Makeup & nails

Singer H.E.R. Is Here and Now

We spoke with the award-winning R&B artist about her activism, creative process and beauty essentials.

by : Théo Dupuis-Carbonneau- May 9th, 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY, DANNY CLINCH (H.E.R.)

Behind H.E.R.’s signature large, stylish sunglasses hides a sensitive and connected artist. At 24, H.E.R.—whose stage name is an acronym for “having everything revealed” and whose real name is Gabriella Wilson—has already been awarded four Grammys as well as an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah. Her song “I Can’t Breathe,” which she wrote in response to the police killings of unarmed Black Americans, resonated during the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements, which was a great point of pride for the half-Black, half-Filipino R&B artist. H.E.R. has a desire to be a spokesperson for her communities, and she brings the same energy and commitment to her new role as a L’Oréal Paris muse.

ON HER ACTIVISM

“I’m an activist, but that’s because it comes naturally to me. It’s no necessarily that I sit down and say ‘I’m going to write a song that’s protest song’; I think that because of what was going on and the anxiety and intensity of what was happening during that time, I fel like I needed to say something. I felt the need to get it out and put i on paper, put it into a song. In my creative process, it’s all about what I feel—nothing is forced. And the fact that it impacts people and that people relate to it—and that it has changed the way people think—is really the icing on the cake.”

ON HER ONSTAGE BEAUTY LOOKS

“I like to throw a little glitter on my eyes, but [my look] would be nothing without True Match foundation. That’s something that I’ve been using literally since I started wearing makeup—it’s my all-time favourite. It always makes my skin look flawless. And, of course, a bold lip is necessary for the stage look.”

ON HER HAIR-CARE ROUTINE

“I use Dream Lengths No Hair Cut Cream, which I apply to my hair after washing while I’m still in the shower because the steam promotes the absorption of the product and traps moisture, [which helps me get] dreamy curls that don’t get frizzy. Then I diffuse my hair instead of letting it air-dry because I really love it when it’s big, and then I shake it out a little bit before fixing everything in place with a good spray of Volume Extra Hold Elnett Satin hairspray, which I love.”

ON HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER HAIR

“My mom has straight hair—she’s Filipino—so she didn’t know how to take care of my hair when I was young, and she would just kind of put water on it. At the time, there weren’t as many curly-hair products out there, and over the years I had to learn how to take care of my hair and tame it while also still having that volume. It was hard; I wanted to straighten it all the time, and I didn’t appreciate my curls. Eventually, I just practised styling it and started to love my natural hair. I’m happy to say that I really appreciate my curls now, and, yeah, I’m proud of my hair journey.”

ON FUTURE PROJECTS

“I’m working on another album, or mixtape—I don’t even know what to call it, but I’m working on a collection of songs. I’m also looking forward to going on tour with Coldplay, so that’s what I’m really focused on. It’s going to be crazy.”