We’ve reached the time of year when seasonal depression sets in. Cold weather is akin to suck the life out everything, and especially our hair. Hence the reason why many of us find ourselves in a hair rut come the holiday season.
With freezing temperatures, we tend to put a halt on our wash-and-go styles, and cozy-up under beanies, berets, and wool caps. And while the aforementioned accessories help to conceal bad hair days, unfortunately, they only make matters of dry hair worse.
The best way to avoid lifeless looking hair and the seasonal slump this fall, is to do your hair. It’s mind-blowing, right?
Article continues after video.
'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi Shares Her Best Natural Hair Tips
First-time ESSENCE Fest guest Yara Shahidi said protective styles are key to preserving your natural 'do.
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So to inspire you, we tapped our good curl-friend Yara Shahidi, for nine fresh ways to liven up your locs this season. Check them out in the gallery below.
01
Half and Half
The easiest way to elevate your curls is to pull them up into a ponytail. If you’re working with a lot of volume, then try this half up half down style.
02
Curly Bob
We may not be able to time travel, but we can bring back hair trends of seasons past like this stunning asymmetrical shaggy bob with bangs.
03
Pineapple Bun
Updos can be classy and sassy, and if you want to channel both looks at the same then try this stunning style.
Photo: Getty
04
Plush Ponytails
Give your ponytail a cool and culy-licious update by teasing out your ringlets.
Photo: Getty
05
Beautiful Blow Out
The bigger the blowout, the harder they’ll stare, so be prepared to be the center of attention with this larger than life hairdo.
Article continues after video.
06
Angelic Afro
You’ll leave onlookers in awe with this heavenly halo.
Photo: Getty
07
Low Ponytail
This pretty ponytail says polished in the front and party in the back, which makes it perfect ‘do for the office, and happy hour.
Photo: Getty
08
Cornrowed Crown
Spice up your go-to hairstyle by adding a little detail like these cool cornrows.
Photo: Getty
09
Bountiful Bun
If you thought you couldn’t pull off a ballerina bun with your voluminous curls, then think again. This pretty top knot proves that you can rock the updo do.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.