“My name is Genovia Elle; I am from Bellwood, Illinois. I am finishing up my last 2 years of graduate school, working on my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. I work as a counselor with children and families who have a history of trauma and abuse. Aside from that, I own an online vintage boutique at www.vintageanonymousboutique.bigcartel.com (currently under construction) and fashion blog at www.soswellelle.blogspot.com. I am a workaholic who is in love with Jesus, active at church, and loves to spend time with my family, friends, and loved ones…especially my four year old niece and my two godsons! They bring me so much joy and make me feel like a kid again lol :)”
Marita A: How long have you been natural?
Genovia Elle: I have been natural for four years and eight months.
Marita A: What inspired you to go natural?
Genovia Elle: At the time I decided to go natural, I was away in college working on my B.S. in Psychology. I believe the whole process of a person “finding” him/her self is what truly inspired me, amongst the other beautiful, Black sistahs who already made the transition. As I was coming to understand who Genovia truly was, I discovered what the true meaning of beauty…in the natural. I then felt that it was time to unveil the beauty of myself that I had concealed for so many years trying to adapt to the Western culture’s standard of beauty. In this revelation and process, I also realized how much of a battle this was for me, constantly straightening my hair in the Texas humidity and heat, always worried about getting my hair wet whenever it would rain, and the list goes on for us Black sistahs when it comes to the struggle with our hair. I honestly felt shackled by conforming to this standard of beauty, and was ready to release myself from this constant hair struggle that I have dealt with since I was 12 years old (when I got my first relaxer).
Marita A: Who are your YouTube or Facebook “hairspirations”?
Genovia Elle: MsVaughnTV, Backsynfan, Amanda G/LethalPleazure, xGOLDn, MeechyMonroe, and Taren916.
Marita A: What was the most difficult part of transitioning to natural?
Genovia Elle: The most difficult part was washing my hair before I decided to cut the rest of my relaxed ends, which were about 2 inches. My permed ends would get so tangled up with the rest of my hair; it was extremely difficult detangling my hair. After I had realized why my hair would get so tangled after each wash, I decided to cut off the rest of my relaxed hair. Washing my hair then become less of a problem for me.
Marita A: How did your family, friends, spouse or significant other react to your hair’s new kinky texture?
Genovia Elle: When I was contemplating going natural, my family, friends, etc., really tried to talk me out of it. I was told that I would look “ugly” and “nappy-headed” by some people when I brought up the idea of going natural. After I returned to natural hair, EVERYONE loved my hair! I was so happy that I based my decision on how I felt, and not how others felt. I then became their inspiration to go natural, and now we all love the liberation and true beauty of being natural.
Marita A: What’s in your makeup bag?
Genovia Elle: Inside my makeup bag, you will find the following: Milani Face Powder in 05/Tan, Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream in Medium/Deep Sheer Tint, Elf’s contouring blush and bronzer compact, Elf’s setting and finish mist, L.A.Girl Pro Conceal HD in Fawn, Bobbi Brown’s Perfectly Defined Mascara in Black, Estee Lauder’s MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara in 01/Black, Nars’ Orgasm Illuminator, Mary Kay’s Medium-Coverage Foundation in 500/Bronze and 404/Beige, Stila’s bronzing tinted moisturizer, Elf’s Mineral Infused Face Primer, Bobbi Brown’s bronzer/blush duo in Bahama Brown and Pink Peony, Maybelline’s Unstoppable eyeliner in Onyx, Elf’s liquid eyeliner in Black, Elf’s blush in Pink Passion, Wet’nWild’s blush in 831E/Pearlescent Pink, Black Radiance’s Artisan Color Baked Bronzer in 3515/Ginger Snap, Mac’s blushes in Format/Flirt & Tease/Ambering Rose, Smashbox’s Photo Op under eye brightener illuminator, Elf’s under eye concealer and highlighter, Black Radiance’s concealer stick in 8001, Elf’s wet gloss lash and brow clear mascara, Jordana’s eyebrow pencil in 02/Medium Brown, Forever21’s eyelash curler, Ben Nye’s Banana Luxury Powders, Elf’s (flat) powder brush, Elf’s complexion brush, Elf’s fan brush, Sonia Kashuk 2011 Christmas edition wooden brush set, CVS brand angle blush brush, Mary Kay’s satin lips, and Bobbi Brown’s hydrating Eye cream.
Marita A: How do you keep your skin naturally beautiful?
Genovia Elle: I drink plenty of water! I also wash my face daily, in the morning and at night. I use St. Ives facial chamomile cleanser, which is phenomenal. I use witch hazel after each wash as toner and moisturize my face and neck area with Pond’s Rejuveness anti-wrinkle cream at night and Neutrogena’s oil-free moisture for combination skin mornings. I also exfoliate my face once a week, every Friday morning with St. Ives apricot scrub.
Marita A: Did you go through any kind of personal/spiritual transformation while going through the process of going natural?
Genovia Elle: I believe I may have alluded to this question earlier. However, I am certain that I was not only in a personal transformation but also spiritual. The more I grew to love my hair, the more I grew to love me for me and the more intimate my relationship with God became. In this process, God revealed to me that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” through His word in Psalm 139:13-14.
Marita A: What are some of your favorite hair styles?
Genovia Elle: I recently did a big chop (BC) for the first time; I love my new tapered TWA! Prior to my BC, I would love to wear my hair in what I called my “signature fro.” It was most liberating for me, I felt so confident walking in public sending out the message to the world that I am beautiful with every kink and coil on my head. I also love wearing braided up-do styles, bantu knot-outs, and faux buns. Every now and then, I will wear sew-ins to protect my natural hair, and I also go for the big and curly look.
Marita A: Describe your wash routine.
Genovia Elle: I wash my hair every other week with Tresemme’s Color revitalizing shampoo and conditioner, I recently colored my hair. I then use cantu shea moisture leave-in to moisture my hair and coat it with castor oil or coconut oil to seal in the moisture. In between washes, I will co-wash with coconut oil and the same Tresemme conditioner.
Marita A: What encouragement can you give to someone who maybe considering going natural?
Genovia Elle: Make the decision to go natural for yourself, and not based on what others might say or think. They will talk you out of it in the beginning, but will love it after you make that final decision to go natural. I would say that being natural is not a fad or trend, nor a competition. I love how the natural hair community is so embracing, but I also think that we are losing some of our unity because many believe that this is a competition on who rocks the best hair styles, whose hair is the longest, etc. It is necessary to be comfortable, confident, and patient with your own hair and natural hair journey. It’s a beautiful process; there is so much to gain from it in so many ways. Lastly, I would say that if you are going to become a “product junkie” then consider food products and not hair products because what is most noteworthy is what we eat and consume daily. Therefore, consider adopting a healthier lifestyle: eat right, exercise, and drink plenty of water! But don’t overwhelm yourself…instead, take baby steps!
