Lifestyle blogger and DC influencer Tacha J. is our Beauty of the Week. On her blog, of the same name, she talks beauty, wellness and health. She’s also the Co-Founder of Curl Talk. A DC-based community of women coming together, bonding over shared experiences, discussing ideas, networking, and leaving at the end of the event with a new friend or two. Read how she keeps her curls poppin’ for the gram!
1. How long have you been wearing your hair naturally curly?
First off, Sylvia, I’d really like to thank you for reaching out and deciding to feature me on your site. I absolutely love what you’re doing! I’ve been natural my entire life, except for a Brazilian Keratin treatment I had back when I was a sophomore in high school.
Thing is, even though I was natural, I was constantly damaging my hair with harsh bleach to achieve a golden mane, and frying it straight with my flat iron. I was natural but I knew nothing about my natural hair. Finally, in college I decided to really figure this head of hair out.
I was tired of only feeling beautiful when my hair was silky straight and carelessly tossing my hair into buns because I had no other option. So, I got serious about my journey and really committed to figuring it all out.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
Currently, I cleanse my hair once a week. I typically use a shampoo biweekly and cowash in between. I have to condition and deep condition every single time I cleanse my hair. I just don’t feel whole without it. Not to mention, deep conditioning consistently is probably the thing that has most improved my hair health, in addition to avoiding heat of course.
3. What are your staple hair products? Which could you not live without and why?!
Oh man, this is a tough one! There are so many products I just absolutely love! I’m going to name off quite a few if that’s okay. First there’s the JBCO hair mask by Shea Moisture, that stuff is the truth! I absolutely love Ouidad’s Climate Control gel, Carol’s Daughter also has amazing masks and leave-ins that my hair just loves! EDEN BodyWorks has my all time favorite edge control! That stuff holds like no other, so it’s perfect for taming your hair for a sleek style.
4. As a blogger/YouTuber do you feel pressure to always have your hair perfect?!
I definitely did when I first started about a year ago. However, as time has gone on and I’ve learned more and more about myself and just became more aware about what I want to represent, I’ve really worked to let go of that. That thinking just perpetuates the idea that women have to look a certain way at all times. I don’t want to sell the idea that I’m perfect, because I’m not. So now I focus more so on being my authentic self because all I really want to do is just be me, no matter where I am or who’s around.
5. What are your hair goals for the rest of 2018?
I really want to grow my hair out and let it get super long, like mid back when its curly, but there’s also a part of me that wants to cut it short into a little curly bob situation. I can’t make up my mind!
6. Who is your celeb curl crush?
Oh my goodness, I have so many celebrity hair crushes. Off the top of my head, my top three are probably Zoe Kravitz, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Logan Laurice.
7. Tell us about Curl Talk? What is it’s mission?
My best friend Erin (IG: @theesperanzamaria) and I started Curl Talk for a few different reasons. We saw the natural hair community blossoming in New York and wanted to be part of something similar here in the DC area so we decided to have an event to cater women, specifically women of color, and build that community ourselves. That’s what Curl Talk is all about. Women coming together, bonding over shared experiences, discussing ideas, networking, and leaving at the end of the event with a new friend or two.
8. For many curly women it’s a journey to fully understand their hair. It’s a process of trial and error. What was your “Curls Understood” moment (the moment you felt like, “I’ve got this!” or any essential advice you wish you had known at the beginning of your hair journey)?
I wish I had known that my natural hair journey would start with hair, but would evolve into something much larger than I could have ever imagined. This journey has truly been about fully accepting myself, especially the parts that have caused me so much grief over the years.
See more of Tacha…
Site: www.tachaj.com
Instagram: @tach.j
