The Tea on Tap: A Hair & Beauty Podcast

When is the last time you wore your hair completely natural? No wigs, no braids, no tracks, no headwraps, no “personality pieces”, just...out. If you can’t remember, or the thought of it makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Even though we’re in the midst of a natural hair renaissance, Black hair is still discriminated against, legislated against, and heavily judged—and we all have to find ways to cope with that. Join Krychna, Sereine, and Lisa as they discuss questions like: Is natural 4C hair unkempt? Are women of color addicted to having hair of a certain length or apparent texture? Can your hair pass the pencil test? Tune in for the lively discussion as the Tap Team tries to untangle the roots of texturism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Well, well, well...since 2021 clearly needed more messiness (eyeroll), here comes Mr. Derrick Jaxn (né Jackson), a relationship guru who was outed as a serial cheater. Woo chile...MESSY!! The Melanin Trifecta (aka Krychna, Sereine, and Lisa), discuss “The Video”, the wife that nobody knew he had, bonnet politics (don’t even ask, lol), the “helmet of salvation”, the “breastplate of righteousness”, and the absolute weirdness of him doing a reaction video...to his own video. (Lawd have mercy...) There’s a lot to unpack and a lot of tea spilled. Tune in for the takedown. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“Entanglements” became a thing last year with the whole Jada/August/Will situationship. (*Whew chile*...messy.) Well if we’re honest, we all get entangled sometimes—when it comes to our hair. The Melanin Trifecta – Krychna, Sereine, and Lisa – talk about their major hair entanglements, and discuss how they bounced back from their follicular faux pas. They also share tips to help women of color avoid common hair mistakes. Tap in for this helpful, but totally hilarious episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Tap Team is back in ’21 with some hot, hot tea! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a white woman? And if you had the chance to be one, would you? Would you trade in the melanin? Welp. As you can imagine, Krychna, Sereine, and Lisa have lots of strong opinions about the topic, and pull no punches in sharing them. Plus: now that they have thankfully made it through part 1 of the pandemic (cause part 2 seems to be coming in hot), the ladies are just glad that 2020 is over. Tune in to hear what they wish for us all for how the New Year should be set up. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hold on to those weaves, y’all, a drought is a-comin'! China has been hit hard by the coronavirus, which means - among other things - that all exports of hair have ground to a halt. What’s a weave-wearer to do?! Who will protect the protective styles? What would a world without bundles, wigs, tracks, and hair care products be like? We’re about to find out. Also on tap: From the runway to regular life, black hair is STILL marginalized. Sereine highlights the struggles that models of color are still experiencing to this day. Many of them still have to do their own hair (and makeup), whereas “mainstream” models can just show up and be beautified. When will the beauty industry get to a place of true inclusivity? And when will designers start hiring stylists that can do ALL textures of hair? Plus: There’s a pandemic on, but beauty still matters! The girls discuss how they are maintaining their hair and beauty routines during the lockdown. Grab your Lysol, and let’s sip some tea and chat about it all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Want to take your edges to the next level? Add a little sparkle! Sereine spills the tea on blinged-down baby hairs, the latest trend being rocked by celebrities, bloggers and street style stars alike. Plus: It’s 2020 and textured hair is more mainstream than ever! The proof? WOC have an embarrassment of choices in the hair care aisle. Listen in as the the Tap Team talks about how our hair is being shown love by everyone from box box retailers to corner beauty stores. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

File this one under: THEY TRIED IT. The famous fashion house exploits Black culture in one of the most egregious ways the Tap Team has ever seen. Lisa, Sereine, and Krychna discuss “wig-gate 2020,” and why putting white models in braided lacefronts could never be a good idea. Plus: The ladies sip some piping hot English Breakfast and P.G. Tips while discussing the whole “Megxit” situation. Has she been treated fairly by the British media, or have they done her wrong? Listen in as they unpack how it all went pear-shaped—and why Prince Harry was right to remove himself and his princess from the monarchy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you #teamnatural or #teamrelaxer? And if you wear your hair natural, would you jump back onto the relaxer bandwagon? The ladies spill all the tea about which team they’re on, if they ever backslid, and why all the judgment needs to stop. Plus: Is shrinkage your enemy? Sereine drops gems on heat-free methods straight from the motherland for stretching natural hair. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A VERY famous male celebrity reveals the secret to his “je ne sais quoi”: hair masks! He and the Tap Team encourage men everywhere to nurture their follicles, and prioritize self-care. Krychna breaks down natural ingredients – fruits, vegetables, eggs, oils, and more – that we can all use to nourish, treat, and enrich our strands. Plus: Season 2 starts off with a reminder to everyone that touching Black women’s hair is NOT OK. Lisa and Sereine share their stories about when people TRIED IT, and how they dealt with the situations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabrielle Union was allegedly ousted from America’s Got Talent because her hair was considered to be “too Black” for viewers. Is there even such a thing? And why is Black women’s hair policed and judged so harshly? Tap in for all the tea as the girls talk about the trials of living this textured hair life. Plus: The Hair Love animated short about a dad styling his daughter’s hair has the Tap Team in their feels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can you “manifest” the hair of your dreams using the Law of Attraction? Some of the Tea on Tap girls believe that you can, and some think it’s pure nonsense, lol. Needless to say, the conversation gets heated. However, if you believe that it is possible, they give you an affirmation that you can say to help your follicles flourish. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you ever had to pay more to get your hair done because it’s “too textured?” Welcome to the “Texture Tax.” Is it right? Is it fair? Is it legal? Is it racist? Listen in as the Tap Tribe discusses all that and more. Plus: want to “meet” a 12 year old entrepreneur? The Tap Team highlights Gabrielle Goodwin, creator and CEO of Gabby Bows, patented non-slip hair barrettes now available at Tarzhay. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There’s still time to get in a little holiday shopping! If you have anyone of your list with kinky, coily hair—the girls gotchu. Listen in for a list of picks perfect for giftees with tightly coiled tresses. Plus: The first thing many women of color think of when they’re getting ready for vaycay is “What should I do with my hair?” The Tea on Tap Tribe discusses how they prep their natural and protective styles when they’re living that #upintheairlife. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Whether it comes from outside the community, or within racial lines, criticism of afro-textured hair is rampant. For many WOC it feels like unless you have Becky-textured tresses your hair (especially your edges) is just not acceptable. But why is afro-textured hair such a big deal? Why does it provoke such strong reactions? And why do people feel like it’s ok to bully others - even young children - because they have 4c hair or unlaid edges? Tune in for the heated convo. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s the holidays! Time to get gifts for everyone on your list—and maybe a few for yourself, too. From children’s books and luxe footwear to satin caps and hair conditioners, the Tap Team has curated their favorite giftables, and best of all, the items are all made by brands and entrepreneurs of color. Let’s keep that Black dollar circulating! Plus: want to know 2019’s top products and tools for natural hair? Tune in for the download. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The short answer is “Of course not!” That said, many women of color still feel that it is not “safe” to wear their unprocessed hair in the office. There is simply too much pressure to conform to a standard that was not created with textured hair in mind. Listen in as the Tap Team talks about natural hair discrimination, and gets to the root of the issue. Plus: things get political when the ladies discuss whether it’s ok for anybody - especially non-POC - to use the “n” word, or even the word “negro.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From Traci Ellis Ross, to Zendaya, to Chaka Khan, so many people of color are doing big things – and creating great products – #fortheculture. The ladies highlight celebrities and hair crushes that they think are #tappedforgreatness. Plus: World Afro Day is a thing, and the Tap Team is a fan. Listen in as they discuss the importance of this annual event that celebrates, promotes, and de-stigmatizes afro-textured hair. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Halle Bailey of Chloe x Halle fame has been cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Some colonizers are protesting. Why? They claim that the fictional character “can’t be black.” (Cue collective eyeroll.) The Tap Team’s response? “Excuse me; your racism is showing.” Plus: Mattel’s Barbie Fashionista line includes a Black doll with afro-textured hair and the Tap Team feels represented. Tune in as they talk about why it is so important for melanated girls to see their image reflected—and considered beautiful. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Would you date a guy that wears a weave? Or would you judge? If women can wear lacefronts, then why can’t men? The tea is hot, and so is the conversation, as the ladies discuss this controversial trend. Krychna, Sereine, and Lisa also advise how wide is too wide for a part in a wig or weave. Plus: 4c, 3a, 2b…what does it all mean? The Tap Team talks about the “standard” hair typing chart, and why they developed a categorization chart of their own that celebrates all hair textures. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you say or do when somebody tries to touch your hair? It’s a micro-aggression (or is it a macro-aggression?) that people of color deal with every day—and it happened to Lisa and Sereine. Tune in to hear how they dealt with “The Hair Touching Incident.” Plus: Have you heard about rice water for hair growth? It’s the latest fad, and we have opinions. Listen in to the hair-larious discussion about rice water “recipes,” and whether using the remedy can result in major hang time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who remembers getting their scalp greased by their momma, sis, auntie, cousin, or bestie? It’s a beautiful part of black hair culture—and celebrities get it done too. The Tap Team talks about a tender moment between Jada Pinkett Smith and her daughter Willow, who oiled her mom’s braided hair while they were on vacation in Greece. Plus: in this hustle culture, are we all neglecting self-care? The Tap Team talks about how to self-nurture, protect your energy, renew your spirit, and stay positive. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What if you could get paid – really paid – for using the creamy crack? Listen in as the Tap Team talks about whether it’s worth it to put a relaxer in their natural hair again—for the right price. Plus: Do you know about the LOC and LCO methods? The ladies discuss their preferred methods for applying liquid, oil, and cream to their strands to keep them healthy and hydrated. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We don’t know who thought that NOSE HAIR EXTENSIONS were a good idea, but...they aren’t. These follicular Frankensteins look as horrible as you think, and they need to be banished forever. We can’t unsee them, but we can definitely talk about them, so listen in to the hair-larious discussion of the trend that should never have happened. Plus: There’s a war being waged against natural Black hair, and it’s affecting POC of all ages - even school-age children. Listen in as we discuss the latest cases of African American children being bullied – and even assaulted – for wearing their hair in an afro or locs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From kimonos and cornrows to braids and baby hairs the Kardashian clan has shamelessly appropriated and monetized hairstyles, fashions, and cultural traditions. SO. NOT. OK. We call out Kim Kardashian for her repeated cultural appropriation, especially when it comes to hairstyles. Plus: Is the black hair salon on its way out? Listen in to learn why the Tap Team hasn’t gone to the hair salon in years – and why they might never go back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is your protective unit #katsnatched? The Tea on Tap team introduces this term, which they use to describe wigs that are balding, tattered, low-quality, and past their prime. Hear the team’s tips for how to source high-quality wigs, save your coins, and avoid being #katsnatched. Plus: Chris Brown had words for black women (and their hair) and the team has words for him. Listen is as the girls share their (tart) opinions on the singer’s latest song, “Need a Stack.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode the Tea on Tap hosts discuss their experience with taking hair vitamins. Did or do they really work? Also, we pay homage and tap it up for Tamekia Swint, who founded the nonprofit organization, Styles For Girlz, to help teach textured hair care education to parents with kids in the trans-racial adoption community.Things discussed in this episode include:Various types of hair vitaminsBeyonce and Jay-Z ‘s daughter, Blue Ivy and her beautiful tresses in the Lion King video The nonprofit Styles 4 Kids owner, Tamekia Swint Resources mentioned in this episode:SugerBearHair VitaminsThe Mane Choice Hair VitaminsHair SilicaBlue Ivy- Lion KingMixed Race Salon Owner, Tamekia Swint | Styles 4 Kids See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode the Tea on Tap hosts discuss iconic black model, Tyra Banks, and her protective unit worn in her sports illustrated post retirement photo shoot. Also, the fabulous Iman gracing the cover of Essence with tribal flair. Tune in as the team sips, spills and stirs the tea! Things you will learn in this episode:What it means to be #Catsnatched! Resources mentioned in this episode:Tyra Banks Photo ShootIman Essence CoverInstagram Shout out - Tailored Crowns @TailoredCrowns See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join us as we discuss the dreaded wash day, how to approach a "friend" that may have hair odor and hair oppression. You don't want to miss out on this! Tap and tune in for the tea. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's beach season and many textured hair women like to rock protective units (wigs) at the beach or pool. How do you secure your unit? Tap and tune in as the team spills the tea on various protective style options and products to keep your unit intact (and avoid any mishaps)! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you love protective styles? Get ready for the next level in lace fronts: fake scalp wigs. The team spills the tea about this trend, and discusses the pros and cons of the time-saving style. Plus: somebody tried to make super-curly eyelashes a thing, but the Tap Team says they’ve got to go. Tune in to hear their thoughts on this “it should never have happened” look. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.