Spell Magazine March/April 2022 by Spell Magazine

03/04 2022

H A I R

•

B E A U T Y

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L I F E S T Y L E

Stephanie Yeboah Rewriting the rulebook on body image and cancel culture

Vol. 18

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AFRO

Take the Afro Lace Wig to new style heights by having it cut and groomed to suit you. With texture so real, you’ll forget you’re wearing a wig!

Available in six coily to kinky natural styles

THE TEXTURE TAKEOVER Exclusively distributed by Feme Ltd • feme.com

08 What’s the big issue

04 Everything you need for Easter

Contents 04 Everything you need for Easter From decorating fun to egg-stastic ideas 06 S tyle report The shag haircut is officially back 08 W hat’s the big issue Exclusive interview with author and body activist Stephanie Yeboah 14 S pell loves Product junkie page

14 Spell loves

16 E xpress checklist Hair and beauty products that work in lighting speed 18 S coop: Behind the brand Meet who’s disrupting the industry this month 20 3 treatments to boost your confidence It’s time to be your best self

20 3 treatments to boost your confidence

22 S pring spritzers Get your spring fragrance fix 24 " I’m proud to be a single mum business success story” Hair extension expert, Dalanda Diang, shares her journey 28 B ulletin The latest offers from spellbeauty.com

Cover of Stephanie Yeboah

06 Style report

16 Express checklist

See more of our exclusive cover shoot with Stephanie Yeboah by scanning the QR code

EDITOR Jemima Cousins SUB EDITOR Julie Vuong WRITERS Jennifer Meredith, Gemma Rusiecki DESIGNER Marzena Wilk

FIND US ONLINE @spellmagazine E: editorial@spellmagazine.com

COVER OF STEPHANIE YEBOAH SPONSORED BY CREME OF NATURE FULL CREDITS INSIDE BACK COVER

© 2022 Feme Ltd. Reproduction of the contents of Spell Magazine in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are the author’s own, and may not reflect the views and opinions of Feme Ltd.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR

Easter

Unsplash, Coco Tafoya

From Easter egg hunts to unique decor, here’s how to prepare for the upcoming springtime festivities

As the days grow warmer and the tulips begin to flower, there’s only one thing on our minds: how many Easter eggs we can gobble down come 17th April! Post-Valentine’s Day, supermarket confectionary aisles seamlessly transitioned from love heart-shaped selection boxes to row upon row of egg-shaped treats, prompting the most organised planners amongst us to purchase and hide a small selection to be gifted to our lucky recipients on the big day. However, if you’re tempted to expand your Easter offerings beyond a

chocolate feast, there’s so much more fun to be had in the realms of festive crafts, decorations, family games and more. This holiday is no longer limited to a sit down dinner and egg-exchange – if you’re so inclined, you can wow friends and family with a celebration to rival Christmastime. Having guests round for a meal over the long weekend? You can easily create an Easter centrepiece that will generate as much of a discussion as your cooking skills (whether they’re good or bad, we’ll leave that to you to prove). And if you’d rather head out SPELL

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for an activity, there’s a burgeoning calendar of events taking place in the city and beyond. Applying a fresh perspective to cherished traditions is a great way to reconnect with loved ones and get the creative juices flowing. So, whether you want to get active with the kids by doing a touch of arts and crafts, treat a loved one with a novelty gift or simply kick back and relax – after all it’s a fourday weekend, browse our guide on the next page to help make this Easter one to remember. You can also share your easter fun by tagging #spellmagazine

EGGS IN ONE BASKET

SPRING CHICKEN

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JOHN LEWIS Chick Egg Cups, £9

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HOTEL CHOCOLAT Extra Thick Patisserie Egg, £30

RUN, RABBIT

GOLD MINE

AND RELAX

FABLE Rose Gold Rabbit Stud Earrings, £10

LUSH The Golden Egg Bath Bomb, £4.50

RITUALS The Ritual of Mehr Easter Egg Gift Set, £ 39.90

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT

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@inthing_

TRENDS

@thatcurlytop

@kiitana

Bora Aksu

SHEA MOISTURE Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner, £12.99

TWISTED SISTA Amazing Dream Curls Gel, £6.99

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The shag haircut throws it back to bed head glam of the 1970s. A look that works on any length and curl pattern (big bonus), the shag is defined by its topheavy layering and a soft, face-framing, fringe cut an inch-or-so above the brows. When it comes to styling, the messier, the better.

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SHAG SWAG

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BANG X PONY Lashae, £14.99

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MICRO LOCS Made with authenticity for the freshest boho style on the block

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Stephanie Yeboah sizes up the portrayal of fatness in the media, sustainable fashion and cancel culture

WHAT’S THE BIG ISSUE? SPELL

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Stephanie Yeboah is not your average ‘body positivity’ influencer. By reclaiming the meaning of the word ‘fat’, she has helped plus size women brush off the negative stereotypes in favour of self-love. And while other content creators with smaller bodies are, in Lizzo’s words, co-opting the body positivity movement, Yeboah stands firm in her belief that there is more work to be done to uplift plussize bodies in all areas of the media and society. After a fun day of shooting, we sat down with her to find out more... TWO YEARS ON FROM YOUR SUCCESSFUL BOOK LAUNCH, FATTILY EVER AFTER, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PLUS-SIZE WOMEN NOW HAVE MORE VISIBILITY IN THE MEDIA?

I still think there’s a lot of work that could be done. With the release of my book and similar books centred around bigger bodies, I feel like while we have seen some improvement within media. However, I also feel as if there is a slow regression, especially when it comes to fashion. Even over the past year, it seems like brands are almost reverting back from using bigger models at the height of the movement, to a midsized focus, so much so that mid sizes are now centred within the ‘body positive’ movement. What I’m seeing now is that many publications are using women between the sizes of 12 to 16 as their ‘curve’ models. Even though this celebrates women with a curvy shape, it’s not a true reflection to being plus sized. THE CONVERSATION OF INCLUSIVITY IN FASHION AND BEAUTY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS NOW. SHOULD WE CANCEL BRANDS THAT STILL AREN’T BEING INCLUSIVE IN 2022?

I think it’s important to come up with a productive medium where we can speak to brands about their lack of inclusivity and diversity, but not so that they become performative in their diversity. When we target brands from a place of shaming, it can go either one of two ways: they could retreat, ignore or stand firm in their decision to avoid diversity, or they go the other way and become performative, and this can lead to tokenism. It’s about having collaborative conversations with brands and impressing on them the need for there to be more inclusivity and why this is needed. This is opposed to the easier

“IF THERE WAS NO [BEAUTY] STANDARD, WE WOULD BE A LOT BETTER OFF” thing to do, which is calling them out on social media and shaming them – sometimes that can work, but a lot of times brands will react by being performative as opposed to taking the time out to really listen because they feel attacked and like they have to defend themselves. There can be ways to collaborate in a cooperative way without first resorting to shaming. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CANCEL CULTURE? DOES IT EQUATE TO BULLYING OR CAN IT BE CONSTRUCTIVE?

I think that when cancel culture first became popular, it was something that, at its height, perhaps, was meant to be constructive. However, now I think it’s at a point where it is a tool that is used by people who are bullies. It’s become a culture that lacks nuance, and the opportunity to really hear people out. It doesn’t give people the room or opportunity to grow. But, then again, we have to look at it on a case-by-case basis because there are some people that genuinely deserve to be cancelled. SPELL

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DO YOU EVER WORRY ABOUT BEING ‘CANCELLED’?

I don’t worry about it, only because I am someone who has called people out in the past, mostly brands that haven’t been inclusive or people who have been fatphobic. A lot of my work as an advocate and activist within those communities involves a certain degree of calling out and holding people accountable. So it would be counterproductive for me to not receive the same if I was ever in that position. I’ve always thought that the worst thing you can do in that situation is get defensive – even though your natural instinct is to say, ‘this was taken out of context’ or ‘this was a lie’. You just have to listen. I think I would be able to handle it quite well because I would know how to navigate it in terms of not being defensive, listening to what people are saying and why they’re saying it, and really doing the internal work to realise where I went wrong, make amends, apologise and try to learn from the situation.

YOU’VE TALKED IN THE PAST ABOUT HOW YOU USED TO HAVE NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT YOUR BODY. WHAT WAS YOUR ‘EUREKA’ MOMENT WHEN IT CAME TO SELF LOVE?

I was on a beach in Barcelona on my 23rd birthday. In the run up to that moment, I had given myself four months to lose four stone because I had never been on a beach in a bikini, and I wanted that ‘bikini body’. I thought that was the only way to feel attractive. I stuck to that goal and lost a lot of weight, but I remember being on the beach in this frilly pink bikini, and I realised that no one was looking at me. Nobody cared. At that moment I thought, who did I do this for? I lost all of that weight in a dangerous way and became very ill, so mentally I was

very low and physically I was not well. But also, I still wasn’t happy; I had lost weight and I felt just as insecure. So I decided that I couldn’t allow this to continue – there had to be a point where I learnt to love my body. When I flew back to the UK, I started incorporating plus-size fashion and talking about body confidence and positivity on my blog. That was where I started trying to process and heal from all the negative self-talk and the toxic, fatphobic narrative that I had been brainwashed with my whole life. It was a long healing process from that point. IS NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE PART OF BEING HUMAN?

I think it is. We’re always going to compare ourselves to other people.

Hair: Urban Pre-looped River Locs in Ash blonde Fashion: Asos Abstract Cut neck top; Asos Suit Pant Accessories: H&M Studio Green Drop earrings; Gold Rings Stylist own

When there is a specific standard of beauty, then there is going to be negative body talk and thoughts. We are uplifting one beauty standard as THE standard, so therefore if you don’t meet that standard, you’re less likely to get the partner you want, or a specific job, or be seen as desirable. And this is what can cause negative self-image. If there was no standard, we would be a lot better off. HAVING HAD YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS AN INFLUENCER, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH TROLLS AND UNSOLICITED ADVICE NOW IN COMPARISON TO WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?

I used to be petty and troll them back until they blocked me. I would say things that were really sarcastic and cutting, and keep the conversation going until I was ultimately blocked. But that took up a lot of time. My profile has increased somewhat, and I’m becoming the recipient of a lot more trolling - albeit, it’s usually not direct. It’s more a case of finding comments online on social media and message boards. That’s quite hard to deal with, so I have to protect my peace and that’s something I’m trying to learn how to do. That might mean limiting my time on certain social media platforms, such as Twitter, which can be a hot mess (luckily, Instagram seems to be the nicer platform out of the two), and blocking, restricting and actively unfollowing people. A lot of trolls tend to act either out of envy, boredom, or hate that has nothing to do with the individual they’re trolling. It’s often a projection of whatever negative feelings they have at that moment. LATELY, MANY INFLUENCERS HAVE REJECTED FAST FASHION IN FAVOUR OF MORE SUSTAINABLE BUYS, BUT THIS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR PLUS-SIZE WOMEN TO ENGAGE WITH DUE TO LACK OF OPTIONS. WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR DRESSING MORE SUSTAINABLY?

“A LOT OF TROLLS TEND TO ACT EITHER OUT OF ENVY, BOREDOM, OR HATE”

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Being fat and dressing is a sustainable act in itself. We have always been sustainable, and often we do it without thinking. What I mean by that is, when we find an amazing piece of clothing we hang onto it because we probably won’t find it again anywhere else due to a lack of representation in fashion. For example, I found a corduroy jumpsuit that I had never seen anywhere else

that any person who has a platform should speak about these subjects without being performative. I’ve always been loud, bold and raw with how I talk, and I’ve held people accountable and talked about wider issues. Even though I don’t necessarily call myself an activist, it forms the fabric of what I do. So I’ll never shy away from talking about global events.

before; after I bought it, I made sure to really take care of it. We repair things, patch them up, take them to the dry cleaners, because as fat people we know that we aren’t going to be able to find that piece of clothing in the shops again. This is one of the reasons why you don’t tend to see a lot of plus-size clothing in charity shops, because we have to hold onto it. Unfortunately, sustainability is often an option for smaller people who have a disposable income. It’s very difficult for plus-size people to find trendy clothing in our size and at an affordable price. I feel that plus-size people should be excluded from the sustainability chat until slow fashion brands are more inclusive. Nobody should fault us for continually buying fast fashion, because it’s the only industry that is catering to our needs. You can’t blame us, because we don’t have the luxury of shopping as broadly as everyone else. One tip for dressing more sustainably is to look for key pieces that transcend trends such as a leopard print coat, a jumpsuit with quality, thick material, or a well-fitting suit. Another tip is to attend clothing swaps, even if it’s just with your friends. RECENTLY WE’VE SEEN MAJOR WORLD EVENTS ROCK SOCIAL MEDIA, SUCH AS THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE, AND WILDFIRES ACROSS THE WORLD. HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN CURRENT AFFAIRS AND YOUR OWN CONTENT?

Influencers often question whether we should post our normal content during a global tragedy. It’s always going to be a bit different for me, because the majority of my content is about

WHAT’S THE BEST THING THAT’S COME OUT OF YOUR TIME AS A CONTENT CREATOR SO FAR?

Stylish pursuits: (From top) Yeboah’s OOTD fashion shots for the ‘gram, debut book Fattily Ever After: A Black Fat Girl’s Guide to Living Life Unapologetically

speaking up for the minorities and oppressed communities that I’m in, so that’s always going to be woven into everything that I do. I find it incredibly easy to talk about these issues and integrate it into my content, and I think

My confidence. As a teenager and young adult, I was very introverted and meek. I never mingled in groups and had terrible eye contact. The thought of public speaking gave me panic attacks. Willing myself to go to events, speak to people and create such vulnerable content has helped me come into my own as a speaker and writer. I wouldn’t say I’m extroverted now, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come in regards to self-esteem and confidence. I can express my opinions without feeling anxious or nervous. Watching myself grow in that way has made me proud. Outside of that, I cherish being able to make other people who look like me feel seen. Growing up, I didn’t have anyone to look up to who also looked like me. When I receive emails from people thanking me for inspiring them, it makes me well up because I feel good knowing that I can be relatable to women and girls who might have never felt seen or heard, or who have felt like an anomaly because of the way they look. Follow @stephanieyeboah

BODY CONFIDENCE 101: TIPS FOR ALL SIZES 1. Walk around your home in a nice lingerie set Obviously, this is dependent on your living situation, but there’s something about a really good set of lingerie that can make you feel liberated and great about yourself.

2. Write down five things you really like about yourself It doesn’t have to be physical! It can be your laugh, the way you are with people, your intellect. What ever it is, it’s unique to you and a way to remind yourself of your greatness.

3. Compliment other people Knowing that you’ve improved somebody else’s confidence, even just a little, can make you feel good too. Smiling is contagious so why not spread a little joy. After all, it doesn’t cost anything.

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4. Set boundaries with weight talk For example, if you have friends and family who say things like, ‘I feel really fat today’ in a negative sense, tell them that this kind of negative self-talk doesn’t make you feel good about yourself.

5. Do things that make you feel at home in yourself It can be something as small as going for a walk, making a cup of tea, playing with your PlayStation or putting make-up on. Simple pleasures can do so much for improving our mental wellbeing.

Hair: Urban Flow in 1b/30stk using Creme of Nature Fashion: Never Fully Dressed Green Contrast Shirt and Trouser Accessories: Pilgrim Necklace; Seol + Gold Crystal Hoop Earring and Rainbow Dome Ring; Gold Rings Stylist own; Emmanuelle Khanh x Maitrepierre Sunglasses Full credits inside back cover

“ONE TIP FOR DRESSING MORE SUSTAINABLY IS TO LOOK FOR KEY PIECES THAT TRANSCEND TRENDS” SPELL

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Set your own trends What’s new, exclusive and iconic. Discover our curated digital hair and beauty boutique today.

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Stephanie Yeboah. Full credits inside back cover

FEED YOUR INNER PRODUCT JUNKIE From shimmering make-up to hydrating shampoos and inspiring reads, here are the must-haves on our radar Urban Flow in colour 1b/30stk, £3.99

GET THE COVER LOOK

Crème of Nature Scalp Refresh Invigorating Leavein, £6.99

Never one to shy away from statement style, our cover star Stephanie Yeboah is rocking ropetwisted bantu knots teamed with a purple popping pout. The edgy combo reflects the latest SS22 trends. Bantu knots are a staple in the natural hair world, but in recent times has transcended into sports luxe and fashion editorials. To achieve the on-trend style, her lush 4c hair was gently blown out, sectioned and twisted into small bumps. Body wave hair extensions were then added and twisted to create bespoke knots. To recreate the look at home, here’s a listing of the products used.

OPV Beauty Mystery Liquid Lipstick, £8

EDITOR’S PICKS

This month’s seals of approval

Johnny Loves Rosie Green Carry Crossbody Bag, £50

Arbonne Energyfizz Ginseng Fizz Sticks in Pineapple flavour, £56

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X-pression Ultra Braid Pre-Stretched in colour Ice Mint, £4.15

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F*ck Mondays Natural Deodorant Citrus Aromatic Woody, £22

MAC Cosmetics

Primark SS22

DON’T BE THIRSTY

Dry hair isn’t fun. But fear not: we’ve tracked down some of the best shampoos around that hydrate just as well as they clean. Pantene Pro-V Miracles Hydra Glow Shampoo, £2.49, is a budget-friendly option for transforming chronically dry hair into a manageable mane. If you’re a naturalista, Mielle Rice Water Collection Hydrating Shampoo, £12.99, is your new go-to for healthy-looking hair. And finally, lather up on self-care Sundays with Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo, £10, and turn your weekly routine into a decadent ritual.

FAMILY TIME

Words can be powerful, which is why new children’s book I Love Me! is a must-have for your family bookshelf. Written by Dope Black Dads founder Marvyn Harrison with artwork by Diane Ewen, its pages contain empowering affirmations for every day of the week. Practise saying the uplifting statements with your little one to help boost their confidence and feelings of self-worth.

ETHERAL EYES

The arrival of spring calls for a make-up upgrade – and these hot new product drops will elevate your everyday glow-up now the sun’s shining (or not). With holographic shimmer set to stay, enhance your eyes with Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick, £25, by applying straight onto the lids and blending out with your fingers. Finish your look by layering your lashes with MAC’s MacStack Mascara, £26. Heralded by mega influencers as one of the best lash builders on the market.º SPELL

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EXPRESS CHECKOUT Photo by Glenn Larkby. Hair by Aisha Ibrahim. Make-up Natasha Wright. Model is wearing Outre Quick Weave Wet & Wavy Jordana in DR Chocolate Cream

When time is of the essence and you need a quick beauty fix, look to these fast-working products to save the day… and of course time!

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Outre Quick Weave Wet & Wavy Jordana, £29.95 Whether it’s an impromptu zoom meeting or a surprise date from bae, transform your tresses in 60 seconds with this easy to install half wig cap. The silk pressed, wavy texture makes it easy to blend with a natural hairline.

MBH Brief-Style Maternity Pads, £7.95 For new mums, finding a sanitary pad up for the task can be difficult. With this knicker-style pad from Mum Hub Bub, it’s designed to protect against the heaviest flow postpartum.

Mylee Precision Wax Pen, £12 With a precision tip and 20 mini wax strips, this wax pen from Mylee is perfect for last-minute touch ups. Get a foolproof, fuzz-free finish when it comes to removing face and body hair!

Airfro 00.1 PHiT, from £14 This brand has so many USPs – sustainable, premium ingredients, just to name a few. But one that’s piqued our interest is its multi-functionality; 3-in-1 cleanse, hydration top up and protein-hit. Think of this as a HIIT workout for the hair.

What’s on the Spell team’s shopping list

Lotil Nourishing Foot Cream, £5.92 With sandal season hot on our heels, it’s time to put in the groundwork to get feet summer ready. Filled to the brim with antioxidants, its awardwinning formulation heals cracked, dry skin in no time and is suitable for those with diabetes.

Our team live and breathe hair and beauty, so we make it our mission to bring you the best brands in the game

Byoma Balancing Face Mist, £11.99 When you’re halfway through the day and your skin starts to appear dull and dry, just a couple of spritzes of this face mist can revive your glow faster than you can say ‘hydrated’. The triceramide complexes are a bonus too.

Lottie London Stay Press’d Press On False Nails, £6.95 These press-on nails from Lottie London come in a range of eyecatching designs, so your new nail look will stay in place all day and night.

Morphe 2 Always Online Gel Liner, £6 Say goodbye to smudges and transfer – this everything-proof liner won’t budge for up to eight hours. It’s infused with goodies like vitamin E, jojoba oil and rose oil for a slick application.

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P O SCO ry goss! all the indust Bulletin with

"I REMEMBER ASKING MY MUM TO TEXTURISE MY HAIR BECAUSE I WANTED IT STRAIGHTER"

Afroani Rose Hair Pik, £8.99

Interview

The benefits of adopting naturally sourced products for your weekly haircare regime “Growing up in Italy, it was very difficult to find the right haircare products. I remember asking my mum to texturise my hair because I wanted it to be straighter. She used to wash it in the sink using a big orange bottle of Crème of Nature shampoo followed by Organics’ Hair Mayonnaise. Even now I can still remember the strong and distinct perfumes.

BEHIND THE BRAND

AFROANI

From pre-poo to braid-out, Afroani founder Anita Lusuardi reveals her natural haircare secrets Read the full interview at spellmagazine.com

“My mum is an amazing braider, so during my teens I always wore my hair in braids and tried out many different colours and styles. I then started learning how to care for my curls from British and American Youtubers because I couldn’t find any Italian speaking tutorials for curly or afro hair. “My current haircare routine is very simple SPELL

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and I usually dedicate every Thursday evening to washing my hair. It’s pre-poo all the way for me and I like to apply hair oil to my scalp and ends before shampooing. I then use Afroani Solid Shampoo Bar to wash my scalp and I do two rinses: one to lift the build-up and a second to make sure my scalp is clean. Afterwards I apply Afroani Hydrate and Strengthen hair mask and detangle my hair in sections with a wide tooth comb. I love a good hair mask – especially in the winter months when my hair needs extra moisture. “Afroani combs are made from plantbased plastic. The material is derived from natural resources like wool pulp, which means our combs are flexible, durable and gentle on the hair. We chose plant-based

plastic because we really wanted to be sustainable where possible and bring something different to the market. “My curl pattern at the back of my head is a lot looser compared to the curls at the front, so I always apply a bit more product to the tighter curls as they tend to need a lot more moisture. After rinsing out the mask, I style my hair in a braid out. “I am still trying to find the right balance between being a brand owner and natural hair content creator. Running a business can be very time consuming and I often find myself neglecting my content creator page. However, I have recently been sharing some of my behindthe-scenes moments on my personal page, which I really enjoy.”

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3 treatments to boost your confidence Restore your inner confidence with these mood-boosting products and treatments

Forget fad diets - 2022 is all about body confidence; just ask our cover star body image advocate Stephanie Yeboah. We’re living in a time where being comfortable in the skin you’re in and accepting your perceived flaws is on trend (and long may it reign). Of course, even the most confident among us still need help to feel our best. And sometimes we may have a specific concern that is blighting our general mood on an everyday basis. So, if there’s anything that’s standing in the way of you feeling your most authentic self, don’t worry - help is at hand. Here are three confidence-boosting solutions to target common skin and body concerns…

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THE CONCERN: POST-PANDEMIC BLOAT

THE CONCERN: ACNE

THE CONCERN: EXCESSIVE SWEAT

Struggling to fit into your prepandemic jeans? Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your general mood as it generates feelgood endorphins. But sometimes, when you’re not achieving your #bodygoals, it can really dampen motivation to keep hitting the gym. An indulgent body treatment used in combination with healthy eating could be just the thing to help bring back your inner glow. ESPA’s Hip and Thigh Treatment enlists iced mitts, body brushing and specialised colonic massage techniques to target cellulite, fluid retention and uneven skin texture - with instantly visible results. (£200 at the Corinthia London espalifeatcorinthia.com). And if you’re really serious about kick-starting your weight loss journey, the very sci-fi sounding Slimdrone body treatment uses rejuvenating red LED light and Thermo and Electro Stimulation to reduce cellulite. (From £280 at the Lisa Harris Clinic lisaharrisskinscience.co.uk)

While there are many at-home formulas that promise to clear up spots and scars, a medical-based treatment with a dermatologist is a worthy investment if you want optimum results. Professor Firas Al-Niaimi at leading skin clinic group Sk:n uses a range of treatments to treat acne, including chemical peels, HydraFacials and lasers: “Acne is a complex skin condition and varies greatly from person to person, so I would always recommend seeking advice from a dermatologist to review your individual case and achieve the best results,” he explains. For mild to moderate acne, he says a chemical peel could be an appropriate solution. There are a range of skin peels available at Sk:n and each contains a blend of ingredients, which reduce the appearance of open pores, remove dead skin cells and target pigmentation. “The procedure is used all over the world and the results can be life-transforming,” says Al-Niaimi. (Prices start from £89 sknclinics.co.uk)

It’s not a sexy topic but sweating (even if it’s a lot) can be perfectly normal. However, if you’re perspiring so profusely that it’s affecting your daily life, it could be a sign that you’re suffering from hyperhidrosis. Luckily, you don’t have to live with it. Botox injections, administered into specific areas, can dramatically reduce sweating – meaning you can step out of the house again with confidence. “Hyperhidrosis can be caused by genetics or endocrine conditions, but it can also be triggered by high levels of stress and anxiety,” explains Bianca Estelle, black skincare specialist and founder of Marylebone’s Bea Skin Clinic. The medical aesthetician offers Botox from her clinic, which is administered safely via micro injections to temporarily stop the sweat glands working as hard. “This treatment can dramatically transform somebody’s life,” she says. Prices start from £450 biancaestelleaesthetics.com).

Stay motivated ESPA Smooth and Firm Body Butter, £50

Head-to-toe savvy solution-based skincare

LEGOLOGY Peach-Lite Super Lift for the Derriere, £55

WILD Case and Deodorant Refill, £12

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Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow, £25

MAGAZINE

MEDIK8 Hydra8 B5 Intense, £55

JANE SCRIVNER Firm Believer Body Serum, £49

Sk:n Facial Exfoliating Cleanser, £28

spring spritzers

Photo Why J Miller

From freshly released fragrances to timeless classics, cherry-pick your new spring scent

Ojar Absolute Perfume Oil Infusion Velours 20ml, £130

Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Cologne 100ml, £108

Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois EDP 50ml, £110

Chanel 1957 Les Exclusifs De Chanel EDP 200ml, £300

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Narciso Rodriguez for her EDP 30ml, £47

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“I’M PROUD TO BE A SINGLE MUM BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY” Hair extension expert Dalanda Diang shares her journey

“I’M SO PROUD THAT I’M LIVING THE LONDON DREAM AND SHOWING MY TWO DAUGHTERS THAT YOU REALLY CAN MAKE BUSINESS DREAMS COME TRUE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD ENOUGH FOR IT”

Talk to any single mum and they will probably tell you, with a look of sheer exhaustion, that there just aren’t enough hours in a day. Between getting the kids ready for school and washing off sticky ‘jam hands’ after breakfast, putting in the grind at work, and managing a household that seems to become messy as soon as it’s cleaned – not to mention that teeny weeny sliver of time reserved for a spot of self care – many mums might say that they would love to start a business venture if only they had more time. Dalanda Diang, a 37-year old single parent originally from Guinea, decided one day that time would no longer stand in her way. Having arrived in the city at 15 years old with a basic understanding of English, she

utilised her passion for hairstyling and worked her way up the central London hairdressing ladder. After deciding that she wanted to work on her own terms, she quit her previous salon role and worked from home before the pandemic hit. Thanks to her skills and clear dedication to her craft, she slowly built up a loyal client base through online reviews and trusted word of mouth referrals. It wasn’t long before Dalanda had built up a strong reputation, allowing her to open her own high-end Fulham salon, where she is now a port-of-call for other busy women who can vent their problems while getting their 60 minutes of peace in her salon chair. All the while, Dalanda cares for her two young daughters who, at ages six and SPELL

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nine, she calls her ‘inspiration’ and strives to give them the best start in life through dedication and hard work. In fact, her tip for overcoming a lack of time and energy is to frame her daughters as her main source of motivation: ‘I work so they can be proud of me, be ambitious for their own futures, and so that I can give them the best start in life that I can financially’. If that’s not what you call a super mum, we don’t know what is! Here, Dalanda talks more about fulfilling her dream of opening her very own salon, how she avoids burnout, and the inspiration behind her iconic ‘West London look’ that’s not only trending, but has her diary booked up weeks in advance.

A DAY IN THE LIFE “Daily life is busy and lively and no two days are the same! I walk my daughters to school nearby and then I get to spend the rest of the day with wonderful women, being creative, and styling hair. I then get to catch up on the admin side of running my business while my daughters are in bed. Life is demanding but rewarding right now – but I couldn’t be happier. “As a single mum and business entrepreneur, there are so many demands on my time. For that reason, I do have to structure my work day to balance everything out. By offering one-to-one salon appointments, not only do my clients get my undivided attention, but I can also plan my day more effectively.” LAUNCHING HER DREAM BUSINESS “My dream was always to work for myself and open my own London salon catering for women who had to have exceptional hair that reflected their lifestyles and aspirations. The pandemic meant I had to put that dream on hold for a while, but as we hairdressers were allowed to work again, I noticed more and more women coming to me, recommended by friends and who wanted a certain look. “I’m so proud that I’m living the London dream and showing my two daughters that you really can make business dreams come true if you are willing to

work hard enough for it.” THE ‘WEST LONDON LOOK’ “It’s the glossy, full-bodied head of hair favoured by celebrities such as the Duchess of Cambridge, Alesha Dixon, and Angellica Bell, but that you can often only achieve through the careful and discrete application of weave extensions.

Blowdry buddies When you’re pressed for time, here’s how you can fast-track your way to full-bodied hair

“Over the last six months, demand has been such for my ‘West London Look’ that I’m now able to open a salon in Fulham on an appointment-only basis catering to busy women that require one-to-one salon attention. I’ve realised that there is a huge demand for discrete natural hair extensions for women that want their hair to reflect their life aspirations. Extensions do look great and can be easy to manage with the right care. “I ask my clients about their lifestyle so I know how they like to wear their hair and the demands on their time. This affects how they will care for their extensions. And the braid underlay for all styles of extensions need to be well done to ensure the extensions stay in place as intended.” WORDS OF WISDOM “My top tip for working mums is to work hard, be determined – and keep going! Even though I’ve achieved my dream of opening a salon and gaining a growing customer base, I’d like to open several salons across the UK.”

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GET IN DALANDA’S SALON CHAIR

Dalanda Hair Salon can be found at 482 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5NH. Salon opening hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday and all clients are seen by appointment only. To book an appointment or for enquiries, please visit www.dalandahair.co.uk

“THE BRAID UNDERLAY FOR ALL STYLES OF EXTENSIONS NEED TO BE WELL DONE TO ENSURE THE EXTENSIONS STAY IN PLACE”

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New to Spell Beauty this month is Afroani, a decorative and sustainable comb collection designed for the curliest hair types. Compared to conventional brushes that might tear and snag, these combs reduce tension while effectively unsnarling any knots and tangles. Plus, each one is made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based plastic alternative that is biodegradable, non-toxic and heat resistant.

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COVER CREDITS Photography Glenn Larkby Hair Pashcanel Mitchell Assistant Aisha Ibrahim Make-up Natasha Wright Styling Nicole Ranger

COVER STYLE CREDITS Hair Urban Flow in 1b/30stk colour using Creme of Nature Fashion River Island Purple Suit, H&M Studio Bodysuit, Seol+Gold, Missoma

WHERE TO FIND SPELL SALONS

AFROTHERAPY 235 Fore Street, London, N18 2TZ, 020 8345 5621 APRIL HAIR SALON 5 Bull Street, Burnley, BB11 1DW, 01282 839 726 CHOP CHOP LONDON 60 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3QT; 020 3488 1492 COBELLA 5 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5NP, 020 7118 1277 DKUK 191 Queen's Road, Peckham, London, SE15 2NG, 020 3609 0920 ELITE HAIR LOUNGE 24 Sidney Road, London, SW9 0TS, 020 7207 5904 GEORGE KOSIT HAIR 10-12 Bristol Street, Birmingham, B5 7AA, 0121 622 6782 HAIR 305 305 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2DY, 020 7118 1277 HYPE COIFFURE 186 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5TQ, 020 7223 3800 JUNIOR GREEN LONDON 55 Kensington Church Street, London, W8 4BA, 020 7752 0620 LATHANIEL’S COUTURE 196 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9QH, 020 3601 0683 MIMI ET MINA 16 Needham Road, London, W11 2RP, 020 7727 9356 MY HAIR BAR 22 Warren Street, London, W1T 5LU, 020 7380 0188 NEW YORK HAIR DESIGN 2 Langham Parade, London, N15 3ND, 020 8888 3397 NICKY OLIVER HAIRDRESSING 32 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN, 0161 241 0380 PECKHAM PALMS Peckham Palm Arcade, Unit 1-14 Bournemouth Close, Peckham Rye, London, SE15 4PB, 020 7062 2000 PURELY NATURAL 119 The Grove, London, E15 1EN, 020 8221 0122 RCNQ 10 Hilton Steet, Manchester M1 1JF; 0161 222 0200 SIMPLY GORGEOUS 79 Kingsgate Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 4JY, 020 7625 4500 THE CURL BAR 210 Middle Lane, Hornsey, London, N8 7LA, 020 3667 7204 THE HAIR SANCTUARY 166 Cross Street, Sale, Manchester M33 7AQ; 0161 536 1249 THINK PRETTY 301 High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 4HH, 020 7232 5168

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Spell Magazine March/April 2022

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