Three Creatives On How Their Childhood Style Icons Influenced Their Look

The pop stars and actors we idolize as kids have a huge influence on our grown-up sense of style. They model confidence and character, and show us that we have the power to create our own unique looks—no matter who we are or where we come from. We connected with three Canadian LGBTQ2S+ creatives to discuss how their style icons informed who they are (and how they wear their hair) today.

Rahnell “Rahsthetics” Branton, 26

Toronto
Makeup artist

Style icon: Mel B. a.k.a. Scary Spice
“I wanted to be just like Scary Spice. People would say that she was rude, but she was just outspoken. I always liked that. I would beg my mom to do my hair like her. Looking back, I feel like Scary Spice may have helped me love my own hair; my mom was very creative with my hair, too, and to see somebody who was doing something similar was very cool. Now, I’ve made my hair art. It helps to make my look elevated. And the reason I wear Bantu knots to this day is because of Scary Spice.”

Get the Look: Mel B’s Bantu knots
Sectioning and patience are key when it comes to this look, says celebrity hairstylist and OGX ambassador, Jesus Guerrero. He recommends using OGX Bamboo FiberTexture Flexible Fiber Wax to style and finishing off the look with OGX Bodifying + Bamboo Fiber Full Big Hair Spray. “Be sure to take your time creating the perfect sections and the rest will be easy.” Bantu knots can last for a couple of days, depending on how well you maintain them. Guerrero suggests sleeping with a silk bonnet and using a shower cap.

Bom Bae, 28

Toronto
Drag queen

Style icon: Lady gaga
“I was obsessed with Lady Gaga growing up. She’s always had very extravagant, avant-garde hair and outfits, and she has this attitude like, ‘You may not like what I sing about, but you can’t deny that you are going to look at me when I walk in.’ When I’m wearing a big hair piece and I walk into a bar, people stop what they’re doing and look at me—and it’s that five seconds that I live for. I’ve made a wig out of pizza boxes, one that looks like a gigantic squid and one that shoots money. That’s how I try to express myself with hair. As a drag queen, I’m not for subtlety. I love the drama.”

Get the Look: Lady Gaga’s Bow Hairstyle
“This hairstyle is surprisingly simple,” says Guerrero. Start with OGX Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Penetrating Oil to make sure your hair is nice and smooth before styling. Section hair and secure it into a ponytail, then make a second ponytail, creating a bubble-like effect. Split it in the middle and secure it in place, then finesse the bow to perfection with the help of OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Humidity Blocking Hairspray. “Add a faux bang if you want to create the full effect,” says Guerrero. Finish the look with an extra spritz of hairspray.

Kaleb Robertson

Toronto
Cultural producer & drag entertainer

Style icon: Luke Perry as McKay
“I really enjoyed Dillon from Beverly Hills, 90210. His style felt like a throwback to the oldies, like The Outsiders. He had the pompadour and this uniform of the white T-shirt, khaki pants and Converse sneakers. I loved that aesthetic. I was 21 when I finally cut my own hair short and I’ve never looked back. Sometimes I feel like I’m living my teen hair dreams—I definitely don’t feel like I dress, act or look my age, because I missed out on a boyhood. Sometimes I look at myself and I’m like, ‘oh yeah, you’re that scraggly teen boy that you never got to be,’ which is a nice feeling.”

Get the Look: Luke Perry’s Pompadour
Creating the perfect hair texture is key to keeping the pompadour full and fluffy, Guerrero says. First, spritz hair with OGX 5-in-1 Keratin Smoothing Oil Spray. Next, blow dry hair in an upward direction, then use OGX Flexible + Beeswax Texture Hairspray Wax and a paddle brush or a round brush to start creating the shape. Finish off the look and keep it in place all day with OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Humidity Blocking Hairspray.