Katharine McPhee for NBC Primetime Preview @ Radio City (Taken with Instagram at Radio City Music Hall)

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La dolce vita! (Taken with instagram)

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Montreal (Taken with instagram)

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After a few days to digest all the Oscar excitement, there was one statement made on the red carpet that I hope resonated with women (and their hairstylists) around the world.

Viola Davis is not only an incredibly talented actress, but she also showed that she is a true beauty by arriving ‘a la natural’ in an amazing emerald green strapless dress by Marchesa. Now for those of you who have never seen the movie ‘Good Hair’ by Chris Rock, you will probably be surprised to realize that much of the hair you see worn by African American women is fake, and pre-owned by someone in Asia. The use of wigs and extensions by black women is incredibly common due to the natural texture of their hair that is often brittle and difficult to work into smoother (dare I say more desirable?) ‘caucasian’ styles. The use of extensions and fake pieces is now mainstream with women of all ethnic backgrounds around the world, trying to achieve an ideal of beauty that is often so contary to their reality that it simply looks forced and fake.

Now this was Violas’ moment in the worlds’ spotlight and she worked it beautifully. Nominated as Best Actress for her role in The Help (a movie about black women discovering their power and voice in pre-civil rights America) Davis discovered her own power by stating on the red carpet to millions of women around the world that it is more than ok to be themselves and embrace their natural beauty. Her own natural hair looked gorgeous against her flawless skin and immaculate evening gown, and I personally felt a little sigh of relief.

I have always believed that a woman should work with what she has and enhance her best natural aspects, being confident and comfortable with who she is. How many times have you seen women endlessly pursuing an impossible ideal of beauty with makeup too thick, hair too blond, nails too long, skirt too short, breasts too high, and hair extensions obviously too fake? (I’m talkin’ to you New Jersey!)

Don’t get me wrong, I have built a career on ‘enhancing’ beauty and I firmly believe in all aspects of self-improvement (within reason). I have worked with women all my career and the know that the eye for beauty is a subjective and personal one, but nothing compares to a naturally present woman who’s true beauty radiates from her confidence within and an acceptance of who she truly is. (Yes Angelina, we all know you are the Goddess of Hollywood, so please put your thigh away. It’s unnecessary!)

I hope this was a watershed moment for women around the world. As a hairstylist I can’t bear to look at one more set of bad hair extensions. When did the ‘hoochie’ look become so aspirational? (I’m looking at you New Housewives). It’s time to ditch the ‘too fake-ness’ of it all and get back to something really beautiful. Find your own beauty in what you were blessed with, or find a hairdresser and stylist with a clue. A good hairdresser works within the parameters and attributes of their clients’ features and develops a relationship that allows her to shine naturally through. 

As for black women around the world, I hope that Viola Davis gave them the courage to shed the wigs and pieces and embrace a new vision of beauty. There is nothing more beautiful than being who you authentically are.

2 months ago  /  0 notes