Meet Elena from Åland!

On By Andrea GrinbergIn Uncategorized

Everyone, I am so excited to introduce you to Elena Isabella, a woman who takes head wrapping to a whole new level! Love her story, her sense of style, and knowing that she is out there on her tiny island rocking these awesome scarves!

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Hello!

 My name is Elena and I live in Åland, a small island in between Finland and Sweden. I live here with my significant other and two cats. My mother lives right next door, it’s kind of like a sitcom at times. Lots of shouting and there’s always coffee brewing.

Except for the two years I lived in Sweden studying to a makeup artist (among other things. I also took social psychology classes), I’ve lived here all my life.
It’s quite isolated, everyone knows everyone and we’re always about two years behind, but I can’t think of a better place to live, really. Instead I travel as often as my bank account allows me.
I like cats, tea, cake, colouring books, scarves, video games and music (everything from Edith Piaf to King Dude)
My favourite colour is teal and I will never miss an opportunity to make a bad joke or tell a random anecdote.
I started wrapping a little more than a year ago. I’ve always liked the look of wraps, like the retro turbans and the flowing scarves from the 60’s and 70’s, but I could never get the fabrics to stay on my head, no matter the amount of bobby pins and hair grips.
One day I found a video of Andrea tying a tichel. I had no idea what that was or who she was, but I binge watched pretty much every wrapunzel video available at that time, and shortly after, I orded my first velvet headband and a whole new world opened before me.
My main reason for wrapping at that time was to let my hair rest. I hade fried it with bleach for the second time in 5 years and didn’t dare to do anything with it anymore. I had experimented with extensions and wigs for some time, but in the end it was too much of an effort, and a bit uncomfortable really. I used to say that I suffered from a chronic case of bad hair day.
After some time I felt that I still couldn’t do the awesome wraps shown in the videos and went all in and ordered a Wendy and a bunch of scarves to experiment with.
I found the Fan group and after many days of hesitating, I finally dared to join.
After some months of weekend wrapping only, I realised that the scarves ment more to me than just covering bad hair (that was starting to improve whohoo!), I had, in a way, found myself again.
Flashback a few years, I had a rotten divorce that left me alone, confused and not sure about myself anymore. Style has always been a big part of me and I’ve always loved experimenting with my looks. But suddenly I didn’t feel like dying my hair bright orange anymore, makeup didn’t look right and I felt -old-. I didn’t want to be seen anymore, I was tired and just couldn’t be bothered to make any effort anymore. I just didn’t care.
The scarves made me feel “cool” again. I felt more put together, more age appropriate and proud, and even if I didn’t realise right away, covering my hair has helped me let go of the bad times more than anything else. Life is fun again!
It might have been noted that I like to wear makeup. Lots of makeup. The scarves inspired me to use colours again and be creative. I usually try to match my makeup to my scarf, so if you ever see me in a total miss-match, there was a tantrum that day 😉
I know living in a small area can be tough for someone looking different, but I’ve been lucky. I’ve always looked different, everyone knows who I am, one way or another. I’m either the tattooed postman-girl, Pia’s daughter (My mum used to work in a tax free store. Things like that will make you famous around here.) or simply “the makeup girl”. This is just my current “thing”.
The wrapping community has given me the opportunity to learn more about the world, religion, philosophy and totally random things, like what to do with a butternut squash.
I’ve found some amazing ladies I would now consider friends, that I probably would never met without this community, and I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know them.
Love to all
//Elena Isabella

30 thoughts on “Meet Elena from Åland!”

    2. elenalundqvist

      Thank you!
      I remember that day, actually. My Boyfriend was a bit sceptic about the freckles. Also, out car was stolen and I ended up talking to the officers with pastel, glitter freckles. It was a good day. Except for the car…

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  8. sharona

    first of all i love her sense of humor, just my type. and i propose that elena will post some of her wrapping tutorials,( all of them), you can see that she is blessed with a touch to wrap. so pick up the glove elena and teach us how you do it.

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    1. elenalundqvist

      I have a Youtube Channel 🙂 Only three tutorials from an unflattering angle, but that’s what you get when you balance a phone on top of a bowler hat on an empty whisky bottle.
      ❤

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        1. Elena Isabella

          It is Elena Isabella 🙂 Only 4 videos or so, but just bought new “stuff” and will hopefully make better quality videos soon

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  9. Summerdays

    Oh… My… Goodness!!!! I feel like a fish on dry land, gasping for breath, eh I mean for words!

    ELENA, you are absolutely, fabulously STUNNING!!!! Your wraps are EXOTIC!!! AWESOME!!!!
    (Ha-ha-ha-ha, it looks like I eventually caught my breath again!)

    Yes, you are so right – wrapping makes life fun and full of creative excitement, doesn’t it? You are a good Ambassador for your little Island – I wish I could visit and spend some time with you. Any chance for a few tutorial videos please? (The next best thing to enjoying a cup of tea together.)

    Keep rocking your stunning wraps, that compliments your beauty! And thank you for inspiring me!

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    1. elenalundqvist

      Breeeeathe! (or bubble, I don’t know what you call the type of breathing fish do)
      Thank you so much ❤ I'm always up for a cup of tea, but meanwhile, you can enjoy the view of my double chin on my youtube channel; Elena Isabella.

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  10. Tisha

    Thank you for sharing your wrap journey. I love your make-up and your wraps! I would love to see a tutorial on the second wrap if you can post one.

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    1. elenalundqvist

      Thank you! ❤
      The fluffy poof with the teal cranberry? There's a tutorial on my youtube channel, Elena Isabella. It's the "Magnifique turban" wrap 🙂

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  12. Diana

    Love all your styles! Are there tutorials for any of the beautiful turbans with th bows and flowers you’ve created? Would love to learn how to do that. If you made a makeup tutorial channel I’d totally be your groupie!!!

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    1. elenalundqvist

      I have three wraps on my youtube, Elena Isabella. The quality isn’t great, but still 🙂
      If I ever get my hands on a ring light, I might try out a makeup tutorial. Maybe 😉

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  13. Tami

    I enjoyed your story and all your wraps. There is so much inspiration to behold here. I am jealous (a good jealousy) of how well you pull all of these off. You are a beautiful woman. 🙂 I hope to see more from you, Elena. Thank you for sharing!

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  17. kairostravellers

    Wow Elena! I am glad you are here. If you did not share your history with us, I could never imagine such a incredeble life history. You are just Brilliant, bright, criative, happy, lively….and you show it up in your lifestyle. Wow! I love it!

    I love Wrapunzel ladies, they make a great impact in my life. they also make my woman personality stronger when I wrap my hair. I really feel great! Thank you Andrea, thank you all wrapunzel ladies and thank you Elena Isabella for your life experience.

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