Spell Magazine June 2020

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B E A U T Y

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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J U N E 2 0 2 0

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100% HAND -BRAI DED LACE WIG

What hair dreams are made of

Style Shown: Cloud 9 Braided Wig Goddess Locs - Colour: 613 © 2020 Feme Ltd.

The most natural-looking trends laced to perfection

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s ’ t a h w e d i s n TOGETHER WE STAND

As we share in the sorrow and outrage across the world in r e l a t io n t o t h e g r a v e i n j u s t i c e l e a d i n g t o t h e t r a gi c d e a t h of George Floyd along with so many other Black lives, here at Spell we choose to use our v o i c e a n d f r o n t c o v e r t o m a ke a stand.

Th e S pe l l Te a m x

CONTENT

19 What we learned from watching Becoming

T h is is n o t a gi m m i c k . T h i s i s not a trend. This is a time for p o s i t i v e c h a n g e . To m a ke t h a t happen we must stand together i n t h e f ig h t a g a i n s t r a c i s m .

We’r e p r o u d t o b e a p u b l i c a t io n geared towards suppor ting w o m e n of c o l o u r a n d w e w il l continue to represent and c h a m p io n b l a c k e xc e l l e n c e t o the fullest. For more features r e l a t i n g t o b l a c k- o w n e d businesses and role models head over to spellmagazine.com

04 SCOOP

Breaking beauty news and hair happenings

06 LA WEAVES: THE SECRET SAUCE

Swot up on the latest hair extension export

08 SHEER DELIGHT

Cool see-through fabrics that look hawt

10 SPELL LOVES

Feed your inner product junkie

12 DIGITAL DAMAGE

What blue light exposure really means for your skin

16 ONLINE GURUS WORTH FOLLOWING

TA L K TO U S

Covid-19 virtual hair and beauty stars

@spellmagazine

instagram.com/spellmagazine facebook.com/spellmagazine editorial@spellmagazine.com

19 WHAT WE LEARNED FROM WATCHING BECOMING

Michelle Obama instils valuable life lessons

20 THE LESBIAN VERSION Rose Frimpong shares her coming out story

EDITOR Jemima Cousins SUB EDITORS Gemma Rusiecki, Julie Vuong WRITERS Jennifer Meredith, Keysha Davis,

22 BULLETIN The latest news and offers from spellbeauty.com

Zenovia Grant

DESIGNER Marzena Wilk © 2020 Feme Ltd. Reproduction of the contents of Spell Magazine in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are the author’s own, and may not reflect the views and opinions of Feme Ltd.

P O O " E ve ryth ing C S th at ’s old is us h e in d t l l a h i n w it B u l le t

try

goss!

new again" Interview

Being ‘sucka-free’ and the impact of 1990s cultural influences

"

I wanted to create a hair care range that walked people through a process from chemically treated hair to natural hair. I used my clientele as my focus group to research and develop my ‘sucka-free’ brand, which is a hip-hop term for not being fake.

I loved living and working in Europe. I noticed how African American culture and hip-hop and street style in particular influenced hair and beauty trends. This was very apparent when I visited the club and art scenes in Paris, London and Berlin.

s spe ll m ee t

MAYA SMITH Meet The Doux's gregarious founder whose passion for all things 1990s influences her super dope salon quality haircare range...

The 1990s have certainly re-emerged as a cultural influence.

I think the boldness and emphasis on self expression in that decade really resonates with today’s youth.

Read the full interview at spellmagazine.com

SPELL

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MAGAZINE

They don’t completely understand what they’re imitating but they’re drawn to it in a way that is really interesting to me.

Everything that’s old is new again.

I’m in the process of exploring more of my interest, particularly in connection to street art and culture. That’s always been my thing and my work tends to echo my love for both.

While I’m big on nostalgia, if I'm being honest there’s no time I’d rather live in than now. If the 17-year-old me had been able to access the technology that's available today, I would have been dangerous as a creative! I love the idea of bringing the consciousness and innovation of the 1990s into the tech age of the present.

"

Trends

ESSENTIAL ITEM: DIAMANTÉ DURAG

News

NAOMI CAMPBELL NAMED FIRST EVER GLOBAL FACE OF PAT MCGRATH Having turned 50 last month, eternal supermodel Naomi Campbell continues to make career history.

This time it’s with her long time pal and global make-up artist Pat McGrath, founder of $1 billion enterprise Pat McGrath Labs. Commenting on the power collab, Naomi said: “I am so honoured to not only be working with a legend who has changed the face of beauty forever, but to be working with a friend and a sister who I love and adore.”

FACES OF SEPHORA Sephora has announced its 2020 #SephoraSquad, which includes nearly two dozen black beauty influencers with followings of all sizes vying to be brand ambassadors.

Coming soon

CHARLOTTE MENSAH’S NEW BOOK Curl connoisseur Charlotte Mensah, whose clientele includes Zadie Smith, is releasing her first book.

Good Hair: The essential guide to afro, textured and curly hair launches on 17 September to coincide with World Afro Day and Black History Month. We can't wait!

FENTY Coded Sunglasses, £280

MULBERRY Kristen Sunglasses, £190 SPELL

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MAGAZINE

Published by Penguin Life

Sa ve VS Splurge

@thegoldnnug

Perusing ideas for lockdown hair led us to this phresh coverup solution. Originally worn by men as wave caps, durags are made from satin or silk – putting them right to the top of our hair essentials wish list. Add in some glistening diamantés and you've got an über-cool style choice for nonwigs days or protective styling.

Courtesy of Primark x Andrew Fitzsimmons

Get up to speed with one of the hottest new trends in hair extensions promising low tension, style longevity and fast installation

LA

: s e v a e W t sauce

The secre SPELL

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MAGAZINE

If you’re a dedicated follower of beauty hashtags you may have noticed the #LAWeave tag doing the rounds recently on Instagram. Due to its rise in popularity, more afro salons are adding the service to their menus. If you’re uncertain of how this particular type of extensions differs from the traditional method, we’ve got all the information you need to know.

What’s the 411?

LA weave is a revolutionary extensions method that's currently causing waves worldwide. Although there are a plethora of weave methods and techniques, the LA weave is particularly appealing because it offers safety, quick installation, a long lifespan and versatility.

So, how does it work? First micro rings are applied to sections of the hair before a weft of extensions is sewn onto the track of rings (this replaces the canerow method generally associated with traditional weaves). A full head of hair can be achieved with a mere two to three rows, so it tends to be a quicker and gentler method than its predecessor.

It also has a more natural look and feel - you can leave the sides and

back of the hair free without any visible signs of wefts or micro rings.

Plus, you can wear your LA weave in any length or colour.

“LA Weave is perfect for clients who aim to achieve a natural look with added volume,” says Ambarin Hussain, hair technician for Lacy Locks. “The lightweight micro rings that secure the weave in place makes it ideal for those with thinner and more delicate hair, as the weave doesn't pull the hair at its root. The no heat, no bond, no braid and no chemical application also gives clients thick locks without breaking or damaging the natural hair.”

Is it safe?

Due to less weight being added to the hairline as is often the case with the canerow method, LA Weave extensions are said to be gentler and less likely to cause tension to the hair and scalp. And while some may be concerned about potential damage caused by micro rings, many professional stylists agree that they're safe for all hair types because micro rings are often made with a silicone lining that protects the hair from damage. For the best results, always visit a qualified stylist for installation.

THE ESSENTIALS PREP

ASIAM Long and Luxe Scalp Serum, £13.99

The Hair Boss The SemiPermanent Shine Spray, £12.99 SPELL

Low maintenance LA weaves are fairly quick to install and don't require glue, making them kinder for your hair. The extensions lay flat and last around six to eight weeks, which is when the micro rings may need tightening. It's a good style option if you want to keep your scalp ventilated too. If you purchase quality extensions (head over to spellbeauty.com for virgin Brazilian bundles) they can be re-applied and used for up to nine months using the aforementioned tips.

Looking after your own precious locks is paramount when wearing a weave. Here are a few essential items to use during each styling step.

STYLING

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme, £33

Taking care of your LA weave Once you have your LA weave installed you will need to be committed and consistent when it comes to style maintenance, just as you would with any extensions. Use a sulfate-free cleanser or clarifying shampoo every seven to 10 days to wash your extensions. Gently massage your scalp, taking extra care not to rub too vigorously so you don't loosen the micro rings or weft. There’s no need to wash the mid-lengths as the shampoo will travel down and cleanse the rest of your hair. It's worth investing in a detangling brush to prevent shedding hair from gathering in the rings.

Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Velvet Cream, £21.95

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MAGAZINE

MAINTENANCE

KeraCare Detangling Shampoo, £9.95

Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque, £19.50

@tashaggreen

@thinklikekandie

TRENDS 2020

Experiment with mesh in varying textures and shades. From sultry beach cover ups to billowy blouses, there’s something for every style

@jourdanriane

Supriya Lele SS20

Supriya Lele

SHEER DELIGHT

@mark_fast - Mark Fast SS20

@amberrosegill

@yelenv

MODA OPERANDI Beaufille Blouse, £390

ZARA Flat Sandals with Dotted Mesh, £19.99 SPELL

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MAGAZINE

TOPSHOP Ecru Airtex Mesh Midi Dress, £45

spell loves FEED YOUR INNER PRODUCT JUNKIE Here’s a round up of the new hair, beauty and fashion launches that the Spell team are obsessing over this month

Aisle

UNDERWEAR GAME CHANGER

When it’s that time of the month, period pants come out in full force.

They’re not the most attractive piece of ensemble, but practicality – let’s bolt on sustainability too – has to prevail. Formerly known as Luna Pads, Aisle’s reusable panties are designed to absorb up to four tampons’ worth of blood. They come in four different designs: high-waisted bikini, mediumrise hipster, boxer brief and briefs.

Prices start from $40.

QUAY AUSTRALIA X LIZZO With predecessors like JLo and Chrissy Teigen, Quay Australia has done it again by collaborating with global superstar Lizzo.

We love the aptly titled Confidence is Quay campaign, which sees the Detroit singer looking hella sassy and confident behind a selection of fashion frames fit for day and night-time glam. Prices start from £50.

SPELL

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MAGAZINE

GUCCI Poudre De Beaute Mat Naturel Face Powder, £46

GOLDEN HOUR

Has lockdown life got you vying for some sun-kissed radiance? Pep up your complexion with a silky smooth bronzer guaranteed to give you the most convincing glow.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Refillable Matte Airbrush Bronzers, £35

Amandla Stenberg

X-PRESSION Ultra Braid, £2.99

ICONIC LONDON Ultimate Bromzing Powder, £25

Jourdan Dunn

EYE’LL BE THERE

All too often brow pencils are hard and dense. For a strand perfect finish à la beauty influencer Anisa Stoffel, you need to work with an ultra-soft powder-like pencil. Cue Brow Wow Duo by Marc Jacobs Beauty (£34). The 2-in1 beauty tool creates a hair stroke effect that sets in place all day thanks to its in-built and refillable brow gel. For the insta-worthy finish, slick on Marc Jacobs Beauty’s new length stretching Lash’d Mascara (£25) for an added dose of va va voom.

GOTTA GO GEO

IT’S A WIG Swiss Lace Front, £42

SPELL

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MAGAZINE

Celebs set the bar high when it comes to leading hair trends and the latest instalment comes in the form of directional geo cuts.

Mismatched lengths, steep angles and blunt cuts are the order of the day. Achievable on all hair textures including wigs, weaves and braids, you don’t need to cut your hair to go all-out geo. But if you do, this is a style best left to the professionals so put those scissors down!

Pinterest

Why your smartphone addiction could be ageing your skin (and what you can do about it)

DIGITAL DAMAG SPELL

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MAGAZINE

In the age of social distancing, the nation’s smartphone usage has soared. Whether we’re keeping up with coronavirus news, entertaining ourselves or connecting with loved ones, our devices have become a lifeline in these unsettling times.

But there are fears that this spike in screen time is doing little to enrich our wellbeing.

Whereas the average pre-pandemic person was spending around three hours and 15 minutes a day on their phone, this has risen for some by as much as 200 per cent.

And while most of us are aware that excessive smartphone use can have a detrimental affect on our mental health and brain function, perhaps less well-known is the damage it can pose to our skin.

L GE

The blue light emitted from screens is largely responsible. Also known as High Energy Visible Light (HEV), it comes naturally from the sun and has a crucial purpose: to regulate our natural sleep and wake cycles. But in the modern world it’s all around us in artificial form – from our handsets, tablets and laptops to our televisions.

Too much exposure can cause macular degeneration, disrupt our sleep cause our skin to age prematurely and, in extreme cases, lead to acne and even eczema.

Poor sleep can be detrimental to the appearance of the skin.

But coupled with prolonged exposure to blue light, it can lead to even more extreme effects like sunken eyes.

And this is particularly true if you regularly read your phone in bed in the dark.

Experts think HEV light might be just as harmful to the skin as UV rays from the sun. But the bigger problem is that we don’t physically feel any danger, such as redness or burning, when we’ve spent too long looking at a screen.

The blue light emitted from our smartphones could be just as harmful to our skin as UV and UVB rays from the sun.

DID YOU KNOW?

LA-based dermatologist and skincare brand founder Dr Howard Murad says HEV light is one of the biggest skin aggressors in today’s tech-driven world and warns of the following: “Blue light from screens penetrates the skin more deeply than UV or UVB. Over time, excessive exposure can cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation, dullness, visible skin tone changes and significant cell damage.

It can even weaken the skin’s barrier and cause premature ageing.”

According to Dr Baldeep Farmah, founder of Birmingham’s Dr Aesthetica clinic, some millennials are taking drastic measures to counteract hours spent scrolling on Instagram: “There’s a huge rise in young people now requesting tear trough filler following excessive phone use,” he says. “This non-surgical procedure is very effective on sunken eyes and the results last up to 12 months.”

Those with high levels of

melanin would be forgiven for thinking they aren’t as susceptible to the effects of blue light. After all, darker skins are less likely to burn in the sun. But the risk is just as high: “HEV light is damaging to skin of any colour - it’s not only fairskinned people who need protection,” warns cosmetic doctor Dr Rekha Tailor (healthandaesthetics.co.uk).

DAILY PROTECTION So, without going cold turkey on your tech time, how can you try to mitigate the damaging effects of blue light? “We would always recommend staying hydrated, not using phones in the dark and taking screen time breaks as preventative measures,” says Dr Farmah.

If considerably reducing your screen time isn’t an option, experts recommend shielding your complexion with a daily SPF - even if you aren’t stepping foot outside: “Nowadays it’s inevitable that people spend a lot of time on their phones, but we can protect our skin against the harmful HEV rays by applying a high factor SPF,” says Tailor.

Dr Murad advises: “Look for products with antioxidants and an SPF to protect the skin from harmful free radical damage.”

Turn over for light-saving product suggestions

s “Blue light from scree n re penetrates th e skin mo ” dee ply th an UV or UVB SPELL

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MAGAZINE

BLUE LIGHT SAVIOURS

5

IN THE AGE OF MODERN TECH, BEAUTY BRANDS ARE STEPPING UP THEIR GAME

“HEV light is skin o t g n i g a m a d of any colour”

#StayAtHome is a great time to put down your phone and find other sources of entertainment. But if screentime is unavoidable, this skincare line-up offers protection against blue light damage. Your skin will certainly thank you for it.

DR MURAD Containing next generation vitamin C to achieve an illuminated complexion, this daily cream is enriched with powerful antioxidants and an SPF to protect the skin from harmful free radical damage.

GOLDFADEN MD Packed with potent antioxidants for physician-strength results, this facial mist refreshes thirsty cells with a hit of nourishing ingredients and stem cell extracts while protecting the skin from toxins.

PRIORI This daily nondrying skin protector combines an SPF with antioxidants to shield the skin and offer full protection.

Key ingredients include soliberine, which helps minimise the damaging effects of UV and blue light.

COLORESCIENCE Available in a range of shades for all skin tones, this lightweight mineral powder provides a great make-up base and non-irritating protection against UVA, UVB and HEV light as well as everyday pollution.

GREEN PEOPLE For natural skincare fans, this daily moisturiser uses UV filters derived from edelweiss extract. Its gentle antioxidantrich formula is also packed with fatty acids to deeply nourish the skin for up to 12 hours.

MURAD Essential-C Day Moisturiser SPF 30, £65

GOLDFADEN MD Mist RX Daily Nutrient Facial Mist, £38

PRIORI Tetra Broad Spectrum SPF40 Sunscreen, £74

COLORESCIENCE Sunforgettable SPF 50, £44

GREEN PEOPLE Day Solution Cream SPF15, £22

SPELL

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ONLINE GURUS WORTH FOLLOWING

We've spent hours trawling online tutorials and feeds to bring you the best virtual hair & beauty stars

Best for PLAYFUL GLAM

Best for DIY HAIRDRESSING

Best for WEDDING MAKE-UP

Sophia Tassew Taking up the baton as an ASOS plus size ambassador, Sophia does not shy away from out-there looks. Her body confidence and penchant for experimental make-up and natural hair has curbed our boredom and given us hours to play with new looks from catchy eye designs to throwback celebrity inspired styles. Her textured hairstyles get a 10 out of 10 too.

Myriam Kone From weave washing to executing the perfect braid takeout, salon owner Myriam Kone of Mimi et Mina has been a virtual hair saviour. Whilst WFH, we've been treated to weekly IGTV uploads where Myriam carries out a DIY hairstyle or treatment on her own locks. Her bite-size videos are easyto-follow and we love the afrobeats backing music. Such a vibe!

Joy Adenuga Need a big dose of bridal make-up ideas? Then we highly recommend following Joy Adenuga the melanin make-up specialist who serves a slew of high-end editorial glam and real-life looks almost on a daily basis. Best of all, Joy uses a mixture of models and everyday women to demonstrate how each look can be achieved – which means there's hope for us all.

@asos_sophia

@mimi_et_mina SPELL

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@JoyAdenuga MAGAZINE

VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS Expert advice

Brows

Facial

Curl Care

Dionne Smith Celebrity hairdresser Dionne Smith has been a busy bee. With beauty editors clamouring to get her advice for WFH hairstyles to how to maintain protective styles, she’s definitely the go-to for in-depth hair advice.

Sherille Riley Owner of Nails & Brows Mayfair Sherille Riley has not been resting on her laurels.

Offering virtual brow masterclasses to keep arches in check like a pro has been a necessity we didn't know we needed.

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme Hunkering down indoors can take its toll on our skin. This is where aesthetician Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme steps in to bring us private virtual facials steamed live. Tailored to your skin needs it is worth the watch and treat.

Lisa Farrall Awardwinning hairdresser Lisa Farrall is leading the way in providing virtual assistance to help us cope with our curls and grown-out roots.

Using FaceTime she gives her advice for any hairrelated DIY job.

@dionnesmithhair

@nailsandbrowsmayfair

@dr_ifeoma_ejikeme

@lisafarrall

Best for SKIN CARE

Best for HAIR PRODUCTS

Best for MOVERS & SHAKERS

Adeola Gboyega Throughout lockdown Adeola has not let her skin regime slide. The Pat McGrath artistry manager and glowup babe does a stellar job of sharing the latest products and gizmos for achieving a flawless (and boy, do we mean flawless) complexion. So we can follow suit her captions are a comprehensive breakdown tagging the brand and full name of the items used.

Treasure Tress With hair shops off limits we turned to the curl care subscription box Treasure Tress to fulfil wash-day needs. We signed up with the black-owned brand which continues to go from strength to strength building its followers. Each month the box is loaded with full-sized products from the bestselling and upcoming brands. Could this be the future for hair shopping? We think so.

Antidote Street For the who’s who in the world of hair and beauty tune in to Antidote Street’s IG Live chats where founder Winnie Awa wax lyrical with entrepreneurs, educators and experts who bring a fresh take to all things pertaining to black beauty. With features from upcoming natural hair brands such as Hin & Nunk this is fast becoming the digital destination for textured hair.

@adeolagboyega

@TreasureTress SPELL

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@antidotestreet MAGAZINE

Netflix’s new documentary on Michelle Obama gives us a few lessons on life, love and leadership.

If you’ve already read Michelle Obama’s memoir you’ll be overjoyed about the release of Becoming the documentary, which premiered last month on Netflix. Because for those of us craving to see more of the former First Lady, the streaming Gods have answered. Michelle’s blockbuster book, which sold a staggering 10 million copies by 2019, now lends its name and theme to the film. The documentary follows her life to date while giving an inside view of her 34-stop book signing tour. Produced by the Obama’s own production company Higher Ground, there’s so much to dig into with Becoming. Here’s a round up of our top takeaways…

It doesn’t shy away from sensitive subjects Becoming offers a real dose of dopamine during this lockdown even when it touches on hard-hitting topics. Michelle talks candidly about marriage counselling, postnatal depression and her late father’s illness. There’s an openness teamed with tenderness and wisdom something Michelle seems to uniquely combine. And on meeting Barack? “A trifling black man, late on the first day,” she laughs.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED FROM WATCHING BECOMING SPELL

Being on equal terms with the most powerful man in the world How do you keep your own identity and integrity when your husband is President of the USA? “One of the things I learned that helped me and I think helped our marriage was that my happiness is not dependent on him making me happy,” Michelle says in the film.

“My relationship with Barack was all about our partnership; if I was going to have an equal voice with this very opinionated man, I had to get myself up. I had to set myself off to a place where I was confident I was going to be his equal.”

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How she responded to the ‘angry black woman’ trope with grace Ugly times are recalled when Michelle talks about how the Obamas coped with being the first black family in the White House. How does Michelle respond? With her usual tact and composure, of course: “Barack and I, through this presidency, through all the lies and stuff they said about us, all we could do is wake up every day and do our jobs, and let our jobs and our lives speak for itself.”

She continues to inspire people everywhere especially young black women The most heartwarming moments come when Michelle visits community colleges and meets young students. She has plenty to say to the crowd, especially young black women. “I’m coming down from the mountain top to tell every young person that is poor, working class and was told – regardless of the colour of your skin – that you don’t belong: don’t listen to them.”

She truly is a generational icon that only comes once in a lifetime.

Brian Kyed

REAL LIFE STORY

The

Rose Frimpong’s story of coming out to friends, family and the black community

lesbian version SPELL

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MAGAZINE

Rose Frimpong, aka Ro, is a millennial with great depth.

Forming one half of lesbian podcast duo Two Two’s, she uses her life experiences as a gay black woman and mother to delve into issues surrounding the LBGT+ people of colour community. A quick scroll through her podcast's playlist and you’ll find frank discussions on topics like My Friends Are Homophobic or Pray The Gay Away. In honour of the postponed London Pride parade, we catch up with Ro to find out more about her personal journey with sexuality, motherhood and the societal challenges she faces at home and away…

Coming out: The evolution of Ro's style

Growing up in a traditional Ghanaian household with Christian values, Ro has faced much adversity and rejection over the years - particularly from those she felt most connected to. Friends, family and even the black community have struggled to accept her sexual orientation. “I wasn’t able to lean on anyone for support as culture was telling me I was wrong and, according to religion, an abomination," she says. "So I remained in the closet, even to myself, for a number of years.”

But by her early twenties, Ro was tired of pretending to be someone else. So at this pivotal point, she decided to live authentically.

Becoming a mother at a young age also played a huge part in this process: “I knew I wanted to raise my daughter with a secure sense of self and for her to always be happy with who she is.

But because I wasn’t being myself, how could I even do this? I knew at this point I needed to come into my own to be the best mum I could to my daughter and lead by example. That meant everything to me!”

So, what did Ro do? “I dated women and I loved it," she says. "When it came to my dress sense, I started presenting myself the way I wanted to and I loved that even more. I finally started to love myself for the first time.”

Follow these Instagram pages for a ton of inspiration, support information and all round good vibes for BME LGBT+ Courtesy ofpeople...

Primark

FINDING A TRUE SAFE SPACE

Ro's change in appearance did not go unnoticed and her mum began to suspect her sexuality. Eventually their relationship took a downward turn and this had a domino effect on how other family members treated her too.

Soon Ro was no longer invited to gatherings while aunties who'd once hailed her as the ‘favourite’ no longer accepted her.

Grappling with feelings of hurt, loss and rejection, Ro did not lose sight of the fact that she wanted to live her life openly and proudly as a gay black woman. A test for this came in 2018 when she visited family in Ghana. This was the first time they were being introduced

While Ro now has full acceptance of her sexual orientation, she has had to turn over many stones to find her true safe space. “Many fear the unknown and this was definitely the case when it came to looking for support within the black community,” she says.

But rather than feeling resentful, Ro takes a measured approach and calls it ‘the battle of two worlds.’ She says she understands how cultural constraints and religious dogma can dictate how a person reacts to someone coming out. This understanding has enabled her to rebuild her relationship with her mum today: “She isn’t excited about it but she has been able to find a peace within herself to accept who I am, which is more than what I expected,” Ro says.

However, finding love and acceptance within the gay community has opened the door to a new family, community and - perhaps above all - an improved sense of self: “They accepted me for who I am; no explanations and no confrontations," Ro says. "That’s when I realised I wasn’t at a loss, but I had gained.”

@bbz_london

@AzMagUK

@lickevents

@pxssypalace

A collective of gay DJs uploading playlists and living their best life

An online publication bridging the gap between the LGBT+ and BME community

For the best heady nights out in the London, head over to this sexy page

With over 30k followers & counting, here's a cool queer collective to follow

'MUM I'M GAY'

SAFE SPACES FOR LGBT+ BLACK WOMEN

to the ‘lesbian version’ of Ro. “They stared and I smiled back," she says. "Clearly, they didn’t know what to say. I heard they didn’t want to offend me in their language and that’s why they chose to be minimal.”

Unfortunately, seeking comfort from her friends wasn’t an option for Ro either: “When I first came out I had a group of friends who I considered to be like sisters," she says. "I couldn’t envision a life without them. But I found that when I came out they started to drift away. I noticed that we would argue about things we wouldn’t have in the past and eventually they said I had changed too much.

This came as a shock but I managed it very well because of how self-assured I was. I was at the point in my personal journey where nobody else held the key to my happiness.”

SPELL

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THE SPELL-OMETER What’s hot and what’s not in the world of Spell

HOT

SpellBeauty.com

BULLETIN

Launches, promos and discounts you don’t want to miss

HANDY WORK

Forget the sticky, runny mess that comes with hand gel sanitiser - we’re all about the spray! Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Hygiene Spray comes in two simple formulas with a lavender or peppermint scent. With no nasties, it’s safe for kiddies too - making it perfect for on-the-go sanitising as lockdown life begins to ease.

FEELING INSECURE When we’re not watching Issa Rae’s Insecure, we’re playing Insecure: The Come Up Game.

ROYAL REVIVAL We’ve heard through the grapevine that Meghan might revive her blog, The Tig. Our question: when?

TAKING THE LEAD Janelle Monae playing the leading lady in the second season of the psychological drama Homecoming has us hooked.

SHELF OUT SPACE Free up some space: Sunny Isle just dropped a boatload of new products on Spell Beauty.

LOCKDOWN BESTSELLERS Topping the chart for lockdown hair looks, braids are our go-to protective style. For the past four weeks, Spell Beauty has seen a 76 per cent increase in sales of X-Pression Ultra Braid, which now comes in a bevy of icy cool pastel tones. Coming in at a close second is the X-pression Ultra Braid Pre-Stretched. Share your braid styles by tagging @SpellBeautyUK for a repost.

SWIPING LEFT

Why have all our exes been popping up on Tinder during the pandemic?

OUT NOW Work the boho look with Urban Twist Passion. These beautifully crafted unravelled locs are lightweight and come in natural shades. Each pack contains three generous bundles of two-strand twists that can be installed using gentle methods to ease tension on the scalp.

SALON SORROW Instagram nail art trends are giving us FOMO while salons are still closed.

NOT SPELL

22 MAGAZINE

LITTLECK BLA BOOK

SH O P DU CTS TH E PR O FE AT U RE D

IN TH IS ’S M O N TH IS SU E

B E AU T Y CHARLOTTE TILBURY

charlottetilbury.com COLORESCIENCE colorescienceuk.com DR. BRONNER spellbeauty.com GOLDFADEN MD cultbeauty.co.uk GREEN PEOPLE greenpeople.co.uk GUCCI gucci.com ICONIC LONDON iconiclondoninc.com MARC JACOBS BEAUTY

marcjacobsbeauty.com MURAD murad.co.uk PAT MCGRATH LABS selfridges.com PRIORI prioriskincare.co.uk SEPHORA sephora.com SUNNY ISLE spellbeauty.com

HAIR ASIAM boots.com IT’S A WIG spellbeauty.com JOICO joico.com KERACARE superdrug.com PAUL MITCHELL paul-mitchell.co.uk PHILIP KINGSLEY philipkingsley.co.uk THE DOUX thedoux.com THE HAIR BOSS superdrug.com TREASURE TRESS treasuretress.co.uk URBAN TWIST spellbeauty.com X-PRESSION spellbeauty.com

E X T R AS AISLE periodaisle.com FENTY fenty.com INSECURE: THE COME UP GAME

Google Play MODA OPERANDI modaoperandi.com MULBERRY mulberry.com QUAY AUSTRALIA quayaustralia.co.uk TOPSHOP topshop.com ZARA zara.com

COVER Special edition

WHERE TO FIND SPELL SALONS

AFROTHERAPY 235 Fore Street, London, N18 2TZ, 020 8345 5621 ANNE VECK 33 St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AB, 01865 727 077 APRIL HAIR SALON 5 Bull Street, Burnley, BB11 1DW, 01282 839 726 COBELLA 5 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5NP, 020 7118 1277 DKUK 191 Queen's Road, Peckham, London, SE15 2NG, 020 3609 0920 ELITE HAIR LOUNGE 24 Sidney Road, London, SW9 0TS, 020 7207 5904 GEORGE KOSIT HAIR 10-12 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AA, 0121 622 6782 HAIR 305 305 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2DY, 020 7118 1277 HYPE COIFFURE 186 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5TQ, 020 7223 3800 JUNIOR GREEN LONDON 55 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4BA, 020 7752 0620 LATHANIEL’S COUTURE 196 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9QH, 020 3601 0683 MIMI ET MINA 16 Needham Road, London, W11 2RP, 020 7727 9356 MY HAIR BAR 22 Warren Street, London, W1T 5LU, 020 7380 0188 NAILS & BROWS 31 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8EJ, 020 7499 5245 NEW YORK HAIR DESIGN 2 Langham Parade, London, N15 3ND, 020 8888 3397 NICKY OLIVER HAIRDRESSING 32 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN, 0161 241 0380 PECKHAM PALMS Peckham Palm Arcade, Unit 1-14 Bournemouth Close, Peckham Rye, London, SE15 4PB, 020 7062 2000 PURELY NATURAL 119 The Grove, London, E15 1EN, 020 8221 0122 SIMPLY GORGEOUS 79 Kingsgate Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 4JY, 020 7625 4500 THE CURL BAR 210 Middle Lane, Hornsey, London, N8 7LA, 020 3667 7204 THE HAIR SANCTUARY 90b Mitford Street, Manchester, M32 8AQ, 0161 536 1249 THINK PRETTY 301 High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 4HH, 020 7232 5168

SHOPS

NORTH LONDON EDMONTON HAIR & COSMETICS LIMITED 257-159 Fore Street, Edmonton, N18 2TY, 0208 887 6158 HAIRITAGE 1 Queens Parade, Walm Lane NW2 5HT, 020 3417 4844 PAK’S HAIR BOUTIQUE 25 Stroud Green Road, Stroud Green, N4 3EF, 0207 263 2331 PAK’S HAIR & COSMETICS HARLESDEN ­57 Craven Park Road, Harlesden, NW10, 8SH, 0208 963 1730 EAST LONDON BEAUTY QUEEN COSMETICS­Unit 19, 70-73 The Mall, The Stratford Centre, Stratford, E15 1XQ, 0208 534 8786 JUDITH'S HAIR & BEAUTY Barking Rd, London E13 8HJ, 07949 818778 PAK COSMETICS 212 Heathway, Dagenham, Greater London RM10 9NS, 0208 592 9108 QUEENS COSMETICS ­391 Green St, Upton Park, E13 9AU, 0208 471 1699 SUPERGROWS COSMETICS 2 ­ 4-25 Queens Market, Upton Park, E13 9BA, 0208 552 9886 SPELL

19

MAGAZINE

YOUR HAIR & BEAUTY ­Stratford Centre, 20 Broadway, E15 4QS, 0208 555 0946 SOUTH LONDON PAK’S HAIR CENTRE 141 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST, 0207 732 2822 SABINA HAIR & COSMETICS 68-70 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 5BY, 0207 469 7356 SABINA ­69 Mitcham Road, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9PB, 0208 682 0055 SABINA 6B Greens End, Woolwich, SE18 6HX, 0208 855 5266 YOUR HAIR & BEAUTY 37 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, SE13 6BG, 0208 318 0999 NORTH WEST ENGLAND PAUL’S HAIR WORLD 53 Barbirolli Way, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 2HU, 0161 839 0708 PAUL’S HAIR WORLD 29-30 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JG, 0161 834 6498 RAPUNZELS HAIR CITY 315 Smithdown Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L15 0EB, 0151 733 4333 LIVERPOOL HAIR & COSMETICS 31 Dawson Way, St Johns Shopping Centre, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1LY, 0151 708 0699 YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER CC HAIR & BEAUTY 256-258 Roundhay Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 5RL, 0113 249 5562 BRITS HAIR & BEAUTY 30 Kirkgate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1QL, 01274 733 287 PRISSY'S 6 Saint James Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1YS, 01422 345 482 CC HAIR & BEAUTY 119-129 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3DU, 0113 262 3728 TALKING HEADS 51-57 St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, DN1 1UB, 01302 328 720 CC HAIR & BEAUTY Unit 2 & 3 Leeming House, Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6BY, 07709 836 498 WEST MIDLANDS TZ ENTERPRISES 40 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 3JW, 01902 574 920 EAST ANGLIA BEAUTY BY ZARA Grays, Essex, RM17 6QJ, 01375 376 050 SOUTH EAST ENGLAND MIA HAIR & BEAUTY 41 Mill Street Luton, LU1 2NA, 01582 727 878 ABV HAIR & BEAUTY STORE 79 Lowfield Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1, 01322 276 003 BISMI COSMETICS 7 Farthing Grove, Netherfield, Milton Keynes, MK6 4HH, 01908 393 144 MAADE HAIR & BEAUTY 4 Rhode Street, ME4 4AL, 01634924102 QUEEN MALAIKA 29 Kingston Road, Portsmouth, PO2 7DP, 02392862044 SCOTLAND ELEORA LTD 94 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5BA, 0122 446 7896 SINE HAIR & BEAUTY 196 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 2UG, 0141 237 4556 LUSH HAIR Unit 38-41 Inshop Paisley Centre, High St., Paisley, Glasgow, 0141 887 7025