Taraji P. Henson's Biggest Hair Secret Is Under $20
Always wash your makeup off before you go to bed. My mother always told me growing up, “Clean that makeup off your face.” And moisturize. My grandma still moisturizes.
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can have three products. What are you bringing?
Anything from TPH, whatever I can grab at the last minute. Next I’d bring Carmex for my lips—that’s important—and lastly I definitely wouldn’t want to be without Paul Scerri moisturizer for my skin. It’s amazing.
What’s your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?
A massage with my favorite masseuse at the Peninsula in Chicago.
What’s your go-to getting ready music?
It depends. If I’m going on a date, it’s probably R&B. If I’m going out with my girls, it’s probably hip hop. Right now, I’m obsessed with DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, and Cardi B—really any female in hip hop I love. The biggest thing I’ve been rocking a lot lately is Wale’s new album and Fabolous’ “Cold Summer.”
What’s the last Instagram hole you were sucked into?
I go down the rabbit hole on Tiny Kitchen. Oh, my God. Hours. And then there’s another one about tiny dolls. They take little Barbie doll heads and shave them. There are scenarios, like say she went partying all last night, and her hair was all matted and then you’ll see the fingernail try to press it and they’ll go, “No, no, no.” Then they’ll cut all the Barbie hair off. Then they’ll make lace fronts for the Barbie. Look it up. You’ll thank me. Anything tiny makes me feel good.
You have $20 and free roam of a drugstore. What do you buy?
Twenty dollars? I’ve got to make that stretch. Okay. I would probably get lashes. Start with my Ardell Wispies—Demi Wispies #5—and then Carmex. Next I’d grab my Jergens Shea Butter Lotion. I live and die by that stuff. And lastly, probably a great mascara like Maybelline Colossal. I usually keep four or five tubes of that on hand.
If you could change one thing about beauty perceptions, either in Hollywood or social media, what would you like to change?
I would like to change the notion of beauty looking a certain way. There should never be “the most beautiful person in the world.” That’s a lie. I’m just thinking in general, you can’t say this person has the best hair, or this is the most beautiful person. All people are beautiful. All hair is beautiful. Once we accept that, we won’t have people depressed because they don’t look like Instagram models. There shouldn’t be a norm in beauty. I’m different, you’re different, and that’s beautiful.
Who are the women inspiring you most right now?
Issa Rae endlessly inspires me. I love the work Jada Pinkett Smith is doing with her mom and her daughter on Red Table Talk. I think it’s so beautiful to see that dynamic relationship between three generations. And, of course, Michelle Obama, constantly.
Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore. This interview has been edited and condensed.