Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has always been a trailblazer in every aspect of her life. From her music to her fashion choices, she continues to inspire millions worldwide.
However, one aspect of her life that often goes unnoticed is her relationship with her hair. She is the March and April 2024 cover star of Essence magazine, and in the accompanying interview, Bey opened up about her hair journey, revealing her deep connection to self-care, empowerment, and the importance of embracing hair diversity.
The superstar’s hair journey is as diverse and multifaceted as her career. From wanting to experiment with the pixie cut in 2013 to her signature blonde locks, she has experimented with various styles, each representing a different chapter in her life.
Photo: André D. Wagner In her Essence interview, the singer disclosed that she opted to trim her hair during a period of significant emotional turmoil.
At that time, the Grammy winner expressed a desire for a dramatic change, seeking to align her outward appearance with the profound inner changes she was experiencing.
This pivotal moment in 2013 coincided with widespread speculation about her husband Jay-Z’s cheating scandal, with subsequent allusions to the infidelity surfacing in her album Lemonade three years later.
Later on, he publicly acknowledged his infidelity, subtly suggesting that they narrowly avoided divorce in a conversation with The New York Times Style.
Reflecting on her decision to cut her long locks in 2013, Beyoncé elaborated that amidst it being a tumultuous time, it symbolized liberation and self-expression for her.
“Cutting my hair off was me rebelling against being this woman that society thinks I’m supposed to be,” she explained. “It was a physical representation of me shedding the expectations put upon me. I just wanted it off,” Bey added. “And after that, I became super brave. It was the first step to many more audacious decisions I made in my life and my career that have led to who I am now.”
As her hair lengthened, the 42-year-old singer explored an array of hairstyles, transitioning from braids to an Afro to teased curls, all while upholding her distinctive blonde hue. She further experimented with pressing, ironing, and coloring her hair, alongside wearing various wigs and clip-on. For a while, pressed, ironed and colored blonde hair became part of her identity.
Despite the styling and coloring routines, she underscored the significance of hair wellness, attributing it to the technology that she has now infused in the formula of the products of her hair brand — Cécred — which, is a fermentation made from honey and keratin that helps to stops hair from breaking and brings the shine back.
“The technology in the products is effective enough that I don’t need to over-manipulate my hair while I shampoo,” She said.
She also acknowledged the efficacy of fermented rice water, drawn from ancient traditions, in maintaining the strength and shine of her hair. “It’s healing for my hair but also for me,” she said. “Respecting these traditions and mixing them with technology and science is what inspired my haircare line.”
Photo: André D. Wagner In addition to her love for pressed, colored, and ironed hair, the 32-time Grammy winner also embraces her natural texture and frequently switches between protective styles. This is evident in her look during the Roc Nation Grammys Brunch 2023 when the mother-of-three opted for a carefree look, showcasing her natural hair.
Beyoncé confidently sported her soft, wavy, healthy curls, complementing her custom attire by Gareth Pugh. Her long-time hairstylist Neal Farinah verified on social media that the relaxed, unstyled texture indeed was her authentic curl pattern. Farinah’s caption on the post simply stated, “Keeping it natural: Roc Nation Brunch Part.”
In the interview, Queen Bey explained how she takes care of her natural curls. She emphasized the importance of moisture and gentle care in her nightly natural hair routine, highlighting the significance of self-care rituals in maintaining a healthy scalp and hair.
“It’s all about adding oil to my scalp and covering my hair so the oils could penetrate,” she told the magazine. “I wrap my hair up and sometimes sleep in rollers with a net or bonnet to avoid friction and unnecessary heat.”
When asked about the significance of hair in the Black community, the hitmaker emphasized the power of self-expression and self-care. As a Black woman, she understands the societal pressures and expectations placed on Black women’s hair. However, she refuses to let those expectations define her.
“We can wear our hair natural, straight, braids, weaves, and wigs,” she said. “There’s power in self-expression and in feeling free to show up as we choose, in whatever hair we choose.”
Photo: André D. Wagner Beyoncé’s commitment to embracing hair diversity extends beyond her personal routine. She recently launched her own hair care line, inspired by her family’s generational focus on hair and self-care rituals.
The line features innovative hair products that combine ancient traditions with modern technology, offering healing and nourishment for both hair and soul.
Photo Credit: Essence
