Afro-Latina Owned Brands Yo Soy AfroLatina and Hello Updo Release The Silk Life Collection

Image: Yo Soy AfroLatina

At CNK Daily, one of our core values is to empower women to live out their dreams and be their authentic selves through creative expression. There are many ways we love to express ourselves, one being through our hair. Whether you’re team natural beauty, team sew-in slay, or team change it up every week, you continuously do what makes you feel and look good, while always celebrating yourself first. For AfroLatina founders, Bianca Kea of the lifestyle brand, Yo Soy AfroLatina, and Magdaline Hurtado Estevez of the haircare brand, Hello Updo, have learned what it means to embrace themselves and their culture wholeheartedly, and are using their brands to be an advocate for other women in their community as well.

Kicking off Latinx Heritage Month, Yo Soy AfroLatina and Hello Updo have come together for a first-time capsule collection called The Silk Life Collection inspired by the phrase “Libera Tus Rizos” or “Free The Curls”. It celebrates the beauty of textured hair and the rich cultures of both founders. Read on to get to know more about Bianca and Magdaline, their brands, and how you can purchase your own Silk Life Collection. 

Meet Bianca and Magdaline

What is the mission behind Yo Soy AfroLatina + Hello Updo?

Bianca Kea: Fostering a community that celebrates and honors Afro-Latinidad, Yo Soy AfroLatina is a space to inspire, uplift & create community. As a lifestyle brand and community platform with a mission to shed light on the beauty and the magnitude of Afro Latinas creating a space where they are acknowledged for their beautiful, diverse culture. With a full line of identity-affirming apparel, home decor, and accessories, YSAL is working to amplify the unapologetic Blackness of Afro-Latinas.

Magdaline Hurtado Estevez: Hello Updo is dedicated to building texture representation in the global hair care industry by creating luxury texture-inclusive silk tools that support every hair texture. Hair comes in different shapes and sizes so, just like clothing, hair tools should not be one size fits all. With this in mind, we created quality products that come in different sizes in order to love on and properly protect our community’s hair. Joining forces with Bianca and her brand Yo Soy AfroLatina only brought our dreams of representing our communities in a space we never see ourselves (luxury haircare) to the next level.

How did the idea come about to bring Yo Soy AfroLatina and Hello Updo together?

BK: I’ve always admired and respected Hello Updo’s work. I was blown away by the experience and quality of their products after my first purchase. I felt like this would be a great collaboration for us as we have similar audiences, I thought it would be a great opportunity for two Afro-Latina Entrepreneurs to partner together and create something with our community in mind. 

MH: I have been a fan of Yo Soy Afro Latina and Bianca’s work for years so this collaboration was a dream come true and a no-brainer! As people, we are both dedicated to the communities we represent. That respect and yearning for representation are just as evident in our brands as it is in our personal lives.

What does Libera Tus Rizos mean and how is it shown in the capsule collection?

BK: Libera Tus Rizos means free your curls. I want our bonnet to encourage young women to embrace their hair texture while keeping their curls moisturized and protected.We ensured both products can accommodate and protect a variety of hair textures, volumes, and styles including natural, braids, wigs, sew-ins, and more! I’m constantly trying out new hairstyles that, unfortunately, my hair accessories don’t always accommodate but I think our customers will be pleasantly surprised by how versatile these products are. We truly made them with our community's needs in mind.

What inspired the move to bring Yo Soy AfroLatina in the luxury hair industry? 

BK: As I mature and evolve I notice my style changing and I'm prioritizing quality pieces over quantity. I've had the opportunity to personally splurge on a few luxury items and I love the overall experience that you have when shopping luxury. I want my brand to evolve with me and to share that experience that I love so much with my community with products that are not only fashionable but functional. Everybody deserves to experience luxury whether you're purchasing that handbag you've had your eye on OR shopping with a small business like Yo Soy AfroLatina and purchasing luxury hair accessories to elevate your daily self-care routines.

The Silk Life capsule collection is now available and prices range from $65-$130. The collection features two products, a bonnet and a headscarf, and are both made of 100% mulberry silk. You can purchase the products separately or as a set. Click the shop the collection button below to get your Silk Life items and set today.