Beauty

These Intimate Portraits Celebrate the Beauty and Versatility of Black Men’s Hair

A look at Kadar Small’s new series, To the Root. “From Afros to coils, cornrows to twists and locs to everything in between; these are just a few of the many different styles Black men practice that represent freedom and value.”…

Image may contain Human Person Face Clothing Apparel Female and Head — Gladimy Fleurejuste
Photo: Courtesy of Kadar Small

“My Trinidadian roots have always made me explore and be interested in hair,” says New York-based photographer Kadar Small. “I have always seen articles on Black hair, but particularly for women. Not a lot embracing Black hair on Black men.” To help address this gap, Small—who has shot for Essence, i-D, and Calvin Klein, among others—got to work on a photo series, To the Root, which aims to reconstruct what society thinks when they see a Black man’s hair.

“Identity for Black men is something we have always struggled with, not because we don’t understand who we are but because of what society tries to make us out to be,” he says. “From the way we walk, to the way we dress, we are highly stereotyped and profiled by White supremacy.” In a declaration of beauty and celebration of versatility, Small shot a number of portraits of men he street-casted around his New York City neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, aiming to show them in various settings that evoke joy—at the basketball court, on a swing set.

“From Afros to coils, cornrows to twists and locs to everything in between, these are just a few of the many different styles Black men practice that represent freedom and value,” Small explains. “For years, we were and still are left to feel less than human. By wearing our hair in these different styles, it speaks volume to our identity and roots.”

Small’s own hair journey has had an influence on his work and this series in particular. He loved his hair from a young age, and would experiment often with different cuts and colors, but he experienced prejudice at school. “When I was younger, my mother added beads to my cornrows. She got complaints from the teacher that it was ‘distracting’ to the other kids. It was very confusing to me how it was distracting to them when it was just different,” Small remembers. His Trinidadian family members are always changing up their looks, and embracing their culture. “It was very surprising and upsetting to me when I heard someone call locs ‘dirty’ for the first time in 4th grade while attending school in America,” he says. He realized the same hairstyles that Black men and women were condemned for, i.e. cornrows, were idealized when worn by white celebrities.

“It has been long overdue for us to start embracing everything about our culture as Black men,” Small says. Hair is just one place to start. “Don’t allow anyone to write your story. You are in control of the beginning, middle and how your story ends.”

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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.