Courtesy of Sierra Mills
As we prepare for the Love Island USA As we reunite tonight, we’re naturally reflecting on all that happened on the sixth season of the dating and reality TV show. During the 36-episode season, over 30 islanders tried to find love in a villa in Fiji – Kordell and Serena are this season’s featured couple – or face being kicked off the island.
But on any dating show, on-screen appearance is half the battle. Beloved by fans for its beauty moments, “physical appearance plays a role in a dating show because it affects the first impression or initial attraction,” former Islander Sierra Mills tells ESSENCE.
However, a humid South Pacific villa coupled with unlimited time on camera and limited time in front of the mirror put pressure on her before she set off to find love. “The reality is we only had about 30 to 40 minutes to get ready and dressed, which was a big challenge for me,” says Mills. “I had to find new quick hairstyles that I could do in 15 minutes or less and that could withstand the humidity in Fiji.” With island girls’ Bora Bora braids on the rise, a protective hairstyle was naturally at the top of the list.
“I initially thought about coming in braids as that would be the easiest way to maintain my hair, but I thought, ‘there’s no way this is going to last the whole two months,'” she thought. So we saw her wearing updos, slicked-back ponytails, braids and space buns during her 10-episode stay on the island, making her a beauty fan favorite. “I didn’t start the season with a specific protective style, but I was prepared with braided hair, extensions and different bundles to create a protective look when needed,” she says. “Let’s just say I have a lot Gel and hairspray to keep my hair straight.”
But while her slicked-back hair received 5 stars on screen, she is still a long way from writing a love letter to her natural hair texture. “Growing up mixed race with a white mother, I often felt like I couldn’t understand and care for my natural hair,” she says. Between hair breakage from a hair straightener she begged for 11 years ago and hiding her hair texture with extensions, she grew up with hair anxiety that also played out on the set of Love Island“I was nervous about my TV appearance because I knew I would be filmed from every angle, even if I wore my hair down while getting ready or in the morning.”
Still, she used the dating show to challenge not only her heart but her hair as well. “I was so keen to change my hairstyle every day, day and night,” she says. “Looking back on those moments, I appreciate my natural beauty on a deeper level.” Dating shows and apps may feel like a superficial way to start a relationship – and like Sierra, you can still end up single – but the most beautiful part for her is learning self-love. “The experience reinforced my belief that true beauty comes from authenticity rather than trying to fit a certain image or hide who you are.”
