Leslie // Natural Hair Style Icon

Products: Herbal Essences, Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose, Pantene masks, a mix of shea butter and coconut oil to twist, olive oil sometimes for scalp, Fantasia IC polisher gel to slick back front.

Styles: I usually rock twist outs these days! They are easy and I always get compliments on my hair. I also like to do mini twists that I pin up. I never do wash and go’s because my hair knots up too much. I sometimes wear low buns or puffs.

Where are you from and what do you do?
L: I am living in North Carolina now but I am originally from Nashville, TN. I just began my career as a school counselor and I love it!

When did you go natural? Why?
L: I went natural about 10 years ago during my senior year in high school. I had wanted to do it for some time but I always lost courage and would relax again. Finally, I got so curious about my natural hair texture that when it came time to relax for my junior prom, I skipped it and just got an updo. That summer I bunned pretty much the whole time and then I pressed all my senior year. I honestly cannot pinpoint a specific event that made me stop, I just knew I was ready to try the natural thing.

You’ve seen the natural hair community evolve over 10 years. What’s different?
L: To answer your question, I think the biggest difference is that women have so many resources for information about natural hair. There are literally communities of women online now that can support and cheer each other on during their transition and subsequent chops. When I first went natural I was young and was unaware if anything like BGLH even existed! The ability to share information has really helped many women take more pride in and control over how they go from relaxed to natural.

In terms of styling, people are getting more creative these days with looks like the fro-hawk and twisted updos. As more women embrace their natural textures, they realize the styling possibilities are almost endless because our hair will mold into almost any shape! It’s a beautiful thing.

Any word to the young’uns?
L: I have been natural for a while now and one thing I realize is that I STILL find things out that I didn’t know about my hair. Sometimes I can get frustrated or bored with it, then all of a sudden I stumble on a new technique or style that gets me excited again. Also, in terms of products, it is so easy to get bogged down with trying to find the right thing, especially when you are listening to everybody else’s picks. If you find something that works, don’t worry about other people’s opinions on it. You end up wasting a lot of money and time chasing down the hot new product!

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