I’m Gabrielle, a qualified Beauty Therapist & College Lecturer whose life-long struggle with growing and caring for my hair has inspired me to create this business and web site. I had my first ‘relaxer’ at the tender age of 6 to tame the kinky, nappy, knotty  -however-you-perceive black hair I was born with, in an effort to make it more manageable. I was locked in a love-hate relationship with my mane ever since – until now. After years of harsh chemical and heat application, expensive but useless ‘miracle’ products, treatments and potions and hiding it away under tight and unforgiving braids, weaves and wigs, I’ve reached the conclusion that the answer to happy, healthy and fabulous hair is ‘none of the above’.

I decided to make peace with my hair, especially after experiencing post-partum shedding in November 2010.  My hair was extremely dry, breaking badly and receding from my hairline, as if in retreat from my abuse; but she forgave me.  Having decided to break the cycle of cruelty and change my pre-conceptions of what ‘good-hair’ actually means, I set about educating myself on how best to lovingly look after my hair to encourage it to grow in its natural state – the way I truly believe God intended me to.

Almost a year on, my hair bears testimony to my dedication and diligence and is now (figuratively) a crown of glory and an emblem of wisdom as attributed in the Bible. My hair is growing, stronger than ever and drawing far more compliments and enquiries than all of my previous ‘do’s put together!

I am so excited by this transformation that I’ve created Nappturelle, in association with Bear Fruit Hair, to share my experience, expertise and the products that enabled me to nurture my hair back to good health.