https://lorealblackett.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for L'Oréal Blackett: Journalist. Presenter. Content CreatorenMon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/cynthia-erivo-wicked-uk-media-coverage-erasureThe real question is how long British media will continue to deny itself and its audience a full celebration of its homegrown talent. The real question is how long British media will continue to deny itself and its audience a full celebration of its homegrown talent.Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/cynthia-erivo-wicked-uk-media-coverage-erasurehttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/cassie-diddy-trial-halle-bailey-ddg-abuse-allegationsThese reactions [online] reflect a deeper, insidious belief: that “good” women don’t end up in these situations, and if they do, it’s because they somehow deserve it. These reactions [online] reflect a deeper, insidious belief: that “good” women don’t end up in these situations, and if they do, it’s because they somehow deserve it.Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/cassie-diddy-trial-halle-bailey-ddg-abuse-allegationshttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/adolescence-netflix-race-debate-incel-red-pill-cultureWhat’s frustrating is that, in 2025, we even have to recount such terrible tragedies just to make the point that youth gender violence is a problem across all communities in the UK. What’s frustrating is that, in 2025, we even have to recount such terrible tragedies just to make the point that youth gender violence is a problem across all communities in the UK.Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/adolescence-netflix-race-debate-incel-red-pill-culturehttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/minoxidil-black-hair-lossThe pros & cons of using minoxidil for hair lossMon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/minoxidil-black-hair-losshttps://www.refinery29.com/en-au/youthforia-black-foundation-backlash-golloria-georgeOur voice matters. Our money matters. It just doesn't make sense why these brands are not expanding their shade ranges and catering to Black people, especially when we spend the most coin! Our voice matters. Our money matters. It just doesn't make sense why these brands are not expanding their shade ranges and catering to Black people, especially when we spend the most coin!Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/youthforia-black-foundation-backlash-golloria-georgehttps://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/c297d69e-e320-45de-b1ae-14ceaaa81b44.jpgMon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/c297d69e-e320-45de-b1ae-14ceaaa81b44.jpghttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/the-real-housewives-bozoma-fibroids-miscarriage-representationIt isn’t purely coincidental that a large portion of the Black women on Real Housewives have been affected by fibroids; 80% of Black women globally suffer from fibroids, benign tumours that can grow inside the womb and cause heavy bleeding. Fibroids can be the cause of miscarriages and fertility issues; they can also put women and babies at risk during the antenatal period, although this is considered rare. Despite the pain caused to a widespread number of Black women, there is still limited understanding about why Black women are the most affected by the condition and its cause. This is the story for many health issues where Black women are overrepresented.Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/the-real-housewives-bozoma-fibroids-miscarriage-representationhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-au/royal-racism-scandal-meghan-markle-ngozi-fulaniAcceptance in the UK can seem conditional when you’re a minority, based on just how much you’re willing to bow to Queen (now King) and country... Ngozi Fulani was deemed excellent enough to be invited by the Queen Consort, Camilla, to the palace and still was made to feel she didn’t belong. Acceptance in the UK can seem conditional when you’re a minority, based on just how much you’re willing to bow to Queen (now King) and country... Ngozi Fulani was deemed excellent enough to be invited by the...Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/royal-racism-scandal-meghan-markle-ngozi-fulanihttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/diane-abbott-pmq-frank-hester-racismIt is truly a sad state of affairs when a Black woman, who has spent decades in the public eye, has to appeal to society’s humanity — reminding of her status as a vulnerable single woman — for Hester’s reported comments to be denounced as outright racism by her peers. Abbott’s fears are rightly shared by Black female politicians, including Birmingham’s first Black woman MP, Labour's Paulette Hamilton who told the BBC that the comments towards Ms Abbott had added to "the threat and anxiety levels of MPs in Parliament".Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/diane-abbott-pmq-frank-hester-racismhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/windrush-generation-archive-photos-fashionLatines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories.Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and conversations shaping the future of beauty. Latines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories. Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and...Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/windrush-generation-archive-photos-fashionhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DRt07IMCOab/?img_index=1Sky NewsSun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.instagram.com/p/DRt07IMCOab/?img_index=1https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/cynthia-erivo-wicked-nails-shea-osei-interviewWe see Elphaba’s nails before we’re officially introduced to Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the hit Hollywood screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked. The film’s catalyst moment when Elphaba Thropp first meets her nemesis-turned-bestie-turned-nemesis Glinda Upland (played by Ariana Grandé) is purposefully foreboding. We don’t see Elphaba’s face but the students of Shiz University are aghast as she approaches; they step aside as she ascends, her forest green ombre nails pulling her long micro-braids over her shoulder in cinematic slow motion. “I gasped,” shares London-based nail stylist Shea Osei to Unbothered over Zoom. “The nails are the first thing you see. I was like I did those! My artistry, my craft is out there.” Osei was part of the creative “green team” that transformed Erivo into the iconic green witch. As Erivo’s stylist of over 15 years, Osei was also fundamental in ensuring that the actor helped infuse parts of herself (her Blackness, her queerness, her creative essence) into her character in a way that was authentic and celebratory. Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba means Wicked’s central character has micro-braids and a full set of acrylics.Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/cynthia-erivo-wicked-nails-shea-osei-interviewhttps://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/005e55b5-b73b-4051-8bcb-1fb3fd655793.jpgFor the launch of Neneh Cherry's audiobook on Spotify, I interviewed the mother-daughter popstars.Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/005e55b5-b73b-4051-8bcb-1fb3fd655793.jpghttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/social-youth-clubs-teenagers-black-history-month-ukBy the early 2000s, as Black teens were demonised by discriminatory stop-and-search policies, youth and community centres gave a generation of young Black, brown and white working-class kids somewhere safe to go. By the early 2000s, as Black teens were demonised by discriminatory stop-and-search policies, youth and community centres gave a generation of young Black, brown and white working-class kids somewhere safe to go.Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/social-youth-clubs-teenagers-black-history-month-ukhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/julie-adenuga-now-you-know-maya-jama-celebrity-interview"I'm 15 years in now of seeing music, culture, talent, of speaking to people, of being present in studio sessions, of being able to document and see the actual timelines of people's careers from their first single to wherever they get to and beyond." "I'm 15 years in now of seeing music, culture, talent, of speaking to people, of being present in studio sessions, of being able to document and see the actual timelines of people's careers from their first single to wherever they get to and beyond...Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/julie-adenuga-now-you-know-maya-jama-celebrity-interviewhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/fitness-trackers-health-data-anxietyFrom the moment I wake up, I begin tracking. I track my steps, calories burned, sleep quality, period, and ovulation. I track my runs on Strava and my heart rate, blood oxygen and performance zones. I sometimes track my food, my protein goals, and how much water I’ve drunk in a day. I source the majority of my health metrics from my Apple Watch but I am saving up for an Oura Ring (round-the-clock insights in jewellery form? Yes, please) and I’m more than due to try a glucose tracker. Frankly, I don’t need to worry about artificial intelligence taking over the human race because I AM ROBOT. To be clear, I have no negative associations with all my tracking — I genuinely find it fun and empowering — but to the ears of my loved ones, it all sounds “a bit much.” Or as my friend described it, “living life inside an Excel spreadsheet”. While tracking my health data has become embedded into my everyday life, it’s suggested that it could lead to health anxiety over time. Is there a thing about knowing too much about ourselves?Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/fitness-trackers-health-data-anxietyhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/loud-budgeting-money-boundariesLatines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories.Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and conversations shaping the future of beauty. Latines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories. Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and...Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/loud-budgeting-money-boundarieshttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/being-boring-is-goodBoredom has been recommended as a salve for many of my common afflictions: burnout, stress, overwhelm, and low self-esteem. “What if, instead of joining another intense fitness program, or starting another project, or filling your calendar with after-work events, you did nothing for a while?” recommended a mental health counselor earlier this year. I had sought advice from my doctor and a mental health coach when the aforementioned got particularly bad.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/being-boring-is-goodhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/black-haircare-texture-tax-cost-of-livingIt's almost framed as if we'll be blamed if we can't afford our electricity bill because we didn't cut back on our hair. It's almost framed as if we'll be blamed if we can't afford our electricity bill because we didn't cut back on our hair.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/black-haircare-texture-tax-cost-of-livinghttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/body-doubling-productivity-adhd-wfh"I would tell my partner that if I am falling short on something do not hesitate to correct me... Hold me accountable. It helps." "I would tell my partner that if I am falling short on something do not hesitate to correct me... Hold me accountable. It helps."Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/body-doubling-productivity-adhd-wfhhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/heavy-periods-iron-deficient-anemiaLike many Black women, I have uterine fibroids: benign, non-cancerous growths that develop in and around the womb (approximately 80% of Black women will suffer from fibroids by the age of 50). Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, although many people, like me, experience unbearable abdominal and back pain, and heavy and painful periods (known as menorrhagia) that last longer and are more frequent than average. Much like conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS, there is a high risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia due to the heavy loss of menstrual blood.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/heavy-periods-iron-deficient-anemiahttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/fake-hair-wigs-weave-sustainability-ethicsFrom the exploitation of poor women for high-grade “virgin” human hair to the mass dumping of synthetic hair in landfills, the hair extension business — expected to reach $1,185.1 million in the UK by 2027 — can be ethically murky. While pressure is continually applied to the fashion and beauty industries to change their ethical and environmental practices, the hair extension industry still remains largely unregulated, allowing for unseemly practices to go unnoticed by consumers.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/fake-hair-wigs-weave-sustainability-ethicshttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/adhd-black-women-natural-hair-self-esteemAs a Black woman with ADHD who adores beauty, I feel trapped by the need to only do what’s safe... I can admit that the pressures of Black hair, and some of the criticism it attracts, warrant my reliance on protective hair styling. As a Black woman with ADHD who adores beauty, I feel trapped by the need to only do what’s safe... I can admit that the pressures of Black hair, and some of the criticism it attracts, warrant my reliance on protective hair styling.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/adhd-black-women-natural-hair-self-esteemhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/artificial-intelligence-chat-gpt-black-mental-health“AI chatbots are highly likely to be underpinned by Western ideals, non-spiritual and have a mechanistic way of looking at life..." “AI chatbots are highly likely to be underpinned by Western ideals, non-spiritual and have a mechanistic way of looking at life..."Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/artificial-intelligence-chat-gpt-black-mental-healthhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/women-body-image-friendships-positive-impactWe are all at different stops on this long, tiresome journey towards self-acceptance. And this conversation requires a huge dollop of nuance that acknowledges how conventional beauty standards impact people differently, depending on how close or far you are from the so-called ideal. We are all at different stops on this long, tiresome journey towards self-acceptance. And this conversation requires a huge dollop of nuance that acknowledges how conventional beauty standards impact people differen...Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/women-body-image-friendships-positive-impacthttps://www.refinery29.com/en-us/author/loreal-blackettLatines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories.Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and conversations shaping the future of beauty. Latines learning, remembering, healing, and finding joy in our diverse stories. Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts, brands, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, innovations, and...Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/author/loreal-blacketthttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2025/06/11909947/faith-kipyegon-fastest-womens-mile-record-breaking4"For me, [it’s about knowing] that my daughter is back at home, knowing that I'm out there inspiring the next generation... When she grows up, she will know mum was up to something which was for the whole world." "For me, [it’s about knowing] that my daughter is back at home, knowing that I'm out there inspiring the next generation... When she grows up, she will know mum was up to something which was for the whole world."Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2025/06/11909947/faith-kipyegon-fastest-womens-mile-record-breaking4https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/daf44a47-445d-4ca5-9f1e-d4574c1ba15d.jpgCovering the MTV EMAs 2024 red carpet for Refinery29Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/473859/images/daf44a47-445d-4ca5-9f1e-d4574c1ba15d.jpghttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2024/08/11764604/collective-grief-world-crisis-finding-community“Recently I’ve been able to recognise that the sense of loss I hold around Palestine is too big for me to meet alone. I can’t do this myself. My grief practices have to be communal..." “Recently I’ve been able to recognise that the sense of loss I hold around Palestine is too big for me to meet alone. I can’t do this myself. My grief practices have to be communal..."Thu, 05 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2024/08/11764604/collective-grief-world-crisis-finding-communityhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/black-british-immigrant-identity-barbados-festivalIt was my first time in Barbados since I was a child. My memories of my time on the island — living with my gran (gran-gran) and great-grandmother in our familial home — are hazy and I’m not sure which memories are mine or simply the retellings of my parents. On the very same day that I would see Rihanna in all her regalia, I’d also search for and find my gran-gran’s house (my house) for the first time in decades. My dad had texted me the address on Grand Kadooment Day and my taxi driver confirmed that my grandmother’s house was only five minutes away from the Crop Over celebrations. I was elated. There are no street names or numbered houses so the taxi driver and a van full of journalists asked strangers on the street if they knew of my great-grandmother and many said no. I was resigned to not finding the house when — call it fate or coincidence — one of my travel companions told the driver to stop the car in front of an old woman and her son walking by. They said they had lived on this street all their lives and remembered my family, who they described as “the ones that went to England and stopped coming back to Barbados”. My ancestral home was just a few short yards away. I stood in the street that I recognised from photo albums. I saw the steps where I chased geckos and played with local kids. And, on those steps, I cried for my much-beloved gran who died 10 years ago. This trip would reconnect me with a core part of my identity and it was life-altering — seeing Rihanna was only the icing on the cake.Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/black-british-immigrant-identity-barbados-festival