NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear?
EL: I love wearing my hair loose and free. I only put my curls in a ponytail if I’m planning to wash them the next day. If I feel that my hair is too poofy in the front, I’ll put it in a barrette or a half-ponytail.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
EL: I have so many favorites! VO5 Conditioner, Tresemmé for co-washing or Pantene Naturals Co-Wash, Beyond the Zone Noodle Head or Super Sexy Texturize & Distort…the list goes on! I tend to gravitate towards products for African American hair…they work better for my hair.
NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
EL: If my hair looks dry, I’ll moisturize with hair oil or leave-in conditioner and wear a silk scarf. Otherwise, I just sleep on it…it always looks nice the next day.
NC: What reaction did you get when you decided to go natural?
EL: Everyone loves my natural hair. It suits my personality and my lifestyle. I’m not the type of girl who enjoys spending time, energy and money on blow drying my hair. Now, my hair is super low maintenance and I get compliments on it every time I go out! People think that it’s a wig or a weave…they even ask to touch it! I worked at a girls summer camp last month and the girls loved to touch and style my hair. They would beg their moms for “Miss Elsie’s curls.” I styled their hair the same way that I style mine and they were so happy.
NC: Did you big chop or transition, and for how long?
EL: It took me almost six years to get back to my natural texture after the last relaxer. I just trimmed my hair every month or two.
