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Beauty And Fashion Influencer Candace Marie Shows Us How To Turn Braids Into A Work Of Art


"Episode 1 Hair Me Out"

This post is in partnership with Ulta Beauty.

Candace Marie, like many Black women, has been on a journey with her hair. From hot combs to cornrows, she’s tried and done it all. As fate would have it, hair has become her signature ingredient, and if you follow her, you know her style switch-ups are anything but basic (trust me, she never disappoints!)


During the very first episode of our “Beautiful Soul” series in partnership with Ulta Beauty, xoNecole founder Necole Kane sat down with Candace as she puts a sweet spin on her cornrows. Before braiding the top of her braids into a heart pattern, Candace shows us how she preps her hair, adding a surge of moisture and scalp protection. Once the braids are complete, she’ll then walk us through how she maintains and wraps her hair to keep the style protected and looking fresh.

The social media consultant and influencer has an impressive career in luxury fashion, having lent her talents to big brands like Prada, Parkwood, and Barney’s New York. She eventually took a leap of faith and became an entrepreneur, launching her own brand. She’s also giving back through her organization Black In Corporate, which aims to create a safe space for Black women and men who seek relief, support, and a sense of community within their jobs. Candace is one of Ulta Beauty’s MUSE 100 honorees, which celebrates 100 inspiring Black voices in beauty. Ulta Beauty recognizes Candace as a luminous leader. She’s taking her years of experience in corporate luxury fashion and sharing it to help other Black creatives succeed.

Watch as Necole and Candace chat through their most cherished hair memories and can’t-live-without routine in this fun “Get Ready With Me” segment.

Scroll through the gallery below to shop the Ulta Beauty products Candace’s used in her tutorial.

Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Conditioner

Redken's Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Conditioner is a leave-in hair treatment that smooths the cuticle and helps fortify damaged or brittle hair that is prone to breakage. This professional product leaves hair healthy, shiny, and resilient.

Redken
$27

Jojoba Oil Serum

Ulta Beauty

Smelling like heaven, PATTERN's Jojoba Oil Hair Serum helps to create a sacred space for your scalp. It's a super lightweight, residue-free blend of beautiful oils like Safflower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil, Olive Oil & Lavender Oil.

Pattern Beauty
$25

Soft Hair, Don't Care Haitian Moringa Oil Sleek + Chic Edge Gel

Soft Hair, Don't Care Haitian Moringa Oil Sleek + Chic Edge Gel

Kreyòl Essence's Soft Hair, Don't Care Haitian Moringa Oil Sleek + Chic Edge Gel helps to "lay your edges" without flakiness and drying agents that damage the delicate hairs at the temple.

Kreyol Essence
$22

Edge Tool

Ulta Beauty

Pattern Beauty Edge Tool

Super solid yet perfectly delicate, the PATTERN Edge Tool is the new essential to add to your routine for endless swoops and swirls.

Pattern Beauty
$12

Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment

Briogeo's Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum is a soothing and detoxifying scalp treatment clinically shown to increase scalp hydration by up to 142%.

Briogeo
$32

Mousse + Volumizing Foam

Nexxus Mousse+ Volumizing Foam helps to maintain full-bodied styles, lifts fine hair and retains hair's natural movement.

Nexxus
$16.99

Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend

This non-greasy, lightweight formula by Melanin Haircare is designed to soften, nourish and seal your hair in the seemingly violent heat. These oils were specifically curated because of their ability to penetrate the hair shaft in order to nourish and rebuild.

Melanin Haircare
$18

Biolage All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Spray

All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Spray

Biolage All-In-One Multi-Benefit Spray infused with coconut oil is for everyone, everywhere, and every time. No matter the hair texture or hair moment, this multi-tasking spray is your new go to for controlled, healthy looking hair.

Biolage
$22

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