Beyoncé has released her next labor of love beyond the realms of music.
Throughout her time in the limelight, the songstress and mother of three has never failed to disappoint behind the microphone or with her hair game. This is in part because of her mother, Tina Knowles, who once owned and operated hair salon Headliners in Houston, TX, according to Texas Monthly.
“Hair has always been a very big part of our lives,” Tina told Essence. “Just as fashion saved our family, hair is how we made a living.”
Beyoncé would work at her mother’s salon, sweeping its floors and listening to regular chatter from women as they sat ready to be served. One client, in particular, who was an opera singer, even became the affirmation for Beyoncé to become a performer.
Today, Beyoncé has cemented herself as one of the greatest performers. Her ability to experiment with various sounds and not confine herself into one genre remains her strong suit. Her creativity can also be seen with the various hair looks she’s had over the years, whether it’s signature blonde tresses, waist-length box braids in her “Formation” video, or African-inspired hairstyles in the “Black Is King” musical — not to mention the recent unveiling of her voluminous Texas hair during the Super Bowl, a move that put the internet in a frenzy.
“I think as an artist, so much of my bold experimentation with hair comes from being inspired by art and sculptures; getting creative with braids; figuring out new techniques; and exploring ways to maintain hair growth with protective styles and wigs, while still feeling fabulous. It all stems from my experiences growing up in my mother’s salon,” Beyoncé told Essence.
Over the past six years, Beyoncé has been quietly working on a haircare line that prioritizes the textured hair community, a vision that was first planted when she was a teenager. Cécred is now her latest venture, brought to light with the help of her mother, who serves as the company’s vice chairwoman, according to a press release.
Per Allure, the company could have launched to the public sooner. However, it needed to have its products undergo various rounds of testing, build an office with an in-house salon and lab, and navigate investment pitches. Ultimately, Beyoncé decided to self-fund the venture and has no outside investors.
“My priorities are quality and intention. It was important to decide where we invested in our formulations,” Beyoncé told Essence. “I knew what I wanted to do, with technology that works for all women and all textures, because I had not been able to find it. I built this from the ground up and funded it myself. First, I had to find the right team with the best experience who also shared my beliefs. This business was led by heart and passion, not by a business plan. We went above and beyond to make decisions based on results and the absolute best science. And better results meant more investment in quality products.”
She continued, “Every hair texture deserves testing, research and development. Black women in general are the last to be included in testing. We are often prescribed things based on studies we were not included in. It’s bigger than me, or hair. Now we have created something that celebrates healthy hair for all women, including us. I’m always honored to invest in us.”
Cécred is described as a hair repair technology company and is “validated by science,” according to the press release. Products include Clarifying Shampoo and Scalp Scrub ($38), Moisturizing Deep Conditioner ($38), Fermented Rice and Rose Protein Ritual ($52), Nourishing Hair Oil ($44), and a patent-pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment made with key ingredients, including bioactive keratin, lactobacillus ferment, and honey designed to strengthen and restore hair health.
“As a Black founder, it was important to me to concentrate on where I saw the greatest need for healthy haircare and to place scientific innovation and product performance above all else,” Beyoncé said in the press release. “We started by prioritizing the needs of textured hair like mine, along with other types and textures that need more moisture and strength.”
She continued, “I want everyone to have the freedom to express their hair in ways that make them feel good, so I began by creating the essentials for hair and scalp health. My vision is to be an inclusive force of excellence in the haircare industry while celebrating hair rituals across global cultures and helping dispel hair myths and misconceptions on all sides.”
