Glamazons,
One of the most exciting things about Essence Music Festival is that you could be leisurely walking down Bourbon Street or grabbing food from a restaurant like Mr. B’s Bistro, and you might randomly run into one of your favorite celebrity couples or a beauty icon in New Orleans for the festivities. That was my life on Day 2 of our #NolaCrawl when bloggers Style and Beauty Doctor, Love Brown Sugar, Lexi With The Curls and I visited the Shea Moisture pop-up shop for the second time.
We’re randomly smelling the Shea Moisture Argan Oil and Raw Shea bath salt (which made yesterday’s bath a spa-worthy experience) when in walks Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe and their kids. I seriously had to do a double take. Is this the couple I loved on Showtime’s “Soul Food” (remember that show?) and their beautiful children just hanging out at the pop-up store? It was surreal.
Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe with the Sundial CEO Rich Dennis
I didn’t know what was more awe-inspiring: Nicole Ari Parker‘s updo, created by the brilliant Felicia Leatherwood, or the fact that she’d heard of all of our blogs. Can you even?!
About that updo, Felicia created it days before we saw Nicole and it still looked fresh and flawless. Felicia spoke briefly with us about how natural hairstyles are moving into a regal aesthetic with updos reminiscent of elegant crowns.
This coming from the talented woman responsible for Teyonah Parris‘ breathtaking updo at the SAG Awards (above). Can you tell I was a little starstruck meeting Felicia, too? And she is SO humble, warm and kind. Such an amazing spirit! BTDubs, I love the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Souffle Gel for updos – it gives my hair such great hold.
Natural hair guru Felicia Leatherwood (right) with Celebrity Makeup Artist Tia Dantzler (left)
And as if Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe and Felicia Leatherwood weren’t enough, in walks makeup artist extraordinaire Tia Dantzler, in town to make Maxwell and Michelle Williams look flawless. I feel like Tia and I are old friends on social media, but this was actually our first time meeting. She was just as sweet and friendly as I imagined, even after a busy schedule doing makeup, blogging and globe-trotting. She’s a true gem!
To add to the star-studded party vibe, there was a DJ on the second day, DJ C. Devone, who had us jamming to old school tunes like Jimmy Cozier‘s “She’s All I Got” and Gina Thompson‘s “The Things You Do.” I had to go home and download those songs!
Fun times.
Are you into natural hair updos, Glamazons? What products do you use to keep your hair in place? Dish in the comments.
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
Pictures: Style and Beauty Doctor/Instagram.
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