Kerry Washington graced the November cover of Allure Magazine and she is giving us all the feels. The award-winning actress and producer who is known for her powerful role in Scandal gets real about beauty standards, motherhood, and politics. There are so many things to love about this cover shoot from her natural makeup look, loose cornrows, the jaw-dropping fashion and we’re here for all of it!
This. Is. Black. Girl. Magic.
On Politics
Can we be honest? This year has been challenging, emotionally draining and filled with countless acts of terror and hate where it can seem tough to navigate as a brown woman living in America. So anytime you catch a glimpse of hope, hold on tight. In her interview with Allure she shares that this year has also been tough for her, “I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.”
I have to dip in and dip out, because it suffocates me. Like, I become unable to function. So it’s a tricky balance between staying aware and also staying connected to a sense of hope and productivity and showing up for life.
On Representation
Most of the time we spot Kerry Washington it’s on the ABC hit drama Scandal as Olivia Pope, who is known for her bold actions, flawless fashion statements and go-getter attitude who always gets the job done no matter the circumstances.
{Insert your favorite “It’s Handled” meme here} Only the real Gladiators will catch that.
Kerry Washington and the Scandal creator, Shonda Rhimes have helped change the trajectory for women in media, especially African-American women. Kerry Washington tells Allure that most people’s relationship with Olivia Pope may be the most intimate one they have with a black woman, “For her to be three-dimensional and complex and fully human and not anybody’s stereotype or caricature is a big deal,” she says.
On Natural Hair
For centuries African-American women have been scrutinized for how we choose to wear our hair, especially our natural hair. While the natural movement is slowly changing the game there are still societal pressures to look, “beautiful.”
Not until recently, celebrities rarely wore their natural hair. Celebrities such as Kerry Washington are usually seen on the red carpet with silky straight hair and their edges laid, so for her to come through and make this raw statement, it’s everything we needed.
“I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.”
I like to wear my natural texture, especially now because I have children and I want them to know that their hair is perfect as it is. They don’t have to change it or straighten it. They can, but they don’t have to.
According to her hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, she says, “I parted her #natural blown out #hair in four sections. Then braided it from the front to the undone ends. I left the flyaways on purpose to show the imperfections with the hair. Then finished off the #hairstyle with some gold hair jewelry.”
One of the beautiful things about natural hair is the versatility. In her second look, she rocked curly extensions by her celebrity hair stylist who is clearly killing the hair game.
Thank you, Kerry Washington for reminding US of our power, beauty, and resilience. Continue to break barriers and shine bright Queen.
What do you think about her cover look? Are you here for it? Let me know in the comments below.
Credits:
Fashion stylist: Hanna Kelifa
Hair: Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
Makeup: Francelle Daly
Photography: Sharif Hamza
