Feeling Blu

Hit 'Em Up With Style

By Helen A. Lee
This article appeared
in the September/October 2001
issue of Sophisticate's Black Hair.

She's 24 years old, but Arista Records' Blu Cantrell possesses a powerfully distinctive voice that has already been compared to great soul singers like Billie Holliday, Karen Clark and Aretha Franklin. Her debut album, So Blu, is thrilling audiences and has tagged this young diva for stardowm. And, with the hit single "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" climbing the charts, we just couldn't resist asking Blu to spill all the delicious details about her make-you-look-twice beauty regimen. Check it here...

We love your eye-catching hairstyle. How are you wearing it now?
My hair is naturally curly, so I usually get it straightened. The stylists blow it out, or they roller-set it and then blow it out. We take the wave iron and crimp my hair--it gives it this nice, funky wave. I've been doing that lately. My favorite style is wearing it curly--I like a little messy curl, it's more natural. I'll just wash it and I'll throw some mousse in it. It's very easy.

How do you maintain your hair's health?
I do a lot of hot oil treatments and a lot of deep conditioners because my hair is colored and it could break off it I don't condition. So, I'm really into maintaining my hair. I make sure my hair is always moisturized, and I'll sleep with it tied up with a silk cap or something. Or Wrap it to make sure it's not lying on the pillow directly.

Do you plan to change your hairstyle anytime soon?
I'm sticking with what I have now. I've tried different hair colors, but I'm sticking with blonde. I think this color looks good on me. If anything, I'll probably plan on doing it a bit lighter. I don't really go on what everyone else is doing.

What's your favorite hair care tip?
It's a lot sexier to have your hair look a little messy. I don't think that your hair should look so "placed"-I think it should be tousled; it looks better to me than having every hair in place, looking perfect.

Is there one beauty product you couldn't live without?
I can't live without mousse--my hair would look like a big pouf ball if I didn't have mousse in it!

How would you describe your personal style?
I love vintage stuff. I like a lot of turquoise jewelry and torn jeans, lace camisoles, funky scarves, belts and earrings with an Indian or Bohemian vibe. A don't even know how to describe it...it's just me.

When you're at home, do you do your hair and makeup differently than on stage?
Actually, I don't wear much makeup when I'm at home. I wear it because it's necessary being on stage and all, but when I'm at home I put on a little mascara and a little lipgloss and that's it. It's just that when you're at home, you don't want to put it on. You just want to get up and go.

How do you fight stress or relax after a long day?
My favorite way to relax is to be around my family and watch TV or do regular things that people do when they're not working. I hang with my family and go to the movies. I just like to sit around and act like a couch potato.

So how are you enjoying the experience of being a recording artist?
I love it. I love the fast pace. I love meeting new people--and I'm very much a people person, so I'm eating it up. I learn something new every day. It's very hard traveling and all that stuff, it can really tire you down. But I try to look at it as a blessing, so I just try to do everything with a positive attitude.

Tell us a bit about your debut album.
The album is basically about pain and me being through a relationship that didn't go well and getting my heart broken. It's R&B, it's jazz--I can't really categorize it, though,becuase it's very different, and very unique to me. I hope that people can actually feel the pain, and it can help them to cope with bad relationships. I've had everyal people come up to me and tell me that they really connected to a song. And I think that's the most important thing for me.

THE LOOK: For a sleek and straight partial upsweep like Blu's, use a flat iron to create long, straight locks. Part your hair in the center, then pull back front strands into a partial ponytail in back; secure with a covered elastic band. Use a curling iron to curl ends under.

COOL BLU Now that her visage is gracing album covers and videos, what does music maven Blu Cantrell use to keep her hair and face beautiful? Here are some of the products that she uses to keep her look MTV-worthy:

John Frieda's Frizz-Ease: "I think Frizz-Ease Hair Serum and Frizz-Ease Corrective Styling Mousse are very good," gushes the singer.

Aveda's Confixer: "I love Aveda!" Blu says about the styling and finishing spray that restores curl.

M.A.C. skin care: "I didn't even know M.A.C. was into the mix of skin products," says Blu. "I use their cold creme and I use their moisturizer, and they're fabulous! They work perfectly for my skin."