In 2010, I created Black Naps to blog about my natural hair journey and to share helpful tips with others. I became so in love with the community here that I pursued blogging full-time. I have successfully made my passion my paycheck and now I am educating others how they can make money blogging in my course Be Your Own Boss: 9 Steps to Creating a Blog Business. Black Naps is a leading provider of natural hair tips and style inspiration for women with kinky textured hair receiving well over 260,000 unique visits per month and 600,000 pageviews! I am proud to offer representation for coily hair types, showing type 4 ladies that they can embrace their kinks with pride.
A Little About My Hair Journey…
Although for most of my childhood and teen years my hair was relaxed I never saw what people often refer to as “nappy hair” as being a bad thing. The decision to relax my hair was not out of some sort of self hate issue, but from a lack of knowledge in caring for natural hair. 
In the late 90’s long before natural hair was a trend or the in thing to do, I found myself experimenting with natural looks.
I still remember taking synthetic kanekalon braid hair and using somewhat of an invisible braids method to create a look that resembled blown out natural hair. Bantu knot outs were my next experiment that gave me a faux natural curly look and I loved it.
However, as time went on the health of my hair was in the pits. I began to rely on weaves more heavily due to the combination of having hair relaxer, excessive heat use, and manipulation take a toll on my hair.
My senior year of high school I started taking baby steps to do something productive about the issue. The first thought I had was perhaps a texturizer would be more gentle on my hair than a relaxer. Needless to say, I thought that sucked too.
When I began my transition in 2005 I won’t lie girl, I looked a hot mess.
I had no idea what to do with my hair! The only thing that helped was when I ended up stumbling upon hair forums and it really made all the difference.
Fast forward.
My pressed natural hair
See my current regimen and details on my APL milestone: Armpit Length Hair Milestone + Current Regimen
My hair has come a long way since its scraggly thinned out days and I have never looked back. Inspired by the online resources that helped me make the most out of my journey I created and founded Black Naps in 2010. I love the community that has been created and sharing my knowledge with you!
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I want to go natural but my hair is real dry no shine
Hi Veronica,
Washing your hair consistently and treating it to hot oil treatments as well as deep conditioners should help you with this problem. Any of the natural oils such as olive oil or coconut oil should really give your hair some shine. Dependent on the thickness and texture of your hair, be generous with the oil and don’t be afraid to oil your scalp each day. Put the oil on your fingertips versus your palm and massage it into the scalp as well as the strands.
Good luck on your journey!
Please help I’m having a lot of issues with dry ends and during the past month I’ve spent over a hundred dollars on products that looks good initally but just doesn’t work.
I started this process five years ago and stopped pressing/flat ironing my hair 2 years ago. I love the natural look but I hate the dry brittle ends that develops after my hair drys.
See this post: https://blacknaps.org/2013/10/02/didnt-know-hair-moisture/
Thank you I’ll try it
I am just starting out transitioning. I want to color my gray hair around the edges. Is there a product that will not damage my hair?
Unfortunately there is nothing all natural I can recommend for this. You can use permanent dye, but just make sure you take good care of your hair afterward. Moisturize + deep condition frequently and before coloring your hair consider doing a protein treatment.
I don’t know where you have, but do you have access to a Lush?
My hair seems to dry shorter in the back than the rest of my hair if I air dry and, help I can’t wear it like that for work. Are braids and twists harmful to the hair?
To stretch your hair out, you may want to try putting your hair into a high ponytail. More ways to stretch your hair here: https://blacknaps.org/2014/07/11/hate-natural-hair-shrinkage-we-have-7-ways-you-can-beat-it/
Braids and twists are only harmful to the hair if you have too much tension applied and you do not give your hair a break from wearing them.