Actress Storm Reed is the unofficial face of New Hair, New Me.
The Euphoria star got candid about her lack of hair and makeup combinations, and was also candid about the reality of dealing with her natural hair after a big haircut.
The actress debuted her candid blonde moment at the Met Gala in September 2021, but told Yahoo Life the main clip was a long time coming.
"I've wanted to get my hair cut for a long time, I was thinking about 15 or 16. I was joking about wanting to cut my hair and I had this idea 15 or 16 years ago, but at this that age, I thought, it would be more appropriate,” he said, acknowledging that it took several years to get ahead.
"I always said, 'I wish I could have a role where I could shave my head and be true to character and also face my fears,'" he said.
Fortunately, a fresh start brings renewed courage to the actress, who thinks going to school is the perfect opportunity to change course.
"I was transitioning from my freshman year of college, I just got out of the house. So I felt like I had to let go of all the things I had brought with me over the years and [just ] start over and start all over again. I love it." But when the time finally seemed right, she was still nervous about a drastic change in her look: dyeing her hair light blonde, La Zoe Kravitz circa 2017, more a big cut.
"I was scared. I didn't know if my head would fit under my hair. So not only was I nervous about cutting my hair, but I cut and bleached my hair the same day and you really didn't. Sometimes she "didn't want that," she said… Luckily, she had a well-stocked personal team to help her manage her new, labor-intensive style. maintenance.
"Of course, I have great stylists who take care of my hair and make sure my hair stays healthy after cutting and bleaching," she says. "It was really scary but I'm glad I did it."
But sadly, in the entertainment industry, it's rare to have a team that knows the details of black hair, Reed says.
"Growing up on set was honestly a challenge," she says, explaining that she didn't have special access to barbers who could work with different hair textures until she worked with them. director Ava DuVernay for Allure in Time .
"Miss Ava made sure I was taken care of, my hair was taken care of and I know there are women of color in this group who need the same time, attention and support. love than anyone else in a hair pendant. They get it because it's "easier to do your hair," she said. "Miss Ava made sure that this was there for us in the group."
That moment changed his mind about talking about equal representation and equal resources on set, something he had previously resisted, he recalls.
"Sometimes you're scared to say something or use your voice because you don't want to be seen or seen as a singer or 'loud'. But when I was in Miss Ava's band at 13, I I was able to leave that group and go to my other group with confidence," she said of being able to tell her team that having an experienced barber is very important.
"From there, I started asking people who knew how to do my hair or black barbers who could work under the manager to make me feel comfortable and pull my hair out," Reed says.
Reed is currently growing out her hair using Dark & Lovely hair care products. In partnership with the brand, she is raising awareness of the "Building a Beautiful Future" initiative in partnership with the College Gurl Foundation, which will award $750 in book grants to 50 young students like her. Applicants have until October 10 to apply for the scholarship.
"I also use the Dark & Lovely range because it leaves my hair silky soft and smells great," Reed says of combing her hair while slipping through braids, her go-to for hairstyles. protection.
“Braids are easier for me and braids are very versatile,” she adds. "So that I can change models when I'm bored."
The self-protective and inviting hairstyle has given Reid plenty to experiment with on various sets, but he says the entertainment industry in general still has a long way to go when it comes to the proper inclusion of hair and makeup.
“We have to consider many changes. If [I] could say anything to the industry, it would only allow young people – or people with natural hair experience – to come out and help your talent or give them a chance to be a place shoot in the industry that everyone can relate to comfortably," he said, admitting it can be difficult for black hairstylists to book big projects.
"I know it's hard to get a black head or a department head, but it's also hard for black people to join [The Guild of Beauty Artists and Hairdressers] and create more opportunities and get the weather." heads. “, he said, adding that the same considerations applied to makeup artists.
“Anything the industry can do to create more justice in our hair and makeup industry is absolutely necessary because it is inhumane to constantly sit in chairs trying to collect your thoughts and prepare for being in front of the camera and you look good but you don't like the way you look or you don't like the way your hair is styled or treated with care,” she says. not feel good.
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