Spell Magazine January/February 2022 by Spell Magazine

01/02 2022

H A I R

•

B E A U T Y

•

L I F E S T Y L E

Vick Hope

Taking life by the reigns and presenting things her way

Vol. 18

spellmagazine.com

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

Exclusively distributed by Feme Ltd | feme.com

10 Rise of Hope

08 Ear candy

Contents 04 Scoop Breaking beauty news and the latest hair happenings 06 E verything you need for the vegan life Time to reconsider everyday habits 08 E ar candy Shop brand-new bling earrings 10 R ise of Hope Exclusive interview with presenter Vick Hope

24 The power of community & craft

14 W ig special: A cast of grey Our lust-have wig of the month 16 W ig special: Taking short cuts Tap into the big chop with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig 18 W ig special: 5 ways to achieve your hair goals wearing wigs and extensions Tips to pursue a healthy hair journey under protective styling

06 Everything you need for the vegan life

20 W ig special: The phenomenon of wigs We explore the resurgence of human and synthetic wigs post-pandemic 22 W ig special: The best wig products Shop everything you need 24 T he power of community & craft Learn a new skill with Black Girl Knit Club 28 B ulletin The latest offers from spellbeauty.com 16 Taking short cuts

01/02 2022

H A I R

•

B E A U T Y

•

L I F E S T Y L E

Vick Hope

Taking life by the reigns and presenting things her way

Vol. 18

spellmagazine.com

Cover of Vick Hope

22 The best wig products

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

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

COVER OF VICK HOPE SPONSORED BY MIELLE ORGANICS 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.

P O SCO ry goss! all the indust Bulletin with

"ASTROLOGY IS A HANDY GUIDE TO HELP US NAVIGATE LIFE'S TERRAIN" Book a Yearly Transit Reading from £70

Interview

On using astrology to heal and discover your true purpose “I was first introduced to astrology at six years old by my grandma at a very basic level. I had my first birth chart reading at 19 and the astrologer said I’d open a spiritual business one day. Fast forward to now and her prediction has come to life.

BEHIND THE BRAND

THE ASTROLOGY VIXEN Captivated by astrology at a young age, Sade the Astrology Vixen has turned her passion into a service to help others find their path in life Read the full interview at spellmagazine.com

“I studied astrology for many years and it was a passion of mine, but I didn’t originally see it as a career. It was only after giving readings to friends and family and seeing transformations I saw the true potential and significance. “My personal belief is that astrology is a handy guide to help us navigate life's terrain. Astrology can assist you in starting to learn about yourself from soul level in order to step into true alignment. I’ve witnessed how healing astrology is SPELL

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for my clients; it has helped myself and others understand our psychological patterns so we can make more empowered choices and live our best lives. “We are more than our sun sign, which changes every 30 days and is only one key to a birth chart. There are many more planets that make up your own personal astrology data. A birth chart provides us with the precise moment that a person was born and its correlation with other heavenly bodies, gifting us many clues about how to work with our natural talents and discover our true purpose. “When I look at a client’s birth chart, I look at the relationship between their sun, moon and ascendant as well as the ‘houses’ (segments of the

zodiac) they reside in. This information gives me a strong understanding of the person’s motivations, overall perspective of the world and what shapes their reality. “I’m very intentional in building a rapport with my clients that is present, safe and free of judgment. My readings may sometimes touch on some very sensitive parts of a person’s life that they may be cautious of sharing. “I remember being at a party where someone I didn't know randomly asked me to look into their chart. He was a Scorpio sun and was blown away at the accuracy of how well I understood him. I always say this: if you don’t believe in astrology, perhaps book a reading and give it a go.”

Shop

NAKED VALENTINE

Beauty

Wondering what to get bae for Valentine’s Day? We’ve already bagged some of Nubian Skin’s newly launched men’s boxer trunks, which come in its four trademark nude shades. Each pair is crafted in sustainable BCI cotton and promises to offer a soft, supportive and comfortable fit for every size. Choose from Cafe Au Lait, Caramel, Cinnamon and Berry to complement your man’s skin tone - then sit back and admire the view. (2-pack, £39; nubianskin.com)

TIME TO SHINE

Juvia's Place

Sparkly eyeshadow isn’t just for Christmas. Before you pack away your winter shades don’t discount metallics for your spring kit. Not only does a bit of shimmer look sensational on darker skin tones, but it also adds extra dimension to flat colour. The models on the SS22 Anna Sui catwalk are a case in point. Each model wore sunset-toned shadow accented with silver pigment down the middle of the lids, creating a dramatic pop. Play up your own party look by mixing in golden hues on medium skin tones and silver metallics on melanin-rich skin. Shine on!

CULTIVATING KINDNESS

Save vs Splurge

Treating yourself to that new boujee candle might be a more selfless act than you think. Jo Malone London is now working with British charity Black Minds Matter (BMM) as part of its ongoing efforts to support those suffering with their mental health. Seventy-five per cent of the proceeds from its Charity Home Candles will go to various UKbased mental health projects. Now that’s a worthy investment.

Read

GOOD READ It may only be February, but 2022 is shaping up to be a stellar year for exciting reads. Hope and Glory is the fiction debut of journalist and Black Ballad writer Jendella Benson (£14.99, Orion), which follows its main protagonist as she leaves her seemingly glam life in LA to return to Peckham and mourn the death of her father.

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THE LOOKLIT LED Mask, £75 SPELL

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR

The Vegan Life

Austin Wilcox

Ready to make the change to a plant-based lifestyle? Here are your vegan essentials.

Every year, more and more people make the decision to try a plant-based diet, and 2022 is no different. Last month during Veganuary, the global movement that encourages cutting out animal products with the aim of ‘protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people’, saw a surge of Brits reportedly making the switch to plantbased alternatives. However, while over 500,000 participants officially signed up to Veganuary last year, only 61% maintained a vegan diet for the

whole month (veganuary.com). That’s evidence enough that this dietary commitment is no easy feat. YOU’LL BE SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU CAN EAT ON A VEGAN DIET Veganism means cutting out any products derived from animals. That means meat and fish, but also eggs, cheese, milk and even honey. While you might think that this is cutting out a large number of foods, there are many nourishing dishes that you can make with any vegetables and fruit, as well as legumes, tofu and tempeh, most breads, rice, dry pasta (non-fresh), dairy SPELL

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alternatives such as nut milk and vegan cheese, and many meat alternative products. You might even come across products that you didn’t know were vegan (hello, Biscoff spread). The key to committing to a vegan lifestyle (or one that lasts more than five days) is to get creative. So, in this guide, you’ll find recipe inspiration, restaurant recommendations, store cupboard essentials and even beauty picks and fashion buys that will help you transition to veganism with ease. And if you do fall off – there’s always next month to try again.

EAT OUT

FACE OFF

GET THE BAG

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STAY NAKED Foundation by Urban Decay, £31

THE MORPHBAG BY GSK Vegan leather Clutch, £59

FEET UP

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WOOLDRIDGE Faux Fur Stool, £50.99

VEGAN BAKERY Choco Cookies, £2.69

ALL GREENS The Big Family Fruit & Vegetable Box, £55

READ UP

WAIT AND C

MILK IT

AFRO VEGAN by Zoe Alakija, £20

THE BODY SHOP Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser, £16

HOTEL CHOCOLAT 45% Nutmilk Hot Chocolate, £9

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Yuhan Wang

TRENDS

If you’re never caught without a pair of earrings, here is your sign to liven up your jewellery box this month with statement earpieces. But don’t just dress your lobes – try full ear cuffs that wrap around the ear, or treat your helix, conch or tragus piercings to some brandnew bling.

PRIMARK Earrings, £3

@aliciakeys

ACCESSORIZE Earrings, £6

@asiawerbel_official

EAR CANDY

@cyndiaharvey

@missomalondon

Stephen Jones Millinery

@swarovski

OLIVER BONAS Earrings, £22

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R U O Y E N DEFI Y T U A BE

EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY FEME LTD feme.com

4C CORKSCREW AFRO 10”

KINKY STRAIGHT 18”

4C COILY FRO 10”

sta. ay naturali d y r e v e e th cessor y for mium blend. c a 4A KINKY CURLY 10” ir a h o g The clip-n- 00% human hair pre 1

Risin pe

o H

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is t

t ht Ar lt ig g o un sp o e Y h in t es t e B f i l ’s f u re o tain t i c i r p a B , Vick Hope paints us show w e n er ahead of h

She is a presenter, journalist, children’s book author and ambassador – is there anything Vick Hope hasn’t done yet? ‘Write a piece of adult fiction’, she tells Spell, as we talk to her ahead of the premiere of CBBC’s Britain’s Best Young Artist, a show that sees Vick following the journeys of 27 budding artists alongside Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson. However, unlike her literary aspiration, the 32-year-old’s struggle with burnout and self love, alongside a fierce fight to give a voice to the voiceless in her campaigns for Amnesty International, have been far from fiction. Here, she elaborates on her career goals and personal wins – and tells us about the one Nigerian dish she can’t live without. YOU’VE GOT MANY STRINGS TO YOUR CAREER BOW. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAVEN’T TRIED YET THAT YOU’RE DYING TO DO?

I’ve written plenty of articles in my time and two children’s books, but one day I’d like to write a piece of adult fiction. I’ve had conversations with publishers and I’ve said I want a bit more time, rather than working to a deadline to produce something that isn’t the best it could be. I have a lot of stories to tell and I’m inspired by the world around me. I love writing and I find it extremely cathartic. I’m very frightened of writing a full novel, but the things you’re frightened of are the things you should try doing. I’m constantly writing notes, and one day this will all come together. YOUR RED CARPET LOOKS ARE ALWAYS JAW-DROPPING. WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF FASHION ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Be confident, because that’s when you look your best. It’s not about wearing expensive clothes, it’s about having a good time in what you’re wearing. I used to care about what other people thought at red carpet events, and so I played it very safe to avoid being put on the worst dressed lists. Now, I just don’t care. For a start, I don’t read tabloids, so I wouldn’t know what is being said about me anyway. But I’ve also realised that fashion is fun - it’s a way of expressing yourself. YOUR CURLY LOCKS ARE AN ICONIC PART OF YOUR LOOK – TELL US ABOUT YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY!

When I was growing up in the 90s, I

“THE THINGS YOU’RE FRIGHTENED OF ARE THE THINGS YOU SHOULD TRY DOING”

didn’t see anyone else with hair like mine, not even at my school. Everyone had straight hair, and I was really jealous. I remember I would beg my mum to straighten my hair, but she told me I was too young. It wasn’t until I was around 27 (which wasn’t that long ago!) that I met hairdresser Michelle Sultan at a photoshoot and she encouraged me to give my natural curls a go. Michelle taught me how to care for and celebrate my hair. She showed me how to create an LA weave of tracks to give my curls more body and give it time to grow. I love how my curls look now; I’m very proud of them. It’s been a journey, and it means a lot when I see other girls wearing their afro hair with pride. I hope that little girls and boys growing up watching TV or magazines are seeing natural hair more; and as a result they feel validated and beautiful themselves, thanks to this increasing space that is being carved out in mainstream media. SPELL

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WHAT HAIR AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

I’m now in a place where, day to day, I don’t wear any make-up unless I have to do so for work, such as on TV or on the red carpet. I like to give my skin a break, so for me, it’s all about skincare. I’m a huge fan of REN, Murad and SkinCeuticals. I love the ritual of a skincare routine; it feels like self care. In terms of hair, I’ve gone through a few phases. In terms of hair, I’ve gone through a few phases but now I like using products with natural ingredients. WOULD WE EVER SEE A DRASTIC HAIRSTYLE CHANGE FROM YOU?

I’ve been wearing a lot of protective styles, like boho locs and twists, which I haven’t worn since I was a kid when I would have my hair plaited every Sunday night before school. These looks give you a different sort of swagger in your day-to-day; when I wore locs, I felt like I could inhabit a

after all these years. I’ve only been at BBC Radio 1 during a pandemic, and in that time I realised just how much I love radio and just how important it is. We feel like we’ve been there with our listeners through everything and we’ve got to know our audience. Life Hacks has been a forum that has dealt with all issues facing young people today, from their mental health to their career prospects and education, to the environment through to grief and suicide. So many things that young people are going through have come into sharp focus over the last couple of years, and I’m so proud that we’ve been there for them.

“[PROTECTIVE STYLES] GIVE YOU A DIFFERENT SORT OF SWAGGER IN YOUR DAYTO-DAY” different character. I’m interested in trying more plaited looks, for example box braids.

BRITAIN’S BEST YOUNG ARTIST WILL HIT OUR SCREENS THIS YEAR - WHY SHOULD WE TUNE IN?

I think it will inspire them to reach for their sketch pads and pencils. In spite of these last few years where we’ve experienced limited stimulus, there is a world that you can escape to when you’re just having a bit of fun on the page. If it inspires just one person to do that, especially if it’s a child, then that’s a good thing. Art is everywhere, and you can create art out of anything. One of my favourite episodes is the collage episode, where we go litter picking on the beach in Wales, and use the litter to create art. Anyone can do this. That kind of art is so accessible.

WITH THE RISE OF STREAMING SERVICES AND PODCASTS, SOME PEOPLE WORRIED THAT RADIO WAS A DYING MEDIUM. WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS IT ALIVE?

VALENTINE’S DAY IS LOOMING BUT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON SELF-LOVE. WHAT’S THE ONE PRESENT YOU’D GIVE YOURSELF ON THIS DAY?

You can put on a playlist of your favourite tunes, but nothing beats the companionship and community of radio, and it has never gone away even

I’m going to be kinder to myself for Valentine’s Day and beyond. I always think, ‘am I talking to myself in the same way that I would talk to a good

WHAT’S THE MOST EMPOWERING THING YOU’VE EVER DONE FOR YOURSELF?

I’ve become quite good at being on my own, and so I really enjoy solo travel. I experienced burnout at the beginning of 2018, where I had overworked and put too much pressure on myself. I hadn’t slept enough, I had gone through a break-up. I realised that I hadn’t spent any time with myself, learning to love my own company and be present. I reconnected with travelling, and found how important it is to just bask in silence and to know that, in your space, you are enough. Jobs and relationships will come and go, but at the end of everything, you have to come back to yourself. There’s something very peaceful and powerful in knowing you’re okay on your own. WHAT DISH REMINDS YOU OF HOME?

Whenever I get home, my mum says, ‘I know you’re going to want okra soup, egusi soup, ogbono soup, or rice and stew’. But, the truth is, if I had to choose, it would be okra soup. She taught me and my family to make it during lockdown over a Zoom masterclass. I’m lucky as I live right near a great food market, so I bought all of the ingredients and we made the dish together. I’m actually salivating thinking about it now! Follow @VicknHope

MIELLE Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Scalp Treatment, £9.99

SNEAK PEEK AT VICK’S VALUABLES From curl matching clip-ins to luxe skincare, here are some of Vick’s essentials for on and off camera.

friend?’ The answer is always no. I’m hard on myself, I criticise myself and sometimes I think I’m not good enough. I admit, that hashtag #BeKind does my head in sometimes because it gets used hypocritically, but let’s try to really be kind.

BIG BEAUTIFUL HAIR Clip-in in Kinky Curly 10”, £22.99

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SKINCEUTICALS Equalizing Toner, £30

MAGAZINE

This page Hair: X-Pression Ultra Braid in colour 1B Fashion: House of Harlot Latex Crop Top and Latex Gloves Accessories: Simon Harrison Necklace (worn as bracket & bangle); Pritch London Belt; Tran Hung Dress Opposite page Hair: Big Beautiful Hair Clip-in Kinky Curly 10” in colour 1B Fashion: Taller Marmo Green Dress Accessories: Simon Harrison Green and Gold Bangles; Missoma Chain Link Necklaces; Tilly SVEAAS Gold rings and Chain Link Braclet

“YOU’VE GOT TO IMAGINE YOU’RE TALKING TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, BUT ALSO IMAGINE YOU’RE TALKING TO JUST ONE”

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WIG SPECIAL

A CAST OF

Grey

Photo by Glenn Larkby

The empowering act of going grey is now being translated to wigs. Make the leap of faith and tap into your silver siren alter ego with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig.

The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig in Soft Natural Curl, colour T/Grey. Price £29.99

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Made from the finest 100% human hair fibres for a realistic touch

THE POWER PUFF Supercharge your fabulous ‘fro

WIG SPECIAL Model is wearing The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig Loose Twist Out in colour T4/27/613, £32.99

TAKING SHORT CUTS

If you’re considering cutting all your hair off – HOLD FIRE! Achieve a stunning teeny weenie afro (TWA) with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig. No scissors. No hassle. Simply follow these guidelines…

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There’s no denying that wearing a wig gives you the best of both worlds. Going curly to straight, long to short, black to blonde has never been easier. For a TWA-friendly wig that gives you an edgy aesthetic and look superbly natural from all angles, look to The Feme Collection’s Afro Lace Wig. The pre-shaped SYN fibre hairpiece is ready to be worn straight out-the-box. To really get the wow-factor, like with any wig, it is worth having it customised and styled to suit you. If you’re not sure where to start, follow these steps…

Model is wearing The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig Soft Natural Curl in colour T1/27, £26.99

FIND A PROFESSIONAL STYLIST When it comes to creating a TWA, it all starts with obtaining the perfect cut. Find an expereinced salon/stylist skilled in cutting wigs made with a curly/coily hair texture. Before getting in the salon chair, it always helps to show examples of the shape you have in mind. Places like Pinterest and Instagram will help you build a dream moodboard and point your stylist in the right direction. PAY IT CARE & ATTENTION There’s a misconception wigs require little to no effort, but that’s far from the case. Having a regime will keep your style looking fresher for longer. Invest in essential care items like a wig stand, sulphate-free shampoo, and if necessary, hair glue. Turn to page 22 for our top recommendations. STYLE VERSATILITY A TWA offers more styling versatility than most people assume, and with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig, you can choose from a variety of ‘type 4’ hair textures. If you’re seeking a loose type curl in a tapered cut try the Soft Natural Curl Wig, or alternatively if tight, coily hair is more to your liking you can opt for the Loose Twist Out. Each style comes with a two-inch lace hairline, ideal for customising and blending. And of course, if you want to experiement with colour, there’s an array of block shades, colour mixes, as well as lengths to choose from. For example, the Loose Twist Out can be styled in a funky ‘fro hawk that looks both stylish and authentic. Just look opposite for proof!

“A TWA OFFERS MORE VERSATILITY THAN PEOPLE ASSUME” Natural hair salons and stylists famed for textured cuts PURELY NATURAL This award-winning London salon specialises in afro and textured hair. It’s been in the hair game for over 24 years, and offers upscale natural hair services including expert cuts and intensive hair treatments. @purelynaturalsalon

MICHELLE THOMPSON She’s the in-demand hairstylist drafted in to create The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig styles, and is the Picasso of directional, on-trend textured cuts. Try her brilliant services yourself. @michellethompsonhair

To find out more about The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wigs, visit spellbeauty.com

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MO ISO LONDON A dynamic Londonbased freelance styling service that specialises in the taper cut, which is owner Natalie’s signature style and most indemand service. You’ll get an experience, not just a haircut! @Moiso_london

WIG SPECIAL

5 ways to achieve your hair goals wearing wigs and extensions Neglecting your hair while wearing a wig or extensions comes at a cost. You may find your own locks become dry, brittle and prone to breakage if it doesn’t receive the necessary TLC. Aisha Ibrahim, brand ambassador for the leading hair extension company Feme Ltd, shares some pointers to keep your hair thriving under extensions and wigs. 1. Maintain a healthy hair regimen Every seven to 10 days cleanse your hair and apply a deep conditioning treatment to repair weak and damaged strands. Take the time to massage your scalp as this will help stimulate the follicles. Pay close attention to your hairline and edges too. These delicate areas feel the stress of wearing a wig and are usually the first place where hair loss is experienced. 2. Prep your hair for wig days This can consist of many things like washing and steaming your hair, mixing oils for an overnight treatment, getting a trim. On the day, canerow your hair in neat vertical rows and wear a stocking cap to prevent your natural hair rubbing against the unit. In fact, stocking caps

Primark

Mane-changing habits worth trying

are also useful for giving the wig extra grip. However there are alternatives like wig bands designed to reduce the amount of stress on the hair. 3. Take regular breaks Wearing extensions for long periods of times can place stress on the hairline causing it to weaken. Try to take wig breaks to let your scalp rest and breathe. Use this time to carry out some of the pointers mentioned in steps one and two. If you’re going to wear a wig every day, always remove it at night. 4. Get in the habit of moisturising Hydrating hair before, during and after wearing wigs and extensions is paramount to maintaining strong, SPELL

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healthy hair. Whether it’s locked in braids or sat under a wig for hours, this prevents moisture travelling down the shaft. The LCO/LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method is a great way to seal in moisture for long periods of time, as well as topping up on nourishment in between wash days. 5. Wash hair regularly For a thorough cleaning experience use a sulphate-free shampoo to clarify without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Use a deep conditioning and protein-based treatment masque to bolster follicles and stimulate the scalp. Prepping your hair in anticipation of wearing a wig will lessen the likelihood of hairmares such as knots and breakages.

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WIG SPECIAL

Photography: Michael Young Hair: Gary Hooker & Michael Young MUA: Megumi Styling: Clare Frith

The resurgence of wigs Wig sales soared during lockdown and show no sign of slowing down. We take a closer look at the growing trend

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makes their hair journey much more enjoyable,” says celebrity stylist Lorraine Dublin.

For the past decade, natural hair has dominated the black hair scene. But making its way back into the limelight are wigs. Since the pandemic wigs sales have sky-rocketed with hair companies reporting a 30% increase in sales. Spell Beauty Head of Content Jemima Cousins says: “With the closure of salons and hair shops, women needed a fast and effective solution. And that came in the form of wigs.” There are many pros to wearing a wig. You can change your length and hair colour without compromising your own hair. It’s considered to be a protective style which means it requires minimal styling, no tension or manipulation, and with the right care you can grow your own natural hair. Working from home mum Stephanie Dundle shares, “Wigs were my saviour during lockdown. I couldn’t get my hair relaxed and rather than struggle with managing two different textures on my head, I plaited my hair down and wore a wig. My hair grew a lot and I saved money on fewer salon visits.”

THE (REAL) FUTURE FOR WIGS Despite the much-welcomed expansion in the human hair industry, which now produces hair to mimic all textures including Afro hair, in recent years there have been supply issues that have made it difficult for women to obtain their ideal human hair extensions in a manner that they are used to. Due to the pandemic, there has been a shortage of human hair stock from suppliers, which has driven up the price as demand outstrips supply. This has come about due to human hair importing countries like India, Thailand and Bangladesh halting trade with factories in China and it’s had a devasting impact on the human hair industry. Thankfully with the sophisticated production methods now being utilised with synthetic hair, many consumers are finding synthetic wigs are a great substitute. Not only do they now successfully replicate the look and feel of natural hair, but heat can be applied to many synthetic wigs and they are considerably cheaper than their human counterparts.

HERE TO STAY Market researcher Mintel reports that black women are the largest consumers of hair wigs and extensions, and in 2019 the industry was worth approximately $1.75 billion. Innovation has been a driving force and perhaps has been key to keeping customers loyal to brands. Synthetic hair wigs and extensions are manufactured from petrochemicalderived materials such as polyester, acrylic and PVC. These have been designed to mimic the texture of human hair, take heat up 180c and come in fashion-ready colours that are can be worn off the shelf.

WHERE TO SHOP Depending on where you live in the UK, local hair shops specialising in black hair products are a shopping haven for wigs of every kind. For example, Catwalk in Brixton stocks over 2000 wigs and Paul’s Hair World in Manchester has a private room for fittings. To locate a store near you, turn to page 27. For an unrivalled selection of hair-enhancing products on the virtual shelves, look no further than spellbeauty.com. The site is jam-packed with wigs and weaves from a range of tried and tested brands, offering options for every desired look from 100 per cent virgin remi hair to stunning ‘fros. What’s more, with an ‘excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, you can expect speedy delivery and outstanding customer service with every order.

When it comes to human wig extensions the textures have been expanded beyond Indian straight and Brazilian curl. Women can now wear curl patterns similar to their natural coils and kinks. “The choice for human hair is much more inclusive. My clients no longer have to chemically process their hair to match the extensions they’re wearing which

Synthetic wig trends for 2022 If you’re getting ready to wig it out, here are the lengths, cuts and colours making a splash this year

Shear Muse Shayna, £39.99

Instant Fashion Wig Cara, £14.99

SPELL

Empire Lace Wig Shannon, £89.99

MAGAZINE

Big Beautiful Hair Lace Front 3C Whirly Wig, £34.99

WIG SPECIAL Spell Beauty

DESIGN ESSENTIALS WIGS & EXTENSIONS COLLECTION Sulfate-free Conditioning Shampoo, £6.95 Remove product build-up and keep styles box-fresh with a gentle shampoo. A sulfate-free formula will keep the colour vibrant and rinse away the plastic shine associated with cheaper-looking hair.

ORS

Design Essentials

SPELL BEAUTY Stocking Cap, 99p For a secure, non-bulky fit it’s always worth wearing a wig cap to conceal edges. Plus, the added layer adds extra grip without the need for combs. ORS FIX-ITS Super Hold Wig Grip Gel, £4.99 Lace glues hold a reputation for being harsh and damaging to the hairline. Tearing up this notion is this contender from the ORS Fix-it family which has nourishing ingredients to strengthen and promote growth.

WetBrush

Collection Cosmetics

The Feme Collection

THE FEME COLLECTION Mannequin Head, £29.99 Don’t take your wig for granted. Give it the care it deserves by investing in a ‘dressing table worthy’ mannequin head such as this. THE RENATURAL The Wig Fix, £25 Designed to enhance the wig wearing experience, this clever silicone band reduces tension on the head and provides a firm grip which won’t budge or melt in any circumstance. WETBRUSH Go Green Detangler, £14.99 This award-wining brush is perfect for detangling sopping wet wigs in the bath or shower. It glides through the toughest tangles, resetting curl patterns along the way.

The Renatural

THE BEST wig products From everyday care to looking super laid, here’s everything you need

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22 MAGAZINE

COLLECTION COSMETICS Lasting Perfection Blemish Concealer, £4.99 Wig YouTubers routinely recommend blending closures with a concealer. This is useful if the knots on the closure are not bleached or the lace doesn’t match the colour of your scalp.

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

Biocare Labs

The Feme Collection V

Afro Lace Wig

Lace Wig Gloss Waves

Super Food Lx

Soul Cap

SPELLBEAUTY.COM SpellBeautyUk

Urban Locs Infinity Locs

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY & CRAFT Founders Sicgmone Kludje (left) and Vea Koranteng (right)

With the pandemic sparking a knitting revival, the founders of Black Girl Knit Club, tell us why it’s the hobby you never knew you needed

“Our motivation for starting Black Girl Knit Club (BGKC), came from following the social media hashtag #diverseknitty. At the time different knitwear designers and makers were calling for more diversity within the craft community. The reason why was due to visibility. We as friends wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for black women and female creatives like ourselves, to gather, share stories and inspire one other through craft skills, and more importantly, develop creativity whilst equipping the next generation with a new skill. We started in January 2019 and we’ve built an

KNIT A NEW STORY Viewed as a specialist craft, or perhaps a dying skill reserved for the older generation who lived in a time when making your own clothes was the norm, knitting has become much more appealing to younger audiences and brought with it an opportunity for visibility and recognition of black crafters and designers. This is certainly true for Black Girl Knit Club, whose founders, Sicgmone Kludje and Vea Koranteng, launched their platform pre-pandemic, and have been nurturing their growing community ever since.

amazing community of members who attend our monthly workshops and online tutorials. Not many people know that the origins of knitting trace back to ancient Egypt. Lorna Hamilton-Brown, a knitwear designer, educator and keen advocate of black women’s rights in the knitting industry, discusses the history in her dissertation paper, Myth: Black People Don’t Knit, and she references a piece of knitted cotton socks from Egypt dating back to 1000-1200AD. These items can be found in the V&A collections in London. SPELL

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[Sicgmone]: I hadn’t experienced much diversity within craft before we started the BGKC. I studied a degree in textiles at a London university and had never encountered a black academic for craft. However when I went to Ghana I worked with a designer called Kofi Ansah and I learnt about the craft of weaving and the long history of the kente cloth. [Vea]: I’ve always had a passion for visiting artisan and vintage shops. The garments fascinated me and this spurred me on to start my online vintage store. I felt like I had to create

my own path and navigate my dream to working in crafts in a different way. THE MISSION Building a sense of community has always been at the heart of the BGKC. Representation matters and being featured on the BBC – seen by 34 million viewers – was a massive achievement simply because of the lack of visibility in the knitting industry. Since then we’ve been able to build connections with other black-owned businesses that share our values. For example, last year we did a knitting workshop with Black Girls Camping Trip, a foundation offering outdoor retreats for black women and nonbinary women in the UK.

“REPRESENTATION MATTERS AND BEING FEATURED ON THE BBC – SEEN BY 34 MILLION VIEWERS – WAS A MASSIVE ACHIEVEMENT” COVID CREATING CHANGE The resurgence of craft, especially knitting has become apparent. Reports show knitting has been searched over 24,000 times a month. The pandemic

has been a huge reset for wellness and has encouraged many to adopt more mindful and relaxing hobbies. We created a safe space online for members to be among other women from similar yet different cultures. Members came from all over; Brazil, New York, Washington, Norway and regionally in the UK. It was a safe space where they could talk about their feelings, share their thoughts simply breathe whilst making a knitted pouch or sewing a face mask. This then led onto the Black Women in Craft Series, where every Sunday we interviewed a craft expert. All kinds of topics were highlighted from balancing motherhood and a career, starting a business, to the significance of black hair. To date, we’ve featured embroidery and embellishment designer Rebeckah Apara and graduating textiles student Mia Rogers. This year we have several exciting projects in the pipeline. As a part of the Conscious Crafts series: Mindful Makes, we explore how knitting reduces stress, anxiety and aids in preventing dementia. With our workshops we aim to explore areas like upcycling your own yarn too. If you are a beginner knitter and really want to develop your skills check out our first knit book called Conscious Crafts: Knitting, Mindful Makes to Reconnect the Head, Heart and Hands. The book is now available to pre-order via Foyles. Welcome to the world of knitting!

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Spell Magazine January/February 2022

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The power of community & craft

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