Backstory

Meet Aspen

 Aspen Is the Girl You’ll Always Ask, 'Where’d You Get Your Hair Done?

Aspen is the classic L.A. girl you’d meet at a kickback, and that’s exactly where we met her. She’s an effortless trendsetter. Her sense of humor and wit make her presence infectious. And of course, her hair is always done, but just like the rest of us, there’s had some struggle moments that grew into beautiful ones. Aspen isn’t too shy to talk about any stage of their hair journey. Here, she shares with us the backstory of how she grew into confidence through her hair, and why Kelly Rowland is at the top of her beauty icon list.

How have you created your own approach to beauty, and when did that really start for you?

It started really young because I always wanted to be like my sisters. But out of all the kids, I was the one whose hair took forever to grow. Everyone knows me as the little bald-headed baby. My mom has the pictures, but once my hair started growing, it really grew.

The only issue was that I was an athlete. I was constantly in a sport, playing basketball and running track, and I continued basketball in college for one year. I wanted to get my hair in a silk press like my sisters, but my mom explained that I couldn't because I was constantly sweating out my hair. My mom would maintain my hair with treatments, washing it every two weeks, and giving me protective styles or the press I wanted, but only on holidays. 

When I finally got hair, it was a big deal in my family. When I first got a ponytail, my mom took me to a photo studio for a whole photo shoot. It was such a big deal. Everyone was so happy that I finally had a ponytail. My mom did these waterfall curls, and the pictures are everywhere at her house. When I turned 30 last year, that photo was used for my party.

What has been your favorite Cécred products to experience?

I got my first wig with Cécred, so now I hit a wig every now and then. My hair isn't as healthy as I want it to be, but I've seen an improvement since using Cécred products. I've been taking random pictures here and there, and see improvement already. Even my braider complimented me last week, saying, "Oh my God, your hair is so thick. I can feel it growing." I told her it's Cécred. I believe a lot has to do with your lifestyle in general; working out, staying stress-free, and eating well, which also plays a part in hair growth. I'm not afraid to cut my split ends anymore because I feel confident using the products, knowing they help rebuild and repair my hair. I can tell my hair is healthier just by looking at it and touching it.

I love the Moisture Sealing Lotion because it's very light, and a little goes a long way. I can style my hair with it, and it doesn't leave white residue like some other products. When I use it, my hair looks and feels soft and natural. Other products often leave a residue that makes it difficult to style hair afterward, but with the Moisture Sealing Lotion, my hair feels great and looks clean. And then number two, the Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub. It has a minty smell and a nozzle that lets you apply it directly to your scalp. 

I can even do baby hairs with the Moisture Sealing Lotion, and it stays in place. After a fresh wash, I don't want to overload my hair with products, so using the sealing lotion is perfect. It keeps my hair looking natural and fresh, and I can still straighten or style it afterward without any issues.

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Growing up, did you have any beauty icons?

Kelly Rowland. We used to want to be like Destiny's Child. Since I was dark-skinned and skinny, I would always say, "I'm Kelly, I'm Kelly, I'm Kelly!"  In high school, when I started getting weaves, I tried to mimic her style. She had this curly, cheeky look that she stuck with for a while, and I loved it. I tried three or four different weaves to achieve that same style because it looked so good on her. When I started wearing weaves, I always tried to mimic the weaves or wigs that Kelly Rowland was wearing.

So, would you do a bob? Tell me about some of those styles.

I would do a bob because she had a bob at the time. My favorite go-to was the curly kinky style. I even tried burgundy once, and while the wig didn't work out, it inspired me to start wearing burgundy braids. In high school, when I ran track, I had long burgundy braids. People would always recognize me as the girl with the burgundy braids. They'd refer to me as the tall girl with long legs and burgundy braids.

I wore burgundy braids throughout high school, sometimes with black mixed in, but the burgundy was always prominent. Kelly was in her burgundy era, wearing burgundy bobs or highlighted styles, and that influenced me. She also had this big, almost afro-type kinky weave.

What is some advice that you would give to a younger girl, and all young people, about hair and beauty?

I would say to never allow anyone to restrict your freedom when it comes to hair. You can be free and look however you want. I remember as a kid, I always wanted "princess hair.” 

As a child, I didn't understand why I couldn't have my hair like my sister, who is only a year and a half older than me. My mom always had us matching, even our cousins, so I would cry to her and ask why they got to have their hair like that while I had an afro. She would tell me, "It's okay, baby, your hair is still growing." I wanted the knockers and the braids like my sisters, but I had a little natural afro with a bow or headband. It was an insecurity because I wanted to be like them, but I didn't have enough hair for those styles.

Once I got that ponytail and my mom took me to the one-hour photo and made it so special, I was like, "Oh yeah, it's over." I was asking for braids, knockers, and everything. From that point on, I wanted all types of hairstyles.

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