Graduate Studies, UNL
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Accessibility Remediation
If you are unable to use this item in its current form due to accessibility barriers, you may request remediation through our remediation request form.
First Advisor
Mary Alice Casto
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Committee Members
Adrienne Oliver, Charlene Maxey-Harris, Kylin Flothe, Sandra Starkey
Department
Human Sciences
Date of this Version
12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Citation
A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Major: Human Sciences
Under the supervision of Professor Mary Alice Casto
Lincoln, Nebraska, December 2025
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, multi-case study was to explore the identity-related dress and appearance management implications of culture-specific beauty blog readership. The study was informed by three research questions: (a) Why and how do African American women seek out culture-specific beauty blogs? (b) What roles do African American women assume while engaging with culture-specific beauty blog communities? (c). How do African American women use culture-specific beauty blog content to inform identity-related processes of appearance management and dress?
The sample of this multiple-case study included nine participants, each representing a distinct case. Data were collected through individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews, field notes, and a process of data mining the culture-specific beauty blogs introduced during the interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and coded for themes.
Data analysis revealed that study participants sought out culture-specific beauty blogs because they were interested in locating beauty media that featured Black representation of beauty and cultural ideals. The Natural Hair Aesthetic was a key driver of interest for study participants, as they sought information to adapt the aesthetic. Participants overwhelmingly identified an online search engine query for a beauty-related interest as their original method of connection to culture-specific beauty blog content.
All participants reported that, following their initial introductions, they regularly returned to culture-specific beauty blogs for content of that type. During those visits, participants reported only engaging with their chosen blogs from the perspective of a viewer. That is, although blogs feature optional two-way communication, participants elected not to engage in online dialogue with bloggers or members of blog communities. Instead, some reported discussing culture-specific beauty blog content with friends or family members offline.
Finally, data revealed that a large majority of study participants routinely visited culture-specific beauty blogs for content related to their natural hair. Beauty resources for hair care and styling, such as step-by-step tutorials and product reviews, were identified by participants as resources that they regularly referenced and used in processes of appearance management.
Advisor: Mary Alice Casto
Recommended Citation
Flotree, Kalari, "African American Women and Blogs: The Allure of Culture-specific Beauty Blogs" (2025). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 410.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/410
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Social Media Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
Copyright 2025, Kalari Flotree. Used by permission