Texture Diaries is a space for Black people across industries to reflect on their journeys to self-love, and how accepting their hair, in all its glory, played a pivotal role in this process. Each week, they share their favorite hair rituals, products, and the biggest lessons they’ve learned when it comes to affirming their beauty and owning their unique hair texture.
As a breakout star of Netflix’s most-watched series ever, Bridgerton, Ruby Barker is having quite a moment. She plays Marina Thompson, the newcomer of the ’Ton who commands attention among her Featherington cousins. The juicy storylines of the series—accentuated by some entrancing hair looks—have stayed with fans since the show’s debut.
Being on the Bridgerton is part of what helped Barker to love her hair fully. “Tania [Couper] did such an amazing job and really helped me see what my hair could do,” Barker says. “I have not always loved it.” Growing up in Glasgow, she associated getting her hair done with pain. “Getting the knots raked out [was always] pure agony for me,” she says, before she learned the trick that worked best for her: applying loads of conditioner to help the detangling process.
“My hair was the butt of a lot of jokes growing up,” she adds. “I couldn’t walk down a hallway without this girl pulling out my hair bobble and laughing at my Afro.” She eventually chemically straightened it, followed by a short cut. “YouTube saved me! I learned everything about how to take care of my hair from there,” she says. Natasha Tarpley’s children’s book, I Love My Hair! was another confidence booster.
In the acting world, Barker looks up to Nathalie Emmanuel from Game of Thrones. “Seeing her rock her natural curls on the show was inspiring. Her look was iconic,” she says. To care for her own locks, Barker reaches for SheaMoisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Conditioner, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner, and Camille Rose Natural Curl Love Moisture Milk as well as its Algae Renew deep conditioner, topped off by Kelly MacPepple hair and scalp oil. “All these products leave my hair feeling super hydrated, shiny, and bouncy.” Barker shampoos on a weekly basis, applies copious conditioner in the shower, and detangles with a wide-tooth comb. Then she applies her leave-in and oil, sealed off by air-drying or a protective style, like her favorite French braids.
These days, she’s enjoying having more fun with hair. “Bridgerton has taught me not to be afraid of accessorizing your hair! It looks great,” Barker says of her newest lesson. “Remember that you are beautiful. And your hair is beautiful too.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker1/11“To any young people of color struggling with finding confidence in their hair, read I Love My Hair! by Natasha Tarpley. Or read it to your children. It’s the story of a young Black girl who learns to find pride in her hair, even though it hurts sometimes when her mother combs it.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker2/11“I love doing alternative styles like braids and buns!”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker3/11“Oils help to seal in moisture. This is one of my favorites.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker4/11“I’ve been tempted to move to London so many times, but I’m torn. I love the countryside, the quietness and the pace of the north.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker5/11“Me at home. I was born in Islington, London. The day after I was born, I joined my sister Harriet in foster care. We were adopted when I was a baby, lived in London, then Worcester, then Glasgow until I was a teenager.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker6/11“I love using this leave-in. My biggest hair tip is to use loads of conditioner in the shower as well.”
Photo: Courtesy of Ruby Barker7/11“Right now, I’m just looking forward to spending time with my nephew after lockdown ends. I’ve been so busy over the last few years. Now, I just see him over video calls every day. I intend to take him indoor bouldering for the first time, and take him to the beach. I also love photography. I can’t wait to take pictures of him on 35mm film.”
