But all that preteen attention—Smith was just nine when “Whip My Hair” was released—and the pressures that came with it eventually took a toll. She had to take time away, a calculated retreat if you will. “There was a time where it was really, really dark,” she says. “I was trying to run away from … Read more
The early days of the Instagram hairstylist (2018 to 2021) were, by all accounts, great for both stylists and clients. Stylists with talent and a genuine love for their craft had a new means of turning their passion into a livelihood. Clients also benefitted: You could view a stylist’s work on their profile, then pop … Read more
Being onstage isn’t necessarily her natural forté, but Saweetie is real and, of course, optimistic about it. “That’s not my strength,” she says, “and that’s okay because you’re supposed to turn your weaknesses into strengths.” While doing the best to put her artistry in her own hands, Saweetie was still taking jabs from what seemed … Read more
No one going to prison expects a spa experience from the canteens and commissaries selling personal-care products to the population. But what many incarcerated people of color have come to discover is that they can’t even expect to find products that serve the basic needs of natural hair, while their white counterparts have access to … Read more
