Customer Reviews

Natural Hair Care and Braiding

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I have been considering going natural for some time now, unfortunately there is a social stigma along with this, and because of this not too many people know how, or what to do with natural hair. I was one of those people until I found Ms. Bailey's book. It open my eyes to what natural hair really meant and also showed me that you do not have to relax your hair to have braids. It also explains how to do things right, like how to remove extensions without having to cut your own hair off, (a chapter that I had read after I had such a fiasco and saw all the things I did wrong). Now I do not do anything to my hair without first consulting the book. I look to it for styling ideas, and products. My only regret is that Ms. Bailey's shop is in New York and I cannot got here personally. But having her book is the next best thing to being in her salon.

This is the definitive book on styling and caring for natural hair. The book is large and has loads of information.
It had everything from sanitation,consultations, essential oils to the how tos of braiding, locking and styling an afro. I have had this book a while and I still have not finished reading it. I have already tried a couple of styles on my daughter and the book was really helpful. As I get deeper into the natural care business I will use this book more and more. I have not gotten into essential oils and herbs yet but it is good to know that there is a whole chapter on that.
The only thing that is missing is there isn't anything written about Sisterlocks (tm). This system has been around since 1994 but is relatively new in some areas. Sisterlocks (tm) are showcased in No Lye and Let's Talk Hair, my other favorites.

I think the book was good but it could have been better. I agree with another review which said that techniques on palm rolling and flat twists were scant. It would have just been better to leave these two styles out, than to have step-by-step instructions on other styles and nothing on these two. I am guessing Mrs. Bailey and her associates do not want to give away too many tips and secrets and it left me a little disappointed. Overall the good was very good but I agree the instructional portion should have had bigger, clearer pictures. I liked "Let's Talk Hair" better also.

Natural Hair Care and Braiding is a book for the average reader who would like to style their hair at home. I think that this book is a great reference for those who do not have the time or the money to go to a hairdresser. It is also a great book for those who would like to learn more about natural hair care. It gives the reader techniques on blowing drying, washing, shampooing and the conditioning of the hair. It also gives the reader step by step techniques on how to braid.

Never have I read a book that is so informative as "Natural Hair Care And Braiding".
I learned the proper way to comb, brush, and shampoo natural hair. In addition to learning the basic of natural hair care I also learn how to make natural hair grow using natural herbs. I never dreamed "Olive Oil" could condition the hair, and make it so soft! Since I've been using the methods in "Natural Hair Care and Braiding Book" my hair has grown so much. It is not as long as I would like it to be, but it is coming along quite well, it is going to be a long road back, but I am sure by this time next year I will have achieve the length I'm seeking.
I'm happy to be natural once again.

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.

I had to get this book for an african hair braiding class. We didn't even use the book. It doesn't teach you techniques, but there are good hair care recipes in the book. If you want to learn braiding techniques your better off looking in a search engine for braiding videos.