Tinashe's 'Third Eye' Has Emerged On New Album: "I'm In Alignment & Feel Empowered"
Tinashe has arrived, ladies and gentlemen, and she has her badassedry in tow. The "All Hands On Deck" singer has re-emerged after two long years of hiatus, and if you know her like we do, then you know she is back with all the litty one to two steps our little Tinashe fangirl hearts can handle. She began working on the album, which she says is about "letting go and evolving to become something bigger" in 2019, shortly after leaving RCA. But she was motivated to finalize it in 2020 amid the pandemic, ultimately giving us her new independent debut, 333,under her own label, Tinashe Music.
Coming off of a collaborative Sports Illustrated cover with Megan Thee Stallion, Tinashe is saying "no more" to playing small, and using her newfound freedom (a word she coins as a theme for 2021) to break out and finally get the damn respect she deserves. And she's not letting being independent get in the way of any of that.
"It's worth it to take the risk if it's at the point where [your current label] is affecting your mental health. I've seen so many cases of people not going after what they feel in their heart because they maybe have creative differences with their record label. It's hard with recording contracts obviously, but I think how you can empower yourself is by taking control of your creativity and remembering your purpose as a creative and why you do what you do."
And according to Tinashe, her spirituality has infiltrated her creative purpose.
"I am absolutely into angel numbers. My spirituality was something I was focused on during lockdown while I was creating this project. I wanted to incorporate those themes. It was important for me to feel guided and that I was on the right path. [Becoming independent] has been extremely rewarding, especially spiritually and emotionally in terms of how I view myself as a creative. I feel a lot more empowered now and more confident in my decisions. Following those instincts is really valuable to me."
And "instincts" are exactly what led her to feature her two younger brothers on the album, who go by stage names KUDZAI and Quiet Child. She adds:
"This album is high energy, hopeful, exciting and experimental. It's taking risks, which I love."
Tinashe's newfound glow is a testament to her artistry's freedom in many ways. It's amazing how too many opinions can stifle creativity. And it's not that labels aren't useful to some, but damn, they sure do make it hard to see why. But now that our girl is solo dolo, she's flaunting a happiness and a confidence that possibly could have been missing on her previous album, which she admitted could have been better. She told Zane Lowe of Apple Music:
"I think that with that album it was a process, because I had a kind of disagreement in terms of what that album looked like. I think I went into it with all the excitement, coming out of my debut album and wanting to explore all these sounds and it took three years for that project to come out. It's painful."
She continued:
"The struggle of wanting to release a body of work, and then not really feeling the support within your community and just kind of questioning why that is, it led me down a path of feeling like I had to kind of fulfill an obligation to that project, as oppose to really digging deep and finding the joy within the music. So I think that's what makes that album feel a little bit stale. That era for me was very frustrating."
Go offff, sis! 333 is available on Apple Music and all streaming platforms.
Watch "Bouncin" (her favorite track on the album) below:
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Featured image by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Spotify
- Tinashe On New '333' Album, Britney Spears' Impact & An Ariana ... ›
- Tinashe Is Free On Her New Album '333' | GRAMMY.com ›
- Tinashe Feels 'a Lot More Empowered' As an Indie Artist | Billboard ›
- Tinashe reveals details of her fifth studio album '333', releases new ... ›
- Tinashe: 333 Album Review | Pitchfork ›
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
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.
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I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
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Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED