NEZZA on Why Her Hair Is the Most Important Part of All Her Looks

For NEZZA, making music is second nature. As far back as she can remember, NEZZA's passion for music has been fundamentally intertwined into her life. After getting her start posting covers on YouTube, the Colombian-Dominican singer released her debut EP Club Solita in 2021 — and now, she's gearing up to release her upcoming EP. With roots in California's Bay Area, the star recognizes her undying love for music only holds a candle to one other thing in her life: her hair.

While the singer's music has allowed her to express herself creatively, she's also discovered that beauty is yet another outlet to experiment with. Particularly, NEZZA's signature ginger hair and Y2K-inspired hairstyles have become a fundamental part of her ethos as an artist. "I think hair is sometimes the most important part of a look. It really can make or break an entire outfit. I love to play," she tells Hypebae.

 

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Since getting her start, NEZZA has come to realize that the music industry has only further heightened her interest in beauty, which she initially inherited from her mom. "I've always loved all of it. The short answer is my mom. She got me into it all," she says. Beyond that, working in the music industry has pushed the singer to care more about beauty — especially when it comes to changing things up and using her look as a medium to express how she's feeling.

After her Spanish rendition of the National Anthem went viral, NEZZA is only just getting started. Not only is her music an unapologetic symbol of who she is, her love for hair and makeup serves as a tool to tap into the most authentic version of herself. At her core, the artist's strong ties to beauty relies on one formative piece of advice she was given: Beauty has no rules — it’s about valuing what makes you feel good above all else.

From Rhode's Pocket Blush to Laneige's Lip Glowy Balm — ahead, NEZZA spills all of her beauty must-haves.

Garnier Fructis Leave In Conditioner

[shoppable brand="Garnier Fructis" product="Garnier Fructis Leave In Conditioner" link="https://www.target.com/p/garnier-fructis-sleek-shine-intensely-smooth-leave-in-conditioning-cream-10-2-fl-oz/-/A-12443828" store="Target" price="$5 USD"]

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"I've been using it since I was a kid. I cannot, I repeat, cannot live without this stuff. Being a curly girl is hard and this product changed my life."

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
[shoppable brand="Laneige" product="Laneige Lip Glowy Balm" link="https://www.sephora.com/product/glowy-lip-balm-P443563" store="Sephora" price="$19 USD"]

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"I have one in every single purse. Been purchasing for many years. One of my pet peeves is dry lips — can't do it."

Rhode Pocket Blush in Juice Box
[shoppable brand="Rhode" product="Rhode Pocket Blush" link="https://www.rhodeskin.com/products/pocket-blush-juice-box" store="Sephora" price="$25 USD"]

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"My favorite makeup product is blush. I definitely have blush blindness. If [Hailey Bieber] ever discontinues this I don't know what I would do. It's the best cream blush I've ever tried."

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner
[shoppable brand="Aussie" product="Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner" link="https://www.target.com/p/aussie-paraben-free-miracle-moist-3-minute-miracle-with-avocado-for-dry-hair-repair-8-fl-oz/-/A-13970540" store="Target" price="$6 USD"]

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"I've basically been gatekeeping this my entire life. It detangles my curls like magic. It's everything."

Ty Balm
[shoppable brand="Ty Balm" product="Ty Balm" link="https://tybalm.com/" store="Ty Balm" price="$25 USD"]

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"Created by the beautiful Tyson Salomon — I've been using it for almost two years now. I have so many body care products but this is one of my favorites. I take it with me everywhere."

While you're here, read about Louis Vuitton's newest perfume.

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