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Luke James finds balance in his creative passions

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Łukasz James is a person of many talents. Coming from New Orleans, he had contact with many artists at a young age, but above all he shined as a musician. He began his profession singing for Tyrese after which went on to put in writing for artists comparable to Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and Snoh ​​Alegra, amongst others. Since then, he has been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards and successfully entered the film industry, showing his range and flexibility as a real creator.

The “I Want You” singer got his big break as an actor with the role of Johnny Gill in 2016. This was followed by stellar performances in , , and the critically acclaimed , created by Lena Waithe. Now the 39-year-old talent will appear alongside Deborah Ayorinde and Pam Grier in the second season of the horror anthology series, which was a really special opportunity for James.

“I’m very grateful to be a component of this. It’s really something for us, our own creation. It’s an anthology,” he says about . “There was already presupposed to be a second season, so after I watched the primary season, I used to be just completely happy to be a component of the brand new season – it is a high-quality job. Very different from the primary season, but definitely just as exciting and really exciting.

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From starring in critically acclaimed movies and hit television series, to releasing chart-topping albums and touring the country with a few of music’s biggest superstars, James has develop into some of the watched talents in the entertainment industry today.

ESSENCE: You are a really famous singer. What made you begin your adventure with acting and when did you catch the acting bug?

Luke James: As a toddler, I all the time admired individuals who were on TV, and in some ways I desired to be them, especially in the event that they brought joy to people’s lives. So I watched , , and . My mom loved Denzel, in order a child I knew I watched every kind of Spike Lee movies, however it was all the time something I desired to do. It so happened that music took first place in my life and it was because of music that I gained the opportunities that I actually have been and still am blessed with. So it was sort of a natural progression. It’s just one other art form. I feel if I had the chance to go to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), I’d select theater and music.

While working with Lena Waithe on and all of the amazing actors who were on set. What have you ever learned as an actor since participating in this series?

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The power of being a vessel as an actor is actually about putting yourself at the middle of it. It’s you, your experiences and feelings, and you have got to interpret what’s written, what’s given to you in the script. Also, especially if it’s a brand new character that does not exist, you have got to make use of your imagination to essentially create that person and convey them to life. This likelihood to act, man, it really was, like an actor, one other likelihood to act, improve yourself and be a part of this drama.

It was one other opportunity to essentially hone my craft, and being surrounded by a team of actors, each young and experienced, made me a sponge brother. I’m really a sponge for every part. I’m interested in art and totality. So it is a blessing to be around actors like Curtiss Cook, who plays Douda, and just break bread with him and just get grounded simply because I’m not from Chicago and all of us sort of hang around together because a few of us aren’t from Chicago. So when we’ve break day and we will break bread with an actor who has been in this business longer than me and has been acting most of his life, just to essentially have the ability to talk over with someone who does it and does it at a high level. It was an experience to be here, brother, simply to see phenomenal people who find themselves really putting in all their effort to inform a phenomenal story.

It was very nice to only be in that space. And I can not estimate how much I learned, man. I’m still learning tell a story and direct. I talk over with the crew and the writers. I’m learning rather a lot about writing and the way the camera should move. I learned a lot, man. This experience was really, really amazing and pivotal in my life and profession.

Staying on the subject of acting, you might be in the brand new season , which is an incredible spectacle. I desired to talk over with you about this role since it’s a rather different show than the roles you’ve got played in the past.

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It’s very different from roles in the past, but my preparation hasn’t modified. Preparation is what it’s, learn your lines, learn your job. It’s a series, so if there was an earlier season, watch it to grasp the extent of movement of every part, how things are shot and the drama behind it, because every series is different and you’ll be able to tell. Not all shows are the identical, the way in which the words are said aren’t the identical, but after I watched the primary season, I actually reached a level that I sort of need to undergo. It was only a matter of going back to the fundamentals of what I often do to explore a personality, especially if it’s something that is on the page and also you’re just trying to grasp what the creator has in mind for that character and in addition what you what you are feeling for this reason character and what you read. It’s just that straightforward preparation and telling the reality.

It was really great fun, brother. I’m not going to deceive you. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever done and it was just a lot fun. It’s a horror anthology. The cool thing about horror is that it’s incredibly creative because you actually just try as much as you’ll be able to and see what lands that moves you in so some ways. And I feel just like the space created on set was different from another space I’ve been in. Not that another spaces aren’t warm and alluring, but because that is such a high octane series, if I could say so myself, the stakes are very high. The space that Little Marvin created was really cool for me, I used to be capable of have a good time and just dive in and do something I had never done before.

I need to return to where we began this conversation. Your introduction to the broader audience was the musician Luke. I do know acting costs loads of money and the music business can also be very volatile straight away.

Music is garbage. You can say it.

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I’m glad you said that.

The movie business could also be strange, however the checks are all the time on time. Work is figure and also you receives a commission for that work. There is in some way a shyness in music that all the time creeps in. But in the movie every part is black and white. There are many things involved, there’s insurance, there are a lot of other things and this matter is just not variable. A date is a date. This doesn’t change, and if it does, there’s loads of money at stake. But anything can occur in music, man. Anything could occur. That’s why music is in the state it’s in. You’re higher off on your individual, and you’ll be able to accomplish that way more.

Has all this stigma behind the music industry dimmed your passion for it even a bit?

Not in any respect. At some point I didn’t feel this love and it wasn’t a lot the necessity for some external love from those in power. And not only that, but additionally inner love. I have not felt a single moment where I didn’t feel the fervour that I had after I was a toddler, listening to music to create it. It was for me to leap into the film and do something that I had never done before at this level, like…

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It moved me, it opened me up and allowed me to seek out my love for music through this project, and it was a music project. No, I could never lose my love for music. That’s just a part of my responsibilities, I feel my perspective has modified because I feel I enjoy making movies, I like it, I like it, however it also gives me the space where financially I could make music the way in which I need the music from the space love and truth and from my soul, as an alternative of signing to a label where everyone has their very own wants and desires for you.

And I do not think music ought to be like that. I feel music is a spiritual journey for every body and I feel you have got to offer it time, and I feel loads of things are rushed in this business. Artists aren’t ready to come back out yet, but here they get kicked out because they’ve a single and placed on a nasty performance during a live show. It just doesn’t move you in the identical way a record does, but that is only since it’s only a record.

There is not any artist development, no time. Artists have not even discovered who they are surely and I feel that is a giant problem with music today, but man, I’m grateful, man. I’m grateful for every part. I feel that because of what I read, real music allowed me to grasp break the humanity in an individual. It just made me a more spiritual person. And I feel that if it weren’t for music, I would not be here, just the opportunities, but additionally the understanding of life that I learned through music. That’s why I could never not make music. Music and acting help me personally, especially at this stage in my life.

You sing, play and interact in various other activities. What fuels your creativity?

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At some point, I say in some unspecified time in the future. I feel a part of it touches people’s souls, there’s a possibility that I could transport someone right into a space of reflection. Whether it’s love, I feel for me, for every part, love is the core. Everything I create through music is love. This is my north star. I feel that each time I create something, I’m all the time trying to grasp love higher, to like, to let go of affection, or simply to let love, to like. It moves me a lot to fill a room with spirit and just make people so crazy and lovey-dovey that it excites me. I feel the opposite thing is just a possibility to shine. I’m an only child, I feel that for me it has all the time been every opportunity to easily feel worthwhile. I do not know, it is a deeper idea, but I feel there are loads of artists, and one in every of the explanations we do what we do is only a likelihood to have a way of purpose.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Celebrity Coverage

7 Pixie Cut Style, which should be considered in spring – essence

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“2025 is a year of Pixie”, the founding father of Toplica Olamide Olowe told Essence only just a few weeks ago. Since then, now we have noticed the Aveng Choli and Anok Yai models in spiky and Gamin, and even Zenday, taking Elfish Cut in the brand new one About the campaign.

“Pixie cut is extremely versatile,” says Ambassador Oribe and hair stylist Stacey Cicero. “I noticed that customers are starting to desire a lot of change when the weather warms up and Pixie is the best new beginning.”

Read more for the sorts of pixie cut stylist stylist stylist, the right way to keep them and what to know before chopping.

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What is pixie cut?

“All pixies are short, but not all short hairstyles are pixie,” says Ciceron Essence. “Pixie Cut is a short, cropped hairstyle that is layered to create shape and volume.” In the Nineteen Nineties, he remembers how women like Nia Long, Halle Berry and Anita Baker have a look at, who defined their appearance. “Their appearance was brave, feminine and nice effort, exactly what Pixie is all about.”

According to hair stylist, Keka Heron, the cut can differ in style, however the length is classic longer than one inch. “On the sides it is shorter, longer in front and has a consistency all over the part,” says Heron, characterised by carved, close to chop punishment and sides, with more movement at the highest.

What should I do know before cutting out a pixie?

While long hair is traditionally female, short hair is for a recent feminist. “This is probably one of the bravest and best decisions you ever make,” says Cicerron.

However, with many various appearances to reference: “The key is to adjust the cut to emphasize the best functions.” For example, in the case of elfish and gamin cuts, smaller, more narrowing faces can work best, while ETON cultivation can be a great complement to oval heads.

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How to maintain the pixie cut?

The truth is: getting a cut is just half of the work. “It requires maintenance,” says Heron. “Get to know the products needed for the texture of the hair and monthly hairstyles are necessary to keep cutting.” “People assume that short hair is low, but the picks require regular finishes (every 4-6 weeks) to keep their shape,” adds Ciceron.

In the case of easy cuts, Cicero recommends repairing shampoo and conditioner, and for many appearances, hair gel and Oribe Free Styler Work. “Increasing confidence, elegant and style? It is worth maintaining,” says Cicero.

Elfish pixie

Zendaya appeared this week in the ON campaign, confirming 2025 as the very best 12 months to chop Elfish. Her short -financed pixie contained long sides (which were exaggerated next to the prosthetic elf) and bangs with a face shoulder, which is a great cut especially for smaller, triangular faces. We saw her back in 2015-16, and now, 10 years later, promotes the revival of appearance.

Eton Crop

Josephine Baker invented “Eton Crop”, a brief, elegant Pixie Cut, popular in the age of the Twenties, and the looks adapted from boyish hairstyles in England Eton College. According to the beautician and archivist, Erin Parsons, Polish hairdresser Antoine de Paris (who called “Wizard of Hair”) was answerable for her appearance.

Then he used Arab rubber, honey -like rubber, carried by Acacia trees, currently used in the food industry, glue, incense and as a binder for watercolor paints. According to Cicero, Pixies can be elegant, sophisticated or nervous and hit, and in this case a heavy hand of mousse, hairspray and hairspray and Rock hard gel orbit will do.

Gamine cut

Like Josephine Baker, Gamine cuts were visible in actresses resembling Taylor Russell and Zoe Kravitz, and this particular appearance was popularized by Audrey Hepburn from the Fifties. “I think that they make you look younger, but stylish and sophisticated,” says Hairdresser Kika Heron. Appearance is an elf, but less shaggy than cut in elfish, often downloaded by a modern, micro-cut bang.

Textured Pixie

(*7*)

According to Cicero, textured pixes increase natural curls for a soft, feminine touch. “Think: Sanaa Lathan, when she made her big chop for the film or Ruth Negga,” he says. If you are attempting to limit heat stylization, avoid relaxors or wish to wear natural hair, textured pixies belong to manipulation styles.

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Banged Pixie

“I suggest trying a pixie cut with a longer front, and then become shorter because you feel more comfortable,” says Heron. Look on the rear at Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 Show for information purposes: her bangs covered half of the face, and her sides remained long and freely drawn. “Blunt or delicate bangs can add drama and personality. Think: Fantasia,” adds Ciceron. “Square or heart -shaped faces look amazing with soft bangs from the side.”

Classic pixie

Halle Berry from 2000 is essentially the most classic Cut Pixie to think about. “Short, elegant and timeless” – Cicero talks about Halle Berry, Long and Toni Braxton’s cuts. While “a short cut can be as simple as the blunt bob, which can be considered short hair,” Heron says, the classic pixie defines the idea of what the cut means: close, layered and defiantly female.

Pixie undercut

While Halle Berry has essentially the most classic appearance, 2010s Rihanna supported Pompadour, a contrasting version of Pixies. The appearance is “sharp with shaved, faded or narrowing pages and longer upper layers,” says Ciceron. “I learned that oval faces can sway almost any variant, and round faces use volume at the top.” Heron adds “no cut is exactly similar”, but every pixie cut should emphasize the form of the face.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Exclusive: Anok Yai on the new Extrense Extrense Mugler campaign – Essence

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Anok Yai Walking in Mugler’s SS24 Show by Krysty Sparow/Getty Images

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Two years ago, the supermodel Anok Yai closed the historic SS24 Mugler show during Paris Fashion Week. Sheer mask covered her face and her dress formulated her bust. Both ended with a train that opposed gravitational laws – making a form in the air. The same program, a new fragrance was born in the Mugler line – and Yai will soon turn into a face.

After the debut with Hiperzense Eau de Parfum last 12 months, Yai claims that the latest iteration of the fragrance, Foreign persistentIt’s something different. “This is another chapter in the history of Alien,” says only Essence. “It is more intense, more sensual – campaign, but also the smell itself.”

Exclusive: Anok Yai in the new Extraintense Mugler campaign

For the first time fired in 2005, the fragrance line of Thierry Mugler opened the portal mysteriously invented aromas invented as a “dimension bomb”. The original aroma, exhausted from the history of shaman women, was an overdose of amber and cough, and in the new apparent smell it became much more charming and charming. “Foreign extraintense examines captivating and sensual aspects of femininity,” says Master Perfumer Dominique Ropion.

While there are numerous versions of the aroma, feeding the line with new facets helps Mugler continues to inform this story. From Hesperidic to fruity dimensions: “There are no restrictions on the intensity of raw materials, without hesitation in taking synthetic innovations,” says Ropion. “We can overdose, contrast and create Zlfel shocks that seem almost unearthly.”

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Translation of bodily attraction, magnetism and deepening desire, Ropion claims that the smell is mature with a flower that refuses unnoticed: tuberosis. Meanwhile, vanilla notes are aimed toward pouring a whole lot of heat that lasts long after leaving. “It’s really magnetic Eau de Parfum, which exudes fierce women’s and saturated floral smell,” says Yai. “Although I am naturally introverted, this fragrance allows me to make contact with others at a passionate level. It is as if my energy precedes me, attracting people before talking.”

Exclusive: Anok Yai in the new Extraintense Mugler campaign

The unexpected Yai introversion is overshadowed by its strange and charming presence, as is a saturated floral aroma. “Being from the Migrant family has strengthened my work ethics since I was a child,” he says as The first black open model Prada Since Naomi Campbell in 1997. Looking at the great ones, equivalent to Michael Jackson, Nina Simone and Bette Davis: “I always believed that I could do everything and I was always very resistant. I am very confident, and fear of failure is less than ever.”

These facets of her history of origin are what extraintense is about. From introversion and immunity, to fearlessness and romanticism, “it is important to find beauty in everything you do,” he says. By creating an intimate combination with every little thing that affects, Yai distracts a bodily, hypnotic trail into on a regular basis objects. “I spray bedding, hotel bed, aircraft seats with a smell, so I always feel at home; I have flowers everywhere, I go to sleep in perfumes, the list is long,” he says. “It seems to me that I can say that I am exaggerating my life, but I believe that this makes life worth life.”

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The approved expert looks to try the Beyoncé “Cowboy Carter” trip – Essence

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Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

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Beyoncé had a busy yr. During the 67th annual Grammy Award she was the first black woman in history who won the best album of the village yr of the yr. Now he goes to his 32-stop (and naturally, Brings Cécted on the road).

As an official cosmetic brand of the route, the hair care brand Beyoncé Cécred will host windows at stadiums across the country, but there’s one query: what beauty do you seem like?

From wild ponies to rustic eye makeup and jeans manicure, cosmetics experts break the best appearance of beauty during the trip below.

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Hair

“The appearance of Cowboy Carter hair can be described as a mixture of durable and without efforts”, a brand of Wella professionals and a hair stylist Dereq Clark Essence says. Think: Tornel waves with a sunny tone embedded in the ranch. “He is not very refined and stylized,” he says. By throwing approved cowboy accessories, akin to hats, bandans and rustic hairpins, Clark predicts the revival of natural, without effort of styles.

Classic cowboy hair: “This appearance is perfectly combined with a stylish cowboy hat,” he says. “The key is to create volume in the roots while maintaining the length.”

How-to: Start with clean, dry hair. Use a volumetric mole, such Wella Professionals Eimi Extra Volume Mussse At the roots and pull your hair the other way up. After this lift, barely pull the sides and let the length fall naturally. For a pleasant natural gloss and gloss, which it recommends Wella Professionals Ultimate smooth wonderful oil serum To smooth your hair and epidermis. The hat will do the rest, adding talent, while keeping the hair perfectly on the spot.

Tusled braids: “The braids are not only practical, but they can also be very stylish,” he says, suggesting that you just are leaning into raw, tonal hair colours. “This appearance gives adventure at climate.”

How-to: After parting with Cécred tail farewellTake a part of the hair on either side and wrap it loosely. Leave several facial fragments to get additional softness. Protect the braids at the back or allow them to hang over their arms to get a boho turn. Using Virus restoring the edge and drops of cécred hair AND Nourishing hair oilFinish the edges, scalp and braids with healthy hydration.

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Wild West pony: This appearance is a “classic pony, but Tom is a large invoice key,” says Clark.

How-to: Start with the splash of texturing as Wella Professionals EiMI Sugar Lift Sugar Spray To add sand to your hair. Collect your hair right into a high ponytail, but gently stretch the hair crown to create volume against protecting them. Wrap a small section of the hair around the base of the pony to get a elegant finish. You may even add a handkerchief around the base to get much more fun.

Makeup

“Cowboy Carter as makeup is brave, stuffy and powerful,” says a star makeup artist Year. “He taps a classic western grit with glam.” Think: smoked pad, deep shades of earthy, radiant brown skin and a bit rebellious edge. “It is the fashion cowboy that meets the southern girl,” he says.

At the Yeik stadium, it provides soft matte finishes, daring eyelashes and metallic accents, akin to gold and silver to catch the stage lights. “Western fashion is about statement, so this makeup reflects: dramatic eyes, sunny skin and strong moments of lips,” he says.

Bronzed Smokey Eye & Nude Lip:

How-to: Start with brown eye shadow mixed with crushing, deep brown smoke along the eyelash and pop gloss lines on the lid. Connect it with a bare lip and soft contour to concentrate on your eyes. More natural, but warm appearance, the make -up artist of the glory Salo banks She says that this look is her most suitable option. “My absolute favorite is golden brown, shadows of gold and amber,” he says. Meanwhile, a makeup celebrity Wendi Tolkin San George He says that Smokey Eye will be done with silver shine, as a substitute of bronze, which is well connected with the cowboy denim Beyoncé.

Monochrome berries:

How-to: Use the wealthy tones of berries on the cheeks, lips and eyes to get a fresh but romantic western atmosphere. “It gives a rode-glam without being too exaggerated,” says Yeika, recommending cream products for a refined finish. Based on the appearance, Banks suggests a bushy brow for the moment of “uncontrollable, wild, free and nervous”, while artificial freckles add unexpected details.

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Graphic Liner + Bold Lip:

How-to: A pointy wing or double liner in deep brown or black will be connected to a thickened red or oxblood lip to give a drama cowgirl. “This is a nod to the fearless form of Beyoncé and southern heritage,” says Yeika. According to Banks, the characteristic stain of red or coral lips also gives “the appearance of a vintage rodeo”. To achieve this, Tolkin San George recommends products akin to Mac retro matte lipstick In the historic shade of “Ruby Woo” and with the help of eyelash glue for sticking dhinstones on the face and eyes, supplemented with full eyelashes.

Nails

“I would describe my nails as a” black cowgirl order “, says nails Gayaya Haug. Imaging the white basic color with blue and red accents, he suggests the decorativeness of Lassos, hats, shoes, belts, horseshoe, cow print – all Western things. Oh, and “a variety of jewels”. “I’d join many pearls and flashy gems to give the western atmosphere of pop,” says a haug, crowned with a famous sash.

Silver/golden decorations with turquoise:

How-to: Silver and golden accents are at all times added to western nails and typically go to the turquoise background. The best way to get a turquoise stone is to select the best turquoise color, add some wigl lines and a few mixing them into turquoise, after which add more final black lines upstairs to add a further detailed layer.

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Jean Nails:

How-to: Jean Nails is totally Kowboja Carter, especially since she cooperated with Levi’s. I’d select darker blue in denim color, I added in the middle a painfully blue airbrush or powder to give a dimension in a denim style, after which added lines around the nail outline for the seam. If you wish to really go crazy, you’ll be able to stick pieces of real nail jeans to make them look realistic. And as well as, you’ll be able to even fold them.

Nail star:

How-to: Finally, to make the perfect nail stars, which for my part are so coded cowboy, you wish to pull the nail brush and draw a 5 -point star, after which fill it. They are so funny, but they require a variety of patience.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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