Beauty

British Singer-Songwriter Arlissa Shares How She Keeps Her Curls Healthy

The musician details her curly hair secrets, from rice water masks to her favorite hair smoothie….

British SingerSongwriter Arlissa Shares How She Keeps Her Curls Healthy — Photo: Courtesy of Arlissa

Texture Diaries is a space for Black women across industries to reflect on their journeys to self-love, and how accepting their hair, in all its glory, played a pivotal role in this process. Each week, these women share their favorite hair rituals, products, and the biggest lessons they’ve learned when it comes to affirming their beauty and owning their unique hair texture.

British singer-songwriter Arlissa’s rich voice and vulnerable lyrics offer a sense of warmth in an otherwise difficult time. (Let the opening strings on her single, “Healing,” take you on a ride.) But she’s quick to admit that her musical journey, which began at age 15, has been one of self-actualization. “It’s just been this wacky journey of being in the industry, working with a bunch of people who didn’t get me and then finding myself through all of that,” she tells Vogue on a Zoom call. “My musical journey mirrors the journey of life; people will take you further and further away from who you are. And then it’s your job to try and find out who you are again.”

Her hair journey has a similar theme. “I realized for the first time, only about four years ago, that I have some beautiful hair,” the 28-year-old says, adding that growing up in a predominantly white school had a detrimental effect when it came to her self-confidence. Bad experiences in the hair salon didn’t help either. “I once went to get my split end cut and this woman cut my hair into a bob. And I cried,” Arlissa recalls. She started to feel compelled to straighten it all the time. “I wanted it to be as long as possible. And it wasn’t long anymore and all that stuff. It was my pride and joy,” she says. “I just didn’t realize how much I was conforming to eurocentric beauty standards.” She finally decided to chop her hair into a pixie cut at the beginning of the decade, and let it grow from there.

Today the rising star looks up to Solange for hair inspiration, because “she constantly celebrates Black hair.” When it comes to braided looks, Zoe Kravitz is another star on her moodboard. “But I tried the braids thing, and it didn’t work for me,” Arlissa says with a laugh. To keep her curls healthy, Arlissa is loving Shea Moisture’s Curl Smoothie and Ouidad’s Curl Shaper Shampoo. Her biggest hair secret? “Rice water masks. It makes your hair shiny and grow faster,” she shares.

Arlissa’s debut EP, The Lovers, is due out in February 2021. “The Lovers is my birth tarot card. And I very much liken it to the reason why I’ve done everything in life the way I’ve done it,” she says. “The songs really reflect what I’ve been going through in quarantine,” she details of her upcoming project.

As for any upcoming hair moves? “I feel like one day I’m going to have a buzz cut or something,” she says. “Because, why not? Our hair can do so many magical things. I just can’t even believe that we ever believed otherwise. Our hair is beautiful. It’s so unique. It’s so powerful. You need to celebrate it.”

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Artist Spotlight

How Rare Beauty Propelled Selena Gomez to Billionaire Status

Selena Gomez is a talented entertainer known for her work as a singer, actress, and producer, and she has recently reached an impressive milestone by becoming a billionaire. Much of her financial success comes from her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which has quickly become popular since it launched in September 2020. The brand stands out for its dedication to inclusivity, mental health support, and clever marketing strategies.

1. The Idea Behind Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty was created to challenge traditional beauty standards and celebrate individuality. Selena wanted to build a brand that offered quality makeup while encouraging self-love and acceptance. The name “Rare” is inspired by her third studio album.

A key part of Rare Beauty’s mission is to be inclusive. When it launched, the brand offered an impressive variety of 48 shades of foundation and concealer, catering to many skin tones. The packaging also considers accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to use the products.

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2. Smart Marketing and Social Media Success

Selena took full advantage of her large social media presence to promote Rare Beauty. With over 400 million followers on Instagram, she shares her personal stories and shows how to use the products, which helps build a strong connection with her fans. This engagement has created a loyal customer base.

Rare Beauty also effectively utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining significant attention and making it a popular choice among beauty lovers. One of their hit products, a liquid blush, sold over 3.1 million units in just a year, highlighting the success of their online marketing.

3. Strong Financial Growth

The brand’s financial success has been impressive, generating about $350 million in revenue in 2023, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. By May 2024, Rare Beauty’s value had grown to over $2 billion, showing its strong place in the market.

This financial success has also boosted Selena’s personal wealth. In September 2024, she became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, primarily thanks to her ownership of Rare Beauty. At 32 years old, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires in the U.S.

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4. Media Attention and Public Interest

The rise of Rare Beauty and Selena’s billionaire status has been widely reported in the media. A notable article from Bloomberg discussed the brand’s strategies and how they’ve resonated with consumers. The piece received extensive coverage, reaching over 250 media outlets and generating more than 1.8 billion impressions, highlighting the significant impact of her success.

5. A Commitment to Mental Health

In addition to its commercial achievements, Rare Beauty focuses on mental health. The brand has created the Rare Impact Fund, promising to donate 1% of sales to mental health initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million over the next ten years. This effort aligns with Selena’s commitment to mental health awareness, which many consumers appreciate in a brand.

Selena Gomez’s journey from entertainer to entrepreneur illustrates how she combines her values and understanding of the market with a genuine connection to her audience. Rare Beauty’s rapid growth shows a strong demand for inclusive and socially responsible beauty products. Selena’s story highlights the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs, where authenticity and advocacy are just as important as the products they sell.

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Artist Spotlight

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” Reigns as the Ultimate Summer Soundtrack

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” is a catchy new summer soundtrack. It evokes the sunshine, excitement of nightlife, and happiness that come with a true summer song. Co-written with the talented Mark Ronson, “Dance The Night” is a full-on experience that has quickly become the standout track of the season.

Not only is Dua Lipa a massive music star with multiple number-one hits, but this summer, she also made her acting debut as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It was only natural for her to be part of the film’s soundtrack, and she truly delivered. “Dance The Night” captures the fun and energy of her previous hits while turning it up with even more sparkle and good vibes, making it impossible not to dance along.

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“Dance The Night” was on the fast track to success. It quickly climbed to the top of the music charts, marking Dua’s fourth number-one song and adding to her growing legacy with hits like “New Rules,” “One Kiss,” and “Cold Heart.” This is about creating a lasting impact.

“Dance The Night” became the soundtrack for fun moments, whether at parties or dancing alone in your room. It’s the perfect song to play when you want to dress up, grab your friends, and dance the night away, just like Barbie does in the movie.

No summer track is complete without a great music video, and “Dance The Night” doesn’t disappoint. Featuring eye-catching visuals, impressive dance moves, and even a surprise appearance from the director, Greta Gerwig, the video captures all the exciting energy of the song. It also shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie living her best life, reminding us that having fun and being confident is always in style.

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What makes “Dance The Night” the ultimate summer song? It’s upbeat and instantly lifts your mood, making you want to dance. Its lyrics invite you to enjoy the moment, and it succeeds on all fronts. Dua Lipa has a knack for creating both familiar and new songs. With its lively disco sound, beautiful strings, and catchy rhythm, “Dance The Night” pays tribute to the classic dance music of the past while still feeling modern. It’s vibrant, exhilarating, and simply irresistible.

In a summer filled with movies, exciting pop moments, and unforgettable times, “Dance The Night” shines as the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re watching Barbie on the big screen or dancing under the stars, Dua Lipa has given us another fantastic song to which we’ll keep dancing even as summer ends.