Naturally Fierce Feature: Tanisha

January 12, 2016

1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)

Tanisha Caple and I am from Cleveland, Ohio. I am currently living in LA. I work for a small marketing firm as well as pursuing a career in acting.

2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?

I have been natural for about 6 years now. I have not always embraced my curls honestly. When I first went natural I was so excited about my curls coming in but learning how to maintain my hair was a bit difficult. I thought it would make my life easier without constantly needing a relaxer and sweating out my hair while playing sports but I quickly learned that it was as hard to take care of. For the first couple of years natural I still straightened my hair a lot because I hated my small fro.

3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?

My sister in law had curly hair and she is also mixed (puerto rican & black) so I just knew my hair would look like hers. I missed having curly hair as a child and wanted my curls back. I started getting soft relaxers at the age of 5 because I had sooooo much hair and my mom didn’t know what else to do with it. By the time I hit high school I used the strongest relaxers possible so my thick hair would stay laid.

Overtime I just wanted my curls to come back. Straight hair was still in style but i’ve always been a kind of rebel with hair so I figured I’d grow mine out. Plus I played basketball and ran track so my hair would sweat out and look CRAZY. My roots grew in quick so trying to put my hair in a ponytail was literally awful. I figured I’d just wear a curly ponytail.

In high school I slowly began transitioning for about a year and then committed to the big chop. It honestly wasn’t on purpose. One day I washed my hair and looked in the mirror fed up because I had all this new growth that was tightly coiled with long straight pieces just hanging everywhere. I took a pair of scissors and cut all the straight hair off. My hair was past midway down my back, I’ve always had long hair. So when I was done and realized what I just did, I cried and called my close friend who was also transitioning to cheer me on.

4. How would you describe your hair?

I’m not to sure about my hair type and don’t really pay much attention to curl structures but I would say I am about a 4a. My curls range in patterns as well. Some are tighter than others. It’s EXTREMELY thick, a bit dry and though I haven’t straightened it in over a year, some stretched curls are almost all the way down my back.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

I love how big it gets. It takes confidence to rock a huge fro and know that everyone is looking at you. Plenty of people judged me and teased me when I first decided to go natural and I think it’s crazy to see how many people actually adore natural hair now that is sort of a trend and more women have been embracing it.

Overtime I have learned to love it and though I would say I am not my hair, my hair is still a major part of me.

6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!

It was difficult in the beginning because I was called so many names, (nappy, michael jackson, Erykah badu, jerry curl, etc.) My friends and random people would not let me live. Also going to a predominantly white college, I was stared at and whispered about a lot. I could write a book about all the weird questions people asked.

I felt like people were so against me for having natural hair but I couldn’t control the way it grew out my

head. Like my hair is naturally big and to hear people tell me I need to tame it certainly offended me.

Especially women who commented on the type of curls/kinks I had and would compare me to other curly

girls saying that’s what good hair looks like, not my hair.

It’s gotten easier over the last two years. I could care less what people think now and I love the way I look.

I would say I have two memorable moments. One involved an ex who told me I was not cute anymore

because I had cut my hair and wore a fro. Honestly I had two past boyfriends and they both liked my hair

straight. I felt I had to constantly change my appearance for them and straighten my hair all the time even though it was a hassle. So when I began talking to this guy two years ago who randomly told me while I had my hair straighten that he missed my curls and likes my natural hair better, I fell in love lol. We’re still together today and I now understand what it feels like to completely be yourself in a relationship. It’s pretty liberating.

Another time was a friend who told me I had the nappiest hair for a puerto rican. Now she wishes her hair was like mine. Ironic huh! lol.

7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’

I currently love my half up half down ponytail. I’ve just made a Youtube video about it on my channel. It’s my go to and gives me a hippy, I don’t care what people think feel.

8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?

My mom was once playing in my hair and was like “WOW, you could feel the little spirals growing out. Omg look at this. It’s beautiful.” Then she wanted everyone in the house to look. My mom has thick hair but more soft, loose, curly latina hair, not so much the afro latina. So her amazement, I thought it was the cutest thing and brought me back to childhood memories of her playing in my hair. I’m such a mommy’s girl.

9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

I try to deep condition once a week, if not just cleanse and wash. I’m currently trying out the Deva Curl

Decadence line. It’s working ok but i’m still on a search for signature products.

My favorite products right now are Jamaican Castor Oil, Devacurl Styling Cream, Camille Rose Algae

Renew, Hair La Vie hair growth vitamins and I just got hip to Giovanni Leave in conditioner.

10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?

Hair La Vie blog https://hairlavie.com/blog

Clutch Magazine http://clutchmagazine.com/

Black Girl Long Hair http://blackgirllonghair.com/

My favorite Youtuber is ItsMyRayeRaye. I’m obsessed with her, I think she is stunning and I love watching her videos, even her makeup tutorials though I barely wear makeup. I also adore Shameless Maya, Taren Guy, and Beauty By Lee.

11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Just to love yourself. This natural journey can get a little discouraging at times, especially when we compare ourselves to others or try to please everyone else. You are you for a reason so embrace it, you never know how much you’re encouraging another person who may look like you that doesn’t know how to appreciate their looks.

12. Where can people find you for more information?

All my social media is my name(IG, FB, Twitter, Snapchat, Youtube): @tanishacaple

My email is tanishacaple@gmail.com if anyone has any questions.