One look at Janelle Monáe and you wouldn’t be wrong to assume she has direct lineage to goddess Sif (yap, apart from being a mighty Asgardian warrior, Sif is the goddess of hair – golden locs, to be specific).
Her show-stopping androgynous style and signature pompadour are every fashionable naturalista’s dream. Not to mention the killer vocals and sophisticated demeanor – she channels all the energies we need.
So, how does she manage to keep her hair looking so luscious and picturesque? It’s all in her diet (she consumes cultured veggies) and having the right stylist on your speed dial. For Janelle, Nikki Nelms is the go-to stylist for every hair concern –static, frizz, heat damage, you name it. She’ll turn your hair from looking like a bird’s nest to a red carpet-worthy crown.
That’s why we thought we’d share some of Nikki Nelms’s hair product must-haves (especially since fall’s here and static is about to creep up on your strands). Keep reading for the most life-changing list of your life.
Psstt…it even includes dryer sheets for possibly the most creative hair hacks we’ve seen yet.
Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist ($9)
Umm, static-free hair that also smells freakin” fantastic? Yap. Sign us up. This sheer guava oil-, mango butter- and coconut milk-infused hair mist will not only leave your mane smelling super fancy, but it’ll give fine and curly hair some lightweight, non-greasy, and buildup-free shine.
We love to smooth it over a slick bun or pony, especially for those night outs or anytime we want to channel Janelle Monáe energy.
Salonchic Rat Tail Carbon Comb ($7)
K, this is cool: The rat-tail comb’s teeth are super close together, making for a silkier, neater, and smoother style. And if you want to make a sleek ponytail, this comb gets all the hairs in place.
Nikki Nelms loves using it to go over her locs, do fine touches, and smooth out all flyaways she doesn’t want (sometimes she likes flyaways).
Downy April Fresh Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets ($5)
Winter static. There’s undoubtedly nothing worse, and it doesn’t matter how many conditioning creams and mousses you use. Static just doesn’t budge. So, what’s the best alternative? Static-free dryer sheets.
These options from Downy are not only great for your laundry, but they also fight static head-on to give you smooth, luscious strands. And did we mention they smell like a piece of heaven? Yap! No wonder Nikki keeps a few in her beauty arsenal.
Bronner Brothers Pump It Up Spritz Gold ($7)
“Good ol’ Pump It Up”- IFYKYK. This hair styler not only gives you a lustrous, long-lasting style (shoutout to the silk amino acids and panthenol) but also enriches and protects it from heat damage. Plus, it dries faster and offers significant holding power compared to any conditioner or regular mist.
“I’ve been using it for years. The first time I used it for production was Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” video. The girl’s hair was flowing out to the side – Super Hold. It says it, believe it,” Nikki Nelms said in an interview.