Tonya Lane understands the value of cultivating a safe, trusting online community. She is the creator of Curly Chemistry, a digital platform where she discusses ingredients, shares product reviews, and teaches viewers the best practices for caring for natural hair.
“Curly Chemistry believes that all hair is good hair,” Lane said. “We foster a judgment-free zone, uplifting the curly hair community. We are equipping people with information and tools to excel and be empowered in their hair care journey.”
With natural hair as her focus, she had not always known what her curl pattern looked like because she had previously used relaxers. It wasn’t until around 2015 that her curiosity led her away from the straightening chemicals to uncover her natural texture.
“My relationship with my natural hair has been one of discovery,” Lane told NaturallyCurly. “…In that discovery, I had to learn how to listen to my hair.”
Lane took her exploration one step further by pursuing a career in the beauty industry as a cosmetic chemist. She works with brands that are developing hair care products. The responsibilities from her career and beauty interests inspired Lane to widen her reach.
Lane began her digital creation career on YouTube in 2009. In her videos, she educated her subscribers on the ingredients and science of hair care. Online users flocked to her page as Lane filled the educational gap on natural hair in the beauty industry.
“Seeing false ingredient information and misconceptions about natural hair online also inspired me to share my knowledge,” she said. “…I see myself as an advocate for ingredients that represent and show them in their true light.”
Lane rebranded as Curly Chemistry around 2019 to establish her brand’s identity. She rebranded her YouTube channel and expanded her content onto Instagram. Her outreach stretches across both platforms with more than 300K supporters. Her most rewarding part is that followers share their hair results after watching her content.
“They’re understanding their hair more, information about ingredients in products, and learning successful techniques,” she added. “Their confidence is building. They’re feeling more empowered about their hair, but also themselves.”
The Link Between Natural Hair and Mental Health
The confidence Lane touched on sheds light on a more significant issue. For Black and women of color, the way these communities view their hair can have an impact on their mental health.
Black hair is often described as a “crown.” While it is celebrated more in today’s culture, Black hair remains an ongoing political battle. The negative perception of Black and natural hair can be dated back to slavery. One of the various dehumanizing methods was forcefully removing the hair of enslaved people. This was done in an attempt to strip them of their cultural identity.
Stripping Black people of their identity presented itself in new ways. Before the Natural Hair Movement in the 1960s, Black women and men were conditioned to assimilate to whiteness by straightening their hair. The Natural Hair Movement fought against that notion and empowered Black communities to return to their roots. The resurgence of natural hairstyles, such as afros and locs, encouraged others to embrace their textures.
More measures are now in place to protect natural hair communities. The CROWN ACT protects against nationwide hair discrimination, specifically in the workplace. It was created in 2019 to preserve people’s “crown” for current and future generations.
Image Source: @curly.chemistry
“When it comes to hair, it’s so much deeper,” Lane said. “…It’s also part of our identity and represents our internal views. For women to see results and feel confident and empowered, that’s my reward.”
Why Online Safe Spaces Are Important
In this digital age, the rise of cyber hate and trolling continues to be a major issue that affects online users. The toxicity can cause mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, because of its intensity. Safe online spaces serve as an outlet to promote healthy interactions and conversations and find connections with others.
“A positive space and environment always allow room for growth,” Lane said. “It’s hard to grow and learn in an environment that’s demeaning or undermining… If you have a positive, uplifting community, people will be open to learning and asking questions.”
Image Source: @curly.chemistry
Lane’s goal to teach hair care has remained the same. Her ability to welcome healthy discourse makes her hair care community a one-of-a-kind experience.
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