*Prepared for BGLH by Meosha Tall of 1MeNaturally
Introduce yourself!
E: Hi my name is Ellie. I was born in Nigeria, grew up in Botswana and South Africa, and am currently living in Philadelphia, PA.
Why did you make the decision to go natural?
E: I have been natural for almost 2 years. I made the decision to go natural due to many years of damaged hair. I went to a predominately white college where black hair care was non-existent, so for many years I permed my own hair and had weaves because this was the only way out. I didn’t really take care of my hair because of lack of resources. This damaged every area of my hair leaving me with bald spots and no edges. It had a long-term effect on my hair and I am still paying for it today. I decided one day it was time to take control and embrace my own natural hair. This could only be done by chopping off the damaged hair and starting over. Thankfully through my walk with Christ I had the courage to step out of my comfort zone (weaves) and not pay attention to the negative feedback I got from my big chop, or to what society called beautiful. I saw myself through God’s eye, which gave me the confidence to rock my natural hair like the queen that I am.
How would you describe your texture?
E: My curls are very tight and coarse. A mixture of 4B/4C or something like that.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
E: My strands are coarse and thick so it can be a challenge to maintain. I do a lot of twist-outs and bantu knots along with protective styles.
What does wash day look like for you?
E: I wash my hair once a week. I use only natural products on my hair because they can be nourishing to my sensitive scalp. I wash my hair with Aveda Invati Shampoo then condition with Aveda Conditioner. Once I rinse the conditioner I use the Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries Nourishing Herbal Leave-in Conditioner and immediately twist my hair with Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter along with the Curl Milk by Camille Rose.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
E: I just unbraid or untwist my hair in a cute curly fro and I am on my way.
How do you combat shrinkage?
E: I do African threading to stretch my hair and French braids are also my secret to combating shrinkage.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
E: My temple has become very sensitive due to many years of damage. I find the hair on that area to be a bit thinner than the rest of my hair, so I am very careful to not put a lot of tension on my scalp around that area.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
E: Protective styling and keeping my hair moisturized.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
E: Combing on dry hair and over-manipulation.
Let me be the first to comment and say you are beautiful with awesome bone structure and a cute figure. Yes Ellie, you are a god filled Queen and I can sense that you have an wonderful spirit.
XOXO
how can we contact you?(:
These women from nigeria are so exotic and beautiful.
She is Stunning!!!
Naija in the building!!!
Pretty
I’m also in Philly. Do you ever go to a natural salon?
I wonder what she uses on her edges to slick them down. I have an entire tub of EcoStyler that will not do the trick. Not without a scarf and 20+ minutes anyway.
Curl Control Paste!
I’ve not used it but her review says it’s the BOMB!
I wasn’t even looking at her hair. Her face!!! She’s so pretty. x
Yeah right!! So pretty.
You are ridiculously gorgeous!
I love her statement: “I saw myself through God’s eye, which gave me the confidence” if only we all could see ourself that way. Beautiful girl!!!
That’s my everyday prayer 🙂
PLEASE remove the auto-play video ads on this site!!! SO annoying. How am I supposed to browse this site while at work?? lol
Yes, this actually really irritates me!
On topic; gorgeous hair AND face 🙂
1 million plus. So annoying
Can you say gorgeous… Wow
niceeeeee
Beautiful Queen!
I am happy saw herself through God’s eyes because he doesn’t make mistakes 🙂
We’re fearfully and wonderfully made!
Why aren’t you an international model?!! ;0) Really, you could be. You are gorgeous–hair, face, everything!
What a beautiful Sista! Very nice interivew BGLH!
Naija in the house. Yes o. Its amazing how popular the natural movement is getting here even in Benin City, Edo State. I get approached a lot by people asking me how to go about letting go of relaxers & the 10th of this month will make it exactly 1 year post big chop! This is amazing.
yaaay i’m so happy to hear that! my mom told me the last time she visited nigeria that a couple of my cousins (who are in their mid-30’s) were going natural. The overwhelming majority still relax and wear wigs/weaves regularly but it’s a start.
I remember when the natural trend was getting revved up in the states that most of the naturals I saw where college age Nigerian girls.
Naija stand up!!!!
Wooo Nigeria in the house!!!
She reminds me of the actress Kimberly Elise. Her face is very striking.
and gorgeous!
Her hair is gorgeous and her make-up is awesome!
She is beautiful!
You’re stunningly beautiful with short hair! I love your modesty! Hard to come by in this bare it all world.
BOTSWANA!!!!! Oh yeah,beautiful hair girl
Gee golly she’s hot!!!!!
Yeah this young lady is terribly beautiful! She’s absolutely stunning and she does give me the Kimberly Elise vibe! Great style and great legs too!
Beautiful women.
She’s too pretty!!!!!!!!!!
second her looking like kimberly elise. her lipstick is gorgeous, and i love those long twists!
Her legs though! Let me stop staring and go for a jog!
Always proud to see my fellow Naija ladies!
Ellie, great style! Where do you shop? Do you have a blog?
Stunned by her beauty, she has one of those faces that make you look twice, he rnose her lips just wow. And her style is on POINT!
cute shoes and clothes!
Gorgeous hair and smile
She’s a beautiful young lady with beautiful features.
Beautiful hair and make-up.
beautiful young lady, gorgeous hair!
Stunning! Love the coils the most!
I thought she was a model. Why isn’t she modeling? Her face — wow.
I love, love, love what she said about seeing herself through God’s eyes and not worrying about what others may think. That’s beautiful.
Awesome!
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what can i do with my hair?
That’s a cute hairstyle!
Amazing, i so love the natural african look wow!
Amazing, i so love the natural african look wow!nice one
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Ellie OMG wow!
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Thank you for sharing your natural hair journey. I am returning to the natural style after many years of perming. I have longed from my natural hair ever since I permed it in the 80s. I recently found the courage to grow it out naturally. It is young ladies like yourself that keep ideas on how to deal with natural hair and, more importantly,remind the world and ourselves that our natural hair is beautiful.
Oh yeah, faoulbus stuff there you!
Finally someone who grew up I’m South Africa is on this site.
Love the hair and outfit. Beautiful.