Honey Vibe
The Good Physician
Do any of you own a hair book? Can you give us a review? Maybe by the end of this thread, we can come up with the book that is truly the Hair Bible, and get past all the hype!
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Hair Books
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pebbles
New Member
Cathy Howes Ultra Black Hair Growth 2 was the first hair book I owned. I got it on the 3rd of October. That book was instrumental in changing how I view and care for my hair. Her products are excellent for me. In two weeks, the texture of my hair had changed completely. It wasn't dry and dull looking anymore. No complaints at all. The editing of the book was poorly done, and sometimes she contradicts herself, but once you get past all of these mistakes, her advice is very good.
Shamboosie's Beautiful Black Hair I bought 3 weeks ago. I also like this book. It's better written than Ultra Black Hair Growth 2. He provides really good advice, and made me understand that no-lye relaxers are not wise to use. In addition the book has pictures, which I like a lot. At times he contradicts himself as well, I think.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair by Lisa Akbari. I haven't really been able to get into this book. I'll report back once I finish it. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
African-Caribbean Hairdressing by Sandra Gittens. This book is a text book for beauty school students or salon owners. I didn't know that when I bought it. It has a lot of illustrations in it on how to apply a relaxer, how to cut, how to color hair, etc, and in the back it has a section on skin conditions and proper care of skin, makeup application, scalp disorders, infectious bacteria, etc. Makes me wish I were in beauty school. /images/graemlins/smile.gif
Shamboosie's Beautiful Black Hair I bought 3 weeks ago. I also like this book. It's better written than Ultra Black Hair Growth 2. He provides really good advice, and made me understand that no-lye relaxers are not wise to use. In addition the book has pictures, which I like a lot. At times he contradicts himself as well, I think.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair by Lisa Akbari. I haven't really been able to get into this book. I'll report back once I finish it. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
African-Caribbean Hairdressing by Sandra Gittens. This book is a text book for beauty school students or salon owners. I didn't know that when I bought it. It has a lot of illustrations in it on how to apply a relaxer, how to cut, how to color hair, etc, and in the back it has a section on skin conditions and proper care of skin, makeup application, scalp disorders, infectious bacteria, etc. Makes me wish I were in beauty school. /images/graemlins/smile.gif
sassygirl125
Professional PJ
Ultra Black Hair Growth II 2000: Another 6" Longer 1 Year From Now by Cathy Howse 0962833029. It should be titled, “How to Take Care of Dry and/or Damage Hair”. But I guess that isn't much of an attention grabber. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
It’s a really good book for natural and relaxed hair care.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful, Healthier Hair in 6 Weeks by Carolyn Gray . 0966517105. The techniques in this book worked miracles on my relaxed hair, but didn't do much for my natural hair. Unlike most books, she recommends products. The only bad thing--a lot of the products she uses are petrolatum and mineral oil based. But finding substitutes was fairly easy. I have e-mailed both Howse and Gray with questions and got very nice responses from both women.
I also liked Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner 0517881519. The author has a texturizer, so her hair advice at the end of the book didn’t really help me; but her hair adventures and disasters are both sad and absolutely hilarious at the same time! I burst out laughing on several occasions. For example, as a child she was called
go 'head fo'head. /images/graemlins/grin.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif
In The Black Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair 1570719055, Lisa Akbari goes on and on about the scalp. I was like OKAY ALREADY! LOL It was a good book, but I can’t really recommend it. No new info there.
I think I'm one of five black women in the free world who wasn't impressed with Shamboosie’s book Beautiful Black Hair 0970222467. Some of the info is useful, but it’s hardly new. He is overly enthusiastic about promoting Nexxus and Dudley’s products. His method of hair care is what kept mine at neck length for ten years! He says daily heat styling is ok as long as you use Dudley’s Crème Press (grease). His miracle product for rejuvenating severely damaged hair is (drum roll…) Nexxus Humectress. Yawn. I used it for years and it did absolutely nothing for my hair. And he dissed Internet hair discussion forums! /images/graemlins/mad.gif
Surprisingly, the natural hair care books written by black women didn’t really help me that much. They assume that the reader is going to wear their hair in a really short afro, cornrows, elaborate braid styles, twists or dreadlocks. When I say natural hair, I just mean “no chemicals”. I guess these women mean, “Let it lock up” or “Keep it short, wash it and go”. LOL I was turned off by the “blacker than thou”, pseudo-intellectual undertones. Most of them seemed to spend half the book discussing self-hate psychobabble and the polictics of hair; whatever that is... I want to read about hair care, not the hair history of black women in America. I guess I'm just not that evolved...
I did get some useful tips from No Lye by Tulani Kinard 0312151802 and Let’s Talk Hair: Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair by Pamela Ferrell and Lurma Rackley 093918302.
I was amazed that Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey 0761123008 and Curl Talk by Ouidad 0609808370 had info I could use. White women with curly hair wrote both books. They have very good tips on caring for and defining kinky hair w/o ending up with a frizzy afro or a head full of grease. The straw set in Curly Girl was my “burning bush”. LOLOL I was like, “Wow! You mean I can wear my hair natural and not look like I have tree branches growing out of my head?!”
(Not that there's anything wrong with that /images/graemlins/grin.gif, I just don't think those styles would look good on me.)
IMO, Barry Fletcher’s book Why are Black Women Losing Their Hair? 0615115454 is a waste of money. It’s just a bunch of essays about hair with some common knowledge information thrown in.
I got Andre Walker's Let's Talk Hair 068483880X from the discount bin at B&N but I haven’t read it yet.
Tenderheaded 0671047558 is a good read. It's not about hair care, though. It is a collection of essays that encourage the reader to accept all textures of hair; relaxed, natural, weaved, etc. without judgement. There is a funny chapter on black women not wanting to mess up their hair during sex. /images/graemlins/grin.gif There was another essay written by a black woman with hair that is naturally straight. She adopted a daughter with kinky hair and the stuff they went through made me cry. The poor kids hair was ruined because both mother and daughter wanted a particular look, but didn't know how to care for her hair. Very sad story.
It’s a really good book for natural and relaxed hair care.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful, Healthier Hair in 6 Weeks by Carolyn Gray . 0966517105. The techniques in this book worked miracles on my relaxed hair, but didn't do much for my natural hair. Unlike most books, she recommends products. The only bad thing--a lot of the products she uses are petrolatum and mineral oil based. But finding substitutes was fairly easy. I have e-mailed both Howse and Gray with questions and got very nice responses from both women.
I also liked Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner 0517881519. The author has a texturizer, so her hair advice at the end of the book didn’t really help me; but her hair adventures and disasters are both sad and absolutely hilarious at the same time! I burst out laughing on several occasions. For example, as a child she was called
go 'head fo'head. /images/graemlins/grin.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif
In The Black Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair 1570719055, Lisa Akbari goes on and on about the scalp. I was like OKAY ALREADY! LOL It was a good book, but I can’t really recommend it. No new info there.
I think I'm one of five black women in the free world who wasn't impressed with Shamboosie’s book Beautiful Black Hair 0970222467. Some of the info is useful, but it’s hardly new. He is overly enthusiastic about promoting Nexxus and Dudley’s products. His method of hair care is what kept mine at neck length for ten years! He says daily heat styling is ok as long as you use Dudley’s Crème Press (grease). His miracle product for rejuvenating severely damaged hair is (drum roll…) Nexxus Humectress. Yawn. I used it for years and it did absolutely nothing for my hair. And he dissed Internet hair discussion forums! /images/graemlins/mad.gif
Surprisingly, the natural hair care books written by black women didn’t really help me that much. They assume that the reader is going to wear their hair in a really short afro, cornrows, elaborate braid styles, twists or dreadlocks. When I say natural hair, I just mean “no chemicals”. I guess these women mean, “Let it lock up” or “Keep it short, wash it and go”. LOL I was turned off by the “blacker than thou”, pseudo-intellectual undertones. Most of them seemed to spend half the book discussing self-hate psychobabble and the polictics of hair; whatever that is... I want to read about hair care, not the hair history of black women in America. I guess I'm just not that evolved...
I did get some useful tips from No Lye by Tulani Kinard 0312151802 and Let’s Talk Hair: Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair by Pamela Ferrell and Lurma Rackley 093918302.
I was amazed that Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey 0761123008 and Curl Talk by Ouidad 0609808370 had info I could use. White women with curly hair wrote both books. They have very good tips on caring for and defining kinky hair w/o ending up with a frizzy afro or a head full of grease. The straw set in Curly Girl was my “burning bush”. LOLOL I was like, “Wow! You mean I can wear my hair natural and not look like I have tree branches growing out of my head?!”
(Not that there's anything wrong with that /images/graemlins/grin.gif, I just don't think those styles would look good on me.)
IMO, Barry Fletcher’s book Why are Black Women Losing Their Hair? 0615115454 is a waste of money. It’s just a bunch of essays about hair with some common knowledge information thrown in.
I got Andre Walker's Let's Talk Hair 068483880X from the discount bin at B&N but I haven’t read it yet.
Tenderheaded 0671047558 is a good read. It's not about hair care, though. It is a collection of essays that encourage the reader to accept all textures of hair; relaxed, natural, weaved, etc. without judgement. There is a funny chapter on black women not wanting to mess up their hair during sex. /images/graemlins/grin.gif There was another essay written by a black woman with hair that is naturally straight. She adopted a daughter with kinky hair and the stuff they went through made me cry. The poor kids hair was ruined because both mother and daughter wanted a particular look, but didn't know how to care for her hair. Very sad story.
caramelbarbie
New Member
<font color="blue"> Hi sassygirl! I like your reviews of the books. I got the Cathy and Carolyn's book 2 weeks ago. Both were great! Did you happen to ask Carolyn or cathy's views on petrolatum and mineral oil based products?? Did Cathy recommend any special products?? I'm really not will to try her stuff right now if I can find good alteratives.
sassygirl125
Professional PJ
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Did you happen to ask Carolyn or cathy's views on petrolatum and mineral oil based products?? Did Cathy recommend any special products?? I'm really not will to try her stuff right now if I can find good alteratives.
[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't ask. I was afraid they would think I was attacking or criticizing them. I'm a a very non-confrontational person. /images/graemlins/crazy.gif I did make my own suggestions to them, though. I'm a 'fraidy cat, but I'm slick. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
In earlier editions of her book, Cathy Howse had a recipe for a deep conditioner:
Combine 16oz of reconstructive or protein conditioner with 1/2 cup olive oil, 4oz. coconut oil, and 2 teaspoon of peppermint oil as a scalp stimulator.
I used ORS Hair Mayonnaise and ApHogee Two-Minute Reconstructor as the protein conditioner.
I never tried the substitute her 'Dew' because I preferred cream or lotion moisturizers for my relaxed hair.
Did you happen to ask Carolyn or cathy's views on petrolatum and mineral oil based products?? Did Cathy recommend any special products?? I'm really not will to try her stuff right now if I can find good alteratives.
[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't ask. I was afraid they would think I was attacking or criticizing them. I'm a a very non-confrontational person. /images/graemlins/crazy.gif I did make my own suggestions to them, though. I'm a 'fraidy cat, but I'm slick. /images/graemlins/grin.gif
In earlier editions of her book, Cathy Howse had a recipe for a deep conditioner:
Combine 16oz of reconstructive or protein conditioner with 1/2 cup olive oil, 4oz. coconut oil, and 2 teaspoon of peppermint oil as a scalp stimulator.
I used ORS Hair Mayonnaise and ApHogee Two-Minute Reconstructor as the protein conditioner.
I never tried the substitute her 'Dew' because I preferred cream or lotion moisturizers for my relaxed hair.
sassygirl125
Professional PJ
I forgot to add:
Any leave-in spray that doesn't have protein and comes out of the bottle in a fine mist should substitute her "Dew".
Any leave-in spray that doesn't have protein and comes out of the bottle in a fine mist should substitute her "Dew".
Honey Vibe
The Good Physician
This was my review of Andre Walker's book from amazon.com:
It's a very light beginner book that has some basic information in it, such as the different hair types, and fun commentary on each of them. However, the descriptions and "secret techniques" are somewhat embryonic. Take the "Growing Your Hair Long" section for example: Walker recommends that you get trims as necessary, and hide akward growth phases under clips and hats. ...No really, that's it. That's the "secret technique".
In sum, while an amusing read, this book is not a hair bible. I would not recommend it to those who are looking for guidance on ... well, just about any hair questions. Great for Oprah fans, and those who cannot get enough of expert books on hair.
/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
It's a very light beginner book that has some basic information in it, such as the different hair types, and fun commentary on each of them. However, the descriptions and "secret techniques" are somewhat embryonic. Take the "Growing Your Hair Long" section for example: Walker recommends that you get trims as necessary, and hide akward growth phases under clips and hats. ...No really, that's it. That's the "secret technique".
In sum, while an amusing read, this book is not a hair bible. I would not recommend it to those who are looking for guidance on ... well, just about any hair questions. Great for Oprah fans, and those who cannot get enough of expert books on hair.
/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
adrienne0914
Well-Known Member
i don't own any hair books. i think i've learned enough from all of my sistahs on the hair boards... for free! /images/graemlins/smile.gif
adrienne
adrienne
adrienne0914
Well-Known Member
oh, i forgot to say that i did buy that ebook by brenda silker. i didn't really pay much attention to it though... thankfully... /images/graemlins/smile.gif
adrienne
adrienne
Valerie
Well-Known Member
Hi Sassy girl
Thanks for the book reviews. I bought Pam Ferrel's Where Beauty Touches me Lisa's Akbari, Cathy Howse, all three bookds by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner, No Lye, by Tulani Kinnard. I enjoyed the books by Pam Ferrel, Lonnice Brittenum, Cathy Howse especially and Lisa Akbari. I found the book by Tulani Kinnard very informative, but I wish there were books for women who have natural hair and want to styles easy to do without resorting to locs.
Thanks for the book reviews. I bought Pam Ferrel's Where Beauty Touches me Lisa's Akbari, Cathy Howse, all three bookds by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner, No Lye, by Tulani Kinnard. I enjoyed the books by Pam Ferrel, Lonnice Brittenum, Cathy Howse especially and Lisa Akbari. I found the book by Tulani Kinnard very informative, but I wish there were books for women who have natural hair and want to styles easy to do without resorting to locs.
sassygirl125
Professional PJ
I sent $15 or $16 to cover the book price ($13.95) and shipping. I received the book in approx. two weeks.
Mr. John’s Hair Clinic
13826 W. McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48235.
(313) 345-4555.
Mr. John’s Hair Clinic
13826 W. McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48235.
(313) 345-4555.
coilykinks
Member
Out of all the books that I have purchased I like Mr. Johns, Lisa Akbari, and Pamela Farrell the best. I love Lisa Akbari book because she takes on the the self hate that many African-Americans harbor about their hair and she is really into the health of the scalp and hair more than anything else.She stresses that you should wear your hair the way you want to for your own happiness, so if you like to where your hair pressed, chemically relaxed, natural, or loced that's ok. I purchased both of her books (the first book has some typing error and the book is bound really stiff but all in all good info). Even though I've never had any chemicals in my hair (no hair color, chemical relaxers or perms) I can alter the techniques in these books to assist me in keeping my scalp and hair healthy.
I agree with the member who would like to see more natural hair styles in books and when I mean natural I mean without added extension hair and no hair color (permanent hair color alters natural hair to a degree) so that you can see how the actual textures look styled. I am not anti hair color - I would just like to see some plain old natural hair (types 3's to 4's) just styled. The natural black hair styling magazines are just a joke.
I don't press my hair but I still like Mr. Johns book because the approach is simple and out of all these stylist he proves to you that black hair can grow healthy and long - he has before and after pictures of his customers and you can call and talk to Mr. John Jr. (Mr. John is deceased and his son runs the salon and he is extremely helpful).
But all in all I think all of the author's (Mr. John, Cathy Howse, Carolyn Gray, Lisa Akbari, Pamela Farrell, and many more) are trying to do their best to assist Black women with caring for their with the knowledge that they have.
I agree with the member who would like to see more natural hair styles in books and when I mean natural I mean without added extension hair and no hair color (permanent hair color alters natural hair to a degree) so that you can see how the actual textures look styled. I am not anti hair color - I would just like to see some plain old natural hair (types 3's to 4's) just styled. The natural black hair styling magazines are just a joke.
I don't press my hair but I still like Mr. Johns book because the approach is simple and out of all these stylist he proves to you that black hair can grow healthy and long - he has before and after pictures of his customers and you can call and talk to Mr. John Jr. (Mr. John is deceased and his son runs the salon and he is extremely helpful).
But all in all I think all of the author's (Mr. John, Cathy Howse, Carolyn Gray, Lisa Akbari, Pamela Farrell, and many more) are trying to do their best to assist Black women with caring for their with the knowledge that they have.
hairfanatic
New Member
Mr. John's Growing Your Hair Beyond the Shoulders by Mr. John. Great book for those with natural hair. Very encouraging with pictures. It will take trial and error to learn what products, and which pressing methods will work with his techniques. Once you get used to pressing your own hair and finding out what works you CAN learn have hair that looks as straight as a relaxer. Simple to read, before and after books. Good Book!
Ultra Black Hair Growth II 2000: Another 6" Longer 1 Year From Now by Cathy Howse. It was okay, but many things I had already knew. I think pictures would have helped this book better and giving some examples of products that she actually use. To tell somebody to do something but not give them any ideas on different products can be frustrating especially for a beginner that doesn't know what to use.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful, Healthier Hair in 6 Weeks by Carolyn Gray . When I was relaxed, I LOVED this book because this woman gave product information that DID what she said it would do. The only problem I had was that there seemed to be so many of them and some I couldn't find. I really like the book though.
Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner
LOVE IT! This was the first book I bought when I went natural. It was funny and helped me get through rough times. I loved the hairstyles and was able to achieve the same look.
Don't have this one but read it in a bookstore - In The Black Womans Guide to Beautiful Hair by Lisa Akbari
This book was okay, somewhat boring. I had read so many books that this book wasn't really saying anything knew and interesting. The most interesting part that I read in the book was the woman's experience about how she was starting to feel about women's hair.
Beautiful Black Hair by Shamboosie
I think this is a very good book for women to understand the many processes of colors, relaxers, heat, etc. Definately a keeper and a book that everyone should have as a reference book.
Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey
I thought this book was okay and I got the gist of it in 20 pages. I wished they had more African American Curly hair types in the book. The book really didn't do us much justice because we have so many textures but the information is good.
Wanakee's Hair Guide
My all time favorite. What can I say. I have the products, I know they work and it's great to look a real goal model to follow.
Let's Talk Hair: Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair by Pamela Ferrell
I love this book and learned how to do my twist from it. Very encouraging.
Andre Walker's Let's Talk
This book was okay, but it seemed that Andre catered more to caucasion hair to me. It seemed like the only person he really did a great job on is Oprah. My personal opinion
Riquettes Grow Hair in 12 Weeks
Interesting book that gives recipes for natural hair concoctions.
Naturally Healthy Hair by Mary Beth Jassen
I love this book and this was the book that I started making a lot of my natural oils and stuff from.
Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care by Aubrey Hampton of Aubrey Organics.
Great Book. I have had this book since 1992 and I use it for so many things. Information on skin care, hair care and I also learned about bad ingredients from this book. He has a A to Z List.
Ultra Black Hair Growth II 2000: Another 6" Longer 1 Year From Now by Cathy Howse. It was okay, but many things I had already knew. I think pictures would have helped this book better and giving some examples of products that she actually use. To tell somebody to do something but not give them any ideas on different products can be frustrating especially for a beginner that doesn't know what to use.
The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful, Healthier Hair in 6 Weeks by Carolyn Gray . When I was relaxed, I LOVED this book because this woman gave product information that DID what she said it would do. The only problem I had was that there seemed to be so many of them and some I couldn't find. I really like the book though.
Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner
LOVE IT! This was the first book I bought when I went natural. It was funny and helped me get through rough times. I loved the hairstyles and was able to achieve the same look.
Don't have this one but read it in a bookstore - In The Black Womans Guide to Beautiful Hair by Lisa Akbari
This book was okay, somewhat boring. I had read so many books that this book wasn't really saying anything knew and interesting. The most interesting part that I read in the book was the woman's experience about how she was starting to feel about women's hair.
Beautiful Black Hair by Shamboosie
I think this is a very good book for women to understand the many processes of colors, relaxers, heat, etc. Definately a keeper and a book that everyone should have as a reference book.
Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey
I thought this book was okay and I got the gist of it in 20 pages. I wished they had more African American Curly hair types in the book. The book really didn't do us much justice because we have so many textures but the information is good.
Wanakee's Hair Guide
My all time favorite. What can I say. I have the products, I know they work and it's great to look a real goal model to follow.
Let's Talk Hair: Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair by Pamela Ferrell
I love this book and learned how to do my twist from it. Very encouraging.
Andre Walker's Let's Talk
This book was okay, but it seemed that Andre catered more to caucasion hair to me. It seemed like the only person he really did a great job on is Oprah. My personal opinion
Riquettes Grow Hair in 12 Weeks
Interesting book that gives recipes for natural hair concoctions.
Naturally Healthy Hair by Mary Beth Jassen
I love this book and this was the book that I started making a lot of my natural oils and stuff from.
Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care by Aubrey Hampton of Aubrey Organics.
Great Book. I have had this book since 1992 and I use it for so many things. Information on skin care, hair care and I also learned about bad ingredients from this book. He has a A to Z List.
Honey Vibe
The Good Physician
Wow fanatic -- you must have a "hair library" in your living room!
VALLEYGIRL
New Member
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I love Lisa Akbari book because she takes on the the self hate that many African-Americans harbor about their hair and she is really into the health of the scalp and hair more than anything else.She stresses that you should wear your hair the way you want to for your own happiness, so if you like to where your hair pressed, chemically relaxed, natural, or loced that's ok.
[/ QUOTE ]
Me too I really like her book
What I truly think every one of us should read is Hair Story by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps. EXCELLENT. It's not about hair care but an great book about the history of Black hair in this country.
I love Lisa Akbari book because she takes on the the self hate that many African-Americans harbor about their hair and she is really into the health of the scalp and hair more than anything else.She stresses that you should wear your hair the way you want to for your own happiness, so if you like to where your hair pressed, chemically relaxed, natural, or loced that's ok.
[/ QUOTE ]
Me too I really like her book
What I truly think every one of us should read is Hair Story by Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps. EXCELLENT. It's not about hair care but an great book about the history of Black hair in this country.
