Aotearoa-based Malaysian singer Reshma produces songs with a signature style and purpose.
Take her latest single, Where My Asians At?!. The 'upbeat, feminine rage song' reflects on the singer's personal experiences as a woman navigating the music industry and rallies against the lack of representation for marginalised communities in our commercial music and arts scenes.
When it comes to her personal projection too, the alt-pop star has been on something of a journey. Recently returning to her natural hair style and colour after a "why not try all the things" period of experimentation, Reshma views her hair as another platform through which to amplify her identity.
"With each different hairstyle, I feel like I embodied a different version of myself."
Okay, straight to the point... how is your hair so great?
Naaaaw, thanks! You’re making me blush, and before the first date? :O Ever since I started investing time into my hair care, it has saved me a lot of grief from post-wash care. I also enjoy experimenting with my hair as it's such an integral part of my aesthetic and identity.
How would you describe your hair ?
Thick, wavy, frizzy Indian hair. When I say thick, I mean THICCC. Most visits to the salon leads to hair stylists thinning out my hair in layers because of how thick it is. I would also say untameable - it definitely has a life of its own.
Through your music you challenge mistaken stereotypes. Have you encountered any of these assumptions about your hair?
Interestingly enough, not any inaccurate ones (in my case!). Where My Asians At?! speaks more about the assumptions people have about my characteristics as a migrant artist in Aotearoa, and what my perceived “strengths and weaknesses” would be.
If anything, I think people have assumptions about what type of hair suits me, hence why I challenged that norm and experimented to find out for myself.
Do you have any favourite lyrics that reference hair?
I mean, is there any other iconic anthem if not Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair? Back in the day, I’d plug this track on my earphones after getting my hair done and walk out of the salon imagining that it was my own personal music video/anthem HAHAHA, please don’t judge me.
More generally, how would you describe your relationship with your hair? Now and in the past?
It’s definitely been a love hate relationship. Growing up, I hated how frizzy my hair was. As a teen I would try to straighten my hair (without heat protector could you believe), only for it to frizz back up worse five minutes later. So I gave up on it, and would just tie it up in a messy, frizzy bun to get it out of my face. Even hair gel didn’t seem to work on it.
As my career progressed, I was given the opportunity to work with salons on an exchange basis (content for service). And I thought, hey, why not try all the things I couldn’t afford to do on my own? Hence, my hair experimentation phase. Blonde, half and half, short hair, long hair, layers, bangs, wolf cuts - I played around with a lot of colour and styles. With each different hairstyle, I feel like I embodied a different version of myself, and it gives me a lot of nostalgia to reflect on.
Now, I’m back to my natural hair, and I love it. The past lives of my hair has led me back to loving my natural hair, which I didn’t think I ever would. However, with good hair care, a solid routine and time, I relish in the fact that my hair is healthy, organic and loved.
Can you tell us a bit about some of your memorable hairstyles?
Uff, there were so many! I think my ultimate favs were:
1) Half blue/half purple
I’d always wanted to try half and half hair, inspired by [musician] Melanie Martinez. The bangs really were a last min choice - but I lived for it. I got this hair done just before I went on a mini tour in Japan, and it was a huge hit! It also faded out to this beautiful ashy pastel blue/purple, which I really enjoyed.
2) Blonde
Blonde is always a scary colour to attempt, especially for a woman with my skin colour. It was a colour I never thought I could do.
We went for a coppery blonde with a slight balayage, and it changed my mindset about brown women rocking blonde hair - it definitely is a vibe if matched to the correct undertone of the skin! I had this hair when I was invited to LA for a music conference, and I was presented the “Star of the Year” award.
3) Pastel pink
I had box dyed my hair a reddish pink, as the color from my last dye job has faded. I wasn’t a huge fan of the colour - it was extremely loud and didn’t blend in with my roots as well. However, the colour it faded to I loved! It turned into a silvery ash pastel pink that looked gorgeous IMO. This was the hair I has when I released my first English single, titled, 'loneliest girl'.
4) Side shave
This was my first ever “rebellious” hair decision. I had wanted a more edgy look, but I knew my parents would never let me get a side shave. So... what did I do? I got it anyway, BUT, in such a way where I could flip my hair back and hide it. I managed to hide from my parents for a few months miraculously!
Who ‘does’ it?
In Aotearoa, I don’t have a “go-to” salon. Back in Malaysia, I relied on C.Michael London, a FANTASTIC, top tier hair salon. Many memories were created there. Besides that, just me!
What cultural and societal influences have impacted your approach to your hair?
There were many societal and cultural influences that held me back from experimenting, especially with colour. I was so used to seeing the women around me don natural, dark, long hair, and I was quite fearful about being so bold with my hair choices. However, the pop music scene definitely fueled some of my choices hair-wise.
What do you do to take care of your mane? What's your daily / weekly routine?
It’s quite simple really. I wash my hair once every few days, because it’s so thick it tends to fall out with overwashing. Shampoo, conditioner, and then whilst my hair is damp, I apply leave-in conditioner to add weight to my hair to stop it from frizzing up when it dries.
Once in a while, when I’m feeling like my hair needs a pick me up, I go to the holy grail of Indian hair products, Amla Oil. I apply the oil, leave it in my hair for 30 mins, then go through my usual wash and care routine.
What products do you use to take care of it?
I use: Amla Oil. Fudge Luminizer Shampoo and Conditioner. Garnier Fructis Hair Food Papaya Hair Mask.
Does your approach to your hair change when you're offstage / off-duty?
100% - I’m definitely less diligent with my hair when I know I don’t have shows, interviews, recordings, photoshoots etc. Messy half bun all day, everyday.
Where do you look for styling inspiration? Who else do you think has great hair?
The internet has an OVERWHELMING amount of inspiration. Every hour I have an intrusive thought about going bald, or re-bleaching my hair. However, I tend to be drawn back to natural Indian hair influencers, like Fuzzy Curls or Curl em Up!
