Getting a WEAVE?? Choose the right hair!

Getting a weave is a fun and safe way to change up your look for a month or two. A popular protective styling option, they protect your natural hair from harsh effects of styling. The question I get asked most is, "What hair should I get?" The hair you choose should be dependent on a few factors.

First, consider how long you plan on wearing the weave. Some people want a weave for a special event, so they keep it up for less than a week. Other people wear their hair for three months at a time. Knowing how long you plan to keep the weave in may change the method of installation.

Next, what look are you going for?

• Do you want a full weave with a lace closure? None of your natural hair will be left out, giving your natural hair complete protection. Any hair texture can be used to complete this look.
• Do you want a full weave with your natural hair covering the wefts? This is a very natural-looking method, allowing your own natural hair to blend with the weave. It's a good idea to choose a weave texture that you can match to your natural hair to easily.
• Are you looking for just a little length and fullness? Perhaps a partial weave is for you. A partial weave has only a few rows of extensions added to give your natural hair some length and volume. It's VERY important to get hair that matches your natural hair texture for a seamless blend.

You should also consider your amount of physical activity. Let's say you work out five days a week and sweat heavily in your hair. You would need to wash your hair at least once or twice a week, so the quality of hair you choose should be prime. You may also want to choose a method that provides easy washing.

Where to Purchase Hair

Beauty Supply stores are a quick and convenient way to actually see and feel the hair before you buy it. Beauty supply stores do tend to mark up the hair quite a bit, so be ready to pay top dollar for hair that's not top quality.

Buying hair online is another option that people enjoy. You can find some amazing deals on hair on Amazon or websites like Hair Sisters, with honest customer reviews.

Lots of hair stylists are selling hair as well, including myself! Some stylists sell hair in their shops which is really convenient.

Visit my hair shop by clicking HERE. I sell 100% Virgin Human hair online through a provider called Mayvenn. Mayvenn provides quality hair with pristine customer service and easy exchanges and even refunds if you are not satisfied with your purchase!!! There's always some type of sale going on, which is awesome! Selling hair through Mayvenn also allows women to make extra income, you don't have to be a stylist to sell hair. If you're interested in selling hair through Mayvenn (there's NO out-of-pocket cost, EVER!!) click HERE and tell them Nappturals by Jas sent you!

Care and Upkeep

Whether your hair is wavy, curly, or straight - your nighttime regimen matters. While your favorite stylist might've hooked you up with a gorgeous sew-in - that's only half the battle when it comes to hair maintenance. A proper nighttime routine will ensure that your look remains fresh and that you'll be ready to slay on command. A wise woman once said: Stay ready so you don't have to get ready!

Curly hair is the most high-maintenance texture so you'll need to take a bit more care to make your curls pop the next morning. We talked about curly hair and how to care for it at length in this post. But to recap: at night, spray your curls with a leave-in conditioner or water-based moisturizer and distribute it through your hair evenly. Next, you're going to put your hair into a pineapple (learn how to do it here) and then put on a silk bonnet. The next morning, spray your hair with more leave-in conditioner, shake it out, and go!

If you're wearing wavy hair in its natural texture, preserving the waves are pretty easy. At bedtime, separate your hair into two sections and braid each part. Feel free to add more braids if your wave pattern is tighter. For a deep wave we recommend four braids.

In the morning, spritz your hair with a curl refresher or leave-in conditioner and you're good to go!

The best way to keep a straight sew-in weave as straight and sleek as possible is to wrap it at night.

Booking a Hair Appointment!

Booking an Appointment is easy!

Send an email by clicking here.

Be sure to include your name and phone number, what style you would like, and when you like to have your hair styled.

Let's talk Faux Locs and Goddess Locs!!!!

What are Faux Locs and Goddess Locs? 

Faux Locs can be an amazing protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. There a three methods of install:

• Individual Method: This method is done by creating the locs individually. The natural hair is braided/twisted with extensions added for length or volume. Then, the full length of that braid/twist is wrapped with another typed of hair (usually Marley hair or hair with a curly texture). If wanting the Goddess Loc look, loose hair at the tips are not wrapped, leaving them to hang free. See the picture above. Nail glue is usually used at the ENDS of the faux loc to provide security against unraveling.
• Crochet Method: The easiest method is to crochet the faux locs into the hair. The natural hair is cornrowed back, then the premade faux locs are added to the cornrows using a crochet latch hook. Another way to crochet the locs in is to create individual plaits all over your head. The faux locs are added at the base of the plaits, and the ends of the plaits are intertwined with the loc.
• Interlock Method: This method is only used when creating permanent faux locs, formally known as "Loc Extensions". This method should ONLY be used with human hair! The locs are interlocked strategically into the clients hair. These can be added to existing locs for length, or to start a new set of locs on someone who doesn't want to wait for their own hair to loc. Please see a skilled loctician if you are wanting this look!!!!

How long do they take to complete?

Faux locs or Goddess Locs can take anywhere from 2-5 hours if using the Crochet Method, or 5 to 20 hours using the individual method. Yes, I have heard of faux locs taking 20 hours!!

How long do Faux Locs or Goddess Locs last?

The thing about these locs is that you could literally keep them in forever and twist your roots as your natural hair grows out. Of course, this is only when using the permanent interlocking method of getting faux locs. Crochet faux locs can last 4-8 weeks. Individual Faux locs can last up to 3 months with proper care.

How do you care for your Faux Locs or Goddess Locs?

Freshly done braids should NEVER be pulled up immediately following installation! Simply put locs in a low and loose ponytail and wrap a satin scarf around the edges to protect your hair. (You may also look into purchasing a loc sock, I make them so just ask me if you can not find any). After locs are comfortably able to be styled up, place locs in a high bun and wrap a satin scarf around to protect edges. Then place a stocking cap over your bun.
I do not recommend my clients to wash their synthetic faux/goddess locs simply because the water can add extreme weight and stress to the hair. I do recommend that they keep a clean scalp using apple cider vinegar and a cotton ball to decrease any buildup at the root.

How can these Faux Los or Goddess Locs be styled?

They can be styled up or down in a multitude of ways! Youtube has many videos on the various styles available for Faux Locs! They can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out.

Here are more pictures of Faux Locs.

GET  INTO  NATURE

(Shelby Bottoms Greenway)

As women, and as a people in general, it so very important for us to get ourselves into nature! Nature helps us to relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and reduce the amount of toxins we breathe in our city's air on a daily basis.

There are so many breathtaking places we can go right here in our town of Nashville that are scenic, kid-friendly, educational, and ..umm.. FREE. Pack a lunch and get out there!

1.) My MOST FAVORITE place to go is the Shelby Bottoms Greenway! Located in Shelby Park in East Nashville, The Shelby Bottoms Greenway is a somewhat hidden trail along the Cumberland River that offers a place for people to walk their dogs, ride bikes and roller skate. At the head of this trail is the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center. In the nature center, you and your children can learn about the park, There are also events held here weekly. There's also an outdoor play area for small children.
With their low inclines, it's a perfect place for beginners to walk or run, as there is a one-mile loop that offers scenic and level grounds. If you continue to walk the full trail it will lead you straight to Two Rivers Park and Wave Country, which is only about 3 miles away!!

2.) Another awesome greenway is located around McCabe golf course in the Sylvan Park area of west Nashville. It's called McCabe Park. McCabe Park has a trail that is around 2.8 miles with some heavy inclines. It's very scenic with a stream that flows through the walking areas. There's also a community center that offers a location for fitness classes and a gym.

Let's Talk!!! Feed-in Cornrows!!!

What are Feed-in Cornrows? 

Feed-in Cornrows are be a protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. Also known as Feeding Braids, Ghana Braids, or Banana Braids, the name comes from the method of adding hair into a cornrow meticulously creating length and thickness as to complete a natural-looking seamless braid. I have done this style with all types of hair: straight, wavy, curly, kinky. Synthetic braiding hair, like the X-pressions brand, is the best choice to create feed-in cornrows.
First, the hair is parted off into sections with a comb. Then, the stylist can either start braiding the clients natural hair, or she can opt to start the cornrow with a very small amount of hair added. As she continues to cornrow the hair, more hair is added in increasing amounts to create fullness of the braid. When the stylist is happy with the fullness she has created in the braid, she no longer adds in extra hair but continues the cornrow as normal until she reaches the end of the braid. She may also choose to add length to the end of the braids by feeding in small amounts of hair towards the end.

How long do the take to complete?

Feed-in Braids can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes for a single braid to about 3 hours to complete a full head. That is dependent upon the amount of cornrows you have on your head and size of the bits of hair you are adding to the cornrows.

How long do Feed-in Braids last?

That is totally dependent upon the wearer of the style. I have seen women wear their feed-in braids for 2 days just to have something done to it. I have seen other women wear their cornrows for 2 months!! I myself have worn them up to a week! I could have worn them longer but I like to change my hair often.

How do you care for your Feed-in Braids?

A simple silk or satin bonnet or scarf on the braids at night is all you need to keep it looking nicer longer. Basic washing instructions are below.
Washing is relatively simple! It is best and most convenient to wash your braids in the shower. Add a very small amount of shampoo to a regular 16 oz. bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Shake well and dispense onto scalp. massage scalp GENTLY and allow shampoo/water mix to flow through your extensions. Rinse and repeat if needed. To condition, add a small amount of conditioner to a 16 oz bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Dispense into your braids and allow the conditioner to flow through to the ends of the hair. Rinse thoroughly! Towel dry, then air dry OR use a blow dryer. Any leftover product will cause build-up and wet braids can lead to smelly and moldy hair.

How can these Feed-in Braids be styled?

They can be styled up in a ponytail or down in a multitude of ways! Youtube has many videos on the various styles available for Feed-in Braids dependent on your preference! If they are long enough, they can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out.

Here are more pictures of Feed-in Braids.

Let's talk CROCHET BRAIDS

What are Crochet Braids? 

Crochet Braids are be a protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. The name comes from the latch hook "needle" that resembles a crochet needle used to install the hair into the braids to create a full weave style. I have done this style with all types of hair: straight, wavy, curly, kinky. Synthetic is best used versus human hair, because synthetic hair tends to not have little tapered pieces throughout that could cause shedding.
First, cornrows are done to the clients hair in one of a variety braid patterns that best suits your wearing needs. Once the whole head of cornrows are complete, the ends of the braids are tucked away and the synthetic hair is added to the cornrows one small bit at a time using the latch-hook needle. In this way, you can achieve the desired fullness of the style..

How long do the take to complete?

Crochet Braids can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to complete. That is dependent upon the amount of cornrows you have on your head and size of the bits of hair you are adding to the cornrows, as well as the texture of the hair being added.

How long do Crochet Braids last?

That is totally dependent upon the wearer of the style. I have seen women wear their crochet braids for 2 weeks just to have something done to it. I have seen women wear their cornrows for 2 months!! I myself have worn them up to 6 weeks! I could have worn them longer but I like to change my hair often. I will say the kinkier hair looks better the longer you have them in.

How do you care for your Crochet Braids?

This is all dependent upon the type of hair you use for this install. Basic washing instructions are below.
Washing is relatively simple! It is best and most convenient to wash your braids in the shower. Add a very small amount of shampoo to a regular 16 oz. bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Shake well and dispense onto scalp. massage scalp GENTLY and allow shampoo/water mix to flow through your extensions. Rinse and repeat if needed. To condition, add a small amount of conditioner to a 16 oz bottle of water that has been filled 3/4 of the way. Dispense into your braids and allow the conditioner to flow through to the ends of the hair. Rinse thoroughly! Towel dry, then air dry OR use a blow dryer. Any leftover product will cause build-up and wet braids can lead to smelly and moldy hair.

How can these Crochet Braids be styled?

They can be styled up or down in a multitude of ways! Youtube has many videos on the various styles available for Crochet Braids dependent on the type hair you used! If they are long enough, they can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out.

Here are more pictures of Crochet Braids.

INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS

I'm often asked, "How do you maintain a sense of peace with so much going on??"

I have businesses that I'm running from home, a very busy three year old, family, friends, events, and then there's me. The key to my balance is making absolute sure I get some "me time" somewhere in my day. If I need to read a book before bed, say prayers and affirmations upon waking up, extended baths in sea salt and oils when I have time. Every little bit helps so that I don't lose sight of myself.

I do what I can to show my body how appreciative I am to be in it. I love my hands. So much creativity is flowing from them every single day! I love my feet. I can feel the grass beneath them when I go outside on a sunny day. I love my legs!! They allow me to stand tall in who I am! I love my skin, my hair, my smile, my nose! I love it all. And I make sure I tell myself this daily, or at least show my appreciation for these body parts by using them in the most fulfilling ways!

I was watching Dancing with the Stars with a client one day, and there was a man dancing with one arm AND one leg. He had prosthetics. At first, I thought, "Wow, what dedication! He stops at nothing to prove to himself what he is capable of!! Amazing!" And then my client said, "Jas. We are so blessed. You can't take anything, not even your very limbs, for granted." Those words blew my mind!!!! True enough, he may be proving to himself that he can do anything just as well as the next man who has all of his limbs. But when you exit out trying to impress the world and comparing yourself to others, all you are left with is you. When she said how blessed we are, all I could think of in that moment is how he actually might just be giving thanks to what limbs he has left for being strong and durable and enough! He might not be focused on what he doesn't have at all. I can tell this statement is true because he's on Dancing with the Stars!! If he was worried about other people performing better than him because all of their limbs are in tact, he would have never signed up for the show to begin with.


So today, I challenge you to give thanks for what you have. You are wealthy beyond measure. We have so much, and all of what we have serves a purpose. We have a brain for thinking, a heart for feeling, hands for giving and arms for hugging. Legs and feet for transportation. Eyes for seeing, a mouth and tongue for verbal communication. Everything has it's purpose. And when we get back to these basics of our existence, then that's when peace enters our lives. Giving thanks for what we have is the foundation for happiness! Bring it back to what really matters, and you will find joy every time.