Taking life by the reigns and presenting things her way
Vick Hope
04 Scoop
Breaking beauty news and the latest hair happenings
06 Everything you need for the vegan life
Time to reconsider everyday habits
08 Ear candy
Shop brand-new bling earrings
10 Rise of Hope
Exclusive interview with presenter Vick Hope
14 Wig special: A cast of grey
Our lust-have wig of the month
16 Wig special: Taking short cuts
Tap into the big chop with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig
18 Wig special: 5 ways to achieve your hair goals wearing wigs and extensions
Tips to pursue a healthy hair journey under protective styling
20 Wig special: The phenomenon of wigs
We explore the resurgence of human and synthetic wigs post-pandemic
22 Wig special: The best wig products
Shop everything you need
24 The power of community & craft
Learn a new skill with Black Girl Knit Club
28 Bulletin
The latest offers from spellbeauty.com
EDITOR Jemima Cousins
SUB EDITOR Julie Vuong
WRITERS Jennifer Meredith, Keysha Davis, Gemma Rusiecki
DESIGNER Marzena Wilk
06 Everything you need for the vegan life
Rise of Hope
Ear candy
24 The power of community & craft
16 Taking short cuts
22 The best wig products
SCOOP
Bulletin with all the industry goss!
"ASTROLOGY IS A HANDY GUIDE TO HELP US NAVIGATE LIFE'S TERRAIN"
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.
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.
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
“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
“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.”
Book a Yearly Transit Reading from £70
Beauty
TIME TO SHINE
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!
Shop
NAKED VALENTINE
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)
CULTIVATING KINDNESS
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.
Juvia's Place
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR The Vegan Life
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
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.
Austin Wilcox
MALLOW
1 Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9DE
FEET UP
WOOLDRIDGE
STAY NAKED
Foundation by Urban Decay, £31
RISK IT
THE MORPHBAG BY GSK
Vegan leather Clutch, £59
READ UP
ALL GREENS
WAIT AND C
MILK IT
HOTEL CHOCOLAT 45% Nutmilk Hot Chocolate, £9
AFRO VEGAN by Zoe Alakija, £20
VEGAN BAKERY
Choco Cookies , £2.69
The Big Family Fruit & Vegetable Box, £55
Faux Fur Stool, £50.99
EAR CANDY
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.
Yuhan Wang
@asiawerbel_official
Stephen Jones Millinery
PRIMARK Earrings, £3
Rising Hope
Vick Hope paints us a picture of lifeinthespotlight ahead of her new show,Britain
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 Artis t, 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.
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
“[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.
WITH THE RISE OF STREAMING SERVICES AND PODCASTS, SOME PEOPLE WORRIED THAT RADIO WAS A DYING MEDIUM. WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS IT ALIVE?
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
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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
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.
Toner, £30
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”
A CAST OF Grey
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
Photo by Glenn Larkby
Made from the finest 100% human hair fibres for a realistic touch
THEPOWER PUFF
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…
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…
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!
To find out more about The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wigs, visit spellbeauty.com
Model is wearing The Feme Collection
Afro Lace Wig
Soft Natural Curl in colour T1/27, £26.99
“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
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
5 ways achieveto your goalshair wearing wigs and extensions
Mane-changing habits worth trying
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
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,
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.
Primark
Stay connected and tune in to the latest news, views and trends in the world of hair and beauty. Head over to spellmagazine.co.uk and spellbeauty.com to purchase the annual subscription.
*Only available for delivery in the UK
12 issues to your door £6 for
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
Photography: Michael Young
Hair: Gary Hooker & Michael Young
MUA: Megumi
Styling: Clare Frith
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.”
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.
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
makes their hair journey much more enjoyable,” says celebrity stylist Lorraine Dublin.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
From everyday care to looking super laid, here’s everything you need
The Feme Collection
The Renatural
What’s new, exclusive and iconic. Discover our curated digital hair and beauty boutique today.
Afro Lace Wig
Super Food Lx
Soul Cap
Urban Locs Infinity Locs
The Feme Collection V
Biocare Labs
Lace Wig Gloss Waves
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY & CRAFT
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
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.
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.
[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
Founders Sicgmone Kludje (left) and Vea Koranteng (right)
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
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!
TO BOOKMARK
The
HOT NOT SPELL-OMETER
What’s hot and what’s not in the world of Spell
STRESS LESS
Anti-stress skincare is set to trend in 2022, with antiinflammatory formulas in abundance.
I SPY
We can’t wait for this month’s spy movie release, The 355, starring Lupita Nyong’o.
NEW HEIGHTS
Recognition of “reverse” height differences has hit social media, with Zendaya and Tom at the fore.
BULLETIN
Launches, promos and discounts you don’t want to miss
ON EGGSHELLS
These ‘broken egg’ heels by Jonathan Anderson might be too quirky even for us.
ON A BREAK
We’ve got Between Us on repeat after the news of Little Mix’s split.
NEW YEAR BLUES
It’s cold, it’s dark - but at least Blue Monday is behind us. Say goodbye to dreary Jan!
ONE WIG IS ALL IT TAKES
If you can only update your wig wardrobe with one style this season, make it the Outre Converti-Cap. This truly innovative wig allows you to wear it in a ponytail one day, a halfup half-down look the next, and space buns the following day! Brand new to Spell Beauty, this wig can even be placed in a variety of positions to reveal your own hairline for the most natural of looks.
MANIFESTING GOOD HAIR
Whether your goal is to reduce breakage, eliminate dryness or dandruff, or increase growth,
SuperFoodLx can help your hair manifestations become a reality. UK based and blackowned, the bestselling Hair, Skin & Nails Supplements (£31) is now available on Spell Beauty, along with the The Illuminism Hair Balm (£18) – a luxe reinvention of good ol’ hair food.
PERKS OF THE SHOP
There’s no better place on the internet to shop for your hair essentials than Spell Beauty. If it’s not for the growing range of wigs, weaves and extensions, as well as endless hair care products from your favourite brands (both bigname and independent), then for the extra perks such as free gifts and next day delivery. Visit today, SpellBeauty.com
LITTLEBLACK SHOP
BOOK
BEAUTY
COLLECTION COSMETICS boots.com
CURRENTBODY currentbody.com
GLOW RECIPE cultbeauty.co.uk
JO MALONE jomalone.co.uk
LOOKLIT swearbyskin.com
LOTTIE LONDON lottie.london
OJAR ojarofficial.uk
REVLON revlon.co.uk
SKINCEUTICALS skinceuticals.co.uk
THE BODY SHOP thebodyshop.com
URBAN DECAY urbandecay.co.uk
HAIR
BIG BEAUTIFUL HAIR spellbeauty.com
DESIGN ESSENTIALS spellbeauty.com
EMPIRE LACE spellbeauty.com
INSTANT FASHION spellbeauty.com
MIELLE hairgrade.com
ORS spellbeauty.com
OUTRE spellbeauty.com
SHEAR MUSE spellbeauty.com
STOCKING CAP spellbeauty.com
SUPERFOODLX spellbeauty.com
THE FEME COLLECTION AFRO LACE WIG spellbeauty.com
THE FEME COLLECTION spellbeauty.com
THE WIG FIX therenatural.com
WETBRUSH superdrug.com
EXTRAS
ACCESSORIZE accessorize.com/uk
AFRO VEGAN amazon.co.uk
CARYS BAA baastool.co.uk
DERAMORES deramores.com
GSK THEMORPHBAG.LONDON
HOTEL CHOCOLAT hotelchocolat.com
MERCHANT AND MILLS merchantandmills.com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC tkmaxx.com
NUBIAN SKIN nubianskin.com
OLIVER BONAS oliverbonas.com
STITCH & STORY stitchandstory.com
PRIMARK stores nationwide
THE BIG FAMILY FRUIT & VEGETABLE BOX allgreens.co.uk
