Zazie Beetz Doesn't Want To Look Perfect, She Wants To Look "Undone"
Zazie Beetz has been captivating viewers since her debut on FX's Atlanta as Earn's sometimes love interest. Since, she's been virtually everywhere including but not limited to Netflix's Easy, High Flying Bird, Deadpool 2, Joker, and Lucy in the Sky. Rapidly and quite effortlessly so, Zazie is asserting herself as a star on the rise and she's making those strides on her own terms. Recently, the German-born actress spoke with Allure about her earthy minimalist swag, from her crush-worthy afro to her glowy skin and her understated yet effervescent makeup looks.
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
It's no secret that I live for effortlessness when it comes to beauty and prioritize skincare above all, maybe it's laziness but I call it "low-maintenance". Plus, I feel like my most confident and beautiful self without a stitch of makeup on so Zazie's lowkey approach to beauty is one of the reasons she's an icon in the making for me. Although you can find rocking braids from time to time, Zazie wears her natural hair out and proud in most of her roles on the silver screen, something she has stated has helped more than hindered her when booking jobs.
In her interview with Allure, she talks about all things hair, her signature "undone" look, and the beauty rituals she swears by.
On feeling a responsibility to showcase her roots unapologetically:
"Being in this industry and having my hair natural, I feel such a responsibility to make sure people feel confident in their own locks and textures and to continue to show that, because I see how much it affected me to see other people wearing their hair naturally."
On her first hair memory:
"I'm sitting on the floor, [my mother is] on the couch or she's on her knees, and she's watching a soap opera [while] braiding my hair."
"I was blessed with a mother who never let me do anything to my hair in terms of straighteners, perming, or blowing it out."
On growing up in Germany with natural hair:
"Germany was such a homogenous country in terms of what people look like. They just really didn't even know how to start with my hair. I think with people [in the U.S.], there is still sort of a concept of what my hair could look like, what it could do, and what it is. But Germany, I think people were just like, 'Wow. Different.' [You] get a lot of people asking questions about it. Even today."
On her signature “undone” look:
"Whereas women still feel like there has to be an element of it being structured and specific and just a way, I suppose, to not make it look undone. That's just not my vibe. I think my vibe is a little undone, to be honest. And so, that's just what I've embraced, for me. It's important to continue expanding what that expectation is and to not [shame] other people for choosing to wear their hair how they want."
On her attachment to her hair:
"I have the confidence in other places, but I do attach my sense of beauty partially to my hair, which is why when I don't like [what] my hair [looks like] and I'm at an event, it's really emotional. It's emotional for a lot of people, but I think it would be a very different story if my texture [were] a softer, looser curl. I still get frustrated sometimes. I love my hair, I love the volume, I love how wild it is, but, certainly, I also think that it has taken up a lot of functional space in my life."
On her less is more approach to her hair products:
"I don't want to create any habits that will complicate things."
Along with shampoo and conditioner, she uses SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque and Koils by Nature's Replenishing Hair Oil.
On her beauty rituals:
"I wake up, brush my teeth, wash my face, and then I use the True Botanicals Clear Collection. I really like the Repair Serum and Pure Radiance Oil. They also have a nice Vitamin C Booster that I'll also use, and their Antioxidant Booster that's a powder format that dissolves in the serum when you add it in."
To read the feature in full, head over to Allure.
Featured image by Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
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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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage