I know I’m not the only one who puts a lot of effort into their personal appearance.

Growing up, my mom always instilled in me the idea that I should always be presentable, and that I should take great care in making sure that I’m always put together. She would always take so much time putting together my outfits, braiding my hair, and making sure I was always well moisturised (huge shoutout to Vaseline!)

However, as I got older, there was definitely a shift to me taking the initiative to take care of myself. While she used to braid my hair or find someone to do it, around high school I had to start taking care of that myself. Similarly, I had to pick my own outfits, figure out how I wanted to do my makeup, and think about how I wanted to do my nails. It was a lot, but, eventually, I fell into my own rhythm. I created systems that worked for me, and I had an ecosystem of beauty providers I knew I could rely on.

I feel extremely lucky to be a student at a school so close to home, as my system hasn’t changed. However I know that, for most Black students, that won’t be the case.

To write this blog, I reached out to some students on campus, and, combining their experiences and mine, I’ve compiled a list of some places, so incoming students have a place to start!

Hair

Personally, I started learning how to do my own hair the summer after  my freshman year of high school. This was during the COVID-19 Pandemic, so I wasn’t leaving the house. This had two major benefits: I had so much free time and nobody would be around to judge the parting at the back of my head. I’ve practiced a lot since then, to the point where I now do my own hair consistently.

Wash days in general aren’t the most fun, but on campus they are nowhere near as bad as I was worried they would be. Part of that is definitely due to me getting a good routine going, which is made possible by the beauty supply stores in the area. I tend to go to beauty supply stores more local to me, but I know a lot of other students recommend Beauty Supply Supermarket in Boston. It’s less than an hour away by public transport, making it very accessible to students. Regardless of where you go, it’s definitely possible to find your favourite products! In case you can't make the trip out, Amazon is also very popular for students to get products shipped to you directly! Bundles, BlackGirlSunscreen, and Lash Clusters are all just a click away.

In case you can’t do your hair (or simply don’t want to, and trust me, I’ve been there), there are so many students on campus who you can turn to! My friend, Marissa ‘27, runs a hair business. She offers a variety of services, both for men and women, including styles that use added hair. Another student braider is Ciera ‘27 Her cornrows and natural hair styles are super clean and sharp! Both are great options for incoming students, and their pricing is pretty affordable too! These are just some of the students who do hair on campus, but there are so many talented hairstylists in the area!. 

Nails

A lot of students on campus love getting their nails done, and I’m definitely one of them. Sometimes it can be hard to find trusted providers, so I’ve always been very grateful for the upperclassmen who pointed me in the right direction!

There are a few nail salons in Harvard Square itself. My personal favourite is Boston Nail Bar, where I go for a lot of my soak offs, but there’s also Couture Nails & Spa! Just a T-stop away is Nails by Porter, which is also conveniently located near a Target in case you want to give yourself a DIY set!

There are also so many amazing nail technicians in the area, who students rely on for a variety of services. Whether you want to get a fresh set done for Convocation or Commencement, there are quite a few nail techs that are easily accessible! Some may be a bit further away, such as in Quincy or deeper into the south shore. However, if you have the time, the journey is always worth it!

Makeup

Obviously doing your makeup isn’t required to be a successful Harvard student, but it’s definitely still a lot of fun! Whether you’re wanting to do a full face or more of an everyday look, there are a lot of different stores in the area that are heavily frequented by the student population. If you want to practice your Olandria lip combo, the beauty supply stores I mentioned earlier most definitely have you covered! I personally also am a frequent flyer at the Sephora in the Cambridgeside Mall.

Coming to college is definitely a nerve wracking experience, but, at least at Harvard, you’ll never have to sacrifice the things that you enjoy and the self-care that makes you who you are. No matter what beauty experience you’re looking for or what aesthetic you’re trying to achieve, the communities surrounding you definitely make it possible. Most importantly, the upperclassmen around you have been through the exact same process, and are more than happy to help! In fact, recent alumnae Moniola '26 and Madison '26 have been working really hard on a new beauty platform Aro, specifically designed to make the beauty discovery process easier! 

You're not alone in your worries, and you're not alone in your journey. As you go through this process, remember that you don’t have to take on anyone’s standard of beauty except your own.