni Direct Leave In and IC Fantasia Heat Tamer spray to blow dry. After that I braid my hair with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for a big fluffy braid out. For a twist out I use the same conditioner mentioned before, then twist with the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, olive oil, and Eco Styler Gel. For straight hair I shampoo with Giovanni Deeper Moisture Shampoo, condition with Suave (it’s my favorite if you couldn’t tell), and again use Giovanni Direct Leave In and IC Fantasia Heat Tamer. For deep conditioning when needed I use the Giovanni Deeper Moisture Conditioner.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
E: My favorite go to hairstyle has got to be an afro puff and a scarf. I have an obsession with cheetah print scarves and wear them whenever I’m having a “bad hair day”.

Tell us about your hair color?
E: My hair color was done myself. I used a color from Manic Panic called atomic turquoise. At first I bleached my hair with Prism Lites Blue Powder Lightener and Salon Care 30 Volume Developer. I kept the bleached portion of hair for a while, then decided it was time for a change and went blue/green. It hasn’t changed the texture of my hair at all really. I don’t leave the bleach on for a long time and make sure to keep my moisture/protein balance in check.

How do you combat shrinkage?
E: I try to use braids to stretch my hair at night or sometimes bantu knots. I don’t think shrinkage is much of a problem with my current hair length. When my hair was shorter I’d pick my hair out to make it appear longer and fuller, but I don’t need to as much anymore.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
E: My hair color requires a bit more tlc than the rest of my hair. I try to be extra careful when handling that portion of hair.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
E: Always section hair when washing, and when in doubt, puff/scarf it out.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
E: Never straighten more than once a month and don’t hair compare. Everyone has a unique set of strands, so don’t rely heavily on what someone else is doing.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
E: You can find me on Instagram @shantrinas, shantrinas.tumblr.com or youtube.com/shantrinas.