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.

Let's talk BOX BRAIDS!!!!

What are Box Braids? 

Box Braids can be a protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. The name comes from the square-shaped parted sections of braids in the hair. Straight Kanekalon synthetic extensions (the best is X-pressions brand) are added to the clients hair by braiding at the root for security and then braiding all the way to the tips of the extensions. Once the whole head of braids are complete, the ends of the braids are carefully and skillfully dipped into very HOT water to seal the ends of the braids. This provides manageability and easy styling for women who would like a long-lasting and durable hair style.

How long do the take to complete?

Box Braids can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. That is dependent upon the length and size of the braids, as well as the fullness of the client's hair.

How long do Box Braids last?

The larger size box braids can last up to 6 weeks depending on your hair texture, and the smallest size can last anywhere from 2-3 full months. It is recommended that you get the edges of the braids redone to extend the wear of the style.

How do you care for your Box Braids?

Freshly done braids should NEVER be pulled up immediately following installation! Simply put braids 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). After braids are comfortably able to be styled up, place braids in a high bun and wrap a satin scarf around to protect edges. Then place a stocking cap over your bun.
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 braids. 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 braids paying special attention to where your natural hair ends in the braids. 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 Box 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 Box Braids! They can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out. They can also be curly, wavy, or straight!

Here are more pictures of Box Braids.

"I want to do Yoga so bad! ...but I don't know where to start!"

Or it's, "I could never do those poses! I would break something!!"

I've also heard, "Yoga is only for skinny girls. For white girls. For skinny white girls."

I've heard it all!! But trust and believe, yoga is for anyone who wants to do it! Yoga doesn't belong to a specific group of people. Yoga isa very personal and rewarding experience!

I'm sure you can guess some of the benefits of yoga right off the top of your head.
It corrects your posture.
It aids in weight loss.
You become more flexible and fluid in your movements,
Your body changes. You become more fit! But did you know:
You gain an inner peace and awareness of yourself.
It can help heal physical ailments in our bodies.
It boosts your confidence!
It can lead to other positive lifestyle changes like eating clean and exercising more.

You don't need to be some "guru" and change your name to Namaste Shiva Rainbow Flower.

All you need to do is pick a pose and safely and gradually work on it until you achieve it! Yoga is for anyone who wants to set a goal and accomplish them. You may also want to check out some classes as well! Remember, before practicing yoga or any type of exercise, check with your physician to make sure you are healthy enough for these activities!

Here are some beginners and intermediate poses that I like to do!! They open up the chest, stomach, womb, and spine so that circulation of blood (I like to call blood life force energy) can reach all those areas of the body. Happy practicing!!

Let's talk SENEGALESE TWISTS!

What are Senegalese Twists? 

Senegalese (sen-i-gaw-leez) twists can be a protective style for natural, transitioning, or relaxed hair. The name comes from a country in Africa called Senegal. Straight Kanekalon synthetic extensions (the best is X-pressions brand) are added to the clients hair by twisting or braiding at the root for security and then twisted all the way to the tips of the extensions. Once the whole head of twists are complete, the ends of the twists are carefully and skillfully dipped into very HOT water to seal the ends of the twists. This provides manageability and easy styling for women who would like a long-lasting and durable hair style.

How long do the take to complete?

Senegalese twists can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. That is dependent upon the length and size of the twists, as well as the fullness of the client's hair.

How long do Senegalese Twists last?

The larger size twists can last 3-6 weeks depending on your hair texture, and the smallest size can last anywhere from 2-3 full months. It is recommended that you get the edges of the twists redone to extend the wear of the style.

How do you care for your Senegalese Twists?

Freshly done twists should NEVER be pulled up immediately following installation! Simply put twists in a low and loose pontyail and wrap a satin scarf around the edges to protect your hair. (You may also look into purchasing a loc sock). After twists are comfortably able to be styled up, place twists in a high bun and wrap a satin scarf around to protect edges. Then place a stocking cap over your bun.
Washing is relatively simple! It is best and most convenient to wash your twists 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 twists. 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 twists paying special attention to where your natural hair ends in the twists. Rinse thoroughly! Towel dry, then air dry OR use a blow dryer. Any leftover product will cause build-up and wet twists can lead to smelly and moldy hair.

How can these twists be styled?

They can be styled up or down in a multitude of ways! Youtube has many videos on the various styles available to Senegalese Twists! They can be worn in a ponytail or bun for working out. They can also be curly, wavy, or straight!

Here are more pictures of Senegalese Twists.

NAPPTURALS BY JAS

PEACE & BLESSINGS

Welcome to the new and much improved website for Nappturals by Jas, an in-home natural hair care practitioner serving Middle Tennessee for over 6 years.

Here, you will be able to view awesome specials, sort through an array of beautiful protective styles that I have done for multiple clients, and receive many tips and tricks for styling your "napptural" hair at home. You will also learn more about me, Jas, a native Nashvillian. I have many hobbies and practices in visual arts, homemaking, crafts, gardening, making products at home, and much more and look forward to sharing them with you!

If you would like to set an appointment, please use my contact information below! Have a blessed day!!

Email: nappturals.by_jas@yahoo.com

Phone: 615-586-1017

Include your name, contact information, and a detailed inquiry on how I could be of service to you. It's helpful to include what days and times are best for you to be serviced.