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Head Stylist Moira Frazier Shares How She’s Shaping The Culture On The Set Of ‘Abbott Elementary’
A permanent smile radiates from my face while watching ABC’s hit sitcom, Abbott Elementary. Is the storyline or the will-they-won’t-they love story budding between Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie the cause? Absolutely. But underneath the hilarious punchlines and perfectly executed jokes, there’s another story to take note of.
And it’s all about hair.
Moira Frazier, the Emmy-nominated Hair Department Head of Abbott Elementary, is the stylist bringing each character's hair story to life.
And with the world of film and television being a space where success often hinges on being in the right place at the right time, Fraizer attributes her entry into the industry to working “small $100-$200 jobs” early on. As a licensed cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry and more than a decade in entertainment, Frazier has established herself as a hair maven in her own right.
Being the Hair Department Head of a Hollywood set can be made to look effortless, but Frazier says that work all begins with “meeting, upon meeting, upon meetings.”
“Once I get a script, we’re breaking down every character from the standpoint of how they’re written,” she tells xoNecole. “I'm going into the psyche of each [Abbott] character we’re developing to see what this person is like.” As a viewer, it’s easy to spot the intention behind the character’s hair story as they embody personalities and even figures we might know in real life.
Take Barbara Howard, for instance. A poised, matriarchal presence among the teachers, with a church background that keeps her grounded in her work and a beacon of wisdom when needed. For here, a classic pixie cut just makes sense. “We all know that older lady at the church, honey,” Fraizer says. “She'll never change her hair. She wears the same wig for years and years.”
Courtesy of Moira Frazier
For Ava Coleman, an around-the-way, career-oriented, bougie cousin archetype played by Janelle James, a slick, long, yet kinky straight style was chosen. “When it comes to hair, especially on Ava, the hair has to move,” she tells xoNecole. “If you notice, none of my wigs on the show are stiff because, working with Janelle James, she moves a lot, and she talks with her hands. So it’s important for me to use super high-quality hair.”
Creating wigs that match the highest quality standards is no small feat, especially in the latest season of Abbott where their 8K cameras captured every detail. Frazier dedicates an entire week to building each full lace wig from scratch. “We have to step our game up this season because we filmed in 8K cameras, which means you're going to see everything,” she says. “I had to get lace that's not available on the commercial market, my lace gets flown in from London.”
Unlike traditional methods that involve simply bundling hair, her wigs are created by hand, resulting in a natural and flexible appearance. “And when I say from scratch, I mean I ventilate every wig,” she punctuates. This meticulous process ensures the wigs are custom-fitted and highly realistic, particularly for high-profile clients like Tatyana Ali and other guest stars, to achieve an impeccable finish.
Over the last three seasons, we’ve seen the evolution of our Philly-based characters, not just in how they present themselves but in how they’re coming into who they are as a person. This is particularly true for Janine Teagues.
On Abbott Elementary, Janine's hair evolution mirrors the universal experience of growing into oneself, particularly for young women just trying to figure themselves out. “She's a young teacher in her early 20s, just graduated college, and she's trying to find herself. We've all been there, trying to find our look. She's coming out of that awkward stage and trying to get into adulthood and womanhood,” she says.
In the first season, Janine is seen with her natural curly hair, a look that signifies her initial stage of self-discovery. As the seasons progress, her hairstyles evolve, symbolizing her gradual shift towards maturity and self-confidence, experimenting with straight hair and on to a half-up, half-down style. These changes reflect her exploration of different looks and her journey towards finding a style that truly represents who she is. “It's like she's easing into these looks,” Frazier says.
On the set of shows where characters constantly change their styles, proper hair care is essential. Fraizer uses her Lace Lock Melting Spray instead of glue to secure wigs, to hold the hair in place for the duration of filming. Unlike glue, which can be impractical for daily application, the melting spray and her unique Lace Lock Wig Grip provide a reliable hold without causing damage.
This thoughtful approach to hairstyling on Abbott Elementary underscores the importance of hair in the self-expression, identity, and representation of Black women both on- and off-screen.
Janine Plays Barb and Melissa Perfectly - Abbott Elementary
Black hair carries profound cultural and personal significance, a reality that deeply influences hairstyling choices for Black characters on television. For Fraizer, the styles, colors, lengths, and textures are deliberate in accurately portraying Black hairstyles to the masses. “Because it has to make sense,” she says. “As Black people, we wear our hair in so different ways. It would have been easy to put everybody in a super kinky curly wig on our show, but for us, I wanted to show versatility.”
By embracing this diversity, the show honors the cultural richness and individuality of Black hair, ensuring that every character’s hairstyle, as well as the child actors, adds a meaningful contribution to the narrative.
For Black women aspiring to excel in the world of styling and department leadership, Frazier says that the journey to the top is paved by continuous growth and cultivating strong relationships.
“Don't burn the bridge along the way,” she says. “You have to have a positive attitude and be ready to come to work and do the work. You can never give up because one job can lead to the next job, and that can lead to the biggest job.”
She continues, “Learn how to do everything. It's okay to specialize in one thing — but now you're limited. Keep educating yourself because there are levels to this, and the more you educate, the higher you go.”
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Feature image courtesy of Moira Frazier
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
Your Morning Coffee May Be Causing More (Health) Issues Than You Think
What I’m about to say, I’ve said many times before; that’s because it’s something that I absolutely believe to be true: I’m not sure how many topics, especially as they relate to one’s health, are more polarizing than coffee (most specifically, the caffeine that’s in it).While on one hand, science reveals that coffee can help to strengthen your heart, reduce your risk for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, boost your energy levels, improve your blood sugar levels, and even increase your longevity, there are also numerous reports that too much of a good thing can prove to be problematic on a few levels too.
Takean article that I recently read, for example. It basically stated that you’re better off starting off your mornings with water instead of coffee because extra hydration will help to prevent your body from receiving “mixed messages” as far as your stress hormone (cortisol) is concerned. As a result, you can end up with more energy and productivity than caffeine alone can provide.
That’s not all, though. If you happen to be someone who can’t see starting your day without a big ole’ cup of java in your hands, here are 10 solid reasons why you might want to rethink that — or at least take the “less is more approach” to coffee overall.
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1. Less Nutrition Absorption
You might’ve read somewhere thatthe majority of Americans do not get the nutrients that they need from their diet alone. In fact, most don’t get nearly enough vitamin D and E from the foods that they eat, half need more vitamin C and one-third are lacking in the vitamin A and magnesium departments. That’s why I thought it was important to start all of this off by sharing that caffeine consumptioncan make it harder for your body to fully absorb nutrients; especially when it comes to calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins.
Does this mean not to drink coffee at all? No. What it does mean is if you think that you can’t get through the day without it, you should consider what it may be potentially robbing you of in the process (especially if you drink more than a couple of cups a day).
2. Also, Less Iron Absorption
If you’re someone who is anemic (or borderline anemic), this is something that you definitely should keep in mind. Did you know that coffee also has the ability to significantly reduce how much iron your system is able to absorb?For instance, one study revealed that drinking coffee with a hamburger meal can decrease how much iron you’re able to get from the burger by almost 40 freakin’ percent. It’s mostly due to the polyphenols (plant compounds) that areable to inhibit how your body digests the mineral.
Again, does this mean that you can have no java at all? Some health experts say that it’s more about paying attention to when you drink it.For example, one study said that consuming coffee an hour before a meal will have very little of an iron effect at all. My two cents? If you do have low iron, speak with your doctor first. Better to be safe than sorry…right?
3. More Belly Fat (Maybe)
Did you know that approximately65 percent of Americans consume coffee? Not only that but apparently a lot of one’s genetic make-up helps to determine if coffee is good for them or not (you can read more about thathere). Maybe that’s why some people can drink coffee and not gain an inch while others will and pack on the pounds. Honestly, a lot of the weight surrounding coffee consumption has more to do with what you put in your coffee cup —sugar, cream, etc.— than anything else.
Still, it’s important to keep in mind that since caffeine has the ability to raise your cortisol (natural stress hormone) levels and cortisol has been linked to added abdominal fat (especially in women) — let’s just say that if you’re trying to get a six-pack, coffee is not the most effective way to make that happen; not by a long shot.
4. (Potentially) More Fragile Bones
Another mineral that isn’t the biggest fan of coffee is calcium.Some research indicates that consuming caffeine can actually interfere with how your body processes calcium. For instance, if you happen to drink a lot of coffee, whenever you urinate, it can actually cause a lot of the calcium that’s stored in your body to leave your system; that can ultimately lead to weaker bones, especially as you age. So, how much is too much? Reportedly, five Red Bulls or 3-4 eight-ounce cups of coffee a day is definitely pushing the limit.
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5. Hormonal Imbalance
If there’s one thing that all women should want to be hypervigilant about, it’s making sure that their hormones remain as balanced as possible. Well, one thing that doesn’t really care about that goal is caffeine. Again, not only does it tend to increase your cortisol (stress) levels, but it also can throw off your blood sugar (if you’re not careful), make your endocrine system (the system that’s in charge of your hormones) sluggish and it can create erratic sleep patterns which can ultimately result in a suppression of how your hormones are produced. Out of all of the reasons in this article to pay attention to how much coffee you drink, this is one that definitely should not be ignored.
6. Asthma Medication Drama
I bet most of you would never guess thatsome studies reveal that drinking coffee can reduce asthma symptoms (for some people) by as much as almost 30 percent.A part of the reason is that, since caffeine is a stimulant, it can (temporarily) help to reduce what causes respiratory muscle fatigue which can result in asthma attacks. At the same time, make sure to not consume caffeinefour hours or less prior to a lung test (it can affect the results).
Also,some studies say that caffeine can make it more difficult for your body to absorb any asthma-related medication that you may be on. So, if you do take something for asthma and coffee is totally your thing, let your doctor know — just to be on the safe side.
7. More Hot Flashes
If you happen to be in a latter stage of perimenopause or very close to menopause, it’s common to experience hot flashes. Long story short, they’re what happen when your hormones are all over the place which can throwyour “body’s thermostat”, known as your hypothalamus off, making it highly sensitive to temperature.Although things like spicy foods, alcohol, hot weather, stress, and even tight clothes can trigger a hot flash,so can caffeine. So, if you’ve got hot flashes going on and you can’t seem to catch a break, you might want to push that coffee cup back; see how that makes you feel.
8. Possible Pregnancy Problems
You might’ve heard somewhere that it’s okay to have caffeine while you’re pregnant, so long as it’s consumed in extreme moderation. However, there is more and more intel that says you really should consider going without it altogether since caffeine is connected to things like an uptick in miscarriage, stillbirths, low birth weight in newborns, and sometimes, even certain types of cancer. You don’t want to take a chance on this one. At the very least, go the decaf route (and even do that sparingly) until the little one is born.
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9. Dehydration
Every time that I read that75 percent of Americans are not just dehydrated but chronically dehydrated, it trips me out. And sincecoffee is a diuretic, this means that it pulls water out of your system because it causes you to urinate more.To be fair on this one, though, so long as you limit your coffee intake to less than five cups a day, it shouldn’t have too much (more) a dehydration effect on you (to be sure, keep a glass of water nearby).
10. Insomnia
And finally, one more time for the cheap seats:coffee is a stimulant. That’s why, it makes all the sense in the world that too much caffeine can wreak total havoc on your quality of rest and sleep. In fact, some research indicates that even having caffeine as early as six hours prior to your bedtime can cut down your sleep by an hour. This is why you should have no more than 3-4 cups of coffee a day (max) and avoid drinking it after around lunchtime. Otherwise, you could end up sleep deprived and that comes withpotential health-related issues like anxiety, depression, obesity, heart attacks, and strokes.
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So what if you do want to lighten up on your coffee intake yet you know that you still need more energy in the morning? Some healthier alternatives includematcha tea, yaupon tea, chicory coffee,mushroom coffee,black tea,chai tea, and golden milk. Since all of these come with less caffeine and their own pretty impressive health benefits, why not give one or all of ‘em a shot?
Hey, you just might like it. What’s been scientifically proven is your system will. Drink up!
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Featured image by Tom Werner/Getty Images