FRESH FEATURE: TAMYIA EPPS

SECRET CURL SOCIETY welcomes Tamyia Epps!

Thank you for agreeing to complete this interview for Secretcurlsociety.com.

Tell me a little about you? Were are you from, what do you do professionally and personally? What are you passionate about? And where are you going?

My name is Tamyia Epps and I have been Active in the Air Force for about 6 years now. Personally I am a college student studying Sociology and Women’s Studies. I am really passionate about educating ethnic women and their children so that we can together change our societal image. My goal is to open up am etiquette school and start by teaching girls at a young age how to be “ladies.”

1. You have beautiful natural hair, have you always worn it natural or did you take the “Return to natural” journey?

I had to return to natural. I realized that I should not keep fighting against my hair. It always wanted to be curly. During my creamy crack years, only my edges would get straight. I do less work now, with my natural hair, than I did back then.

2. What route did you take and how long has it taken you to transition to natural?

I Big Chopped back in April of 2010. I wore a a sewn-in installation for about three months and then I Big-Chopped. After I wore my baldness proudly, I wore Senegalese twists for my protective style during that entire winter. Only to reveal luscious curls that following Spring!

3. What do you love the most about your hair?

What I love most about my hair is all the different textures. I have very wiry hair. The Curls in the front are a lot looser than the curls in the back. But, its my hair and it is beautiful.

4. Secret Curl Society is about leading women and girls in embracing their hair in it’s natural state as this can help a woman accept your entire being. Have you been able to relate to this? How has wearing your natural texture enhanced other areas in your life?

Wearing my natural texture has enhanced my life tremendously socially. I have met so many women in the movement of natural hair that it is empowering. My spirit is a lot more carefree. With my wild kinda hair I have to bring my personality to match.

5. Many say we are redefining beauty standards by returning to our natural kinks and curls? Would you agree? How has this movement shaped your view on beauty?

I agree completely. Fashion is forever changing. Just recently i went from a very grunge look to a bohemian vibe. The Bigger the hair the more hippy I feel. I love make up, however sometimes with my natural hair I often feel as though i am contradicting myself. So sometimes I would make my make up look more natural, and not so dramatic. So I believe that the movement has influenced me to change my entire wardrobe and bring my make up to a more natural face.

6. Have you found it hard to believe that you are beautiful in the past due to how you wore your hair, your cultural makeup, or the way you look?

In the past yes. I always felt like I couldn’t keep up. My hair wasn’t long enough. My make-up couldn’t get perfect. Now I am able to accept me for me. I understand that there are other women out there that are going through this struggle with me, I am not alone.

6- How has your wearing your natural hair affected your children and your family lifestyle? Does it take a lot for you to do your children’s hair? 

My Natural hair does not affect my family, however my husband would not let me wear it any other way. He loves my hair.

– How do you hope your children will view their image/beauty and what will you do to help them?

My baby Karter isn’t old enough for school yet. Even though he is a boy, i don’t think we are cutting his hair.  I can only hope that my Son won’t see anything wrong with the way that God has made him. i plan to help him by leading by example. Showing him the way through my actions hoping that he pick up some of mine/ or my husband’s habits.

7. How do you think this natural culture will affect the younger generation of girls as they develop into women?

I think that now our women have a chance of achieving and retaining length. Now that our generation is having children it would be less like for us to try to “tame” their hair by permanently damaging it. I think that the natural hair is here to stay, it is not a fad that will go away. we will pass this down from generation to generation.

8. What is your definition of beauty?

Beauty is everything special about some one. Every characteristic that makes us all different form one another, makes us beautiful.

9. Do you think this movement has helped women grow to learn to love each other? Have you built new relationships with women simply by engaging in “hair talk?”

I love any women who has the guts to walk outside her house with her hair as mad as mine.

9. Tell us about your hair regiment? Do you do at home haircare, or solicit the support of a stylist? What is working for you and what does not work for you?

Because i am currently in the desert and the water here is very hard on my hair. I co-wash religiously every two days. I know that much water is still very strenuous on my hair but i leave in condition my hair with the shea moisture raw deep treatmentt masque. After i apply the treatment from root to ends, I always finger detangle and braid my hair in two cornrows going straight back. I always end the night with a castor oil or jojoba oil on my scalp and a tight silk scarf. I cannot wait to get home. My stylist may have a lot of treating to do.  I definitely have to get my hair done by my stylist, Mrs. Janelle Sands. She keeps my hair under control.

10. Do you have any particular personal hair goals ( regarding, health, length or style?)

I really would like to achieve at least bra length hair. I am starting to realize that the healthier my diet is, the better my hair feels.

11. What social media bloggers or natural hair gurus do you follow or have been inspired by?

I Love Mahogany Curls, ThatsMyRayeRaye and heyfranhey. They are my top three.

12. And how can we find you, what are your social media outlets?

@myrablooms (instagram) @myrablooms (twitter) and I’m on tumblr As Myrablooms

13. And do you have any personal or professional projects that you would like to share with us?

Im going to start documenting my hair care regimen and the lives of my husband and I as we take care of our son these will be blogs aired on Youtube. I would like for America to understand the world from my point of view. I have been writing short stories about different events in my life. Which may show up on my tumblr account soon.

Thank you to you and your family for checking in with Secret Curl Society.  Ladies out there, get to know Tamyia, she is golden.  Her mind is unique, full of creative perspective.  Look for her, she’s a star!