WELCOME HOME

Nappturality has been online since 2002. Dedicated to all the women in the diaspora who proudly wear their highly textured hair naturally. Nappturality.com is the place to find photographs,, forums, information and links about the care, maintenance and politics of natural hair. Natural napptural hair. Here you will find photos of all natural styles, comb coils, two-strand twists, afro puffs, afros dredlocks (dreadlocks), locs and many other natural styles. Styled by natural napptural haired women on their own hair.

Blogs

Patricia Gaines

Facing Our Demons - The Shaming of Black Hair

Featured 
by
Keeping our hands off other sisters' edges
I have written, spoken and posted about this for over 20 years now. About how we Black women are taught to hate our natural hair. But not only hate for OUR OWN natural hair, but other women and girls' natural hair. We can't seem to stop looking at our sisters' hair and reacting negatively. It's like when we see natural hair, we ...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog simone biles
Tweet
  799 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Relaxer Damage Info

Featured 
by
Nappturality does not recommend the use of chemical relaxers. The caustic nature of these chemicals burn and destroy hair. These chemicals are damaging, dangerous and in some cases, carcinogenic. Your edges will be the first to leave you. We understand that there will be those who continue to chemically relax and we have some advice for you. I...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog
Tweet
  594 Hits
Patricia Gaines

"Coating" Your Natural Hair

Featured 
by
Can a coating of Shea butter be as beneficial to hair as for skin? It sure can!  Coating your natural hair with product gets too much of a bad wrap. The truth is, natural afro type hair is not the same a caucasian hair, which gets weighed down and oily when too much of a rich product like shea butter are used...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Shea Butter
Tweet
  3336 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Chebe Butters & Oils

Featured 
by
Variety of nuts for grinding
There are lots of nuts that you can grind to create healthy oils and butters, from walnuts to shea nuts to apricot kernels. Nappturality has tried and recommends this rich, all around hair nut butter/oil for hair growth retention and protection: Chebe. I was having so much trouble with dry, thinning hair due to medication and hyperthyroid issues (p...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog
Tweet
  1949 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Changing Names of Ingredients

by
Do you check the ingredients when you are looking for hair products? You should. I have already written several articles about the dangers of certain chemicals and ingredients used in creating Black hair care products and which to avoid. You can find one here and another one here.  Always check the ingredients Watch out, some companies ar...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog
Tweet
  3270 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Sisterlocks on SCOTUS -- Representation Matters

by
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson swears Oath at Senate Confirmation Hearings
First, I got goosebumps first, then the tears came. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has made history. Her induction to the highest court in the United States brings with it the aspirations and dreams of Black women throughout the country. Not only from those of us who aspire to achieve greatness in the legal professions, but all of us. From the young w...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog
Tweet
  8665 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Musty Loc Syndrome- Freshen up your Scalp

by
Funky sour musty danky sticky loc scalp. You best get onto that before it gets out of hand. Not enough thorough cleansing of your scalp is going to cause this problem –but it's a mistake that can be fixed yourself, if you catch it early enough. I know I have written about scalp issues a lot. Like here, and here. But it's im...
Continue reading
Tags:
Nappturality Blog Real Talk Member Blog
Tweet
  52586 Hits
Patricia Gaines

The Diluted Natural Hair Sisterhood

by
I want to say something about the current iteration of the "natural hair community" and I am going to be blunt. Fractured -- that term came to mind because of all the splits into tribal factions on Facebook and other platforms. Maybe it's more diluted than fractured - or maybe a combo of both. Everything changes and evolves, sometime...
Continue reading
Tweet
  56811 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Tackling ​Congested Scalp and Hair

Featured 
by
First, I need to explain what I mean by this term. It's not a medical term – nor something I found on the internet. Congested Scalp and Hair (CSH) is a condition I have found that happens with my own natural hair, and can cause all types of problems. But it can be reversed and prevented if you know how to do it. Remember back in the days of Bl...
Continue reading
Tweet
  57356 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Nappy: The Word Debate

by
A couple of times a year, this subject come around. Like a comet, it blasts through natural hair groups, discussion forums and social media. Is the word "nappy" good or bad? Should we use it or not?  20+ years ago it was unheard of to call yourself nappy. The word was that bad a connotation for hair. Also, 20 years ago it was rare to see a Bla...
Continue reading
Tweet
  79950 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Natural-Haired Job Applicants at a Disadvantage - New Study Shows

by
A new study conducted by Ashleigh Shelby Rosette, a management professor and a senior associate dean who conducted the research at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, has been released with not-so-shocking findings: Black women with natural afro hair are less likely to be offered job interviews. This study detected bias against Black women ...
Continue reading
Tweet
  81270 Hits
Patricia Gaines

The Toxicity of Hair Shaming

by
You know, people have ALWAYS been up in Black women's business when it comes to our bodies, our hair. Too skinny, too fat, short, too nappy, too whatever. And you know what? Leave us alone. There is a trend emerging in this *new* nappy hair movement. Yeah, another one. And it seems to be coming from OUTSIDE our regular women-space. It's coming from...
Continue reading
Tweet
  77346 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Understand Shea Butter

by
We all have heard the benefits of African Shea Butter for decades. Centuries. And it has rightfully earned its place at the apex of nut butters. But what is it, where does it come from and is it for everyone? What is Shea Butter?  Shea butter is the fat that has been extracted from the nuts of the Shea Nut tree which is native to Africa and sp...
Continue reading
Tweet
  80533 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Curl Definition on Afro Hair

by
Challenges of Texture Definition
Curl definition really isn't the right term for use with actual afro hair. Afro hair is more tightly coiled that curly. Curls are a loose pattern. Afro coils are a tight pattern. So, I am going to refer to this as coil definition. STEP ONE: DETERMINE YOUR HAIR TEXTURE First, you need to HAVE coils for them to pop. Some of us don't have co...
Continue reading
Tweet
  81765 Hits
Patricia Gaines

3 Natural Hair Bloggers Reminisce About The Early Days Of The Movement

Featured 
by
These hair bloggers shaped the discourse around Black hair and beauty.
by Tatiana Pile, On Assignment For HuffPost02/03/2020 09:00 am ET   What started as conversations on hair care forums evolved into a full-fledged online community over the last 20 years. Twenty years ago, Patricia Gaines had a terrible hair experience with a chemical relaxer and was left with extremely short hair. For decades, she'd used ...
Continue reading
Tweet
  93552 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Going Natural with Afro Hair is a Big Deal

by
Afro natural hair
This natural hair revolution has meant different things to different women. For some it changed their lives by giving them a reason to stop destroying their hair. For others it didn't play a big part but created a little sense of more freedom and acceptance. For me as Nappturality's founder – it became my life's work to help empower Black women by ...
Continue reading
Tweet
  95825 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Smelly Scalp Syndrome

by
You are in the car and lean over to grab something. When you lean back to your seat, you get a whiff of something, and it's not pleasant. It's like a musty, sweaty or sharp smell. Where is it coming from? What just happened? Repeat the motion, same result and now it hits you. It's coming from your hair! Or more likely, from your scalp. Smelly Scalp...
Continue reading
Tweet
  99352 Hits
Patricia Gaines

It's Not so Scary to Cut it Short. The TWA

by
Nothing, and I mean nothing – is as fierce as a cool, sharp and on-point teeny-weeny-afro. And I mean that. I have worn almost every style out there on my natural hair. And the one that gave me the most power, was my TWA. Choosing to keep it short has its challenges but if you can manage it, the TWA can turn out to be your best friend. But.... "I h...
Continue reading
Tweet
  105319 Hits
Patricia Gaines

Does Going Natural Stop with Just Hair?

by
For those of you who have been chemical free for years (or your entire lives), did at some point you transition to a more natural lifestyle like maybe switching to organic products or being vegetarian? Transitioners and newly naturals, do you plan on striving for a more natural lifestyle? I was just thinking about this today as I was washing my hai...
Continue reading
Tweet
  6002 Hits
Patricia Gaines

The Newest Face of L'Oreal - Viola Davis

by
Back when I wrote this article about Viola Davis and her big beautiful afro at the Golden Globes, I was super excited. No one had dared to wear their natural hair so OUT and so BIG before, and she absolutely stole the show. It shouldn't be a big deal, but because it was so rare to see, it was. And not just for me, for everyone there. Now Viola Davi...
Continue reading
Tags:
Viola Davis Golden Globes L 'Oreal Paris Age
Tweet
  104253 Hits
    Previous    
1 2

Nappturality Shoe 300 faded

Your Natural Hair is NOT a Fad

Wearing natural hair is not a fad. It is not a fashion trend. It's the natural hair you were born with. So why can't you wear it?
Don't believe the negative hype..

Leah Prater Frankie Monroe 1 Kimberly Montague Princess First'Lady Briggs4 Jariel Deanna3 Nikki Poole 2 Kaynisha Renee Martin Adrienne Lifeisgolden Skinner Notm Pressed Troya Sowell Debra Chatman Jay Roge4 Ednasia Green KaTina Smith Walker2 Monica Evans4 Kenita Mitchell Iman Whitmore 2 Jillijoy Holloway2 Chelsea Patterson Sanders Talishia Robins Leslie Blakely6 Dominique Truthfairy Williams Watt Ayesha La Vonia Boyd Mary Wells Raven Nacole Madison Bella Zambezie Solange Campos 1 Eiimariiee Rosee Lynn Betty Alexander McGriff Divinity Starr Sharea Twymon Summers Brandi Murphy Latanya Coverson Angie Knight2 Curley N Cynthia Simpson Maya Mj James2 Sylvia Randi Carroll Hairbyjuanibless2 Gloria Obruche 1 Nicki Wade Monica Evans Heeyy Jessie Sheila Da She Serumula2 Heeyy Jessie2 Leslie Blakely7 LaShawn Emmanuelle Key Dickerson Jagged Edge3 Ann Brown Jillijoy Holloway3 Selena So Blessed Mckibben Sasha Stoute Princess First'Lady Briggs3 Leslie Blakely4 Gilly Dee Leslie Blakely9 Tammy Mariano Denise Billings Tracy Gary Tammie Elkerson Mcgill Natanya Jones KaRen Leslie Blakely Michelle Hudson Frankie Monroe Lakishia Brown Tammie Braggs Cheryl Freemon Watts2 KaRen JackSon2 Leslie Blakely8 Urecha Dunn2 Kathy Terrell 2 Nadia Newton Daniella Cardoza2 Sonjia Murphy Keia Parker Natanya Jones3 Kathy Terrell 4 Abigail Boyce Natanya Jones2 Antoinette Jeaninne Kaleta Battle KaRen JackSon Notm Pressed3 Jillijoy Holloway Angela Watkins2 Katrina Stallworth Kim Lewis MrsNohaterallowed Taylor Saundrea Arila Mendez Melody Dark Queena Beenblessed Williams2 HairbyJuanibless Shalari Drakes Kathy Terrell Nyree' Allen Kayla Bush Destiny Hawkins Jagged Edge2 Bella Negra1 Mary Wells Sophonie Bien Aime Iman Whitmore Sheila Da She Serumula3 Angie Knight Bryanna Knight Emmanuelle Key Dickerson2 Cynthiakim1 Leslie Blakely2 Miz Jones Shekera Combs Adaleia Coultman2 Jariel Deanna Sheila Da She Serumula J LaKayle Jones3 Toma Thornhill Amanda Flowers Peterson Hairbyjuanibless3 Maya Mj James Nikki Poole Jagged Edge Kennedra Tucker Adrienne Lifeisgolden Skinner3 Cheryl Freemon Watts Sarah Moore Raticka Scruggs2 Daniella Cardoza Shadi Shukuma Maepa Tamara Hinkle Moore Richeau Breland Raticka Scruggs Nikki Poole Angela Watkins3 Ashley Erica Holmes Hale Lisa Amos Wilson Lorraine Gray Hairbyjuanibless5 Leslie Blakely3 Kathy Terrell 3 Rhonda Littles KaTina Smith Walker Jariel Deanna2 Lekeytha Dukes Shaw Tonyelle Bennett Vanessa Agee LaJoia Hamilton Talishia Robins2 Linda Brown Campbell Trina Smith Daphanie Brooks Jariel Deanna1 J LaKayle Jones Candace Montgomery Jaunene Jones Juanita Simmons Diamond Mull Samantha Jordan Princess First'Lady Briggs2 Queena Beenblessed Williams Trina Smith 3 Gema Ebanks Gloria Obruche 2 Tiara Shinae Akeisha Irena Shipley Naiesha Howell Raticka Scruggs Chasity Williams Trina Smith 2 Adaleia Coultman3 Mysteek NaturalHair2 MrsNohaterallowed Taylor2 Msincognito Shades Monica Evans3 ShaRon Hicks2 Jay Roge Courtney Davis Yasmeen Cookngd Ali Brown Lauren Foster Walls Monique Colon Jewel Grant Sonya Makeba Sasha Stoute2 Monique Colon KaTina Smith Walker3 Hairbyjuanibless4 Da OC Jazmine J. Boss Gilly Dee Cynthiakim2 Bokua Adwoa Bray Carolyn Parker Tiffany Smith Urecha Dunn Jennifer Bass Adaleia Coultman4 KaRen JackSon Lysa Davis Angela Watkins Jay Roge6 Vicky Hightower Marenda Eison Frankie Monroe 2 Andrea Cantrell 3 Jacqueline Parker Regina Ellis Livingston Adaleia Coultman Michele Washington Shannon Bell Chara Harris Andrea Cantrell LaCharla Figgs Monica Evans2 Heila Da She Serumula 2 Khady Didi Sow Sarah Moore 2 Chenay N. Bryant Karmen B. Jones EJ Thompson J LaKayle Jones2 Jay Roge3 Sheila Da She Serumula Star Bullard Monique Colon2 Solange Campos Alnita Reaves Vaught Essie Dodson Andrea Cantrell 2 Marilyn E Lowe Adey's Natural Hair Tips Mysteek NaturalHair Bokua Adwoa Bray 2 Monique Wilson Melinda IzsoDivine Princess First'Lady Briggs Leslie Blakely5 Adrienne Lifeisgolden Skinner2