The Texture Lounge

On this solosode, I talk about:

• Quick travel hacks for those frequent travelers out there
• The meaning of the 'Quiet-Quitting' Tik Tok trend, and my opinion
• Nigeria's new advertising policy: a ban on foreign models in ads, and my opinion

Join me in the Lounge. Eavesdropping allowed, always.

Review, rate & subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Follow The Texture Lounge on Instagram here.

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Ever thought about taking a career break? Well, Serena Williams and I have!

In this solosode, I share some big personal news and talk about what it means to stop, pause and pivot, when society only champions the climb & grind.

In a recent interview that Burna Boy gave (cannot find the name of media platform that took the interview but I found the clip on Moyo Africa IG page), he speaks of his frustration regarding schools not teaching students the truth about African history, pre-colonization, pre-slavery. A topic you know that I am into. I share my experience of this growing up in the UK.

Thank you for tuning in. Eavesdropping allowed, always.

Rate, review & subscribe to The Texture Lounge on Apple Podcast

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The world stayed up for Beyoncé’s latest drop at midnight, Renaissance. One long dance party with magical seamless transitions, from track to track. My fave song? Move. And given we are well past the middle of the year, I do a quick check-in on the key themes I wanted to prioritize for myself this year. Can you guess what they are? Plus, I share some BIG news! Grab some tea and tune in for this solo-sode.

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We are back in the Lounge with an incredibly dynamic guest and an episode that will be

worth the wait! Kimberly Dillon, Founder of Frigg, a stress-less beauty brand powered by plant

magic, gives us a beauty lesson, history lesson, and science lesson on the power of cannabis

and we will all be the wiser after listening to Kimberly’s expertise.

We chat about her experience as the first Black female CMO in the cannabis industry, how

burnout led to her aha! moment, combatting anxiety, transparent and science-backed beauty,

why cannabis is stigmatized, the importance of meditation and SO much more!

Show Notes

Kimberly Dillon on...

(6:00) - how her career trajectory led her to the cannabis industry

(9:10) - how her search for women’s place in cannabis historically and her love of comic books

led to the name of her company

(13:19) - her hair and beauty rituals growing up and in the corporate world

(18:22) - being a Black, female CMO in an industry that became legal overnight

(25:15) - anxiety + the science of cannabis

(28:34) - getting her expertise questioned by a junior executive as CMO

(30:58) - her AHA moment connecting the dots between CBD oil and her radiant appearance

(33:48) - what is a tincture

(34:41) - the definition, history & context of cannabis, hemp, THC & CBD, cannabinoids

(38:35) - the endocannabinoid system

(41:13) - what CBD is doing in the skin

(50:16) - her 3 pillars for combatting anxiety - CBD, exercise, and meditation

(54:31) - using sound baths or chanting as a way into meditation

(58:50) - the benefits of Frigg’s Attuning Hair Potion

(1:00:45) - the benefits of Frigg’s Attuning Face Potion

(1:05:20) - her reasoning behind developing a scientific advisory board

(1:13:41) - toxic ingredients and unethical supply chain practices in some beauty ingredients

(castor oil)

(1:15:11) - conscious capitalism in cannabis and her holistic philosophy on approaching business

(1:17:10) - the reason why cannabis is stigmatized thanks to Harry Anslinger & his racism

(1:25:52) - the creation of the marijuana & prison pipeline

(1:32:59) - myth-busting stereotype of cannabis users as lazy and criminal

(1:35:55) - myth-busting stereotype of cannabis as dangerous & the importance of purchasing

from a reputable source

(1:44:31) - the full potential of wealth of the cannabis industry

(1:48:04) - how being slow will speed you up and the origin of self-care

(1:51:37) - her rituals - gratitude prayer, morning pages from The Artist Way, Voluspa candles,

aromatherapy (Palo Santo, Sandalwood & Rosemary), and adding colorful lightbulbs to increase

the whimsy in her life

(1:56:01) - her go-to beauty products

(1:58:54) - her favorite Black-owned beauty & wellness product - @peakandvalleyco Balance My

Stress Adaptogen Blend

(2:01:40) - how we should all take as much care with our emotional wellbeing as we do with our

physical appearance

(2:02:51) - where to follow Kimberly @kimberlykdillon and check out Frigg at getfrigg.com and on

social @getfrigg

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Lauren Napier on…

(02:00) - her personal definition of beauty. “It comes from within”

(03:45) - her own beauty style

(07:00) - when she feels the most beautiful

(08:00) - being a morning person and how it impacts her productive levels

(09:50) - how Lauren Napier Beauty got started and the philosophy behind the brand

(12:00) - sustainability being a core part of her product development

(16:15) - the negative perception of makeup wipes and why her brand of wipes are more superior

(19:52) - what she wished she knew before joining the beauty industry

(23:48) - her confidence killers growing up. Talks about being a late bloomer

(27:19) - her favourite skincare ingredients. Apricot oil, coriander, avocado oil…

(29:27) - the products from Black women-owned beauty brands that she integrates into her self-care rituals @sundayIIsunday, @hyperskin and @leland_francis

(37:00) - pamerping and her ultimate night-time skincare routine

(40:35) - her hair journey

(44:53) - ‘Consider Something Better:; an initiative Lauren has started that encourages corporations to give back to startups for economic empowerment

(47:50) - her must-have skincare + body products

(49:23) - where to follow Lauren: @laurennapierbeauty

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I was introduced to Nai’vasha by the lovely actress Melanie Liburd about 2 years ago (2019). Of course, I knew of Nai’vasha’s work beforehand, I mean, she is the visionary behind the intricate red carpet hairstyles of some of our fave muses. Think Alicia Keys, Yara Shahidi, Tracee Ellis Ross, Storm Reid etc.

It wasn’t until we connected together on this episode that I realized we have so much in common. Introverts, music industry background, beauty industry aficionados, candle burners, to name but a few.

Nai’vasha was incredibly vulnerable in this episode and I am truly honored that she felt comfortable enough to expose her inner-most fears, insecurities and thoughts with me, and with you. Listen in closely as she spills her honest feelings about Black Twitter’s reaction to her first US Vogue cover (August 2020 issue) with Simone Biles, the role of mentorship and peer-to-peer feedback in her career to date.

I invite you to access this episode through the links below. But first, grab your beverage of choice and a notebook - especially if you are a creative who may be introverted and finds it challenging to network within the industry to get your word out there. Nai’vasha will walk you through what work and didn’t work for her.

Enjoy!

Nai’vasha on…

(04:10) - her fear of public speaking and being in front of the camera.

(05:39) - being an introvert and never having been to a club, ever.

(07:00) - her body image and her anxiety around it.

(09:40) - the meaning behind her name. A name with Kenyan roots.

(13:28) - how COVID has impacted her positively and what she has learned about herself during quarantine.

(15:00) - motherhood and getting closer to her children. Watching them develop into their own identities.

(20:06) - rituals growing up. Her mother never blow-dried her hair. Airdry for the win!

(24:32) - her main confidence killer that she is still adjusting to. Her body figure and how she uses her hair to make her feel safe.

(28:19) - the defining moment when she knew she was good at what she does.

(32:19) - navigating from finance to working with the likes of Alicia Keys.

(37:40) - the fruits of peer-to-peer mentorship and how it scored Nai’vasha her first celebrity clients: Ciara, Naomie Harris and Wanda Sykes.

(40:00) - how she looked overseas for inspiration to help develop her skillset as a creative hairstylist & using her clients and HBCU students to hone her talent.

(42:00) - the feedback culture and how it can be a blessing and a curse. Example: Black Twitter’s reaction to the Annie Leibovitz cover shot of Simone Biles (Aug 2020) that Nai’vasha styled.

(56:30) - advice to stylists on how to approach established stylists for mentorship.

(59:13) - what she wished she knew before starting her career in beauty.

(1:07:33) - the last time she pat herself on the back and why.

(1:08:45) - on exposing her grey hairs for the first time (at Allure magazine shoot).

(1:10:27) - rituals that keeps her grounded: candles, prayer, facials & laser treatments, will supporting black-owned female business.

(1:13:53) - the black business she loves and supports: Fe Noel, Brother Vellies and Aliette.

(1:17:30) - her final messages to you, “Practice loving on yourself. It’s a daily ritual”; and where you can find her @naivashaintl.

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Yene Damtew on…

(04:19) - being an introvert, despite her require sometimes requiring her to exert extroverted energy

(06:16) - the advantages of quarantine and how she has found the good in it all. “Who are we at our core?”

(10:52) - the meaning and origination of her name, Yene Bicha. Meaning: Mine only. Named by her father

(14:00) - being a first generation ethiopian-american and how her heritage influences her daily American life

(17:51) - spending time in city/country where the majority looks like you

(19:38) - beauty traditions from the ethiopian culture

(21:00) - when she knew she would be a hairstylist. At 16 years young

(22:40) - having a BA in Business Administration and how it has helped her as a business owner

(22:55) - what she wished she knew before beginning her career as a hairstylist. “You don’t have to know everything”

(26:32) - her go to hairstyles for herself. Yene talks about style shifting and reinventing her look through multiple hairstyles

(28:20) - her journey from graduating from cosmetology school and moving from Orange County to the White House, as one of two hairstylists to the Obama family

(30:20) - what it was like working with the First Lady, Mrs Michelle Obama

(32:00) -the origination and signification of our Black cultural hairstyles and we touch upon cultural appropriation

(39:33) - the CROWN act. Creating a Respectful and Open World/Workplace for Natural hair

(44:15) - a key business building tip for all salon owners looking to build their business and careers in the hair industry

(45:00) - running as therapy. Her current self-care ritual

(47:15) - her beauty essentials. Yene names Mizani’s 25 Miracle Milk as a must-have for textured hair

(49:35) - her final message: "You have to know who you are…”

(51:31) - where to find Yene: @yenedamtew; her salon: @aesthetics.salon. For professional stylists, click here to find out how you can join her academy community for salon business tips

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In today’s climate of civil unrest, both in the US and in the wider world, conversations of the Black Lives Matter movement, social injustice and slavery are bubbling up to the surface. While many are spending time reading about how to become an anti-racist, or identifying biases, I have decided to go further back and learn about the history of where my ancestors come from - Africa; where we started and what that looked like, pre-slavery.

As I research and read of our plight, I can’t help but smile. Because, despite it all: the sadness, the disbelief and the trauma, we still stand today, stronger than ever and we are just brilliant.

It is a written piece that i chose to record for those of you who prefer the audio format. Whenever you need to remember just how inspiring, beautiful and resilient you are, come back and listen to this.

Read the full piece here

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Dr Michelle Henry on…

(00:02:45) - the origin of her name

(00:05:00) - how COVID-19 has impacted her day to day positively

(00:07:33) - Tumi shares a tip on how she purposefully disconnects from her phone in the evenings

(00:08:55) - how she started in dermatology. She initially thought she would become a breast cancer surgeon

(00:11:55) - the importance of being able to infuse her culture into her role as a dermatologist, to ensure the right diagnosis are made

(00:16:12) - what she wish she kew about this industry before she started in her career. To trust her voice her much earlier on

(00:17:17) - on seamlessly speaking up at all times

(00:18:57) - Tumi on her recent favourite way of making time for herself. Long luxe baths

(00:20:15) - her confidence killers as child growing up

(00:21:18) - her hair journey through the year and getting into a stride as someone who wears her hair natural, while shifting her style with confidence

(00:24:00) - skincare routines growing up

(00:25:33) - nay to coconut oil on the face but ok for the body

(00:25:44) - turmeric in skincare. breaks up excess pigment, soothing and anti-inflammatory

(00:28:14) - black don’t crack but what if your black is cracking? Dr Henry shares her position on this famous phrase

(00:31:00) - how melanated skin should be cared for

(00:33:57) - you skincare regimen must-haves

(00:33:45) - Tumi walk s through her own skincare favourites. Dr Henry shares the importance of a daytime and night-time regimen.

(00:39:28) - skincare multi-taskers to help simplify your regimen

(00:41:41) - clarifies how facial oils should be used. Under or over the moisturizer?

(00:44:22) - ingredients to avoid for those with sensitive skin

(00:46:10) - breakdown the difference between the popular skincare acids: AHAs, BHAs and hyaluronic acid

(00:47:42) - debunks the myths of organic/natural ingredients versus chemicals.

(00:50:24) - her favourite buzz ingredients. Dr Henry also speaks about the need for sunscreen to help protect melanated skin against blue light

(00:53:02) - the difference between chemical and physical (mineral) sunscreens and she names her faves for darker skintones

(00:55:48) - rituals that keeps her grounded: meditation

(00:57:30) - the final messages she wants to leave you with

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