"You should say sweet things to your hair. Speak life and affirmations into your hair and your hair will thank you for it."
Lala Lopez is a New York-based artist, model, and creative director, creating images and stories that explore identity, creativity, and the emotional language people carry. Whether she's behind the camera, in front of it, or simply sharing moments from her life, she's interested in helping people feel more connected to themselves and to all the beauty life has to offer when you slow down to pay attention.
We spent the day with Lala in New York, where we talked about her relationship with her hair, the rituals that ground her, and what it means to build a life rooted in self-care and creative truth.
What is your relationship with your hair, and how has your relationship with your hair evolved over time?
My hair is my connection to myself. My hair is my antennas that root me back to myself.
As a young girl to a teen, I would straighten my hair every single day, not really understanding that I was stripping myself of my own unique identity. When I was in my early twenties, I vowed to stop straightening my hair and that I would let my antennas run wild. I wouldn't try to change them and more importantly, I wouldn't try to change my own wild nature.
What role does hair play in your cultural identity?
My hair is a direct representation of my cultural identity. As a Puerto Rican woman, born and raised in New York with a tri-racial identity, it quite literally roots me back to my ancestors, my lineage and the stories that they carried with them. I celebrate that with my hair and truly wear it like a badge of honor, because it is.
Do you have any hair rituals?
I love doing a pre-poo hair oiling with HINU's hair growth oil. I spray my hair with water until it's a little damp, then I rake in the oil and begin detangling my curls section by section. Once I'm all detangled, I add in some more Growth oil. I part my hair down the middle and braid my detangled hair into two braids. I do that at least 1 hour before I'm going to shampoo and condition my hair, sometimes 24 hours before. My hair loves that I take the time to tend to her, to be present for her.
What does self-care mean to you, and how do you practice self-care in your daily life?
Self care is an act of rebellion to me. It's not about face masks and carving out some me-time. (Although it can be that too) Self care is about being able to create an intentional life that supports my natural ebbs and flows. Creating a life that anticipates that I will need time to slow down, be in nature, reflect before I'm giving up my time, energy to everything and everyone else.
I've really re-oriented my life to be one that is rooted in self-care first. I spent so much of my adult life being under-resourced and energetically burnt out that I've quite literally done all I can do to reverse that pattern. My days are centered around how I'll get time to spend outdoors, in nature, getting sunlight on my face, giving thanks, drinking water and eating fresh foods.
Can you share any hair care tips you've learned?
A very special woman once shared with me that when you're detangling, brushing, styling or washing your hair, you should say sweet things to your hair. Speak life and affirmations into your hair and your hair will thank you for it. She has the most magical hair I've ever laid eyes on.
What brings you the most fulfillment and happiness?
Living in my truth and cultivating my own creative inner world brings me the most happiness and fulfillment. I spent so much of my adult life in environments and dynamics that weren't aligned with who I really was. There came a point where I decided that I would no longer betray my true nature, that I would follow my creativity and my inner knowing no matter what. My life has opened up in ways that I could never have even imagined since then. Life is forgiving, merciful and sweet. You can always start again.
"When I'm in the company of creative women, I always feel charged up, inspired and ready to take on the world. Just hearing them share how they see the world or how they process through their own art, makes it clear that I'm in the right company."
Where do you feel most creative?
I feel the most creative in nature. I take my daily walks in this magical park with beautiful birds and lakes and baby foxes. As soon as I get there, it's like download after download comes through. I wind up recording voice notes so I can retain all the goodness. But then also when I'm in the company of creative women, I always feel charged up, inspired and ready to take on the world. Just hearing them share how they see the world or how they process through their own art, makes it clear that I'm in the right company.
LALA'S HINU HOME PLAYLIST
I. Benjamin — MUNYA
II. Diosa — Kali Uchis
III. Son Shine — SAULT
IV. Could Heaven Ever Be Like This — Idris Muhammad
V. 100 bux — Fousheé
VI. Butterfly — UMI
VII. Gotta Find a Way — The Frightnrs
VIII. No More Hiding — SZA
IX. Porcelain — Red Hot Chili Peppers
X. In A Sentimental Mood — Duke Ellington & John Coltrane