Deandra Loves Beauty

Afro-Indigenous Queen. Crowned in both worlds. Main character energy always. 👑💕🔥

Hair, Makeup & Vision by :
Model: .bird

Another racist “Art” content another post by & & just crossed the line.

The magazine that gave this team the spotlight!

This isn’t Indigenous culture, this is a stereotype.

‘Tribal’ face paint, feathers used as costume, and calling it ‘Brave’ on a non-Indigenous model? That’s not representation, that’s exploitation and cultural harm.

And let’s talk about this so-called ‘Indigenous consultation.’

What kind of consultation approves imagery like this?
Because no real understanding of our teachings would allow sacred and cultural elements to be turned into aesthetic like this.

One person’s approval does not represent our Nations.

When Indigenous people are speaking up and being dismissed or deleted, that’s where it becomes what it is racist behaviour.

Our culture is not for sale!!!
And it’s not here to be turned into content for your social media!

This isn’t creativity. It’s not art. It’s disrespect. It’s harmful.

Our cultural is not your costume!!!!
Whoever this indigenous consultant “Josh Armijo from Flathead Nation, this is harmful to indigenous identity. What you approved is outright discrimination, disgusting, disrespectful and hateful! You did us dirty!

I saw this and had to stop scrolling.
Because I was a fan.
is clearly talented, experienced, educated. So seeing a headdress used like this? That’s not ignorance. That’s a choice.
Yes, I saw the ‘Indigenous consultant.’ Good, you reached out. But let’s be clear, consultation is not a free pass.
Headdresses are sacred.
They are earned.
They are given in ceremony.
They are one of the highest honours.
This isn’t new information. Indigenous people have been saying this for YEARS. You can not wear a sacred headdress at festivals. Not for Halloween. And definitely not for editorial or magazine spotlight. On your interpretation on dark “brave”.
So how did we get here?
A non-Indigenous model wearing a headdress.
A non-Indigenous team creating the narrative.
And somehow that gets approved and published?

One person’s “permission” does not override the responsibility to an entire culture.
One voice does not speak for all Nations.
And to claim ‘Native ancestry’ while participating in this culture appropriation content. If you were truly connected to your culture, your teachings, your elders… you would know this is not okay.
I am an Indigenous hairstylist.
I know the line.
And this crossed every single one.
And when I spoke up, I was met with ego, defensiveness, and harmful language instead of accountability.
That’s another issue to dismissed an indigenous person telling you this is wrong and not appropriate. To have a mindset that thinks our culture is available for use, for content, for aesthetic.
Our culture is not for sale.
Not for your brand. Not for your magazine. Not for your career.
This isn’t creativity, this is colonizer behaviour, repackaging what’s sacred as ‘dark’ and ‘brave’ for content and saying you have approval from one indigenous person.
It’s not art. It’s disrespect.
This is non indigenous people making a profit, clout and getting a spotlight on a magazine off our cultural. Extreme misuse and misguided.
To this ”indigenous consultant” Josh Armijo what a disgrace you did to our indigenous communities. It’s people like you that sell out our cultural for nonsense. We fight everyday to be respected, you ruin It

Honoured to be submitted For Your Consideration for Achievement in Hair at the Canadian Screen Awards for Meadowlarks.

Hair is intimate, and you allowed me to do the work with intention and care. That trust from the cast and Tasha Hubbard meant everything.

So grateful for this experience and this team. 🖤

I love being a Blackfoot hairstylist. I love being the Indigenous auntie on set, the protector, the comfort, the laughter that fills the room. Every person who sits in my chair isn’t just a client, they’re part of the story. I do my best to make them feel safe, seen, and celebrated.

Every once in a while, someone sits down and changes me.
They remind me of my purpose, guide my spirit, and share teachings that stay long after the lights go out.

Meeting Theda was one of those moments.
She carries generations in her eyes, She is a true Knowledge Keeper, a grandmother with stories carved by time, and an auntie who still laughs louder than life itself. Theda holds the kind of wisdom you can’t learn in books, it’s lived, breathed, and passed down through love, laughter, and survival.

I’m grateful for our paths crossing on Meadowlark’s film. I am grateful for those reminders that the ones meant for your spirit will always find their way to you. ✨🙏🏾💗

Best friends to sisters 💗 First time teaming up in the industry game! Cherish is an award winning actress, I’m an award winning hairstylist & we both from the Blackfoot Confederacy! So you know when we are together it’s all vibes, loud auntie laughs, and pure love as always. We’re out here building this legacy here in Tkaronto 🫶🏽

Stepping into the spotlight at the Contessa Awards freestyle category!! Here's my entry baby!!! I am thrilled to showcase my skills and represent indigenous talent!!

Hair & Makeup by Me
Photographer Kikki Gerrard
Model Helena Miyopin

Bepsi Queen 🔥👑🤩

Model
Hair
Makeup
Photographer
Earrings / Stylist

Double tap if you’re a braids lover!!!

Model
Lead Hair
Hair by me
Corset
Lead Makeup
Photographer


Event

My second look is an envisionment of turning a beaded hoop earring into a braided hoop earring. While beaded hoop earrings are the epitome of high fashion, I wanted to find a way to make them bigger and better.

The traditional sweet grass braid on the outside represents the strong familial bonds and lineages present within Indigenous communities and the infinity braid on the inside represents the infinite amount of love that I hold for my family. This is my way of honoring the talented artists and beaders in my family that came before me.

As a multidisciplinary Indigenous hair stylist, I wanted to pay homage to my culture through the creation of hair art. While dominant society may recognize my work as art, it is important to acknowledge that the use of hair braiding and weaving has been used in many Indigenous cultures for centuries. Some may see art while others see traditional architectural hairstyles once worn by their ancestors.

Model: Michaella Montana
Makeup: Erin Sweeney
Clothing stylist: Rajetha Kn
Photographer:

My second look is an envisionment of turning a beaded hoop earring into a braided hoop earring. While beaded hoop earrings are the epitome of high fashion, I wanted to find a way to make them bigger and better. The traditional sweet grass braid on the outside represents the strong familial bonds and lineages present within Indigenous communities and the infinity braid on the inside represents the infinite amount of love that I hold for my family. This is my way of honoring the talented artists and beaders in my family that came before me. As a multidisciplinary Indigenous hair stylist, I wanted to pay homage to my culture through the creation of hair art. While dominant society may recognize my work as art, it is important to acknowledge that the use of hair braiding and weaving has been used in many Indigenous cultures for centuries. Some may see art while others see traditional architectural hairstyles once worn by their ancestors. @behindthechair_com @oneshothairawards #btcbigshot2024_editorialshot #btcbigshot2024_stylingshot #btcbigshot2024_avantgardeshot #btcbigshot2024_editorialmakeup #btconeshot2024_intricatebraidsandtwists #btconeshot2024_colloboration Team; Model: @michaella.montana Makeup: @sweeneydewdew Photographer: @jordyclarkephoto Hair: @deandralovesbeauty Wardrobe Stylist: @arkaay_