The 67th Annual Grammy Awards took place yesterday evening, marking an incredible start for Black History Month and centering the Black artists that make the world go round.
Rapper, singer, and songwriter Doechii made history as the third woman to win the award for Best Rap Album since the category’s inception in 1989, and gave one of the most dynamic performances of the night complete with multiple hair and wardrobe looks that enhanced her overall artistry.
Doechii hit the red carpet in a shimmery glam look by MUA Dee Carrion, exclusively using Urban Decay products. Initially using The Ordinary to prep the rap star’s stunning skin, Carrion crafted a lifted, luminous, and long-wear look that accentuated Doechii’s natural beauty. The secret behind her striking cheekbones? Urban Decay’s Face Bond Luminizer in “High Profile” and “Half Baked.” Complete with her signature facetap accessory, Doechii’s makeup had her award-ready as she graced the stage to make history.
Stepping onto the red carpet ahead of the show, Doechii arrived with an intricate braid style, pulled back into a ponytail with elegant finger waves trimming her hairline and framing her face. The artist responsible for Doechii’s ‘do was hairstylist Malcolm Marquez, who collaborated with the musician for her feed-stopping connected braids for performance on Stephen Colbert’s Late Night Show. “Doechii brought me the idea of creating a finger wave shape. My goal was to figure out how to marry two classic looks,” he shares. “Her era is currently very braid focused. For the Grammys we wanted to create several pieces that mimicked each other but in different styles.”
As Doechii cycled out a few variations of braided artistry throughout the night, scalp prep was a must. Marquez utilized Thank God It’s Natural Miracle Styling Ayurvedic Hair & Scalp Oil to keep her scalp and hair protected and styled her carpet finger waves using the brand’s setting foam and curl-elongating gel. Her acceptance speech saw her braids constructed in a multi-dimensional, swirl-like configuration, she rocked sleek, patterned stitch braids for her performance, and to end the night she walked out, Grammy in tow, with another dynamic braid design fashioned in the shape of a crown, fitting for her win. “I had a braided crown made for her in the case that she would win and thankfully we got to use it!” Marquez tells us. All braid looks were set using TGIN’s Heat Protectant Spray to add that extra shine, and the sculptural pieces were each hand-sewn onto her head backstage.
As Doechii’s current era is reverent of Black artistic traditions, we inquire about the intention behind such intricate braided styles. “Braids are a foundational black hairstyle. In the context of this project, I think overall the focus is going back to classic looks. From the fashion to the hair, everything is a reference to “timeless” beauty aesthetics,” Marquez explains. His contribution to this goal is marrying the classic with modern, to create familiar yet innovative styles.
“I think that innovation reflects who Doechii is as an artist. She’s incredibly creative, different but still knows herself at her core. I think the innovative braid styles drive that point,” he concludes.
From the carpet, to center stage and through a riveting performance, Doechii’s Grammy glam held her down for an unforgettable night of artistry in both music and style.
