The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair: A Positive Approach to Managing any Hair Type and Style [Paperback]

Lisa Akbari Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

No matter what style you choose, you can take care of your hair so that it:
--heals from any damage caused by heat or chemicals
--grows to its maximum length and thickness
--is soft and manageable
--is controlled by you, not the other way around!

Lisa Akbari, leading researcher into black women's hair, teaches you how to:
--tell what hair type and texture you have so you're using the right products
--shampoo and condition for the best hair possible
--use heat and chemicals safely and still keep your hair healthy and strong
--take care of your scalp to get rid of itching, flaking and dryness
--choose a salon and stylist and get the best results from them
--manage new growth and comb your hair without pain or pulling
--manage your style so it looks beautiful every day

Most importantly, you'll find out how to have a great attitude about your own hair, so you'll never have "bad hair" again.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Akbari is a hair care pioneer. For most of her life she has worked in the hair care industry. She became a licensed cosmetologist in 1977. By the age of twenty-one she had opened her first salon. As a stylist, Mrs. Akbari has always maintained a large clientele and worked on many hair teams and as a platform artist. As an educator she has trained hundreds of stylists and hair care professionals on how to create hairstyles without sacrificing the health of their clients' scalp and hair. Mrs. Akbari owns and operates the Hair Nutrition Research Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Through research and studies, she has discovered several hair and scalp disorders including Short Hair Syndrome and Follicular Epidermis Alopecia. She has successfully created a hair care product line engineered specifically to the needs of African Americans. Mrs. Akbari has a degree in trichology, the study of hair and its disorders, and continues to further her education. She is the author of The Journey from Kinky to Straight (and All Its Pit Stops), and has written countless workbooks and manuals, lead seminars, and recorded videotapes and audiocassettes. Mrs. Akbari is married to Dr. Hooshang Akbari, and has twin daughters, Raumesh and Raumina. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570719055
• ISBN-13: 978-1570719059
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough of anythiing...., April 7, 2002

By 

Minnesota Raven "Viking Vixen" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair: A Positive Approach to Managing any Hair Type and Style (Paperback)

Lisa Akbari's very short book is much too anectdotal for me. That's my overall complaint and it bothers me that there are so few serious books specifically aimed at the hair care issues of the woman of color with seriously curly/kinky hair.

I thought this book would be objective, backed by facts and tell the whys and why nots of hair care for the typical woman of color with seriously curly hair but this is not so. The primary reference point is the author's experience as a beautician. That's not good enough for me. For example she discusses dry, flaking, itching scalp fromt the point of view her experience while working at a salon. I didn't want to know nor did I think it added value to read stories related to how many women came into that particular salon and let people scratch their heads. I expected a section on dealing with dry, itching and flaking scalp problems. I expected it to be dealt with in a straight forward manner in the prose of if you have the following issues then do the following..... Not even close. While the author does make reference to dermatologists opinions there is not a clear connection between the medical guidelines and the "well this works for me" guidelines.

I have read other, older books that I think were better. Specifically, Pamela Ferrell's "Let's Talk Hair" is still the best book when it comes to taking care of non chemically treated super curly/kinky hair. I do believe if you are just starting to take care of your own hair then there is something to be learned from this book hence the two stars. But if you have been reading up on this subject matter for awhile, as I have, then you won't find any new real info. I find this really disappointing because while the book "Let's Talk Hair" is good it only really gets to the basics and so do some of the others.

Another factor that was disappointing was the lack of photographs. It always helps to see what is being described, especially when it's hair but that wasn't possible. Just another reason I wasn't impressed with the book.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have good hair, April 17, 2002

By 

Sue (Chicago ILL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair: A Positive Approach to Managing any Hair Type and Style (Paperback)

Before reading this book I thought that I had bad hair. All of my life people would tell me how nappy and bad my hair was, even my family and so call friends. Ms. Akbari's book has a chapter that change my mind about my hair and now is changing my outlook on life. I know that this sounds deep and it is very deep to me.
In this book I learn how to understand my hair and the big thing Ms. Akbari reminded me of was, and will use her words "GOD MADE MY HAIR AND GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES". She also taught me that I must become educated on everything that is done to my hair and what is used on my hair. This book has so much to offer me and I just wanted to tell the world. I know now that I have "good hair" and I now know how to take care of my own hair and my scalp. Thank God for Lisa Akbari and her book "The Black Womens Guide to Beautiful hair

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book and products for black women, July 14, 2002

By 

Brenda (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair: A Positive Approach to Managing any Hair Type and Style (Paperback)

I did read the black women's guide to beautiful hair, and i love what i read. After reading the book I was, as Ms. Akbari states in her book, "empowered and educated." I learned so much about everthing including what type of hair products was best for my hair and scalp. The only thing that had me at a stand still was that I was not sure where to find the right hair products. I went to my stylist, beauty supply stores , and even wal-mart. I found no real group of products that would go together. Some would have the right pH shampoo but not the right conditioner, and so on. I think you get the message. Then I went to the internet and typed lisa akbari and there was my answer. Through Ms. Akbari's website I learned that she has her own product line the in a complete system. I ordered her products and followed the 7 week program and my hair is now growing and feeling healthier. My scalp does not itch and is no longer tender. Thank you God for using this sister to help this black sister, when all hope was gone. Thank you Ms. Akbari for giving so much in you book. I know that it was hard for me to find your products, and at first I wondered why you did not just name your line in your book. But I am glad I found your book and your wonderful products. HEADS UP EVERYBODY .... lisaakbari.com is Mrs. Akbari's web site.