As we enter into a new month and fall approaches, many of us are focused on realigning our energies. One artist that understands that more than most is Alicia Keys, who proved that with her new song "So Done". Centered around the ideas of letting go and living your life on your own terms, the video's backdrop is a high school prom and features singer Khalid and Keys as modern-day band leaders. While the video is saturated with stunning images, we want to focus on Alicia Keys' luxurious twists.
Celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union, Larry Sims, had the vision behind Keys' music video hairstyle. The length emphasizes the relaxed vibe of the oversized suit the vocalist dons, while the zig-zag parting perfectly compliments the diamond-encrusted bralet she rocks. The hair is both the finishing touch and the highlight of the ensemble.
A hairstyle perfect for any occasion (and so easy to do at home), Sims provided a step-by-step of how to recreate the look:
*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, xoNecole may earn a small commission.
"Step 1: Part hair diagonally at the nape of the neck and split the hair evenly down the middle horizontally."
"Step 2: Make triangle shapes throughout the head, smooth sections of hair into small ponytails using the Flawless by Gabrielle Union Defining Curl Hair Cream."
"Step 3: Repeat on your entire head with making diagonal partings that will result in triangle sections for your mini ponytails."
"Step 4: Start with the next section which is on the temple and goes through to the next line from the section at the back of the head."
Alicia Keys/YouTube
"Step 5: Next, grab a medium-sized section of your pre-stretched braiding hair & slide a small hairpin in the middle to split into two bundles of strands."
"Step 6: Split the difference of your natural hair evenly and double-strand twist your hair clockwise."
"Step 7: After your whole head is twisted, dip the ends with freshly boiled water to soften and seal."
"Last Step: Finish off the look by spraying L'Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray on your twists for extra security and flawless finish."
Make sure to tag @xonecole in your recreation on the 'gram!
Featured image provided by Alicia Keys/YouTube
RELATED
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
xoNecole sat down with Luke James to talk about his latest series and all the complexity surrounding it—from the challenges taking on this out-of-the-box role to the show's depiction of the perplexing history of the relationship between Black Americans and police. When describing the opportunity to bring Edmund's character to life, Luke was overjoyed to show the audience yet another level of his masterful acting talents.
"It was like bathing in the sun," he said. "I was like, thank you! Another opportunity for me to be great—for me to expand my territory. I'm just elated to be a part of it and to see myself in a different light, something I didn't think I could do." He continued, "There are parts of you that says, 'Go for it because this is what you do.' But then also that's why it's a challenge because you're like, 'um, I don't know if I'm as free as I need to be to be able to do this.' Little Marvin just created such a safe space for me to be able to do this, and I'm grateful for everything I've been able to do to lead to this."
Courtesy
Them: The Scare, like the first season, shines a light on the plight of Black Americans in the United States. This time, the story is taking place in the 1990s, at the height of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. While the series presents many underlying themes, one that stands out is Black people and the complicated relationship with the police. "For the audience, I think it sets the tone for the era that we're in and the amount of chaos that's in the air in Los Angeles and around the country from this heinous incident. And I say it just sets the tone of the anxiety and anxiousness that everybody is feeling in their own households."
James has been a longtime advocate against police brutality himself. He has even featured Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old Colorado man who died after being forcibly detained by officers, as his Instagram avatar for the past five years. So, as you can imagine, this script was close to his heart. "Elijah was a soft-loving oddball. Different than anyone but loving and a musical genius. He was just open and wanted to be loved and seen."
Getty Images
Luke continued, "His life was taken from him. I resonate with his spirit and his words...through all the struggle and the pain he still found it in him to say, 'I love you and I forgive you.' And that's who we are as people—to our own detriment sometimes. He's someone I don't want people to forget. I have yet to remove his face from my world because I have yet to let go of his voice, let go of that being [because] there's so many people we have lost in our history that so often get forgotten."
He concluded, "I think that's the importance of such artwork that moves us to think and talk about it. Yes, it's entertaining. We get to come together and be spooked together. But then we come together and we think, 'Damn, Edmund needed someone to talk to. Edmund needed help... a lot [of] things could have been different. Edmund could have been saved.'
Check out the full interview below.
Luke James Talks Ditching Sex Symbol Status For "Them: The Scare", Elijah McClain, & Morewww.youtube.com
Featured image by Getty Images
