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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.

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Blogs and stories written by Nappturality and Friends
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Who remembers integration and bussing?

As a result of the integration policies of the 60s, 70s

Trying to start a conversation here about something not often spoken about but brought back into the spotlight by Kamala Harris. A lot of us are over 40 now and may have some experiences to share about integration and bussing.

Personally I wasn't bussed but I remember when others were.

I'm interested in hearing your stories.
Original author: deecoily
  772 Hits
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Trying to grow your hair?

New article on tips to growing out your natural hair. Are you using the right products? Minimizing breakage is not that difficult once you learn how. Be sure to read my latest article on hair growth and growing your hair to its maximum length.

Natural Hair - Maximum Length Simplified


Let me know what you think and if you have any tips to add!

~Dee~
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Original author: deecoily
  817 Hits
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So, Natural Hair is Mainstream Now? We Are Not.

It seems to me that the essence of going natural is being transformed into not so much of a journey of self-discovery but a journey to see how many hair products one can use on their heads to make their natural hair into something more acceptable. More like that lady they saw on TV. Wait, they SAW ON TV?

Not too long ago, and I mean within the last 5 years, this just didn't happen. It was unusual. So unusual that people who saw natural women on TV took pictures and uploaded them to NP to comment on. (TRUTH) We didn't see Zerlinas and Mayas on NBC prime time with their beautiful natural hair and locs gracing the screen on the news or on expert panels. Locs and naturals were resigned to the fringes of TV, more seen in music and entertainment and hanging out the backs of helmets of NFL players. We were not seen.

Maybe this paradigm shift was inevitable. Maybe it's just the way things go as we make progress. Remember when we were focused on our journeys, discovering how amazing our real hair truly is? Discussed how our hair was affecting those around us and how we were being judged, stared at, people reaching out to touch our hair, feeling for tracks? Women of all ages who were just starting out were talking about how since going natural they were beginning to feel different about themselves?

These changes could be because natural hair is not seen as something unusual now. Because of the Movement we created, natural hair has hit the mainstream. Thousands of hair products promising to deliver your hair from an undefined nappy halo to something well-defined and acceptable in the natural hair realm to be envied by all who lays eyes on it. This has become the focus.

Nappturality took on the first publicized case of hair discrimination back in 2003, so long ago I can't even remember the sister's name though I remember her face and I remember she worked in government / in a courthouse maybe. I remember contacting her, but she didn't want to talk about what happened to her because of all the abuse she was getting. But we mobilized for the cause anyway. And she was reinstated.

NOW, 16 years later, 2 progressive States, CA and NY have ratified laws making natural hair discrimination illegal so what happened to her won't happen to you in those States.

This is forward progress and I will take it wherever I can get it.

But at the root of all of this, and the reason why this Natural Hair Movement must retain its heart and soul, is that most Black women still do not wear their natural hair. And not always by choice, but by design. Not because they tried it and didn't like it. But because it's what their mothers and grandmothers did. It's what they teach their daughters to do. It's just done. We are taught to "fix" that nappy, unmanageable hair from an early age. Most Black women don't even know what their real natural hair looks like except for that tiny bit of new growth that peeks through before being fried with chemicals or heat back into some form of straightness.

I still hear about heads and bodies being too big for natural hair. Boyfriends and husbands preferring straight hair. It's too nappy. Too hard. Too thick. Too thin. Too difficult. Too short. Too scared. Too ugly. Too, too, too. And the simple, I hate me in my natural (real, actual born with it) hair.

It's this. The ignorance of the form and beauty of our real hair. How and why it is made for us - for you. How it takes years off your face. And why it is still not respected or loved or appreciated by most of us, that I am still here claiming and holding on to this movement. And whether I am speaking to thousands or to an empty room, I'm still here.
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Original author: deecoily
  751 Hits
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Excited about this forum

Hello, I am excited about this forum. I have been natural for over 10 years and I still have a lot of learning to do and questions to ask.
Original author: Embracing.Natural
  1192 Hits
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Hi everyone!

I'm excited to make new friends and to learn anything about hair & beauty! Nice meeting y'all! :)
Original author: Abby
  702 Hits
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Help! random bald spots with funny feeling scalp *Thread noob*

So I'm abit depressed, I've been looking for a a natural hair forum to post this on cause i need help.
I am a little over 4 years natural, my hair length is a mystery and if i were to guess, the longest parts is somewhere around armpit length, 4C high density, low por, and medium thickness.
I recently ran into moister overload, and gave myself a protein treatment, problem is the protein treatment i made was too strong and i got protein overload. However by the 3rd day, i was told to try a bentonite clay mask to fix the problem, in which i did and my hair was saved, soft, and a tangled free mess. So it seemed.
I noticed my scalp was oddly itchy, but i figured it was do to excess oil on my scalp because that's what happens when i put too much oil in my scalp. My scalp is naturally oily, and i saw excess oil there so i figured that was what it was, and dabbed some of the oil out.
Fast forward to this week, I was doing my weekly deep conditioning, Someone told me that i should try pure aloe vera gel, and leave it in my hair and rinse it out after 15 minutes as it helped her hair. I Applied the gel thoroughly with some water on my hair and scalp, i saw a some hair's on my hands and a Some in the sink, but nothing alarming or more than usual. I then put on a cap and left it on for 15 minutes, my scalp was abit more itchy and tingly with a little stinging, but i didn't think much of it. I then did my normal deep condition with Aussie moist with some honey and olive oil in it as honey makes my hair extra juicy, soft and moisturized when i use it correctly, and if i abuse it, i end up with moisture overload or a sticky mess.

Well this time i used a different brand of honey, still raw and organic, but it was darker, i heard darker honey was more potent and beneficial, so i thought it would work well. I Also used much less honey than i normally do, like about a teaspoon to a teaspoon and a half. Were as before i used about 2-3 tablespoons. I worked it through out my hair and left it on around my normal time, abit shorter , almost about 2 hours. I felt that same dull itchy, tingly, slightly stinging feeling on my scalp and started getting concerned that my hair might fall out for some reason, and i didn't want moisture overload again. I knew when i add honey to my conditioner, the amount of time i can deep condition drops. so after two hours i rinsed my hair out, with no hair in my hands or sink. But to my HORROR i saw a Random bald spot spawn on the side of my head that was not there, i was like "WTF??!" i quickly put on my glassed and looked in the mirror in horror. I have no idea were tf it came from or why! , i quickly tried to wash the rest the conditioner out an went through my hair panicking, expecting hair to just be detaching from my scalp and falling in clumps, but low and behold, no hair (my hair was in twists so i was unraveling them and retwisting them) I didn't have so much as a tiny bit of ball hair come out. "WHERE TF MY HAIR GO??!".
My hair seemed fine, no signs of moisture overload, soft,tangled free and none in my hands. IT JUST VANISHED FROM MY SCALP.
Later i found another one on the other side of my head, two more to be exact and i am DEFEATED. I don't know what happened, or what's causing this and i'm afraid it will spread and all my hair will just fall out. My scalp still has a weird sensation a.k.a a scratchy and slight stinging sensation. But there is no redness in my scalp at all, not even in the bald spots. Im so scared and shook. Because i just completely filled in my entire head of bald spots that i had from perm damage YEARS back and now i got BRAND NEW bald spots right after i just filled the last ones in COMPLETELY!. IT's NOT fair!

My question is, does anyone know what i could have done wrong??! Was it the protein overload i had last week? and if so why why didn't i have the bald spot until today?, I see my hair all over every single day, there's no WAY i could miss it. IT couldn't have been the bentonite clay because i've used it before with no ill results. The only thing i can think of i did differently, is the Aloe gel, and using different honey. But i don't know which one! and i'm to afraid of losing more hair to try and see what did it.

It's really discouraging, because i take pride in having high density 4C hair, something i hated for the longest, hair so thick you can't find my scalp, seeing my hair all of sudden look scalpy with bald spots HURTS. My spots also don't look like a perfect circle like Alopecia , it's just kinda random and irregular, around my edges and towards the front and top and sides. The first one i saw goes in almost a straight/ diagonal almost zigzag like line. the fear of being set back in my growth for the gazillionth time just upsets me so much. Any advice and opinions would be appreciated.


Added info. I do not do the most with my hair and only been protective styling in for the last few years shampooing it, twisting it, moisturizing it, and leaving it alone under wraps and bonnets. :(. My hair seems healthy right now besides the damaged parts. IF i unravel my twists it's super defined, shiny, and juicy. I babied it for a reason. To slow down my breakage and to get growth, and so far it has proven to work. I feel like my hair just disrespected me..

Right now im looking to get some bitoin as its worked on my hair before, but things like castor oil and wild growth did nothing for my hair growth.. But i'm completely open to any other suggestions. thanks.
Original author: FlowerPower101
  798 Hits
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Im back

It been a long time since I got on here, looking forward to being here.
Original author: TheOneLove
  760 Hits
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Hey ya'll!!

Hey everyone! I'm back on Nappturality! I joined in 2009 when I began my natural hair journey. I learned a lot of valuable information that has helped me so much with my hair! My hair is now loc'd (since January) & I am enjoying the journey. I'm open to learning more about locs & awesome products to use.
Original author: TweepsyLocs
  837 Hits
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Mielle?

Has anyone tried this stuff? I'm looking to try the honey and pomegranite leave in conditioner.
Original author: LostMyWeave
  1341 Hits
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My beginning black hair care

I dont know anything of good hair care . And know where to begin . Can you get me to know what I am doing all the time and why ? And to be extremely good at it. And all I want , if yes, tell me all I need to know.
Original author: mnopstuv5000
  981 Hits
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Hard water buildup after holiday

It seems like my post before didn't post (It's not visible on my account). So, I'll try one more time. I'm sorry if it posts two times now :/

Hi everyone :) I'm new here and couldn't find a discussion that fits my question, so I hope it's okay that I'm starting a new one.
So, for the holidays I've stayed in Turkey with my family and while everything was great, the water unfortunately wasn't. I started noticing the lack of definition and shine after the first wash already. My hair is normally 2c-3a, but they look 2b now and are really dry. There weren't a lot of curly hair products, so stuck with the ogx clarifying shampoo. I had to leave that in Turkey, so I gave it to my cousin who also has curly hair. Back in Germany, I did an ACV rinse, but it didn't seem to work too much, but I definitely see some improvement. Some strands are even almost back to normal. Should I just keep on doing the rinse, or should I buy a clarifying shampoo? I was thinking the Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo is good. Or do you recommend anything else? I'm on a budget and I never really had to deal with hard Water, so I'm kinda freaking out.
Original author: JessicaJulie
  1307 Hits
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Afrogeek is back...

Still nappy!(:-)
Original author: afrogeek
  797 Hits
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Hi!Need advice on length of time having a style

Would it be okay for me to have this style in from Sept 16 until Dec 25th when I'll get a different set of braids for Christmas?I just have concerns about edge loss or traction alopecia happening.I asked this question first on yahoo answers and someone said it's not advisable because it will mean BO lol, any advice on that as well?I'm gonna be using this Cantu root relief stuff as well for scalp cleansing and to alleviate itching.

https://s.yimg.com/tr/i/d6aee000ebe3...085bc43_A.jpeg
Original author: IcePink
  875 Hits
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Cutting your own hair (low) how to questions

Hello everybody!

Man it's been ages since I posted on here. I have popped in a couple of times per year over the years... Good to see that this board is still going :)

As per - I need some advice and this is the best place to get it!

My life are now 9 years old (!!!) And tailbone length. I've been thinking about cutting them off for a few years but (1) I need to lose weight first. I'm too self conscious to show this face in its current state without some framing and (2) at my young 20 years of age I retorted to my dad that I would keep them for 10 years in defiance and I can't lose face :D

I'm looking for a barber in London who can give me one of these AMAZING low cuts I drool over on Instagram but am having no luck :( In addition, I'm really worried about developing hyper keloidalis nuchae (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_keloidalis_nuchae). My cousin suffers from it very badly - he has massive keloids all over his head. Today I've discovered that my brother is developing it too, although a relatively mild case. In an attempt to try and prevent this, I'm looking into learning how to cut my own hair. I remember iluvkanye (?) had a video on her YouTube which I've found but was wondering if anyone else had some tutorials/tips/guidance/advice on how to do this, what tools I should get etc.

TIA!

(Btw on my phone so if links/emojis don't work, my bad)
Original author: GorgeousKinkz
  1419 Hits
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"Private" forums

Hi there. I've been a member for a while, but have been MIA for a minute. I used to be able to read all of the forums, now many are listed as private. Is this because I've been gone a while, or are there new parameters to reading the whole forum?
Original author: Amberlocs
  1080 Hits
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Hello to all

Hello everyone, Glad to be back.
Original author: OliviaGeorge
  868 Hits
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Gathering EPIC Posts

Hey all, I've got a new initiative happening to showcase posts that may have happened years ago or maybe recently, that are so good they deserve a special place. I have been looking through threads with the most pages and comments and have found some amazing advice that needs to be brought back out and preserved.

You will find these posts on the front page of the website and in their home here:
https://www.nappturality.com/product...from-the-vault

These posts will be re-posted with the original author as the author of the blog, with a link back to the original post here on the forum. So if you are re-posted and your email is current, you may receive a notification.

I think this is a great way to bring out some of the best advice on natural hair we have ever had, so it doesn't get lost in the millions of posts here.

If you find an amazing post that you think should be showcased on the front page, post the link here in this thread so I can keep track, and thank you for helping out.

Luv yall! :))

~Dee~
Original author: deecoily
  1029 Hits
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Hello Everyone

So good to see the Nappturality crew and DeeCoily still on the interwebs.:D I started loc'ing on July 9, 2005 and now am on my third iteration of locs. Used to go by the handle "TwistedXn," but no longer in the "Christian" part. It's a long, long story.

Anyways, I'll be lurking to and fro and chiming in here and there.

Nappy Trails!
Original author: Medusausi
  0 Hits
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Stylists and Salons 2019

Please list here for inclusion in new information section. Include your contact details and any images you want to use.
Original author: deecoily
  765 Hits
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Time for my periodical Natural Hair Reckoning

When a self-proclaimed "influenster" who is barely older than my domain name, who still chemically relaxes her thinning hair, comes at me to critique me and my advice, trying to say she knows more than I do about natural hair because she is a "licensed cosmetologist" --- you know I am going to heat up off the back foot.

It's a free society and I fully support women of the world being free to make their own choices. You are free to criticize me, and I am free to call out the BS.

On that note, I am not here to convince anyone that they have to do what I do. I am here to provide factual, independent, non-paid information about going natural, to advise those who are considering it, are doing it, have done it and who may need help continuing it. There are millions of women who have breezed through Nappturality to get help and support. And it continues today because honest advice never gets old.

I have been through the wars with natural hair and the people around it. Bad intentions hover like flies around a birthday cake and during the natural hair enlightenment period of the early 2000's we all were fending off a lot of angry and defensive women. I am still fending off the occasional misguided soul.

Nappturality was the FIRST website formed exclusively for Black women with AFRO (nappy) type hair to congregate and learn about our hair and I am so proud of that. We were attacked for our mission to focus exclusively on our own hair type. We were called Nappy Nazis, mean, unwelcoming to curly heads and all other kinds of offensive names because we took a stand against hair discrimination towards AFRO hair and fought for respect in a sea of chemical relaxers with multinational hair care companies telling us how bad and unmanageable our natural hair was so we NEEDED to buy their toxic poison that burned our scalps, dissolved the hair off our heads and caused cancers, scalp de-fatting and all kinds of nasties to our bodies because if we didn't, we wouldn't be accepted in their civilized society.

Nappturality is the big bang of the Natural Hair Revolution. It is a testimony to what can be done when Black women come together in their own place of power to help each other and themselves.

Don't confuse my passion with anger.
Don't confuse my determination with hate.
Don't confuse my temperance with fear.

Everything I do, I do because I love and believe in the Black community I am a part of.

So if you must criticize something,

Criticize the multinationals putting toxic chemicals into Black hair products.
Criticize the marketing companies lying to us on behalf of these companies.
Criticize the people who force their women to use these deadly products because they prefer straight hair.
Criticize the hair companies lying about what they are putting into the products aimed at Black people.
Criticize the government for easing regulations on the use of known carcinogens in cosmetic products.

And help other women to stop using chemicals too.
Original author: deecoily
  1006 Hits

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..

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