As Bravo’s reality show, Thicker than Water enters its third season, viewers will get to see a new side of media mogul and hair maven, Brooklyn Tankard. She’s expanding her resume to include singing, acting and of course there’s her in-demand hair care line. We caught up with the mom-preneur and media mogul to discuss her the expansion of her hair empire, which now includes a luxury lashes, a Remy color line and clip-in extensions. And, recently, she’s ventured into wholesale retail to facilitate entrepreneurship in the Black community and beyond. Yea— the woman’s got serious business savvy and she’s only 26! Read on to find out how she cares for her hair and a surprising way to dry your extensions on the go.
ESSENCE: How extension application, how should you apply and remove your clip-ins?
TANKARD: I suggest that when women have clips that they use a mannequin head with a net cap on it to, so when they remove their extensions at night they can place them on the cap [in sequential order] so they’re lying neatly and you don’t have to worry about tangles, etc. This is also great because it helps with time management—a lot of people use clip-ins because they don’t have a lot of time. Also make sure that you’re taking care of the hair.
ESSENCE: Talk to me about extension hair care and why Remy hair is the better quality to buy.
TANKARD: [My line] is all Remy hair, which means that the hair cuticles are smooth and laying in the same direction, so when the hair is cut, it’s still held together in the same direction. [When it comes to washing,] I always recommend using sulphate free and making sure that you hair stays hydrated and moisturized; especially as summer approaches. If you can use a light oil like argon or jojoba oil [to help the hair maintain its’ shine.]
ESSENCE: Should you sleep in your extensions?
TANKARD: Not if they’re clip-in; that’s a good way to break you hair and experience hair breakage. The same goes for wigs, it’s good to take them off at night, unless you’re dealing with glue–it can be a bit of a hassle and bad for your hair to remove and reapply glue on a daily basis.
ESSENCE: What about washing extensions, what’s the protocol?
TANKARD: I like to co-wash my extensions with OGX Coconut Milk Conditioner ($10.99, at target.com). You also want to be conscious of the temperature of water that you use on your hair. Lukewarm to warm water is better. For drying, I like to air dry, but some people like to blow dry for the sake of time. I know some people that like to microwave the hair to dry it, but I’m not suggesting that
ESSENCE: Wait—expand on that. How do you dry your hair in the microwave?
TANKARD: I have a friend that will dry her hair in the microwave. She’ll wash the hair and wrap in in three layers of paper towels, run it under a little water and put it in the microwave for five minutes and it’ll be done.
ESSENCE: So, microwave it on high heat for 5 minutes and it’ll be good to go?
TANKARD: Yes—high heat for five minutes and it’s done!
We’ll remind you here that Tankard noted that she wasn’t suggesting that you try drying your hair in the microwave, but we’re curious about the technique. Leave us a comment and let us know if you decide to give it a try.
You can catch Brooklyn Tankard on Bravo’s hit reality show, Thicker Than Water on Sundays at 9/8C and purchase her hair line or get involved in her wholesale retail program on BrooklynTankard.com.