What was your inspiration for Alana Maria’s Spell Magazine cover shoot look?
Nicole: The messy, cute single braids look that everyone wished they could achieve. Lockdown-made braider and hairstylist.
Tolu: Her own style as well as images of braided red-carpet styles. Braids have returned to being the favourite black girl style. We wanted to showcase two varied looks that you can achieve with braids, and how well they frame and compliment your face.
What was it like working with Alana?
Nicole: It was amazing! She was sooo excited to get her hair done, which made me even more eager to help deliver a hairstyle she would love. Alana was very helpful and just gave us so much positive energy.
Tolu: It was amazing working with Alana. She was so full of life and open to try different looks which made styling her so easy. She rocked that style effortlessly.
How would you translate this hairstyle for a Spell reader’s everyday look?
Nicole: I think this style could be an everyday look, because edgy styles are so on-trend. But if you wanted to tone it down a little, I would say go for a colour that’s closer to your natural hair.
Tolu: I would translate this hairstyle as a perfect cocktail of protection. The varying textured extension and colours create a nice mixture for someone who likes a little of everything. Braids have always been a secure and popular protective style. Braids are classy, fun and simple to look after. Just add a pop or two of colour for that perfect combination of protection.
What did you like about using the X-Pression Pre-Stretch & Urban Water Wave hair for the shoot?
Nicole: Both textures were easy to work with as they were soft and flexible. The combination of the textures just made the perfect messy braid.
Tolu: I like the versatility in textures and range in colours when using the X-Pression Pre-Stretch & Urban Water Wave hair for the shoot. The extensions were very soft to use and although very different in looks – they blended seamlessly to create textured braids.
Which Cantu products were the stars of the shoot?
Tolu: Thermal Shield Heat Protectant, the Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel and the Edges Baby Hair Styler.
On a shoot, when your look is not working, what do you do?
Nicole: Pray and follow my instincts. I tend to just refocus and try a different technique to get my desired results.
Tolu: I pull apart the area that’s not going to plan. Take a quick breath and look at my inspirations then I start again.
What are three things you must always have on a photo shoot?
Nicole: A great finishing spray to add a healthy sheen to your hairstyles, a pair of socks in case your shoes need to be removed, and edge gel to smooth any fly-aways.
Tolu: My hair dryer to lay everything down, Cantu Heat Protectant for hair preparation before blow drying and styling, and lastly a parting comb – this is to get the lines straight and to ensure the edges are laid!
How did winning the Cantu Curl Awards affect your careers?
Nicole: I believe it has drummed up more interest in people with textured hair, wanting to try out different natural hairstyles.
Tolu: Winning the Cantu Curl Awards affected my career in a positive direction. It was a catalyst to pushing my brands awareness to vast audiences and opportunities. It has also helped motivated me to go for what I wanted with excellence, passion and joy. The confidence in my works and my creative abilities grew.
What’s the best thing about taking part in the Cantu Curl Awards?
Nicole: Honestly, it’s the challenges for me. Trying to improve each time whilst showcasing your creativity.
Tolu: Being able to really explore and showcase the art of textured hair as freely as you wanted. Although we had a theme, we had the freedom to create whatever we wanted, which was so liberating and exciting. I really enjoyed working with different models and seeing their reactions when seeing what their hair could look like. I also really enjoyed researching about the styles I wanted to produce. Finding images, reading in order to understand the backstories and facts to each style was intriguing and so informative.
What’s your best piece of advice for anyone entering this year’s awards?
Nicole: Don’t doubt yourself and your skills. No harm ever came from trying, so feel the fear and do it anyway!
Tolu: My best piece of advice for anyone entering this year’s award is to please honestly ask yourself what will you gain and what will you lose. Remember that you have a talent, a story that will motivate someone else. We are all waiting to see how you will translate your experiences into your hair artistry. You can do it, grow into discomfort and become familiar with it. You’d love the ‘you’ that blossoms out of this experience! I can’t wait to see your awesome curl creations.
Spell Magazine is proud to be the media partner for this year’s Cantu Curl Awards. The awards are now open to hair enthusiasts, naturally gifted budding stylists and qualified haristylists. You can enter at cantubeauty.co.uk/curl-awards.
