Highly Textured

Hola chicas.

You know how everyone is on the search for that ever-elusive, yet oh-so-effective moisturizer. I may have just found mine. Well, created it. Unintentionally.



The ladies and I took a last-gasp-of-summer trip to the beach recently, and, knowing I'd be getting my strands wet in the tide, I brought along two favs in the product arsenal -- coconut oil and Aussie Moist conditioner. The oil was to protect my hair before I jumped into the waves, and the conditioner was around to moisturize and style the curls after I was done frolicking in the water.

But a strange thing happened in the sand. For some reason, I decided to mix the two together. In my palm, half oil, half Aussie. Rub together, and apply.

You would have thought I found a rainbow.

My hair instantly became incredibly soft. And a number of the curls that had fuzzed-out (you know what I mean) sprang back into happy, defined coils.

Oh man, what a discovery. Especially since my last (intentional) experiment didn't turn out so hot.

I don't know exactly what makes it work, but it certainly works for me. Since that trip to the beach, I've been using it as an all-over moisturizer between wash-n-go's. A note though -- it can build up over a few days. But that's nothing a simple co-wash can't take handle.

What about you? Have you discovered any concoctions that just made your hair sing?

...at least, not in my spray bottle.

I keep a little red spray bottle handy at all times for whenever my curls need a mist of moisture. It's a simple mixture: Giovianni Direct leave-in conditioner and water. But this morning, I noticed it was going to be particularly humid today, and feared that my coils would turn into fluff. I figured I could prevent that with mist that also provided a little hold. In goes the Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz. I dropped some into the spray bottle, shook it up, and when about my day.

Fast-forward about four hours later, while I'm sitting at my desk. I'm rummaging through my bag for my iPod when I pick up the spray bottle.

It's chunky inside.

Ew.

I shook it up, thinking maybe it just need a good -- well, shake.

No luck. It's still chunky.

Ew.

I don't know why the Giovanni and the Kinky-Curly don't like each other, but when the two liquids come together in a spray bottle, they make a solid. A lumpy, chunky, piece-y solid that floats on top of the water.

It's actually pretty gross.

*sigh* Take two.

Here's something weird.

My hair is purple.

Okay, not hot, shocking violet. And no, I didn't dye or color it. It's just something I've noticed since I've let my hair be its natural color. (Before this blog, it was colored in almost every shade of red, brown and black possible.) My hair is basically black, but in the sun, it shines purple.

It's so weird.

I noticed this, of all places, in the car. I had the sunroof open on a sunny day, and when I looked up in the rear-view mirror to change lanes, I saw a red-violet/magenta-y kind of color reflecting in my strands.

"My hair is purple," I said to my friend, who was riding in the passenger seat.

"What?" She likely thought I lost my mind.

"My hair is purple," I said again. "Look. It's reflecting in the sun."

My friend looked. "Omigosh," she said. "Your hair is purple."

It's the weirdest thing I've discovered about my hair thus far. And I have no idea where it comes from. I mean, on one hand, it's kind of cool, but on the other hand, I really want to know how I ended up with hair that reflects violet.

Why is my hair purple? The world may never know.

Have you discovered anything about your hair that's out-of-the-ordinary?

Someone wrote this comment on one of my favorite relationship blogs (the topic was women altering their appearance for men), and I just HAD to share it here:

An (ex)friend had posted on her Facebook status: "If you aren't or have never worn weave, your future is doomed!!!" I thought she was joking -- how could a college-educated women be so foolish about something so shallow, but I guess Jay-Z said it best: "You can pay for school, but you can't buy class..."

Anyways, I posted back that I had worn my hair with and without weave, natural and permed, short as a man and half way down my back...and that I HAD to disagree with her....

I added: "And if your future depends on if you wear weave or not, you were probably doomed from the beginning anyways..."

45 seconds later I was removed from her friends list."

It's Friday, y'all! Enjoy your weekend! :o)

A message for all you hair and beauty bloggers out there:

Stop making me buy stuff!

Stop it, I say!!!

The Internet is a beautiful thing. People build communities and establish friendships and share expertise. But dammit if that doesn't come with a price. And that price is what you pay when you run out to buy a product another blogger is raving about.

It's insane! I never knew I could be so easily influenced! Malleable, that's me. Scandalous Beauty sang about Kissable Couture, so I upped and ordered a set. Fafinettex3 raved about Revlon Colorstay, so I got some of that too. I ordered fifty bucks worth of discounted Lorac products thanks to ItsMsHeatherNicole, and went back for more when I realized they added more the clearance section.
I'm becoming a one-blogger stimulus package. Someone may need to confiscate my laptop and my check card.

Stop telling me about all these great products! Stop it, I say!

:o)

Have you fallen victim to product junkie peer pressure? What have you bought because of it?

...not having your camera charger.

I have been looking for the blasted thing for two weeks now, and I can't. Find it. ANYWHERE. ARRRRRRRGH!

Clearly, this is frustrating me in a number of ways. I can't take pictures of the randomness that happens from living in DC (exhibit A: Car Afire). I can't take video of my precious kids in dance class (exhibit B: Les Petites). And worst of all, I CAN'T TAKE PICTURES OF MY HAIR!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHH! This is SO not cool, especially since the twists have been a big hit this week and I've been rocking them with everything from a flower to a scarf.

*sigh*

Help me, please. Someone pray that I find my camera charger. Or else I might lose my sanity.

Rep your city!!! I'll start...


PITTSBURGH!!! P-A ALL DAY, son!!!

(...though now I live in Washington, DC.)


Where you from?! C'mon, throw your hood up! :o)




(P.S. And don't forget to enter the first Blessed and Highly Textured Giveaway! One day left!)

Omigosh, loves! The premiere of Obsessed was incredible! I had such a good time in New York, even if the trip was shorter than I would have liked. To give you a quick run-down...

The hotel: Swanky.

The eats: Delish!

The celeb-spotting: Insane! (I hate acting like groupie, but once I saw Michael Ealy and *gasp* *faint* *swoon* Idris Elba... it was a wrap.)

(Speaking of Idris...I wonder how the Tall Chocolate Strawberry feels about curly hair... hmmm....)

And the movie: Actually pretty good! No one believes me, but we came away mostly satisfied and pretty friggin' entertained. I really think the studio somehow picked the dullest parts of the movie to put in the trailer -- maybe to lower expectations -- but the flick turned out to be pretty nice.

OH! And the queen, the one, the only Beyonce?

Fab. U. Friggin'. Lous.

But you all know how I feel. The woman can STILL do no wrong by me.

A few pics below!

Getting ready in the hotel

On the (little) red carpet... after the movie....

You see that? That fine chocolate specimen to the right? That, my friends, is the prototype. Yes MA'AM.

Oh, and I have to give a disclaimer... I've worked in radio for years and met a fair share of celebs and cool people. Decorum is the name of the game, and I was taught to be cool, unfazed, and never, EVER gush.

But gosh... I sure was gushing this time around. HARD.

So please excuse me while I get all this excitement out of my system. It's such a foreign feeling, and yet it's happening so naturally! Lol. I'm going just bear with myself and ride it out. And I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule sooner than you can say Idris.

Oooh... Idris....

What do Beyonce and I have in common (aside from both, at one point, rocking curly, fire-red hair)?


We're both going to be in New York tomorrow for the premiere of her movie Obsessed! Woot woot!

Yeah, so I definitely won this random contest at a random party last week (by doing the "Single Ladies" dance of all things... shameless, I know), and now me and my "fake wifey" Lynnette are heading up to Manhattan to see the premiere screening tomorrow.

Color me excited. It's the first time I've won anything since I scored free tickets to Fern Gully when I was a kid. (By the way, I never really enjoyed that movie. Too serious to be a cartoon to me.)

Part of the package includes a stay at the Hudson Hotel, which my friend Nadea tells me is super swanky. (She's tagging along so she can go to the bar.) The only unfortunate thing is that I have to cut the three-day trip in half, since both Lynnette and I have work obligations this week. (Drats!) However, I fully intend to enjoy my time in New York, regardless of how abbreviated it is this time around.

I kinda want to get glammed up, but I've never done a New York premiere before. I'm just a lil' old news producer in D.C., so this will be a whole new scene for me. What's the protocol here? O.M.O., Wes... could you ladies help me out? :o)

My mind is definitely racing, trying to figure this all out before we leave Washington this evening. But please believe I'll be snapping pics and taking photos. I might not be around the blog till I get back, but I will be updating on Twitter. Follow me, baby. :o)

Hola folks! So even though Blessed and Highly Textured is a natural hair blog, there are plenty of people who aren't natural (hey, who aren't even girls!) who stop by and read from time to time. (*waves* Hi guys!) However, it's come to my attention that these readers are hesitant to participate in the discussion and comment! Their reasoning: "Well, I'm not natural..." or... "It's girl talk, it's not my place."

To that I say... PSHAW! If you feel like you have something to add to the conversation, add it! Even though the blog is dedicated to natural hair, I don't want anyone to feel like they're excluded from discussion -- especially since sometimes, we go beyond simply shampoo-ing and styling. (See videos: Natural Hair and Men, and Newspeople Tackle Natural Hair!.)

Of course, the rules are the same -- no being evil, being whiny, or bashing other people. Basically no negativity... but I don't have to tell you that. :o)

So yeah, if you have something to say, g'wan an' say it! You will not be cast off the island (unless, of course, you talk bad about Beyonce... then your name is mud). So folks... have at it!


***P.S.!!!!***
I'm on YouTube now! Who'da thunk it? Check out my channel:

youtube.com/highlytextured
Thanks! :o)



(This public service announcement brought to you by the Coalition of Cool People. Stay chill.)

I made a video earlier today discussing men and natural hair, in response to a video posted by Erin of Naturally Scandalous. She was talking about the types of men she attracts now that she has locs, and I thought it was quite an interesting (and amusing) subject to talk about. So peep my video below... and if you want to see Erin's, click here.

The disjointed randomness (is that redundant?) going through my head right now...

1. I really want to say thank you and "I lub you!" to all the blog readers, commenters and followers. You guys are great, and I really, truly appreciate the support. I just wish Blogger had an efficient way for me to contact all of those in the follow box over yonder --->
Like, there's no "E-mail All" or "Contact Followers" function. Wouldn't that make so much more sense? BOOOOOOOO to Blogger! Anywhoo, thank you guys. Seriously. :o)

2. It's almost been a week since I last did my hair and the curls... are still... POPPIN'!!! My theory? Blame it on the ca, ca ca ca, ca castor oil... I think sealing with the castor, air-drying in fat twists, and, of course, donning the bonnet is what's given my curls their longevity this week.

3. I'm formulating (in my head) a post on people touching my hair. My conclusion: I don't really mind it... that much....

4. My jeans are incredibly wrinkled and tattered and holey today... but they're soooooo comfy. And yes, I'm wearing them outside the house. Shamelessly.

5. Pray for Italy, y'all. And the world in general. For real.

6. Meanwhile.... Give someone a high-five today. Doesn't matter what for. Just find a reason. :o)

Another Sisterhood of the Spiraling Strands is coming tomorrow. In the meantime, keep it funky... and kinky. :o)

Word, son. Fa real.

Heh heh heh...

... to appreciate the flyness of Dorothy Dandridge.


I really have nothing to say, other than that I found this picture on Mischo Beauty and wanted to share it.

That is all. For now.

We've heard of the Shoulder-Length, Bra Strap-Length, and Waist-Length challenge...

Anyone care to join the Cheng Shiqun-Length challenge?


Come on. Who's with me?