NaturallyCurly: Please introduce yourself!
Tammala Boyd: Hi, I’m Tammala! I’m a country girl at heart, born and raised in South Carolina. I’ve lived in the great state of Tennessee for 4.5 years before a recent move back to SC.NC: How and when did you start embracing your curls?
TB: I’ve been natural for the past nine years. I wore locs for about five years out of those nine and because of thinning from the traction, I decided to cut them and comb them out…so, here I am! It’s going on five years and I’m LOVING my curls!
NC: What is your current routine?
TB: My current routine consists of cowashing every 1-2 weeks with Tresemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. I only use shampoo about once a month. While the conditioner is still on my hair, I detangle with a wide tooth comb before rinsing. Afterwards, I apply my hair’s favorite Cantu Leave-in Conditioner and then seal with my personal blend of hair/body butter.NC: So from start to finish, on a curly day, what’s your process?
TB: I take down my pineapple and dampen my hair with a fine mist of water. Then I finger part my hair down the middle into two sections. Working with one section at a time, I respray the first side starting from about 1-2 inches from the root on down. Next, I take small amounts at a time of my Cantu Leave-in Conditioner and start applying, first concentrating on the edges and then working my way down to the ends. Then I take each section and twist in the direction of my curl pattern. This process makes sure that the entire section is moisturized all the way to the ends (I found this technique on YouTube and it makes all the difference in refreshing my curls”>. I repeat on the opposite side. Then I separate the clumps that I’ve just made, fluff up the curls and run my fingers through the roots to work out any parts.
NC: What are your must-have products and tools?
TB: My must-haves are Tresemmé Naturals Conditioner, Organix Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, Cantu Leave-In Conditioner, a blend of Shea butter, EVOO, grapeseed and coconut oil, and a wide tooth comb.
NC: What are your favorite hairstyles to wear with your curls?
TB: I like simplicity. I love my wash-and-gos and after my curls get too old and frizzy or when I’m too lazy, a messy bun is my next favorite. I will also do a side braid or side bun. Nothing special, just simple and quick. I’ve worn a fishtail braid to the side a time or two, thanks to my daughter wanting to see something other than a “plain” braid.NC: What do you do at nighttime for your hair?
TB: I used to sleep on a satin pillow sham religiously, but now I just pull it all up on the top of my head into a pineapple if it’s fresh or into a loose messy bun if my curls are old.
NC: What reaction did you get when you first decided to go natural?
TB: The reaction that I got when I first went natural is the same as today… “Is that your real hair?” I get lots of looks and stares. I’ve even had to jump into a conversation or two that the people standing behind me are having about MY hair.
NC: Did you big chop or transition? Did you ever have any curly girl insecurities?TB: I did a big chop before starting my locs, which consisted of me taking the clippers with a #8 guard and just going for it! FREEDOM!!!
As a kid and as a teen, since my mom didn’t put my first relaxer in until I was almost sixteen, I was a little insecure about my hair. My friends all wore their hair straight or with curls from a curling iron. My hair was in a braid, ponytails or multiple braids. I was able to get my hair shampooed and pressed every now and then, but that wasn’t often. What made it alright for me though, is that where I’m from, NO one else had hair like mine nor did they have as much hair as I did, so it made me feel special at the same time.
NC: What is the best thing about being curly?
TB: The best thing about being curly is not feeling like I’m a slave to chemicals and their side effects, and most of all, feeling and looking like an individual.
NC: How do you think having curly hair impacts your life?
TB: Having curly hair has made me a much stronger person. I’ve embraced the fact that no, I am not my hair (shout out to India Arie”>, but my hair is an outward expression of who I am. I can walk into a room full of people with my head up, no longer looking down to avoid eye contact. I feel good about me!
NC: What would you tell others to encourage them to embrace their curls?
TB: First, you’d have to be ready to accept change, and you’re going to have to be ready to love yourself unconditionally. It’s a lifestyle change. In doing these things, you will be able to embrace your curls and all that comes with them. ROCK THOSE CURLS, GIRL!
NC: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects!
TB: Well, my current project is my oldest daughter who is graduating high school in a few months and then going off to college! My upcoming project is going to be ME…getting healthier, losing weight, and starting work on a new CD project.
I’m what my grandma used to call a “jack of all trades” and what my husband calls “a free spirit.” I have done and/or will try some of everything, within reason! But the one thing that I always go back to is singing. It’s my gift.
