Yogi-Artist Mia Ghogho on Finding Confidence in Perceived “Flaws” and the Herbal Tea Rinse That Keeps Her Hair Healthy

Akili King
·5 min read
“For definition I wear my twists for a few days and love it because it fits into my humongous garden hat!” says Ghogo.
“For definition I wear my twists for a few days and love it because it fits into my humongous garden hat!” says Ghogo.
Photo: Courtesy of Lamiah Gholar

Texture Diaries is a space for Black people across industries to reflect on their journeys to self-love, and how accepting their hair, in all its glory, played a pivotal role in this process. Each week, they share their favorite hair rituals, products, and the biggest lessons they’ve learned when it comes to affirming their beauty and owning their unique hair texture.

For Mia Ghogho, yoga holds a deeper meaning that goes beyond just a personal wellness practice. It was in high school, a few years after initially discovering her passion for the practice at nature camp, that the Florence-raised, Chicago-based yoga instructor, artist, and designer recognized what a vital tool it could be spiritually, emotionally, and physically—especially within her community. “Black communities of all classes suffer from diseases and health disparities at drastically different numbers than other demographics,” she tells Vogue. “Knowing that holistic healing is needed in the communities I am a part of has been the catalyst in my interest in teaching yoga.” In one of Ghogho’s restorative classes, you can expect a focus on Kemetic yoga, a form of the practice originating in ancient Egypt, along with an emphasis on self-empowerment and using movement and mindfulness to recover from trauma.

“Yoga in nature is an almost daily thing for me, so braids are out of the way and neat for a lot of sweat.”
“Yoga in nature is an almost daily thing for me, so braids are out of the way and neat for a lot of sweat.”

As her yoga journey has evolved, Ghogho, 22, has gained attention for her powerful teaching style and messaging, partnering with brands like Free People and Outdoor Voices, as well as modeling for Nike and Glossier. When she’s off of the mat, you’ll find her painting, making ceramics, bead weaving, sharpening her photography skills, and designing clothes. “I’m morphing into home and decor design through my soon-to-launch brand,” she teases. And transforming creatively isn’t the only way the multi-hyphenate wellness guru likes to shape-shift. Her jaw-dropping hairstyles—from her sideswept braided bangs to Afros and wigs of all shapes and sizes—are a constant source of hair inspiration.

“A simple twist out has been my go-to curly style lately. I am a wash-and-go girl at heart, but also trying to retain length, so twist outs are less manipulation.”
“A simple twist out has been my go-to curly style lately. I am a wash-and-go girl at heart, but also trying to retain length, so twist outs are less manipulation.”
“When I don’t want to spend too much time in the salon, I opt for bigger braid styles like these!”
“When I don’t want to spend too much time in the salon, I opt for bigger braid styles like these!”

“I have always loved my hair in all of its stages,” says Ghogho, who in late 2012 decided to grow out her Afro and subsequently explore an array of styles including locs, twists, and braids. Her eager embrace of different natural hair looks is no coincidence, as throughout her childhood she looked up to her late cousin and Chicago beauty blogger Meechy Monroe as well as her sister Vaughn Vaughn, who are both considered YouTube royalty within the beauty community. “For my eighth-grade graduation I decided to wear my hair in a twist out, which was largely inspired by them,” she explains. “Having them as role models for my natural hair journey was so important to me. As I grew, I went on to create my own YouTube channel, where I shared my experience. The people in that community really helped me feel seen. So many of us were on this same journey toward accepting and embracing the uniqueness of natural hair.”

“My go-tos: a pre-shampoo mask, a nutrient dense deep conditioner, and herbal hair oil.”
“My go-tos: a pre-shampoo mask, a nutrient dense deep conditioner, and herbal hair oil.”

As of late, Ghogho’s grandmother has also been a driving beauty reference. “She always had the largest Afro in all of her pictures from the ’70s,” she says, also listing off Diana Ross, Toni Childs from Girlfriends, and hair artist Fesa Nu as her other hair muses. “I love how she makes Black hair look so majestic,” she says of Nu’s work. When it comes to styling and keeping her hair healthy, Ghogho says almost all of Camille Rose’s natural, nutrient-rich products do the trick for her. She also reaches for Mielle Organics’ Rosemary Mint hair oil (“My scalp absolutely loves it; it’s so soothing!” she says) and Well Fed Apothecary’s Herbal hair oil. “As someone who has a very dry scalp, I tend to focus on it,” she explains.

“I dabble in braided hairstyles year-round, but single braids are just so carefree for summers. Half-up, half-down styles are so elegant! Since high school, I’ve loved adding flowers to my Afro, but now I’m experimenting with them in my braids.”
“I dabble in braided hairstyles year-round, but single braids are just so carefree for summers. Half-up, half-down styles are so elegant! Since high school, I’ve loved adding flowers to my Afro, but now I’m experimenting with them in my braids.”
“Many medicinal herbs are for internal and external use! Here are some of my favorites.”
“Many medicinal herbs are for internal and external use! Here are some of my favorites.”

Ghogho’s biggest secret weapon for her hair of all? Herbal tea rinses. “I am someone who leans into plant medicine remedies,” she explains. “Many of my favorite herbs to use in tinctures and infusions are also beneficial topically for hair and skin!” Fenugreek, brahmi, nettle, and calendula are among her go-tos, and typically she’ll steep the herbs in boiling water and let them cool. Then, after shampooing her hair, she scoops the tincture with a cup and pours it over her head. “For added potency, I add in a couple drops of oil,” she says, name-checking Haus of Hoodoo’s Protection Condition oil. “Adding this little step is a great head-cleansing ritual.”

Looking ahead, Ghogho hopes to try even more braided styles. “They are my favorite because I appreciate the craftsmanship,” she says. “Braiders are literally master weavers, and having braids feels like artwork on the head.” Pixie cut wigs are on her to-try list as well, before she officially decides whether she wants to shave off her lengths for a fresh buzz cut or get locs again. At the end of the day, for Ghogho, it always be about finding what works best. “Confidence starts with self-acceptance,” she says. “No matter what stage of life you are in, you must learn to accept yourself in all of your natural and divinely made glory, even the parts that you perceive as flawed. The path to feeling empowered and confident gets easier after this.”

“Silk pillows have been a game changer! No bonnet gang…sometimes.”
“Silk pillows have been a game changer! No bonnet gang…sometimes.”

Camille Rose Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard Oil

$12.00, CAMILLE ROSE

Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse

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Originally Appeared on Vogue