Fashion Brief
I used to fret a lot when getting ready. I had wardrobe tantrums, where I would plan what I was going to wear in advance, then change my mind 1,000 times. They stopped about two years ago, and now I just throw on whatever I feel like in that moment and head out. I guess I’ve grown up and become more secure in myself.
My nan always taught us to be well put-together. I remember her dressed in a real outfit, with her dress cleanly pressed, and her hat and gloves. When she moved to England from Guyana in the 1950s, she had people judging her for being black, so she made sure no one could fault her appearance. She was always immaculate, and instilled that in us. If I came home from school with a creased uniform, I’d get into a lot of trouble. That’s stuck with me, and I am proud of it.
Blow drying my curly hair takes up most of my getting-ready time. I let it air dry for a while first, because if you blow dry curly hair from wet, it usually ends up frizzy; there’s so much moisture in it. I use an amazing all-natural blow dry balm called Carol’s Daughter. It’s got shea butter and coconut oil in it, and is really protective and nourishing stuff. I use only natural products, because my mum’s a vegan and a herbalist and often makes me products, mixing up essential oils.
I used to hide behind my hair, wearing it big and long, to make me feel more confident, but in the past year or so I’ve been tying it back more and more. That makes me feel strong, because I know I’m no longer hiding.
• Leona Lewis’s new single, Fire Under My Feet, is out now on iTunes.
