Natural Hair Care and Braiding
Author: Diane Carol Bailey, Soneni B. Smith
List Price: $52.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 1562533169
Publisher: Milady Publishing Co. (12 November, 1997)
Sales Rank: 52,854
Average Customer Rating: 4.31 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
A Better Book than Others; Essential info, not Rhetoric
When I first received this book I only skimmed it and stuck it on the shelf because it didn't really focus on locked hair styles as much as I would have liked. But once I began to lock I went to review this other books I own (both Britten Bonner's, Kinard's, Ferrell's) and let me tell you this book has more of the essential natural hair care information than any of those other books combined. Although it's a definite to include a history of African hair, especially how it's been demonized, for those of us who realize that & want just some INFORMATION on how we can care for it ourselves this book definitely came through. For example, she provides an extensive chapter on definitions and the different uses of oils and herbs, recipes for nourishing hair, and descriptions (with clear pictures) that I could definitely follow. This book is geared toward the cosmetologist set but she shares information that we ALL should know. I even took this book with me to my local oil shop and made my own hair brew for more than half what it had been costing (and her recommendations are RIGHT ON). At first I thought the book was pricey, but for all the info (minus the speechmaking of other books) it's the only book I need. I also recommend Let's Talk Hair by Pamela Ferrell, although the locks chapter was not as informative as I'd hoped it could be. This is an empowering book in that I can learn to care for my hair myself; I can know care for my own hair between monthly locktician visits (and I'm talking past just swabbing my scalp with Sea Breeze)& am now a more active player in the locking process.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Not what I expected.
I agree with the reader from Oakland. This book... is much too expensive. The book is about 260 pages long but there aren't any photos of natural hairstyles until page 185! The first 2/3 of the book is a manual for cosmetologists on how to care for a clients natural hair. Since I have most of the other popular books on natural haircare (Pam Ferrel, Tulani Kinard, Bonner, etc) I already know most of this information. Except for a special 8 page section at the end of the book, all the photos are in black and white. This is fine but some of the photos are instructional and it's very difficult to see how the styles are made. The section on locks styles (palm rolling, etc) is very very short and not very good. For example there is only one small photo that shows how to palm roll and since it's not in color you can't see it. This is the biggest problem with the book. The short chapter on flat twists is a failure. The photos are lovely but there is not photo instruction and the author tries to explain how to achieve the style in 3 sentences. That's it. If you are a person that frequently buys black hairstyling magazines, I guarantee that you've seen ALL of the photos in this book. They are used frequently in hairstyle magazines. If you are beautician who isn't familiar with natural african hair, you will find this book useful but for women with natural hair who are looking for new styles, I would buy LETS TALK HAIR instead.
Rating: 5 out of 5
When you are ready
This book was great! when or if you decide to be natural , Or if you already are, you will learn something new.Great info about SEVERAL natural hair styles, braids, with or with out extensions,afros,twists,Locs/Dreadlocks.The pics were Great!,Fabulous info on essential oils,great recipes,this book is great for someone who is going to school for natural hair or someone who just wants to learn. It is a TEACHING book, healthy hair begins from the inside out.What I liked about the Loc section is that it is straight up and to the point,REAL locs will NOT happen over night. Page 245 sums it ALL up, I like how she saved the best for last!I'm partial though cause I have locs:)This book will teach you how to be natural and stay natural.
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