How do you see your hair? Is it your crown and glory? Is it an extension of your outward fashion and creativity? Or does it have damage that’s driving you crazy? Every person’s answer will be different but the common thread is that everyone wants their hair to be healthy.
Atlanta’s, Tammi Terrell, a hairstylist for 27 years knows all too well the stress endured to black women’s hair because of all that’s being done to it. And she understands why it’s necessary to talk about it.
That being said, black women have grown accustomed to using many different techniques to create a variety of hairstyles. The methods for obtaining them require hair extensions or additions of some type, chemicals, and everything that goes along with installing and designing the styles. It’s because of the variety of ways their hair is designed that has created damage that’s hard to gain control of, mostly because of the hair being left untreated properly.
As an expert hairstylist, Tammi Terrell has seen it all and has agreed to give you the scoop about hair and keeping yours healthy. Here is our conversation.
Tell everyone a little about yourself and how you got into the hair industry.
I’m a generational hairstylist and I grew up in hair salons; I’ve been licensed for 27 years. As a young girl, I was that kid that would braid the neighborhood kids’ hair. And that was because my aunt and my grandparents, did hair, so it was something I naturally picked up. And they would say, “Hey, let Tammi do it.” That’s kind of how I got started.
You work at the Tyler Perry Studios in the hair department. What is that like?
Wow, working at Tyler Perry Studios in the hair department is amazing and was amazing. And I’ll say “was and is” because depending on whatever the show is, would determine if I’m working there or not. But any opportunity I get to work over there; I’m there. What I like about working over there is that it’s almost like “black magic.” It’s like it’s a world that I grew up only seeing as a kid; I saw it. And now working there, I get to see what it takes to create those looks.
So, it’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s a group of people that think like me and that are intuitive and innovative. Like they’re nurturing when it comes to your visionary. His slogan is “It’s a place where dreamers dream.” And I love that because dreamers can dream. It’s like when you’re there, the world is just open with opportunities, and people can come together and help you create whatever it is that you need to create. So, I love the black magic over there. And it’s not just black people over there, but it’s just how I feel because the head (Tyler Perry) is a black man, and that’s black magic.
What is it like being a hairstylist on a set and having to be versatile with creating different hairstyles? And what show/movie was the most fun to style hair on?
So, transitioning from a hairstylist in a salon and becoming a hairstylist on set, it’s a totally different world. It goes back to in the salon, we’re creating looks for two weeks out, but on set, we’re creating looks for that particular scene. And we have to be careful with too much product. Where we would use more product in the shop because we want longevity, we can’t use too much product on set because we might have to create a different look for the next day. So, it’s like you may have tousled curls today and tomorrow those curls need to look neater. So, that’s the difference, you’re creating for a short period versus a long period.
It’s so many shows I like but it’s hard to say which show I liked the most because the looks were so different. I just did a show with Damon Wayans, and I have to admit that that was my first really fun opportunity because he’s a bald guy, so that’s my favorite, and I had to create a wig that had a bald spot and a receding hairline. So, it had to have a feel of like the 1970s and a dapper smooth guy that doesn’t want to let go of that hair.
So, when we’re thinking of like character descriptions, they’re giving us all those details. They’re like, “You know, he’s bald on the top, he’s 52, he’s smooth.” And so now you have to create what that vision looks like in your head. You have to create that look, and that look has to be approved of course. And then, you have to submit to the producers and they’re like, “Yeah that’s it, or no, take a little more hair off.” So, that’s the fun. I really like creating looks that are fun and creative. And believe it or not, I like creating looks that are like in slave movies. I think it’s just the embracing of that culture; I really like creating those looks in those periods and just going back.
Give us an idea of the summer trends for black hair.
Oh wow, you know I talked about that a while back. And trends definitely and typically evolve. But what I’m finding that the summer trends are is that people are going back to the moisture and health of the hair. So, it could be short, long, or color. There really isn’t a trend anymore because everything goes. But what I would like to see is more natural hair.
And I feel like when I’m peeking out in the industry, I’m starting to see people wanting to embrace their natural hair. So, I think the trend needs to be just embracing that natural flow. Let’s see hairlines. Let’s see what color looks like on natural hair, even if you want to wear extensions, let’s see it move; it’s not moving enough for me. So, I don’t know what the trend would be but that’s what I would like to see.
What is some advice you can give to black women when it comes to the health of their hair?
Oh my gosh, the health of the hair really is embedded from within you. So, we grew up like, drink plenty of water. I know that’s a cliché but it’s a true statement. We hear a lot of people talk about alopecia now. And they’re starting to embrace it, and what I like about this time period versus years ago, is that when I say everything goes, if your hair is falling out, it’s okay.
But what I think needs to happen is we have to seek that help from the dermatologist. We have to get rid of that got to be glued. We have to define what a protective style is. Are you nurturing your hair under that protective style?
So, I can plug this in for summer, spring, winter, and fall. Protective styles need to be only for six weeks. That’s my theory. After 6 weeks, and even in between 6 weeks, you need to get in and nurture that scalp. Don’t smother it. Just like they tell us we clog our pores with too much makeup, we clog our scalp with too many things on our heads. Like those wig caps, and then you put hair on top of that. Well, it’s not getting any moisture, it’s not allowing the follicles and everything to come through.
What I would like to see and what I’m trending for is gray hair. What I’m really embracing and what I’m trying to encourage people to do that are in my demographic, and apparently, the younger ones are doing it too, is just embrace it. I am 100% for gray hair; if you’re not there yet, I get it. But there are so many ways gray hair can look so good.
If someone’s hair is damaged and shedding, what would you advise them to do?
First and foremost, go to a hair salon with a licensed cosmetologist. A lot of people, nowadays are not licensed and they’re just putting on wigs and braiding hair, so you’re not being taught how to take care of hair. Secondly, don’t be afraid of a trim because if you don’t trim beyond that break, it’s only going to split and continue to go up. Thirdly, moisturize. A lot of times our hair breaks because it’s just dry, and sometimes we can’t say don’t use chemicals because a lot of people are chemical-free. And if it is relaxer or chemical damage, definitely seek someone, and that’s when we give you protein and your keratin treatments. A lot of times it is just moisture. Another one, the summertime is coming, please, please use UV ray protection. People don’t think they need to use sunblock products on their hair but there are a lot of sunblock products out there that are for the hair. You have to protect the hair just like you protect the skin. Lastly, if your hair is shedding because of health issues, that’s where a professional comes in. You need to go seek a cosmetologist or a dermatologist to get an assessment and embrace it. If it’s shedding, cut it, it’s okay.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I just finished one and I’m going to Honduras in a couple of days, so I’m on hiatus right now. But I just finished an amazing project, it’s called Cinnamon and I worked with Pam Grier and Damon Wayans. When I tell you, this show was amazing; I was department head of that show creating the looks. We created a look on Pam Grier that’s just amazing. So, I’m excited for people to see it. I’m not sure when it’s coming out but it is titled, Cinnamon. And Hailey Kilgore was our number one actress, she played one of the sisters to Aretha Franklin in Respect. So, the movie is based on her wanting to become a singer and the trials she dealt with after a robbery at her work. Be sure to catch it when it comes out later this year.
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Writer, Debbie Stokes is a contributing writer. Follow her on Instagram @Iamdebbiestokes
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