“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Jurnee Smollett, an actress whose occupation is to “become” different characters, posted this quote on her social media page. Known for roles in Eve’s Bayou, Roll Bounce, the TV version of Friday Night Lights and starring alongside Denzel Washington in The Great Debaters, Smollett – like many Black women – knows all too well the profound truth this statement holds, working in an industry with extreme pressure to be, act and look a certain way to be more accepted. With that pressure comes many people sacrificing some of who they are in order to assimilate to the “norms,” but the talented star has managed to hold live in the spotlight au naturale.
During an Emmy Awards interview, Smollett was asked if her hair was natural and if so, what products does she use. Her response was, “I’m natural. I’ve never done a perm. I’ve always heard that they’re damaging, but I don’t know, I’ve never tried it. Maybe it’s for me in the future? I don’t know. As far as products, I adore Carol’s Daughter… I use a lot of different things.”
As far as her actual regimen, she went on to say, “I like to keep my hair moisturized, so I try lots of different conditioners. My hair can get dry especially in the L.A. weather. Maintenance is easy. I do my hair myself. For work and events, I just blow it out, curl it and go. I’m not the girl that likes a lot of maintenance. On my off days I wear it natural, big and wild.”
Jurnee Smollett On Embracing Her Natural Beauty [PHOTO] was originally published on blackdoctor.org
