“It Was What I needed To Do”: Beyoncé On The Liberating Power Of Her Pixie Cut
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- February 20, 2024
Beyoncé’s hairstyles have been as much a part of her artistic evolution as her music. From youthful braids to her signature honey-toned mane, hair always played a significant role. This makes her dramatic 2013 pixie cut all the more impactful. In the recent Essence magazine interview, discussing life and the launch of ‘Cécred’ (her haircare line with her mother, Tina Knowles), Beyoncé offered a deeper glimpse into the significance of that iconic style moment.
The pixie symbolized a rejection of external expectations, a bold, defiant act against what society dictated her image should be. Beyoncé saw it as a direct link to her experience with motherhood: “It was a physical representation of me shedding the expectations put upon me.” This desire for unburdening herself extended beyond hair, as Beyoncé notes, it was the catalyst for the more daring artistic choices that shaped her subsequent work.
There’s a strong thread between self-expression and creative expression woven through her explanation. Hair becomes a tool of defiance and artistic liberation, not just an accessory. Neal Farinah, her long-time hairstylist, understood this intuitively, supporting her decision despite his initial hesitation at cutting off her famously healthy hair.
The ‘Cécred’ launch underscores this emphasis on empowerment. Celebrating textured hair’s versatility resonates with her own public embrace of natural beauty and authentic self-expression through hair. Far from just a product line, it symbolizes a hard-won autonomy Beyoncé now encourages others to embrace.
Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN
