On the Couch with Naptural85

I’ve been EXCITED, EXCITED, EXCITED about today’s natural interview to say the very least! When going natural emerged as merely a thought in my terribly inquisitive mind, I came across a video from this young lady posted on You Tube. I found her to be stunning, articulate, informative and……interesting. Before long, my studious eyes took to a state of rebellion , as I’d sat to watch ALL of her videos in a single swoop – some more than once (don’t judge me, ha ha)! Six months into my journey (post BC), I can seriously say that I still rely on her videos (and blog) for jaw-dropping hairstyles/technique, sound advice, a good laugh & easy commentary making you feel like you’re relaxing in the living room with a great friend. Let’s get down to Frizzness w/Whit, the adorable natural beauty known to her fans as Naptural85!

Natural Dancer: You have inspired so many hopeful women (including myself) through your YouTube videos! Those who adore your personality & wisdom are truly excited with anticipation as they wait on your next cyber-release! Tell us about your amazing YouTube journey & how it’s changed your life:

How long have you been rocking your frizzness?

Naptural85: Haha, thank you! I’ve been rocking my frizzness for 3 years now; time is definitely flying!

Did you desire a second date following your BC/End of transition, or did you make reservations for a party of ONE?

Oh, yeaaa, I made reservations for a party of one, Lol! In the beginning I wasn’t ready to wear my short hair, so I had my mom braid it back up with extension braids until I was ready to take them out. About one or two months later, I had to remove my braids because my curly hair was rejecting them and they kept falling out! When they fell out in the office, and then at the gym, I knew it was time to accept my fate!

So I took the braids out, felt extremely awkward for about two weeks, and then all of a sudden snapped out of it and began loving my curls! I think I just needed the time to get used to how I really looked… it was definitely a growing experience for me!

Natural Hair doesn’t define who you are BUT…..

… [AND] it definitely makes a statement that I won’t be put in a box. I think that people judge you when they see your natural hair and think that you’re “DIVA-licious” or about to say “cool cat”, “daddio”, and snap your fingers and such. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just not me.

I think in this day and age, we are going to be able to seriously bust those stereotypes to pieces because so many women are going natural now. We all have different reasons why and different personalities, so I’m hoping that the stigma of natural hair defining our personalities and mindsets gets thrown out the window. Yes, it’s about self-acceptance and self-growth, but the key word is “SELF” and everyone’s “SELF” is different.

What was the moment of epiphany in your journey?

About two weeks after I took out my extension braids, got over feeling awkward with my short hair and the people staring at me, and just said “forget it,”… my life changed. That was when I finally felt free. Before then, I chose to define myself by what others thought of me; I looked outside myself for acceptance. Well, cutting off your hair will slap that mindset right out of you because people look at you like you’re crazy, lol! There comes a point when you just can’t take caring about what people think anymore and you just SNAP, but in a GOOD way. It’s a “… well, if they won’t accept me, I’ll accept me because I’m all I have…” type of moment and you begin to love yourself entirely without a care in the world about what anyone thinks of you. That’s the “Natural Hair Epiphany.”

Because natural manes are so unpredictable, how do you combat feeling defeated on days when your crown seems less than stellar (based your OWN criteria)?

Lol, oh man, I hate those days! It’s usually right before it’s time to wash my hair because I get lazy; It’s tangled, bushy, and dry. I either throw it back in a bun, or hop in the shower to refresh and throw in a ponytail; it’s an easy fix. I don’t feel like I’m looking my best, so it definitely effects me, but that’s just the name of the game… everyone has bad hair days!

It’s probably a good thing though, because it makes me want to wash and style my hair quickly so I don’t have to feel bad anymore! Natural hair is so funny because as good as it can look, it can also look just as bad if you let it go for like four days… it’s so fickle.

Do random people attempt to lay hands in your mane?

Lol, I’ve never had complete strangers try and touch my hair. I’ve had people whom I’ve just met like an hour before try and touch it, but not complete strangers. They at least introduce themselves first before reaching in for the grab.

Do you find your mane becoming the grand topic of conversation?

Yea, it’s always the “go-to” discussion. Once the conversation starts to fade, it’s the “… ohh, your hair…” [insert smile and head tilt]…

CONFIDENCE CHECK: Has natural hair allowed you to dance as if no one is watching, or has your aurora remain unfazed since your relaxed days?

The process of going natural has definitely helped me figure out who I am without the outside smoke and mirrors. I’m definitely more comfortable in my own skin because I don’t feel like I’m trying to be anything or anyone else, I just am me.

Share some secrets leading to a fabulous, happy, HEALTHY mane…promise we WILL tell!

That’s hilarious… Secrets to a fabulous, happy mane? Water. Keep your hair moisturized! That is it! Do whatever you need to do to keep that water in your strands and you’ll be fine.

What was the WORST mistake you’ve made along the way?

When I had kinky twists in the beginning of my journey, I twisted the front a bit too tight and experienced some breakage. That was a minor setback, but I definitely learned not to twist too tightly.

What advice can you bless new, transitioning or frustrated kinky curly queens with?

If you’re frustrated, put your hair in a style where you don’t have to play with it at all. For example, extensions, twists, braids, etc… that you can keep in for months at a time. That way, you’re not worrying about it. Your journey should be fun, if it’s something you’re not enjoying, your experience will not be a positive one, which could result in a negative attitude towards your hair… that’s not something you’re looking for, I’m sure! So do whatever it is that you need to do to make yourself happy.

What natural experiments put the glam in your crown? Which ones ended up filed under Campaign EPIC FAIL?

Haa!!! Lol, Perm rods all over my head = EPIC FAILURE… yea, it was like a curly fro on steroids… (that one’s filed in the “Never to be uploaded on Youtube” folder)

As for glam in my crown, I lOVE the bantu knots!

What’s the most fabulous part of your journey to frizzness?

My increase in self-acceptance, love, and confidence is definitely the most fabulous part. I don’t have to hide my curls every 6 weeks with chemicals. It’s all me, and if you don’t like it, #pshhh

oh well!



Outside of your gorgeous mane, what inspires you?

I love crafts… really anything having to do with arts and crafts I can get lost in for days! Reading, drawing, decorating, writing, exercising; I’m all over the place! I guess I just enjoy creating in all it’s aspects.

How can our beautiful readers find you on the web?

They ARE beautiful! I see you there reading with your gorgeous mane! Go girl! Lol!

Well, you can find me at http://www.youtube.com/naptural85 and http://youtube.com/dearnaptural85!

Many thanks & blessings for getting down to frizzness!

Thank you so much for the feature!