Willow Smith totally embodied the punk-pop artist she has grown into at Reading Festival on 28 Aug., and her beauty look was one for the festival hall of fame. The “Wait a Minute!” singer has never been afraid to experiment with her look, from buzz cuts to bold lipstick, and rocked that edgy style in the form of tooth gems, a deep silver metallic mani, and visible armpit hair at the music festival.
The daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith is unapologetically herself, and so she should be. While Willow raising her tattoo-covered arms to reveal armpit hair might seem like a statement to make a stand against the societal pressures of beauty standards, it’s actually not. The 21-year-old has been letting her armpit hair grow for a few years simply because it’s easier.
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In a 2017 Instagram post, she revealed there was no complex thought process behind the decision at all. Plus, in a 2018 episode of “Red Table Talk”, the singer explained to her mother and grandmother: “I mean I didn’t really make the decision not to shave, I just kind of didn’t shave. It takes too much time. I just want to get in the shower and get out of the shower. . . . I’m going to be like my ancestors and just do what I need to do.”
The artist – who joined a star-studded lineup including the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Arctic Monkeys, Bring Me the Horizon, Halsey, and The 1975 spread across the weekend – also has a penchant for tooth jewellery. After regularly showing glimpses of her glittering smile (whether that’s down to gems or grillz) on Instagram, it’s clear that the star loves to decorate her teeth – and we’re here for it.
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Rocking out behind her guitar, Smith was dressed in a tartan miniskirt, a ripped white tank top with flannel detailing, black knee-high socks and Converse, a woolly hat, and ’70s-style aviator sunglasses. Topping off the emo aesthetic with colourful beaded jewellery, Smith looked at ease on the stage as she performed in front of thousands. As a punk-pop muse, Smith’s refreshing take on body hair makes for a rockstar role model. Ahead, see her Reading Festival look.
