Tuesday's Naturals #1

TODAY IS OUR VERY FIRST...

Guidelines/rules:

To link up to the Tuesday's Naturals party:

• You MUST be a follower of Catastrophe (preferably through GFC)
• Make sure your link is natural hair related

To be featured on Instagram:

• Must be a natural hair photo or a photo having to do with natural hair in some way
• Label your photo with the hashtag #tuesdaysnaturals or...
• Tag @nikmonet in photo

Make sure to stop by an visit other people's links.  Great way to meet and inspire other naturals!!!

Tuesday's Naturals: Coming Soon!!

CALLING ALL NATURALS!!!

Every Tuesday at Catastrophe will be dedicated to YOU!!  I will be posting a weekly naturals linky party here at Catastrophe!  For those of you who have never participated in a linky party, this is how it works.  A linky party is a place where you come to enter a link that you would like to share.  Everyone's links will show up in the post for other's to check out!  Here you can link up your blog, IG photos (from your new online IG profile), Facebook pages, Twitter pages, YouTube videos, or whatever you like as long as it has to do with natural hair.

WAIT!! There is more! Not only will it be Tuesday's Naturals here at Catastrophe but it will ALSO be Tuesday's Naturals over on my Instagram: NikMonet.  Every Tuesday I will be posting photos of naturals from google searches, blogs, and Instagram  AND  if you would like to be featured, tag your photo with #tuesdaysnaturals or tag me (@nikmonet) in the photo and I will feature as many people as I can!!  This will be an awesome way to get exposure for your personal Instagram :)

So here are the guidelines/rules:

To link up to the Tuesday's Naturals party:

• You MUST be a follower of Catastrophe (preferably through GFC)
• Make sure your link is natural hair related

To be featured on Instagram:

• Must be a natural hair photo or a photo having to do with natural hair in some way
• Label your photo with the hashtag #tuesdaysnaturals or...
• Tag @nikmonet in photo

That's it!!!

I hope for Tuesday's Naturals to be a great networking technique to encourage, help, and inspire new and current naturals!!  

Here is my SUPER BIG request.   TELL EVERYONE ABOUT TUESDAY'S NATURALS!!!! #repost it on IG, link it on your FB pages, blog about it, make a video about it, PASS IT ON!!!  This could be a really great experience if we could get LOTS of naturals involved.  So much knowledge and inspiration could be shared!!

The very first Tuesday's Naturals will start Tuesday, January 8th  Head over here and link up all of your newest natural endeavors and dont forget to tag your IG photos with #tuesdaysnaturals

IM SO EXCITED, GUYS!!!  I cant wait to meet so many of you and check out the hairstyles, tips, and natural yumminess! Let's make this FUN!!!

Center Stage Naturals: Nikki

Derrel Anthony Photography

Please introduce yourself.  Hello My name is Nikki, a lover of Natural Hair. I am originally from Jackson, Mississippi and currently residing in the Atlanta area.   Also, I am a Licensed Massage Therapist here in Atlanta, my biggest hobbies are Photography and DIYs. 

How long have you been natural?  I have been on this glorious natural journey for 3 years and feels like forever.  I transitioned for a year and then BC'd and it has been the best journey I have been on.

What made you decide to go natural?  My first thoughts of going natural were, I was tired of paying so much money for a perm, I hated getting burned out of this world from the perm & it was time to switch up my hair.  Now my first intentions weren't to wear my hair in its natural state.  I would still get blow outs and flat iron my hair.  Wasn't really ready for the "NAPPINESS".   It wasn't until a couple of months before my trip to Jamaica 2010, I was looking for a curly weave for my hair becuase I knew I was going to get in the water. That is when I came across so many different hair forums and natural hair ladies from youtube(at that time didn't know people were using youtube for hair tutorials).  After watching videos, reading forums & researching information, made me curious to know what my natural curls, kinks or coils were and that is when it all began........ 

Derrel Anthony Photography

What were the reactions you had to going natural? Did you receive any positive or negative comments?  The first person I told was my beautician at the time. Her reaction was HILARIOUS!! Her words to be exact, "GIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRLLLLLL, your hair is too THICK to be trying to go natural and who is going to do all of that?'  She had me cracking up over the phone, but she ended up still styling my hair.  Just about everyone was positive about it, I don't really remember the negative feedback because 1)It was so long ago and I barely remember what happened 5 mins ago...lol & 2)Negativity goes in one ear and out the other.  Whatever people said about it or made smart remarks or whatever, it did not change how I felt about myself and did not change my thoughts about what I wanted to do.

Who are your hair inspirations, if any?  My hair Inspirations are Corrine Bailey Rae, Esperanza Spalding & my daughter, Akina.

Do you have a regimen? If so, what is it?  I do have somewhat of a hair regimen....It varies sometimes and depends on how busy I am.  I try my best to wash my hair once a week.  If not, I don't go any longer than 2 weeks.  If I know I have a busy schedule and I have to go 2 weeks, I try to style my hair in twists in keep it in for the first week, moisturizing my twists/braids every 2-3 days and using my essential oils for my scalp, when I feel my scalp to be dry.  

What are your favorite products?  Favorite Products right now are Tresseme Naturals Shampoo & Conditioner, all of Eden Bodyworks Products, Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia & Camille Naturals Twisting Butter...but I am always trying new products and love to see what works and doesn't work for me.

You are the owner of Knotti Nikki. What made you want to blog about natural hair? My main focus of my blog was to track my natural hair journey.  Also, I would get asked how did you get your hair to look like that, or how did you create that style, so I wanted to do KnottiNikki so that they could get the information and be able to recreate the styles and look.  It has blossomed into something more than I expected which I love!!

What is your favorite thing about being a natural hair blogger?  Being able to get information out there to people that aren't sure of how to handle their natural hair.  Also, the wonderful people you meet in the natural hair community!!!!  It is a lot of love and support, and truly love the relationships I have made with others!!!

Where can we find you online?  You can find me online:  Blog | www.knottinikki.com  Twitter/IG | @knottinikki   Youtube | Knottikurls

A big huge thank you to Nikki for sharing her natural journey with us! If you have never been to KnottiNikki, make sure and head on over and check out the knowledge and inspiration being shared!

The Roll, Tuck, and Pin

While playing around in my hair the other day.  I came up with this super simple and classic look and I wanted to share it with all of you. 

This look could be good for everyday or could be styled up and made fancy with simple hair accessories.

Check out the tutorial down below! I hope you enjoy :)

...many more hair tutorials to come!!

Holiday Hairstyle Inspiration

The holidays are here and I know that means we're all going to be getting all dressed up and spiffy ...and it is at that time that we start to wonder, "What am I going to do with my hair?" So I am sharing some of my favorite holiday styles I have found from some lovely naturalistas and I hope this will inspire your holiday flyness ;)

Holiday Bow by the beautiful Cassandre Beccai

From Curlbox's holiday photoshoot, the lovely Ebony Clark

 

Holiday loc love from Essence Magazine's Holiday Hairstyles

  A beautifully elegant bantu knot out by TraNaturally  

Perfectly romantic fluffy curls from Naptural85

How will your hair compliment your look this holiday season?

Center Stage Naturals: Carlyne

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Carlyne also known as Creolelioness.

How long have you been natural?
I've been natural for 4yrs now.


What made you decide to go natural?

I decided to go natural because I was so tired of the damage that I was doing to my hair with a relaxer. I also got tired of the scabs I would get from getting burned by the chemicals. I wanted my hair to be healthy without having to go through the pain.

What were the reactions you experienced when going natural? Did you receive any positive or negative comments?

I attempted to go natural before but the responses I got had me double guess myself and I didnt last 2 months before I went back to the creamy crack.
The response was so negative and had not support. Then the following year in 2008 I decided that I would go natural despite what people thought. I decided that I would
love my hair and make it work.

Who are your hair inspirations, if any?

At the time that I went natural I did not know about the natural hair guru's I know about now. I did not know the natural hair community even existed. So I would
say that I was my own inspiration.

Do you have a regimen? If so, what is it?
My current regimen is, I wash twice a month using Dr. Bronners Castile soap, then I condition with Renpure Organics conditioner. To deep condition, I use a mixture
of conditioner, castor oil, and honey. I usually twist my hair up for the week after washing using Hello hydration conditioner and sealing my ends with coconut oil.

What are your favorite products?

Favorite products right now are Hello hydration, coconut oil, and Kinky curly Knot today.

You are the owner of Love Your Natural Hair. What made you want to blog about natural hair?

I started blogging because although there were so many other naturals out there, people wanted to hear from someone that had their hair type or similar. They wanted
to know what worked for me and what did not because they can easily relate to my hair type. I wanted to give them the information they needed if they couldnt find it else where.


You have an Etsy store and I love your black rose earrings!!  When can we expect new items in your Etsy store?

Blogging opened me up to so many ideas and opportunities and designing jewelry is one of them. It started out as a hobby then I began getting requests. It was fun for the
moment but it became to much for what I was doing in my life at that time. At this time I am not selling my jewelry. Im not sure what the future holds for Lioness Jewels but for now
I have nothing new in the works.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me on Instagram: Creolelioness Twitter: Creolelioness and on my blog Luvyournaturalhair.blogspot.com

Thank you Carlyne for gracing Catastrophe with your beauty and positivity. If you don't already follow this lovely lady on Twitter and Instagram, make sure you do!! Stop by Luvyournaturalhair.blogspot.com for your natural needs!! Tips, product reviews, and inspiration!!

Style File: The Autumn Skirt

Remember my fall skirt tutorial that was posted on launch day?? Well today I want to share with you how I chose to style it. I love the way it turned out and I came upon the perfect fall day to wear my refashioned skirt!

Wearing one of my favorite pair of earrings that are a vintage keep from my Nana. The rusty brown really ties in with the fall nicely.

This outfit is really carefree and comfortable so I rocked a simply puff!

I love fall and I'm really glad I got my hands on this dress turned skirt right in time to style it up for autumn!

Shirt: H&M

Skirt: Goodwill

Bracelets: Forever 21

Earrings: Vintage

Photography Courtesy of Photo By D

Center Stage Naturals: Ashanti

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Ashanti, known as “Felicity Starr” on IG. I’m a mother of a beautiful 2yr old boy, a faithful servant of the Lord and I’ve fallen in love with rocking my natural tresses with pride.

How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural for 7 years, but really just taking care of my hair the past 2 years. The first 5 years I damaged my hair extensively with press-outs and Dominican blow-outs which caused a massive amount of heat damage. It took the last 2 years to cut out the damage but in that process I’ve gained an immense amount of understanding about my hair and what’s best for maintaining its healthiness.
 

What made you decide to go natural?

Actually a roommate of mine at the time sparked my interest. But due to breakage from transitioning, I had to do a big chop (BC) earlier than I intended. My BC sent me through an identity shock. I hated my short hair and did everything to conceal it; from gluing in braids, wigs, weaves…anything that would cover my Grace Jones inspired cut, I had it in my hair. And I think from that experience it ignited the years of hair abuse because I never accepted my hair in its natural state, or gave myself a chance to love it. And in looking back, I’m regretful I didn’t.

What were the reactions you had to going natural? Did you receive any positive or negative comments?

My boyfriend at the time hated it lol. He’s the one who actually nicknamed me “Grace Jones”. My step-dad wasn’t too fond of it either, but I just think some men prefer hair. My sisters, Mother and Aunties all loved it, and my girlfriends as well. But my job wasn’t too open to my change. You know when you’ve done something so extreme you don’t receive a single comment, just stares? Sometimes those are the worst nonverbal reactions you can receive; just a blank look and no comment. That’s exactly the reaction I received when I returned to work. I was insecure to say the least, and although the my cut was more accepted than not, I couldn’t really settle with my decision.

If you have been met with negative comments, in what way do you believe your faith and positivity have helped you to overcome the obstacles of negativity?

When I first started my natural journey it was right before “The Natural Hair Exodus” began. You didn’t see too many women open and eager to transition like you see now. There was the Long Hair Care Forum that was very helpful but the amount of YouTube’s and IG post you see now was scarce to nonexistent. The unified support wasn’t there and at times I felt like an outcast. So, not having all the wonderful avenues you see now, my journey has personally helped me to not only accept my hair through self examination but through this experience I’ve learned to identify and truly love other parts of myself I once did not. My view of beauty was so skewed by what was projected by mass media that I overlooked the beautiful qualities I was blessed with and wanted to alter them anyway I could. The negativity blossomed a self awareness and I wouldn’t change my experience at all because it presented me with a valuable rejuvenation process. Witnessing the progression of others in their journey is quite rewarding for me. Being a part of that underlying support we have for one another, it’s amazing to be an encouragement to another or inspire natural newbies.  

Who are your hair inspirations, if any?

As far as inspiration, I can’t pinpoint one person. I’m inspired by the young lady who just BC’d and loving her new found freedom to the beautiful woman with locs, or the Queen who plays in her natural hair giving ideas to others. My inspiration is not based off goals or desire lengths but how the individual is embracing themselves.

Do you have a regimen? If so, what is it?

I co-wash 2-3 times a week and wash every Saturday evening. After every wash I use a leave in, mixture of two oils (either coconut, almond, castor, oil, or jojoba oils), and I seal my ends with shea butter. When styling for a braid or twist out , I use any type of Curl Enhancing product  (I’m using Cantu Coconut Curling Cream at the moment) to help set my braid/twist-outs. I deep condition once a month or as needed, and provide my hair with extra TLC such as blackstrap molasses, protein or any other type of treatment on a as needed basis as well

What are your favorite products?

I’m a minimalist when it comes to products. I wash and condition my hair with the TRESemme line, I love their Naturals line but honestly any product by TRESemme my hair soaks up happily. My styling product of choice would have to be Garnier Fructis’ Fiber Gum Putty, it holds down my hair and edges nicely. I use Eco Styler gel sparingly, but honestly, I haven’t grown fond of this product because I don’t like hard hair. And lastly, I would have to mention KimmayTube’s (of YouTube) leave-in conditioner, the best leave-in I have ever put in my hair…hands down!

Where can we find you online? 
@FelicityStarr on Instagram

How is that for inspiration?!! A perfectly lovely way of kicking off the Center Stage Naturals feature!!! Thank you so so much Ashanti for allowing me to share your story and allowing Catastrophe to be a vessel of inspiration by way of all of your natural beauty!! ~xoxo

If you would like to be a Center Stage Natural, contact me at nikkimonetwright@gmail.com and you could be featured!!!

Catastrophe Launch Event!!! ~Day One~

To all of you who have come by to check out my new blog, Catastrophe...

Welcome!!!

I am so excited to embark on this journey and I am so happy that you are here with me!  To celebrate this venture, I am doing a weekend of giveaways.  One giveaway a day for the next three days!! 

I'm launching this blog event with a Shea Moisture giveaway!!!  You will win three products from the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus line!

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Shea Moisture Organic Curl and Style Hair Milk

and

Shea Moisture Curling Souffle Gel

To enter,  you must be a follower of Catastrophe but that is the only mandatory entry. Other entries are available but optional!  Giveaway is open to US residents only  ...sorry :(  Future giveaways may be international.  This giveaway will be open for one week and the winner for all the giveaways will be chosen at random and announced on December 3rd!

ADDENDUM: Since we all have different hairtypes, I will allow tradeouts for Shea Moisture products of equal or lesser value.

e.g. Tradeout Curling Souffle for Black Soap purification Mask

or tradeout Curl and Style Hair Milk for Hold & Shine Mist

Product trades must be readily available in store and equal value to giveaway items.

Thank you all for stopping by this blog launch event and look forward tomorrow for a crafty giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do it two ways: Head Wraps



There are days when my hair just needs a break. Sometimes it's a form of protective styling and sometimes it's just a bad hair day, but wraps can be the perfect solution to both of those issues.

Style 1: Turban Twist

 This style is perfect for days when you still want to show off your natural hair but not put a lot of work in.

Pull your scarf tightly against the back of your head.

Tie it in the front

Pull the back fabric up and tuck it in under your tied section

Twist the two tied ends together

Tuck your twist into the back of your turban off to the side

...and you have a perfect turban twist for the lazy or fashion forward days ;)

Style 2: Wrapped Crown

This style is perfect for days when you need your hair to be completely protected.  It is also good for covering up a long term deep condition ;)

Pull the scarf tightly to the back

Twist the back tail tightly

Wrap the tail around the crown of your head and tuck to secure

Perfect protective style!

 Sidenote: If your scarf is cotton, you may want to place a stocking cap underneath to act as a barrier between the cotton and your hair.  Cotton can dry your hair and be damaging!