Community Highlights: Meet Taylor DeSanto of HairGoddess by Tae

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor DeSanto.

Hi Taylor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
When I was a kid, I had always been more interested in the creative side life had to offer. Music, art, writing, hair, any of the above had me consumed. If I wasn’t singing and dancing in the driveway of my parents’ house to absolutely no one, I was cutting the hair of my barbies. Hair was always something so fascinating to me, probably because I grew up constantly being made fun of for big curly bush of a hair and wishing I had someone else’s. And I remember thinking to myself; I hope someday I can make people feel beautiful in the way I wasn’t made to feel beautiful. I went through initially the college process, wanting to be a therapist, the empath in me always wanting to help someone, but it wasn’t creative enough, I was missing the creative outlet. I dropped out, which at the time seemed like a big no no, but long term it was the best thing I could’ve done for my mental and emotional health. I went to the Aveda Institute with absolutely no expectations. Just jump in and make it work. That was almost ten years ago. And since then, I’ve worked New York Fashion Week, I’ve worked with countless celebrities, I’ve worked in multiple salons as a stylist and as management, and I am now celebrating over a year of my own Studio HairGoddess By Tae. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been easy. This industry is hard. Life is hard. While battling being bottom of the barrel and having to pay my dues, I was also battling severe issues in my personal life. Death and the grief that comes with it, mental health, physical setbacks, loss of love, friendships, etc. It was like the further I progressed in the work aspect, the further I dissipated from who I know I am. I pride myself on my character, I am as honest and loyal as it comes, and when you’re working towards something it really opens your eyes as to who and who is not in your corner. I’ve spent a lot of time alone, I’ve missed out on a lot of things others consider fun, I’ve hit rock bottom and pulled myself out every single time. And for as rough and down it was, it has made me into the version of myself today that is not afraid to do it alone or to fail. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
HairGoddess is something I started just a couple years back. First, it was just a new Instagram handle after one of my clients said she felt like a Goddess every time she left my chair. It made me smile because the goal is for everyone to leave feeling like the best version of themselves. Most people think I’m referring to myself with the name, but it represents anyone who sits in my chair. It’s about feeling yourself and taking that confidence to the next level. 

I would say I’m best known for color corrections, blondes, and balayage. I think what sets me apart from others is my patience and my honesty. If I think something isn’t going to look right or your hair isn’t the best state to have something done to it, I am not going to take your money. I’m going to sit there instead and give you realistic options and plans to move you in the right direction. I know how it feels to be told my hair can’t do this or that in such a negative way; I never want anyone to sit in my chair and feel like I am putting them down. I care tremendously about people, their well-being, if you look good you feel good and that is my main mission every single time. I am also someone who knows times are tough, and I don’t think anyone should be exempt from self-care, therefore I am always willing to work within whatever your budget may be. Money is cool and all, but I didn’t do this solely for money, I did this because I see what confidence can change in people’s lives. I genuinely want people to be the best they can be, I am always willing to help. That’s what I am most proud of about my brand. 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I never wanted to do hair color. My entire time in school I just wanted to specialize in cutting. I was so intimidated by color, and all that comes with it that I specifically interviewed in salons that made you specialize. Now, if you look at my clientele and my Instagram page, you’d laugh because all I do is color. And I think it stems from this drive of being rejected by stylists for my own hair in the sense of I have dark natural curly hair, it’s an afro, shout out my pops, and no stylist for a long time even stylists I worked with wanted to do it or wanted to lighten it. So, I learned how to do it, I took all the classes, I would spend hours after work on my laptop watching videos and signing up for new courses. I got educated on how to take dark hair, whether coarse or ethnic or just natural level 1, and managed to create a clientele of people who would say to me the same thing ‘No one ever wants to take us light,’ and now I do it and now I’ve earned the trust and respect of so many people who finally feel seen and heard when it comes to how they want to look. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hairgoddesstae.square.site
• Instagram: @hairgoddess_tae
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hairgoddess_tae?_t=8ibexAS86vu&_r=1