When you hear the guitar strums and vocals of Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, professionally known as H.E.R., you’re instantly transported to a place of serenity. The five-time Grammy-winning artist has serenaded the world with her captivating music, entrancing us with her stage presence and signature sunglasses. It’s only natural that we would want to hear more.
Fortunately, the singer and songwriter is giving us just that in ABC’s upcoming live special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration on December 15 as beloved Disney princess Belle. She’s also teaming up with L’Oréal Paris for their annual Women of Worth event in Los Angeles, designed to celebrate and elevate the stories of extraordinary female nonprofit leaders.
H.E.R. is joining an impressive group of women for the event, including actors Helen Mirren and Aja Naomi King as well as fellow musician and friend Camila Cabello. “I love Camila,” she tells Glamour. “All these women are so different and so unique, but they’re all amazing at what they do. It’s cool to be able to connect with people that come from different worlds or have different perspectives. It’s really cool to be connected with Camila because we’re both artists in the music space and we can relate to going through certain things because of what we do. It’s a very unique and diverse group of women.”
While bold red-carpet looks and show-stopping performances are a part of H.E.R.’s everyday life, the singer prefers the serenity of slowing down and embracing your natural features. Ahead, she opens up about all things beauty, including her favorite products and activities to unwind and embracing her natural hair.
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Glamour: What’s your favorite thing about the Women of Worth campaign?
H.E.R.: It’s really a space for women to support other women and things that we believe in. The things that are important to us are so often that we want to fight for something or we just simply want to exist. And we don’t necessarily always have the support.
What’s one beauty trend you’re obsessed with right now?
The biggest thing for me is natural brows. I love the fact that people are embracing their natural brows and we just kind of, you know—we might fill them in here and there. But for the most part, the natural look has been my favorite.
What’s one beauty rule you swear by?
It would be something along the lines of having an amazing lip to match a good eye; the lip-eye combo is super important to me. If I’m doing my makeup there are these things that are kind of no-brainers, like winged eyeliner with a red lip. I like classic things. I don’t know if that’s much of a rule, but it’s something I like to consider is the classic pairings.
What’s one beauty rule you think is BS?
I don’t know where to start. I think for a long time–and I think we have destroyed this rule–but natural hair, especially when you have big curly hair, has been seen as unprofessional or not put-together. We’ve destroyed that rule and have now been able to be who we are and make whatever we present, presentable.
Fill in the blank: “I love my hair when...”
I love my hair when it’s natural and it breathes.
Fill in the blank: “I feel most beautiful when...”
I feel the most beautiful when I’m happy on the inside.
What’s your go-to getting-ready music?
Honestly, it’s usually instrumentals. I love J Dilla or old Wu-Tang instrumentals or even just jazz instrumentals.
What is your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?
My favorite way to take a moment for myself probably involves a good snack, a really comfy couch, and like, an instrument, probably my guitar. The snack is most important.
What’s the last Instagram rabbit hole you went down?
I really love dog videos. I’m constantly going down that rabbit hole of cute puppies.
What’s your favorite emoji?
My favorite is the grin with the hearts around it. Like the subtle smile with the heart.
If you could change one thing about beauty perceptions what would that be?
That it’s about the exterior. Sometimes we say if we don’t have makeup on or our hair is in a bun, it's called the “bummy look” or not-presentable or “looking crazy.” I feel like we look our best when we are comfortable, you know? We also may feel our best when we have a great full face of makeup, and that’s okay too. There are no rules when it comes to how you should look and when you should look that way. If you feel like putting on makeup, you feel like letting your hair down, you should feel like you could do that regardless and not compartmentalize it. It’s whatever makes you feel good on the inside.
