Natural Hair Care and Braiding [Paperback]

Diane Carol Bailey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 1997

An excellent resource for students and hairstylists wanting a better understanding of the holistic approach to hair care. This instructional handbook introduces the technical and creative aspects of braiding, styling and grooming naturally textured hair. Covering the professional consultation, appropriate holistic hair care products, braiding and sculpting techniques, the author teaches hairstylists how to empower clients to appreciate their virgin texture through gentle and natural services free of chemical and thermal processing. Just some of what you will learn includes:

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A beauty professional and educator for 20 years, Ms. Bailey owns one of the leading natural hair care salons in the industry and has developed her own revolutionary braiding technique. She has developed her own teaching programs and testing methods, and has been published in numerous newpapers, journals and magazines. Her professional affiliations include a NYS Licensing Appointment to the Appearance Enhancement Committee, foudner of the Diop Group (a business consulting group), co-founder, vice president and regional director of the International Braiders Network, NYS Chairperson of the National Braiders Guild, and member of American Women Entrepreneur Development (AWED)

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Milady; 1 edition (November 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562533169
• ISBN-13: 978-1562533168
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected., December 3, 1999

By 

NappyGirl (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Hair Care and Braiding (Paperback)

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.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Better Book than Others; Essential info, not Rhetoric, February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Natural Hair Care and Braiding (Paperback)

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.

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good pictures but pricey for the information given., November 6, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Natural Hair Care and Braiding (Paperback)

I probably have all of the books available on African/curly/coily hair and this book was expensive and not for the do-it-yourselfer. There are definitely less expensive books that offer better value. In my opinion, the books "Let's Talk Hair" by Pam Ferrell, and "No Lye" by Tulani Kinard offer excellent photographs, hair care tips, and how-to-do-it style information. "Good Hair" by Lonnice Bonner is also good besides being fun to read. By the way, I have what Ferrell calls 75% shrinkage hair and I love it!