Naturally Fierce Feature: Elida

April 16, 2013

My name is Elida Vassor and I am from Miami, Fl. I currently work with the state of Florida as a counselor.

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural since July 2011.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I was always someone who loved changing my look whether it was cutting my hair, adding color, letting it grow out, etc. I relaxed my hair for many years and after a while I got tired of spending all this money to go to the salon for styling and treatment. The longest length that my hair ever grew out was about shoulder length. My edges were very thin and my hair was also very thin as well. It looked good but I didn’t feel that it was as healthy as I would have liked for it to be. Before I decided to go natural, my hair was styled in a short cut. That hairstyle required a lot of maintenance and one day I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore. My big chop was pure impulse. I went to my stylist and said chop it off and the rest was history. I was a little self-conscience at first because it felt so different but once I began getting compliments, it gave me the boost I needed and now I rock my natural hair with pride.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
My natural hair journey has had its moments especially when it was growing out. I wasn’t sure how to style it or what to do. As time progressed, I learned how to just enjoy my hair and take my time to learn how to treat it and care for it. My hair and I have always had a love/hate relationship so my journey has been both difficult and easy.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?’
Thankfully my best friend braids hair, so with her help I braided my hair practically every other week, which helped my hair grow. I have done Mohawks, up-dos and many other styles but for the most part I do a lot of twist outs.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
When I big chopped in 2011, my friends and family thought I was nuts. They acted as though my hair would never grow back or that it wouldn’t look nice or pretty. Many of my friends suggested that I “loc” my hair because they really didn’t understand what my hair was going to look like as it grew out. They are my biggest supporters/fans now because they notice a difference in my confidence and my look. It’s always good to hear someone say that the way my hair looks makes them want to go natural as well. It’s funny because I wasn’t even trying to be a spokesperson but I guess it comes with the territory…LOL

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wash my hair once a week and co-wash my hair every three or four days. I deep condition every other week. I am a product junkie so I don’t really have a favorite product however I do love olive oil eco-styler gel and just recently started using simplicity oil to help with dryness and hair growth.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Some of my fav natural hair bloggers and sites are Naptural85 (you tube), curlbox.com, koils by nature, simplicity hair oil, loveislandbeauty (you tube), mahoganycurls (you tube), MsVaughnTV (you tube), Kinkycurlycoilyme.com, BlakIzBeautyful (you tube)

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
God makes no mistakes…Take what He has blessed you with and make it fabulous.
When it comes to the natural hair journey take every day as a new way to explore and enjoy what God has given to you naturally. Every kink, coil, curl and wave is beautiful and once you begin to accept that and let your hair do its thing then you will be able to enjoy everything about the natural hair journey. Visit the natural hair blog sites for inspiration when you are discouraged, it will make a world of difference when you see that you are not alone.

Where can people find you for more information?
I post most of my natural hairstyles and journey on Instagram, my name is el_butterfly. I’m not a blogger (YET) but maybe one day I will be.