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The Mielle Pop-Up Salon in the Olympic Village is the first of its kind for textured hair – Essence

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Even as the 2024 Paris Olympics come to an in depth, the world’s biggest Black athletes are still winning gold. But in between the history they’ve made — the first all-Black podium in women’s gymnastics and the all-Black mixed U.S. 4x100m team breaking a world record — the business of Black beauty has also broken its own barrier.

For the first time at the Olympic Games, Mielle organic products has been named the official textured hair care partner of this 12 months’s Games. “This is the first time a textured hair care brand has offered products and high-quality ingredients at the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” founder Monique Rodriguez tells ESSENCE. The beauty and hair care salon in the Olympic Village, run by French stylist Raphael Perrieremploys a number of stylists who specialize in textured hair, giving athletes greater access to hair services.

The Mielle pop-up salon in the Olympic Village is the first of its kind for textured hair

“It’s important for Black female athletes to have access to textured hair products because there’s been an underrepresentation,” Rodriguez says. “Historically, Black female athletes have always been subject to a lot of scrutiny and criticism for how they wear their hair on the court, on the court, no matter what they do at the Olympics.” The most decorated gymnast of all time, Simone Biles, struggled with unsolicited opinions in connection along with her escapes, in the meantime Venus Williams has been historically punished over her famous beaded braids.

WITH hair discrimination forcing black athletes to evolve to Eurocentric beauty standards resembling former ban on swimming caps for natural hair, Mielle helps break down racist, unfair expectations at the Games. “Access to high-quality products can directly affect their level of self-confidence“which impacts their overall performance,” he says.

To do that, Olympic athletes can review Salon Lookbook select their service, which incorporates curly, textured hair, facial and nail care. For example, “there’s a styling option called ‘Smooth Start,’ which is a smooth style for anyone with relaxed hair,” she explains. “It’s a one-hour service that features a shampoo and conditioner, and [then] our serums and Mielle thermal protection products for every styling.”

The Mielle pop-up salon in the Olympic Village is the first of its kind for textured hair
EUGENE, OREGON – JUNE 22: Vashti Cunningham applies lip gloss during the first round of the women’s high jump on day two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Qualifying at Hayward Field on June 22, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Another service called “Champion Curl” is for athletes with textured afro hair that is washed after which styled with Mielle Avocado and Tamanu Curl Protector, Curl defining mousseAND Super Hold Edge Gel“I got to experience it myself and have curls without the frizz,” she says. Curling athletes, resembling track stars Vashti Cunninghamheptathlon Taliyah Brooksand WNBA Ambassador Mielle Aja Wilson all visited the salon during the competition.

Given their performances and appearances around the world, “one of the biggest concerns about hair is of course maintaining it to keep it looking its best,” says Rodriguez. “Being on some of the biggest stages in the world is a major concern for athletes, and the lack of access to the right products and the right stylists is a huge issue,” she continues. “We wanted to be a brand that understood the need and filled that gap.”

Now, as the 2024 Olympics wrap up next week, athletes can leave the Olympic Village feeling more included. “Being the first textured hair care brand to be there is a really huge milestone,” she says. “It’s a really exciting moment because I know my brand is going to reach so many people and make them feel confident and excited to perform at their best.”


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

A Fall Hairstyle Rihanna Approves: Medium-Length Curls – Essence

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Neil Mockford/GC Images

BobsLobs and pixie cuts, like Rihanna’s iconic short black bob, have been among the most beloved hair trends this summer. While these big cuts have been flooding our feeds all season long, this week the Fenty Hair founder introduced mid-length curls just days before fall.

A Fall Hairstyle Rihanna Approves: Medium-Length Curls
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Rihanna attends the Fenty Hair launch exclusively at Selfridges on September 16, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Selfridges and Fenty Hair)

Rihanna didn’t take the front row at London Fashion Week to have a good time the opening of Fenty Hair’s recent home in Selfridges. Her loose waves were parted to the perimeters, with the left half tucked behind her ear, revealing a chandelier-shaped earring. On the opposite side, the waves sat above her breasts — accentuated by custom Jacquemus robe— and rocked manicure butter.

To achieve this look, Fenty Hair Global Hair Stylist Ursula Stephen she washed her hair with shampoo and conditioner before preparing 5 in 1 heat protection type. She then curled the sections with a medium-diameter iron, pinning each section because the curls cooled. After resting, Stephen combed the curls and backcombed the roots for added volume, securing his curls with edge control.

A Fall Hairstyle Rihanna Approves: Medium-Length Curls
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Rihanna attends the Fenty Hair launch at Selfridges on September 16, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

The tycoon matched her hair together with her cherry-coloured makeup, which was highlighted Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix Lipstick in “Blaz’d Donut” and Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in “True Neutrals”—turning this look into Rihanna’s first fall trend.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Best New Music of the Week: GloRilla, Monaleo, Shenseea & More – Essence

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Best New Music This Week: GloRilla, Monaleo, Shenseea and More

Happy Friday, folks. As summer officially involves an end, let’s enjoy its final days with some great music from some of the most talented artists in entertainment.

Today, GloRilla drops “Hollon,” the first single from her highly anticipated debut album. Monaleo and Kaliii team up on recent track “Flush Em,” iconic MC Lyte returns after a decade along with his 1 Of 1 album, and TDE’s ScHoolboy Q drops the video for “THANK GOD 4 ME” with . Our roundup also includes music from Lecrae, Future, Rich Homie Quan, and more.

Check out today’s list of recent releases below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Arike Ogunbowale strives for excellence both on and off the pitch – Essence

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Arike Ogunbowale during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images

In Yoruba, the name means “a child you cherish, nurture, pamper, and love.” So from the moment she was born, WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale was special—and now the world knows it. In just six seasons, she became the fastest player in league history to achieve 4,000 points and broke the Dallas Wings’ all-time scoring record. For an athlete who has achieved a lot, she still has so much to supply.

Ogunbowale was born in Milwaukee to Nigerian parents and was raised surrounded by sports. Her mother was a former softball player at DePaul University, and her brother Dare played football at the University of Wisconsin before joining the NFL as a running back for the Houston Texans. Growing up, Ogunbowale showed off her athletic skills in multiple sports, contributing to 4 state football championships during her highschool years. However, her passion shifted to basketball, where she rose to fame at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, earning accolades similar to Wisconsin Miss Basketball and being chosen as a McDonald’s All-American.

The point guard’s profession took off when she joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and eventually led the team to a national championship in 2018. Since being drafted by the Wings the following yr, Ogunbowale has earned quite a few accolades, including 4 All-Star selections and two All-Star MVP honors — the latest coming in an exciting game in Phoenix on Feb. 18. “I just love having fun and playing with a lot of super great players — that’s always what I look forward to in the All-Star Game,” she says.

Amid all her successes, the 27-yr-old understands the responsibility she has to influence the next generation. “I was lucky enough to have two amazing parents who always did the best they could for me and more,” Arike says. “I know how hard it is to get out of Milwaukee. So I always think that when I see little kids, I always try to be the best person I can for them.”

“I know I’m a role model,” she continues. “That just comes with being in your shoes, so I definitely embrace that. I want to be the type of person that people look up to. Young boys, young girls, young black kids — it doesn’t matter. I want to be someone they can see themselves in. So I know I’m a role model, and I try to treat myself that way because I know people are looking up to me.”

The past yr has been a memorable one for the popular basketball star on both a private and skilled level. After establishing herself as one in all the most prolific scorers the WNBA has ever seen, the one thing Ogunbowale hasn’t managed to capture during her illustrious profession has been a league title. As an athlete in her prime, a championship is something she will check off her bucket list in the very near future. Off the court, she reached a key milestone by announcing her engagement to Lala Ronay. For some, balancing home and basketball might be difficult, but for Ogunbowale, this latest relationship has been the perfect complement to her life.

“It really makes me happy,” she says of her decision. “My biggest goal has always been to have a family and kids, and now I’m a little closer to that. It definitely brings me a lot of peace and I feel like I’m headed in the right direction.”

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