Ultra Shiny And Glossy Hair Secrets No One Tells

Table Of Content

• Ways to Make Your Hair Shinier, According to the Pros
• Does cold water make hair shiny?
• Blow-dry like a pro
• How hair becomes dull

If your hair is on the drier side, you may even consider swapping out your regular conditioner for a hair mask completely. Let's be clear, "Shiny hair" is much more than a fun descriptor or compelling aesthetic—there's a reason behind the gloss. "A smooth hair cuticle is important for making hair appear shiny because light won't reflect on strands that are damaged and broken," celebrity stylist Harry Josh tells mbg.

Ways to Make Your Hair Shinier, According to the Pros

It’s subtler than a traditional color appointment, and also super-speedy, allowing you to refresh color or shift the tone in the space of a lunch break. Beauty starts from the inside out and if your hair is looking dull, you may be lacking vital nutrients that your hair needs to be shiny and healthy. Our bodies are great indicators of something going on inside and our hair is no different. Boar-bristle brushes are designed to give just the right amount of tension on the hair so you can effectively detangle and style, while flattening the cuticle. If you really want to focus on getting the shiniest hair possible, air drying your hair and avoiding hot tools is going to give you the results that no product can. Many more protective applications are out there — just take a look through Grove's selection of natural, shine-enhancing hair products.

Does cold water make hair shiny?

Reading the label on your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products have never been more important, as many companies have been making the switch to cleaner products. Rivera notes that while she always recommends professional shampoos and conditioners, there are ingredients to be mindful of when shopping. For dry, natural hair, SheaMoisture's Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration formula ($12; sheamoisture.com) is a great shampoo for damaged hair to use to help restore shine. The shampoo or conditioner you use should also be formulated specifically for smoothing, so make sure to check the label before buying. Look for products with aloe or keratin as ingredients, as these encourage optimal hair health and growth. Think of all the time you spent caring for your skin; we're willing to bet you often neglect to do the same for your hair.

Blow-dry like a pro

That being said, heat damage will have the opposite effect, so you'll want to protect your strands before styling by using a heat protectant. The key to getting (and keeping) shiny hair is to lock in the moisture, and a humidifier is a great way to keep your environment from getting too dry, especially during winter. “For someone who experiences dry skin or hair, which can also lead to dullness, using a humidifier may help to reduce dryness and leave the hair looking shinier,” Garshick explains. It’s worth noting that humidifiers do more than just stimulate shiny hair—they can support your overall wellness by promoting better sleep, alleviating seasonal allergies, and reducing snoring.

Think of a serum as a top coat for your hair, and you’re on the right track. For something that lasts longer, these innovative at-home toners essentially combine a glossing treatment with a conditioning mask, imparting softness and shine alongside a sheer veil of light-reflecting colour. They won’t change your existing shade completely, but rather tint it, making browns and reds richer and blondes more vibrant. With a subtler, salon-style scent, Matrix's lamellar water is sure to impress the masses. It's effortless to apply, a cinch to rinse out, and even extra-long hair will get 12 uses out of the bottle.

Focus on your scalp

“When doing your hair’s final rinse, try using cool water; this will help to seal the cuticle layer and encourage shine,” says Stenson. And speaking of easier blowouts, Cho has posted this sleek blow dryer as part of her styling arsenal. It's definitely an investment piece, but it might just be the drying tool we've all been searching for.

Do an apple cider vinegar hair rinse

Best conditioner for men’s hair 2024: The Ordinary to Le Labo - British GQ

Best conditioner for men’s hair 2024: The Ordinary to Le Labo.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

With that said, the right hair oil or serum will absorb quickly and won’t leave behind a greasy residue. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Sheer Oil, a lightweight hair oil that helps to restore shine and reduce frizz. Dry, shiny hair is an oxymoron — if your hair is parched, it’s unlikely that it has a beautiful, glass-like shine. That’s why incorporating a hydrating hair mask into your routine is never a bad idea. With a few minutes of dedicated masking, your strands can be well on their way to shining bright.

While bleaching and hot tools are pretty obvious culprits, one that many overlook is scorching hot water. Super hot showers may be relaxing in the moment, but they’re drying out your hair and skin. Turning down the dial, so the water is only lukewarm, can make a major difference in managing dryness. Here are 15 ways to achieve that with your everyday hair care routine. Here’s a tip that anyone can start incorporating in their hair-washing routine without even buying any product.

15 Best Shampoos for Shiny Hair That Will Turn Heads PINKVILLA - PINKVILLA

15 Best Shampoos for Shiny Hair That Will Turn Heads PINKVILLA.

Posted: Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review

"Run a boar bristle brush through your hair daily to evenly distribute oil from the scalp to the ends. A boar bristle brush will close the hair cuticle, which will help create more shine," says Elizabeth. According to Townsend, fine hair can quickly start to look oily and even get drier if oil is used too often. A couple of times a week is a good frequency; run the oil through your ends and hit it with a warm blow dryer to set the shine. "Avoid products that contain sulfates, as these can be harsh on the hair by stripping your hair's natural oils and leaving it dull," says Rivera. "Products that contain biotin, collagen, and B vitamins are essential when it comes to the health of the hair and scalp." "I find double conditioning to be a waste of product. If you feel you need extra moisture after conditioning, use a leave-in treatment post-shower," says Townsend.

Another option is wrapping your hair in a scarf or turban sold for such a purpose, with the idea being to protect hair from directly rubbing with your pillow as you move at night. If you have fine hair, a heavy conditioner can weigh it down and deposit grease. We only recommend something we genuinely love, so if you see a shop link to a specific product or brand, know that it’s been thoroughly researched by our team.

Sam McKnight never lets us down, but his latest launch is one seriously worth trying. Unlike most oils, this one is as light in texture as water, so works on even the finest of hair, and imparts mega shine as well as that signature green vetiver scent. They’re brilliantly effective at adding artificial shine to the surface of the hair – but be wary of any product that promises to work on your hair's health, because frankly that probably isn't true.

Here are 10 ways to get shiny hair, plus our top product recommendations for healthy, glossy locks. Of course, there will be occasions when you want a bouncy blowout. So it’s important to invest in the right type of tool—specifically an ionic blow-dryer, which dries the hair faster than alternatives and helps reduce static. (Try the Revlon Salon 360 AC Dryer.) One major blow-dry mistake that may be sabotaging your style? It’s there for a reason and that’s namely to smooth strands and enhance shine.

If you’re wondering how to get shiny hair trust us, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, shiny hair doesn’t always come naturally, especially when you regularly use hot tools, hair bleach and permanent hair color. "If you think your hair may have buildup to the point that it is dull and not styling properly, try shampooing a couple of times with an apple cider vinegar rinse," advises Rubenstein. "This removes all excess product buildup, hard water residue, and pollutants from the hair, sort of like a scalp reset."

Because hair consists of a cuticle that, when nice and smooth, reflects light, keeping that cuticle healthy is key. When the cuticle is damaged, rough, and dry, light doesn't reflect very well — and thus the hair appears dull. Seems everyone covets glossy tresses, but achieving shiny hair isn't quite as instantaneous as the endless parade of lustrously locked influencers would have you believe.

From Yara Shahidi's quenched curls to Scarlett Johansson's luminous blonde tresses, we found the products to help ladies of all textures get the look. "Part of the Vitamin B complex, Biotin promotes the growth and repair of skin, hair and nails," explains Simone. "Regular use of these high-strength supplements helps support healthy hair growth." Dull hair can simply be a case of not rinsing out your shampoo and conditioner effectively. If you do fall short of you salon visits though, a split end treatment can temporarily mask the problem. Though, it's worth bearing in mind that no split end serum will 'fix' split ends as once they've split, they can't be repaired.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and a key ingredient in how to get shiny hair. This is because they work to nourish and strengthen the hair from the inside out, resulting in shinier, smoother and overall, more beautiful hair. Whether you're transitioning to gray hair or you're a die-hard (no pun intended) regular with your colorist, damaged and dull hair can really dampen your confidence.

8 Ways to Get Shiny Hair Naturally at Home

Table Of Content

• Read more buying guides & expert tips
• Use Argan Oil to Moisturize and Shine Up Hair
• Use shine-enhancing hair color
• Tricks to Get the Shiniest, Glossiest Hair of Your Life
• Do an apple cider vinegar hair rinse
• YOUR COLOR OPTIONS

The star of L’Oreal Paris’ new line, Glycolic Gloss works by flattening the rough surface of a frayed hair strand, meaning it can reflect the light to the best of its ability. Another standout, Ouai’s hair gloss delivers instant shine, long-term strength and frizz-smoothing power that lasts for days. My number-one shiny hair how-to is something you may have previously overlooked. Lamellar waters have been around for a while – Kérastase’s in-salon only K Water was the first – but a few new blockbuster launches have really pushed this smart technology to the fore.

Read more buying guides & expert tips

For a deeper dive into this easy DIY remedy and how often to use it for your hair type, this story will answer all of your questions. No problem, there are plenty of great, preformulated options on the market that come infused with additional healthy-hair ingredients like these. The idea is that when you rinse it with something acidic like apple cider vinegar—it brings the pH back down and seals the cuticle shut, leading to shiny, soft strands.

Use Argan Oil to Moisturize and Shine Up Hair

We recommend running a small amount of the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum through the mids and ends of damp, towel-dried hair before styling. Stay away from your roots — we want a glossy effect, not greasy hair. This lightweight oil can be applied to wet or dry hair at any stage of your regimen (even before shampooing) to smooth cuticles, reduce frizz, and boost shine. However, what you need to keep in mind is the texture and weight of your spray.

Use shine-enhancing hair color

How to Get Shiny Hair: 13 Tips That Really Work - The Healthy

How to Get Shiny Hair: 13 Tips That Really Work.

Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Speaking of hair color if you’ve yet to consider a hair gloss, allow us to introduce you. A hair gloss serves as a shine-enhancing treatment for colored hair, resulting in a longer-lasting and more vibrant color. Depending on the gloss, it may also be able to help with other hair concerns such as brassiness, dryness, frizz and faded color. We love the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss, an at-home glossing treatment that enhances shine and deep conditions hair while boosting your color in as little as five minutes. When shopping for your haircare, search the label for an ingredient called hydrolyzed keratin, which Picciano says is the best ingredient for achieving silky hair.

One with a decent nozzle will deliver a fine, even veil of conditioning oil that sinks into thirsty strands without making your roots look oily. A good old serum is still one of the quickest, easiest ways to get shiny hair in seconds. Most are based around silicones, which have a bad rep in 'clean' beauty circles, but the fear is largely unwarranted. Silicones are a safe, extremely common cosmetic ingredient that, in hair serums, bring remarkable gloss as well as shielding strands from frizz. With more of an oil-rich texture than the others, Davines' offering packs a hydrating punch on long, thick and coarse hair types. It features the brand's favourite roucou oil for smoothing, and a fruit acid to instantly seal each air cuticle, enhancing shine once dry.

Limit heat styling

16 Best Deep Conditioners for Dry Hair (Tested & Reviewed 2024) - Cosmopolitan

16 Best Deep Conditioners for Dry Hair (Tested & Reviewed .

Posted: Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Simply put, excessive heat can take a toll on your hair, leading to dry, brittle strands — the total opposite of shiny hair. So, switch things up with the help of heatless styles and heat-free styling products, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner. This creamy leave-in will bring out your natural curls while it reduces frizz and provides hydration. If you’re heat styling your hair or giving your client a bouncy blowout, try switching to the cool setting on your hairdryer to lock the final look in place. You’ll find a cool shot on the Sahira Light Hairdryer, which gives a similar effect to a rinse with cold water.

Extend the time between washes + blast your hair with cold water

Polko's list of clients includes some of the glossiest girls in the game, including Steinfeld. When creating the actress's VMAs look this year, which was quite similar to the shiny style pictured above, Polko said in a press release that she prepped the hair with this leave-in conditioner by Pai-Shau. Though the product is currently discontinued, Pureology's Color Fanatic Leave-in Conditioner is just as effective. If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that no one knows how to achieve shiny hair quite like a celebrity hairstylist. Sure, they're equipped with some of the buzziest (and often the priciest) products on the market, but a lot of the time, the styles they're able to produce are based solely on the skills they bring to the table.

Do an apple cider vinegar hair rinse

If your hair is curly or textured, apple cider vinegar can also help enhance your natural definition, minimizing frizz and unruliness whilst adding a layer of enviable gloss. When dying your hair a solid color, it’s all too easy to end up with hair that looks flat and not at all shiny. To ensure you don’t experience a dye job gone wrong, try the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity hairstylist whose kit doesn't include a brush or two from the renowned Mason Pearson brand. A quick scan of Johnson's feed turns up countless appearances, as well. There may or may be some sort of sorcery at play with these beloved boar bristles. Yet another staple Johnson regularly posts about, this Kérastase cream uses a heat-sensitive microwax technology that protects hair during heat styling, resulting in seriously shiny strands.

Whether you’re boosting your own hair or a client’s mane, discover eight pro-approved tips for luminous locks. All Mason Pearson brushes are hand made and crafted to be the best hair tools out there. We love this boar and nylon mixed brush for its smoothing, shine-inducing capabilities. This product gained cult status after being seen sprayed across J Lo's fabulous mane at the US Super Bowl.

However, the process could be a challenge if you have low-porosity hair. Blended with a cocktail of nutrient-rich plant and flower oils, Ceremonia's concentrated oil mist will nourish parched strands while imparting an enviable gloss. It's rich and heavily hydrating, so spray from arm's length, and keep it in your bag for top-ups throughout the day.

"A bit of contrast with highlights can make your hair appear shinier (as opposed to when it's one flat shade)," says Outen. For the brave, an icy cold rinse in the shower shuts all the cuticles down, making them lay flat so your strands will twinkle the most. You also can use hair masks weekly for deep hair nourishment to make your hair shinier and glossier. Some can cause more damage than others, so it’s important to know the difference when shopping for one.

At home, try Clairol Perfect 10 by Nice 'N Easy, a single-process treatment that delivers three subtle tones of a single shade. "If you have natural hair or your tresses air on the drier side, oil sheen sprays are your best bet," she says. "These hair types can tolerate a heavier amount of oil without looking oversaturated or weighed down." Want to have hair that's so shiny it's just as reflective as glass? Here, we break down 10 easy ways to achieve the glossy hair of your dreams, according to experts. For shiny locks, you'll want to keep an eye out for rich botanical oils like avocado, marula, and argan joined by healing peptides and rich plant butters.

We recommend using a high quality ceramic flat iron, as this will get you the best results. Flat irons typically have a number of heat settings and the one you choose depends on your hair type. A low heat setting is best for fine hair, however, thick hair requires a high heat setting since it is typically coarser. "Baking soda increases the level of surfactants, giving you a little bit more scrub," Picciano says. "With naturally straight hair, oil from the scalp can go from roots to ends very quickly because gravity will pull it down," Picciano says. "But with curly hair, the oil has to travel around the coiled shaft, so the oil doesn’t get there as quickly."

Use it as a weekly treatment (massage into scalp and strands) or smooth a few drops daily on the ends to enhance hydration and sheen. Padilla recommends using a lightweight oil, like La Tierra Sagrada Jojoba Oil—a nutrient-rich jojoba oil infused with shine-boosting rosemary, protective Ayahuasca plant essence, and moisturizing vitamin E. When it comes to heat-styling, you already know that protecting your tresses is a must. But what you might not realize is that pollution and UV rays also damage hair. The right formula can shield against heat and environmental damage. “Sally Hershberger 24K Golden Touch Nourishing Dry Oil is great because it protects hair from thermal stress, UV, color fade, and environmental aggressors.

Willow Smith Shaves Her Head During Whip My Hair In Concert Watch

Table Of Content

• Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge
• Working with punk legends on lately I feel EVERYTHING
• Live performances
• On which album does “Whip My Hair” appear?
• Taking a break from music and dodging controversy
• Willow Smith used to regret her 2010 hit 'Whip My Hair.' Now, she embraces the song

“I realized that the content in my songs has always been centered around self-love and the universe and our humanity’s divine path, about expressing oneself and being unapologetic,” she explained. “I listened to ‘Whip My Hair’ not too long ago, after many years, and realized that it’s the same message. I’m not saying anything that’s against my values, and on top of that, I’m saying things that are in harmony with my values."

Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge

It features only three tracks — hence its title — including a song with SZA called "9." Following the success of her first single, Willow dropped "Fireball" with Nicki Minaj. "[Nicki Minaj] has so much energy, and working with her was like just [a] spark," she told Ryan Seacrest of the collab. Instead, Willow experimented with several lone singles like "21st Century Girl." The young performer also busied herself with showcasing her unique style at the BET Awards and KCAs alike. Willow Camille Reign Smith arrived on Halloween night in the year 2000, to father Will Smith and mother Jada Pinkett Smith.

Working with punk legends on lately I feel EVERYTHING

As of this writing, the song is now certified Gold in Canada, New Zealand and the United States. In November, Willow Smith released the devotional meditation EP "RISE" with Jahnavi Harrison. Willow, in particular, has shown incredible vulnerability on the show. Most notably, the singer revealed that with the success of her first single came struggles with depression and self harm. "I definitely had to forgive you and daddy for that whole 'Whip My Hair' thing," Willow said to her mom in a 2018 episode (via NME).

Live performances

"Just wanting to perform coping mechanism more and more and spread this wonderful, beautiful album that personally I feel like is some of my best work," she told SPIN when asked about her 2023 goals. "I just want everyone to hear it and I want to inspire people all around the world." Since then, she's realized "Whip My Hair" fits right in — at least thematically — with the the pop-punk songs that appear on her upcoming album, "Lately I Feel Everything," available July 16. And coming in second place would be another of her solo tracks, 2016’s “Wait a Minute!

Willow only performs an acoustic version of the song during her shows. Seemingly making peace with the trials and tribulations that come with growing up in the spotlight, the 17-year-old Willow opened up to Girlgaze (via W Magazine) about how she felt like she had to become part of the machine. "You can't change your face. You can't change your parents," she said. The I Am Legend actress most recently convinced her mom Jada Pinkett Smith that bald is beautiful.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Willow is the youngest of three children and has always gravitated towards the spotlight. In a 2007 chat with Collider, Will Smith revealed that Willow was inspired to act at just 6 years old after seeing her brother Jaden's first performance on the big screen. "I think a big part of it is probably Jaden. After 'The Pursuit of Happyness' and she saw what Jaden did, she thought, 'I want that.'" However, her father admits that despite the talent that runs in the family, Willow's charisma and confidence is all Willow. "You kind of don't work with Willow, you work for Willow," the Oscar winner joked.

Release history

The proud mom unveiled her shaved head last week, sharing a photo of her new look, as she snuggled up to her daughter. "Willow made me do it because it was time to let go BUT … my 50's are bout to be Divinely lit with this shed," Jada, 49, wrote in the caption. "I feel like I was just shedding a lot of history and emotional baggage," Smith later explained on an episode of Red Table Talk.

By 2019, Willow was 18, more in tune with herself than ever, and ready to drop another album. The self-titled "Willow" drew inspiration from The Cocteau Twins and crop circles, and explores self-acceptance and growth for the newly-adult singer. "I wanted to bring in a psychedelic rock vibe to it while also bringing in those ambient harmonies — lots of harmonies — to really bring that divine, almost spiritual, energy to the music," Willow told Billboard. Later, Willow would release a full project with a similar sound called "Ardipithecus." Willow is the sole writer of 14 of the 15 tracks, and the sole producer of 10. Her brother Trey Smith, known professionally as AcE, also contributed to three of the songs. "I'm just a teeeeenagerrrrr," she croons, as she reflects on growing pains and adolescence.

In fact according to Willow’s own recollection, Will was so “harsh at certain times” that it took her “a couple of years” to forgive him. But ultimately she did come to the realization that such advisors were in fact more knowledgeable of the game than she was. Meanwhile as Big Willy himself recalls, ‘his entire family rejected the direction of his leadership’ back during the Whip My Hair days. “Whip My Hair” performed even more impressively across the pond as far as music listings go.

Willow was "extremely done with music" after success of 'Whip My Hair' - NME

Willow was "extremely done with music" after success of 'Whip My Hair'.

Posted: Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

With five experimental albums of different genres under her belt and a sixth in the works, (not including her collaborative project with Tyler Cole, multiple stand-alone singles and four EPs...), Willow is a talented chameleon. Her latest record, "COPINGMECHANISM," has revealed an even edgier side of the singer, who has fully submerged herself into the pop/rock sphere. In mid-2021 another child born into an A list family, North West (daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West), made headlines performing the “whip my hair” dance to this song, as posted online by her mom.

With "Lately I feel EVERYTHING," the singer tapped into her punk rock side. "When I was younger, my brother and I toured with my mom's band, Wicked Wisdom, so heavy metal was one of the first types of music I heard a lot and I'm still really inspired by it," Willow shared with Billboard. But she admits that for a long time, she wasn't sure she could hold a candle to her mom's rock success, so she was hesitant to try out the sound on her own.

Willow Smith: Whip My Hair Music Video 2010

Table Of Content

• Pop CultureWatch Willow Smith's epic Mother's Day surprise for Jada Pinkett Smith
• Willow Smith's Life After Whip My Hair (& The Harsh Reality Of Growing Up Famous)
• Willow Smith used to regret her 2010 hit 'Whip My Hair.' Now, she embraces the song
• Background and release
• Live performances
• Willow and Tyler Cole's collaborative project The Anxiety

Outside of the United States, "Whip My Hair" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, and the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top 20 of the charts in Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Thankfully, on this electrifying 2021 record, Willow was able to tap into her inner pop-punk and rock roots. The singer sought the help of pop-punk legends and personal idols Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker to make this album possible, and the collaborations did not disappoint.

Pop CultureWatch Willow Smith's epic Mother's Day surprise for Jada Pinkett Smith

When she opened for Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour, Pinkett Smith faced an amalgamation of racist and sexist abuse that her wide-eyed daughter bore witness to. "There are literally no words to describe having to get up in front of people who literally hated her, every night," Willow said in NME. On July 16, the singer released a concert documentary movie via Facebook in celebration of the release of her new album Lately I Feel Everything. To close out the show, Willow performed a rock rendition of her 2010 song "Whip My Hair," taking a quick interlude to casually sit down and have her head shaved in its entirety while shredding some backup guitar. Once her transformation is complete, the song abruptly ends as she looks upward to reveal the new look. If you already thought she was too cool for this world, wait until you get a load of the clip itself, which begins around the 46-minute mark in the video below.

Willow Smith's Life After Whip My Hair (& The Harsh Reality Of Growing Up Famous)

"I had so much respect for the rock genre, but I didn't know if I could give it exactly what it needed," she said in NME. "I was trained very specifically as an R&B singer and I had seen my mum screaming and doing it so perfectly." As of the writing of this post in 2021, Willow Smith herself has released over 10 singles, as well as being featured on tracks by other artists. And throughout it all she has collaborated with the likes of Kid Cudi, Travis Barker, Nicki Minaj and of course Jaden.

Willow Smith used to regret her 2010 hit 'Whip My Hair.' Now, she embraces the song

For example, one of the biggest episodes featured Jordyn Woods right after the Khloé Kardashian and Tristan Thompson scandal. Even when she seems to be under the radar, it seems she always has something new, interesting and introspective under her belt. This was definitely the case with her surprise neo-soul album, "iii," a short EP released for free in 2014.

In fact Willow didn’t get around to actually putting a full-lengthy until 2015’s “Ardipithecus”. As such it has been utilized by children-based franchises such as Sesame Street and Alvin and the Chipmunks. So conclusively, Willow is in fact whipping her hair and advises all of the ladies in the house to do the same. But she is doing so as part of an overall personal empowerment piece which, as implied, is directed most specifically towards females. Madonna's hit "Like A Prayer" debuted in a Pepsi commercial, but Pepsi pulled the ad the next day when the controversial video appeared. Though her own music is nowhere as pummeling as Wicked Wisdom — who recently reunited on an episode of Pinkett Smith's Facebook Watch talk show "Red Table Talk" — Smith said she's proud to be following in her mom's footsteps.

So under her perception whipping your hair would be akin to an individual asserting her individuality. And on one hand, perhaps it can be argued that jerking your head around in such a repeated, monotonous, easy-to-replicate motion is the antithesis of an expression of individuality. But at the same time if you watch someone actually performing the move, then it must be admitted that it takes a certain amount of not giving AF – which is always a prerequisite in terms of being yourself – to actually pull it off in public.

Live performances

With this insight, Willow dove headfirst into her second album, "The 1st." A longtime fan of the actor, Willow told Vulture that Michael Cera's lo-fi/folk sound on "True That" was what led her to give guitar a whirl. She also noted that her sophomore effort felt like a representation of the new era of her life and career. "It's both in my artistic development and also my emotional and mental development just as a human being," she said.

Song Meanings & Facts

”, which only charted in Belgium but still managed, like “Whip My Hair”, to be certified platinum in the US and Australia. Willow’s parents, the aforementioned Jada Pinkett-Smith and perennial Hollywood leading man Will Smith, are infamously liberal when it comes to raising Willow and her big bro, the equally-famous Jaden Smith. However, this song becoming a hit and the type of independence – for lack of a better word – that afforded the young lady did cause some friction within the family.

The singer recalled touring with her mom's nu-metal band, Wicked Wisdom, for years as a child. Though Pinkett Smith, 49, sometimes faced intense racism as a Black woman fronting a hard rock band, she modeled for her daughter a powerful way to handle detractors. Though "Whip My Hair" later grew to be a source of embarrassment for her, the singer, 20, told L'Officiel magazine she now embraces the song's important self-love message. "For so long, I wanted to condemn that time of my life and forget it, just kind of push it under the rug,” said Smith. “I really regretted it." With that, Willow set to work on "COPINGMECHANISM," a rock album about love and loss.

"I've grown up and realized what womanhood means to me." Willow shared that she also drew inspiration from her mom and bell hooks for this eclectic reintroduction. In this case, the shaving of Willow's afro could be symbolic of letting go of the past, breaking free of the public's expectations, and grandeur metamorphosis, among plenty of other things she's faced as someone who's been in the spotlight from the moment she was born. Just goes to show that sometimes (and especially for Black women) hair is about more than just the hair itself. Now we're looking at the performer's hairstyles with even more admiration than before.

I was super young, and I had a dream, but all I really wanted to do was sing and I didn’t equate that with all the business and the stress that ended up coming with it. This same year, Willow also found time to collaborate with "Superbad" star Michael Cera on a standalone track called "twentyfortyeight 2.0." Smith first shaved her head at 11 years old in 2012, two years after "Whip My Hair" first dropped. She previously had her head shaved last March, while she spent 24 hours in a glass room as part of a performance art installation at the Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles. We all know that Willow Smith's been wearing her head in a close-cropped buzz cut recently — and that she even convinced mother Jada Pinkett-Smith to do the same — but apparently, the process of getting said haircut was way cooler than we ever could have imagined.

Willow Smith Fans Make 'Whip My Hair' Videos - Essence

Willow Smith Fans Make 'Whip My Hair' Videos.

Posted: Thu, 29 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

"I'm thinking about shaving my head during the 'Whip My Hair' performance," Smith said in a behind-the-scenes clip. "This is gonna be my third time in my life shaving my head. I'm always shaving my head at monumental times in my life, when things are really changing. And this is definitely one of those moments." In the thick of quarantine and lockdowns, Willow threw herself into multiple creative ventures. One of her most intriguing and impactful contributions was her collaborative project "The Anxiety" with Tyler Cole. The project started as a 24-hour exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Geffen Contemporary inspired by their personal experiences with anxiety.

WILLOW Is “Beyond Grateful” For First-Ever RIAA NFT Plaque - Vibe

WILLOW Is “Beyond Grateful” For First-Ever RIAA NFT Plaque.

Posted: Fri, 26 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

"With Willow, she just loves it ... She just wants it, she has a drive, an energy, and she just connects to human emotion." From "Whip My Hair" to "curious/furious," let's take a look at Willow Smith's extraordinary life in the spotlight. On 26 October 2010, “Whip My Hair” became Willow Smith’s – who tends to simply go by the name Willow as far as her music career is concerned – debut single. And the label behind the track is Roc Nation, whom she also signed with that very year. "There is a lot going on in the world and I think THE ANXIETY reflects how a lot of us feel right now. So hopefully this music and the art we are creating can help you in any way even if it's just a quick distraction from all of this chaos," Cole said on Instagram. "Meet Me At Our Spot," a song detailing different anxieties and longing for a safe place, failed to chart when it was first released but went viral on TikTok in 2021.

The first time Willow actually performed this tune live was also on a talk show, that being The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The first person to actually tease this track or more specifically publicize the fact that Willow was coming out with music is recognized as her mom, established Hollywood actress Jada Pinkett-Smith. And she did so during an episode of a talk show entitled Lopez Tonight that aired a few months prior. The official visual to this song was directed by a tenured professional who goes by the name of Ray Kay. The clip was filmed in Los Angeles, which is where Willow was born and with said city being her base of operations. And the video went on to receive a couple of nominations in 2011 at the NAACP Images Awards and the BET Awards.

It topped the UK R&B Chart and fell just a spot short of replicating the feat on the UK Singles Chart proper. It also achieved silver status in England and around the world charted in 15 countries. But more to the point is this dance being symbolic of the overall message of the piece. And that message, most simply explained, is based on Willow advising listeners not to be afraid to be themselves. “I just wanted to fulfill that desire that I had ever since I was 10 or 12 of singing rock music, of being a Black woman singing rock music,” she said. Smith also opened up about what a dream come true it is for her, as a Black woman, to perform rock music.