Fashionable Friday Feature: Tanya

May 2, 2014

Hi! My name is Tanya Jean-Baptiste and I live in Brooklyn, NY with my fiancé. My 9-5 is currently working at an outpatient hospital but my passion is fashion and I am currently looking to get into fashion styling full time. I’m also a big foodie and natural hair enthusiast. *Hair flip!… or pat depending on how much shrinkage I have lol*

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as ” ever evolving.” I like to switch it up daily. I dress depending on my mood and the occasion. There isn’t any style I cannot see myself making my own.

How do you decide what to wear in the morning?

I dress depending on how I feel. I like to keep my newer pieces more visually accessible in my closet. I usually try and mix my old and new pieces together. A must is comfit. You can not be confident or sexy if you are uncomfortable with what you have on. It will show.

What are your favorite wardrobe pieces? My favorite pieces in my closet at the moment are 1. My chunky faux crystal statement necklace from Zara. It instantly dresses up any outfit. 2. My long sleeve body con little black dress, also from Zara. The fit is amazing. Every girl should have a little black dress in her closet that makes her feel like a million bucks… And if it only cost $19.99 even better! 3. My Christian Louboutin black Pigalle heels. They are instant sexy works of art.

Where do you typically shop for clothes and accessories? Oh where do I start?! I love ASOS. So many great on trend items, plenty of sales and coupon codes. I am a big fan of Zara. My heart flutters every time they get a new shipment. High fashion trends and items are more accessible and at a more reasonable price point. I also love H&M, Topshop, Choies, Sheinside, Missguided… the list goes on.

Let’s talk hair. How long have you been natural? What is your normal regimen? I have been natural all my life but have only adopted a natural hair life style about two and a half years ago after a heat damage experience and big chop. I wash my hair with shampoo every three to four weeks. On wash day I part my hair into four sections. Once in the shower I wash my hair with Ouidad Ultra Nourishing Cleansing Oil. I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today in the shower to de-tangle and apple cider vinegar as a clarifying rinse. I then apply the conditioner of my choice and retwist my hair into four sections. I then sit under my hair steamer for thirty mins. Once done I hop back in the shower to lightly rinse out the conditioner. I dry my hair with an old t-shirt and apply my products to damp hair. Most of the time I apply Oyin handmade hair dew. I retwist or braid my hair into smaller sections to dry and seal my ends with castor oil. The following day I grease my scalp with coconut oil. From then until wash day I try and keep my hair moisturized with water and water based products. I like to freshen my curls with a light spritz daily or every other day of water, aloe vera juice and vegetable glycerin.

Do you have a signature hairstyle? When it comes to my hair I like to switch it up but I often like to rock a bantu knot out or the pineapple with a bungee scrunchie for (insert number here) day old hair.

How does your natural hair work with your style? Its my main accessory. It completes whatever “look” I am trying to achieve. That is one of the main things I love about natural hair. It is so versatile.

Are you working on any ventures that we should know about? My main goal is to get into fashion styling full time so I am always working towards that goal. I am also working on launching a new segment on my blog that is all about hair and beauty and will be doing my first giveaway soon! Stay tuned for that its going to be a good one. How can we stay connected with you? My main social media platforms are my blog at clothesconscienceblog.wordpress.com and instagram @clothesconscience. I am also active on tumblr at clothesconscience.tumblr.com and twitter @closconscience.