KINK: JUNE Edition
Photos by: Drexina Nelson @drexinanelson Shot at: The Society Studios @thesocietystudios Hair: Renee Easley @itsahairthang_ Makeup: Kira Zitney @kirazitney
BEFORE: THE PROCESS
Model
JERMEISHA HALE
Age
20
Hometown
Mobile Alabama
Current Location
Atlanta, Georgia
IG
_.NICOLEJ
Get to know our June “Kink” Covergirl Jermiesha Hale!
When did you go natural? I’ve been natural for about 7 years, and through trial and error I have found a healthy hair regimen.
Who inspired you to start your natural journey? My mother actually inspired me to go natural because she started her journey first. I was so fascinated with her curls that I decided that I would start transitioning to see what my natural curls looked like.
What has your natural journey been like? I felt free and like my authentic self when the relaxed ends of my hair were cut off. The journey of being natural is about much more to me than just hair! It allows me to own my natural beauty while rejecting the narrative that the Eurocentric beauty standards have placed within our community. This journey is about loving and accepting my beauty just the way that I am.
What natural celebs do you admire? Solange is a natural haired celebrity that I admire. Her image consists of intricate natural styles, and I really admire her courage to push the boundaries. I also have a huge hair crush on Briana King, a model and a skateboarder that I found on instagram, and just loved her hair!
How was your experience working with our production team on this project? I was a bit nervous about getting my hair colored because I've previously had a salon horror story. However, everything turned out great, and Renee was very careful with my curls. This was my first photoshoot so I was nervous but it turned out to be amazing. I was surrounded by great people, and couldn't have asked for better people to share this experience with!
What is in your hair future? I'm pretty content with the way my hair is now but if I were to do anything different maybe color but nothing too crazy since I'm not really into fashion colors because I grow tired of them very quickly. I care more for colors on the natural spectrum.
Featuring
Curl Creator Renee Easley @itsahairthang_
Occupation: Hair Stylist
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
For this Style Session, our Kink team had the opportunity to catch up with Curl Creator Renee Easley! Easley was the artist that created these fire curls for this issue! We had the chance to pick her brain on her mindset on creating the looks for this editorial! Peep the deets below!
What is your specialty? My specialties are curls, cuts, and color! That is my sweet spot.
What would you classify your style or technique? I am a hair artist with a traditional foundation and modern edge.
Does your life reflect your work? Hair is my life! It represents my growth, my failures, confidence, and insecurities. It challenges me to look within and seek out ways to make improvements in my life.
What influenced these styles? The styles were influenced by the elements of fire and earth.
R-L Kira Zitney, Renee Easley, Shaherra Rolen, Drexina Nelson, Jasmine Nicole
How did you achieve these looks? The foundation of every hairstyle is a great cut and an eye-popping color. Jermiesha LOVES big hair. So, I gave her a cut that has the fullness she desires without removing too much of her length. Like her hair, she wanted to try a red tone that wasn't fashion color bright but fit her skin tone Keeping that in mind, I used a marbleizing technique that allows the color to fluctuate from dark to light on her curly hair strands. It's perfect for kinky curly girls because regardless of where you are the color reflects a rich and warm tone.
What were your preparation processes in creating these looks? My model's hair was the guide to the hairstyles. Using her picture, I created a mood board of curly cuts, avant-garde styles, and color-infused looks to determine the best direction.
How do you stay innovative and a trendsetter in your creations? Education is the foundation of innovation. I take what I have learned and personalize it to my style of cutting and coloring.
What advice would you give to break the boredom with wearing natural hair? There are so many ways to break the boredom in natural hair styles. Protective styles can allow you to embrace your inner diva. A color change could add more dimension to your style or a good cut could allow you to get the fullness you want out of your hair. It all depends on how daring you are, and what type of change will suit your lifestyle.
Can you give us insight into your vision for this shoot? I wanted big earthy red infused hair that could be manipulated into soft round shapes.
What are some tips for natural girls looking to wear creative styles? First make sure your hair is in a healthy state. Meaning, you have a healthy home hair maintenance routine that is both silicone and sulfate free. If you would like to try something new use a wig to determine if the new look is for you. Wigs are ideal when trying to see if a color or a short cut will be your new look.
Diane Da Costa/ https://www.simpleebeautiful.com/diane-da-costa
Name people that inspired you within your industry.
My mother, Venira, she was a true hair artist. God truly blessed her hands. My aunt, Orstella as she was a business genius, and a bold enterprising entrepreneur. Lastly, Diane Da Costa, who is the OG of natural hair. Diane was promoting natural hair love before it was popular, and showing women of color how to embrace their kinky coily curly beauty in a time when MY Space was the go to social media tool.
What is some advice that you would give to creating work like yours? Know and understand the color wheel especially remaining color. Master the professional color line that you are using and create your own signature color formulas. Make sure you find your color/cut mentors. Master their techniques then tailor what you have learned to create your own style. Keep a hair journey book of your successes and failures. Your successes will boost your confidence and your failures will help you strengthen your weak areas. We all have someone in this industry that we admire, but at the end of the day, your creative concepts are all about your passion and your approach to creating on the canvas we call hair!
Statements by Habibi
For this issue, Kink had the opportunity to collaborate with Tahiirah, owner of Statements by Habibi. Her jewelry is a diverse mix of chic stylized by the ancestors. I am in LOVE with her collection, and wanted to share a bit more about about her, her fabulous collection, and where you can find these amazing pieces…
Photo Credit: Focus n Color Visuals
What is your name and brands name?
Statements by Habibi
How to Get in Touch?
IG: @statementsbyhabibi
Website: www.statementsbyhabibi.com
About The Brand
Statements by Habibi is a lifestyle brand that was created for us to focus on what we can do, and not what we believe that we can’t. Too often women shrink themselves so others will feel comfortable. Making your statement is a form of self-expression and self-love, even if it is through jewelry. We can all use a little practice in saying what we mean, wearing what we want, and being confident along the way. You’ve been playing it safe for too long, it’s time to make a statement!
How long have you been a jewelry designer?
I'm not exactly a designer as much as I am a curator. I send inspirations and ensure quality of my handmade designs but it's really a collaborative effort.
How did you get started?
I've i loved jewelry. It always gave me a sense of self expression I couldn't find anywhere else. People always ask me where I find my jewelry so I figured what better way than to give them the opportunity to do the same.
Tell me about your personal style?
My style is bold. I'm a statement maker by nature. I've never really been attracted to trends but more classic pieces that can be worn years later and never miss a beat.
Who inspired and inspires you in your field? Why?
I'm a big fan of J. Bolin and Jason Bolden. Ty Hunter has a incredible eye! June Ambrose and Misa Hylton are incredible!
When did you decide to go natural?
2011. I chopped it all off into a mohawk before I moved to Miami and never looked back!
Photo Credit: Focus n Color Visuals
How does your hair represent or reflect on your business?
MY hair is all about personal expression. My hair makes statements. I color, grow, and chop as my mood moves me, and I love it! I'm the same way with my jewelry. I started Statements by Habibi because I wanted to encourage every woman to do the same. Own your space, own the room, your way!
What do you do to your hair to represent your creativity?
My hair gets colored alot! I enjoy it so much. Colors are so inspiring and I also love creating parts in my hair. My barber (@everythingericm) is great at working with me to set a tone for a upcoming event or interview. I “be” feeling myself for real! :-)
Do you find that you receive a different response when you wear your hair short and natural as opposed to other lengths or style? How does it differ?
When my hair is long it’s so full and beautiful I rarely color it. When it's short I go ham so naturally the response is different. I take care of my hair either way but I'm more hesitant to color it when it's longer for fear of damage.
What is a future goal for your brand?
My future goal for Statements by Habibi is to help women feel more secure in their boldness. Too often I hear "omg I love those but I could never…" or "that wouldn’t look right on me…" or "I'm too old…" I simply don't believe in those statements. I believe in living your truth and who ever needs to adapt will have to do so but girl....feel good, look good and vibrate as high as you can… Own that room sis!