Desserts…for your hair?! Tabitha Brown shares the inspiration behind her vegan haircare line, Donna’s Recipe, plus her essential tips for healthy hair and embracing self-love. While well-known for her vegan recipes, the actress and entrepreneur is actually not a baker. Her mastery of baking comes through her haircare.
Exclusively Interviewed by Madam J
Madam J: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. We know you as America’s mom (also my auntie), vegan content personality, New York Times bestselling author, and award-winning actress. With all of that being said, we want to know what inspired you to turn your personal hair journey with “Donna” into a full hair care line with Donna’s Recipe.
Tabitha Brown: I did a big chop for the third or fourth time in my life in 2017. It was part of my healing journey from being sick. I started to let my hair grow back but because I had a car accident, I had stenosis in the top of my spine. After having to lay on my back to sleep for three months, I started to have thinning in the back of my hair. I was like, “Oh Lord, my hair’s finally growing back and I don’t want to lose hair in the back.”
I started mixing oils and creating my own products to grow my hair back. As I was reading ingredients, I didn’t understand everything and I didn’t want to put a bunch of chemicals on my head. Gina, my business partner, came to me and said, “I got this idea. You should do a haircare line.” I was like, “Girl, I’ve been trying to like mix my own and pray for God to send me somebody.” We originally launched with the Strength Hair Oil and the Biotin Gummies. Those were our only two products. But then with listening to our customers, everybody asked for shampoo and conditioner. They said “can you do it your way Tab?” I said okay, what can you find in your house and put in your product? That launched the Sweet Potato Pie Collection. I can’t bake but Donna makes desserts for your hair.
MJ: I love that. Donna’s Recipe is one of my favorite haircare brands. For someone who’s brand new to it, what would you say makes the line special?
TB: One is that it’s named after my hair. It’s also an experience. We use real ingredients that you will find in your kitchen. We use real sweet potatoes, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg – things like that. Before we had factories and formulas, our ancestors knew what they could use. Rice on the hair, sweet potatoes on the hair and of course it’s not vegan, but eggs. They figured it out. Bringing our ancestry to modern day makes us different. It separates us and nobody else is making desserts for your hair.
MJ: Hair growth is an issue for a lot of people. What do you think are the most commonly overlooked habits that make a difference in your hair’s growth and health?
TB: I treat from the inside out. A lot of times it starts with diet and not drinking enough water. Then it comes to what’s specific for your hair. A lot of times we’re so focused on our hair that we forget about our scalp – where our hair grows out of. Just being more intentional with scalp treatments, and making sure you have a regular routine of washing and caring for your scalp. Growing up, my mom used to grease my scalp and she would wash and braid my hair down. We should still be doing that and using products that agree with your hair. Your hair tell you what it likes and what it doesn’t like.
MJ: What’s a good behind-the-scenes moment where you realized “wow, Donna’s Recipe is really changing lives?”
TB: It was during one of my first book tour meetings during the pandemic. We were all masked up but I got to meet people who were like “Girl I have alopecia. My hair has not grown in years. I started using your Strength Hair Oil and Biotin Gummies and this is my hair now.” People who are cancer survivors were so scared that their hair wasn’t going to come back. They started using the products and their hair came back quicker. Just sharing their stories with me, I was like, “Oh my God.” Like, it’s always bigger than us. Even though it came from a real organic place, I started Donna’s Recipe because I was in need. It really made a difference in my heart, in my mind and for our business. It became like we have to do this versus I want to do this. This is ministry.
MJ: Let’s say you could only grab one product from Donna’s Recipe before rushing out the door. What is the one product you’re grabbing and why?
TB: I live by the Strength Hair Oil. It’s what keeps Donna being Donna. I never travel without that one. No matter if I’m in braids, twists, my fro is out or if I’m doing it curly, I’m always going to use it on my scalp. These days my favorites are the Sweet Potato Pie Leave-In Conditioner, the Whipped Vanilla Cream Gel and the Mousse.
MJ: With all the events, travel, and the long days that you juggle; what’s your personal hair routine when you travel?
TB: If I’m not braided up, I’ll wash and condition my hair with the Sweet Potato Pie Collection. Then I twist it down so I can put a hat on to travel. I always take my Leave-In, the Whipped Vanilla Cream Gel and Mousse, a heat protectant, and my diffuser. At the hotel, especially if I’m not traveling with glam, I usually just do my own hair. That’s my regimen and it’s going to give me two looks in one. That first day I’ll rehydrate with a little water and the leave-in and then use the gel and the mousse. I’ll wear that and then on day two, Donna gets the lifting. I don’t use any more product. By day five, she’s a big old afro which is my favorite. I don’t do anything in the morning but take my bonnet off and shake her out a little bit.
MJ: Let’s say someone’s having a rough day, their hair won’t act right, and they’re ready to give up. What is something Donna would whisper to them to bring them back to life in loving their hair?
TB: To give her control. A lot of times we try to control our hair without having a real conversation. We have to really take time with our hair and get to know her, right? It’s really why I gave my hair a a name and personality. I think she cooperates with me because of that. Donna would say, “Let her know she’s in control, but y’all are in it together.”
MJ: What is one message you hope every person carries with them after hearing your story?
TB: To embrace the hair that we are born with. Embrace how it grows but also embrace the superpower that it is. Natural hair is so versatile, but even if you do relax it or you wear your hair straight, embrace it. It’s yours so treat it well.
You can shop Donna’s Recipe online on their website or online & in-store at your local Ulta Beauty.
