Customer Reviews

Plaited Glory: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Braids, Locks, and Twists

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Plaited Glory" should have been written a long time ago. I am a young woman from Jamaica who, despite peer pressure and social pressure, has always kept my hair natural. I was so happy to find this book as I was growing my hair once again. I found Ms. Bonner's advice on hair care products and general care of black NATURAL hair very practical and useful. I am now locking my hair and read the hairlocking chapter of Ms. Bonner's book everyday. It is my "hair bible." I go to it whenever I have doubts about how I should treat my hair and what I should be doing to improve its health. I have recommended this book to many black women with natural hairstyles. Thank you for filling this obvious gap. It should not be so hard to find out how to care for NATURAl black hair, but your book is the best resource I've found to date. Most other books or articles give only an account of the history behind natural hairstyles. (Ms. Bonner, too, includes colourful and humorous stories in her book that illustrate society's view of natural hairstyles.) They don't provide information on how to groom and manage those styles. There should be many more books like this available to black women.

Since I was a young girl, for over 15 years, I had my hair chemically treated. Lonnice's book not only gave me the inspiration and courage that I needed to go all natural, but the pictures, hair styling tips and countless stories in the book made me realize that I *could* do it (even though I'd never done it before and even though I am a lawyer for a large corporation in a major metropolitan city). I found "Plaited Glory..." while I was trying to grow out my hair. I had wanted natural hair for a while, but my stylist kept insisting, "Trust me, you have to at least soften the curl -- I'll just relax it a little bit." I finally decided to take a break from my stylist, braid my hair and just wait until I figured out what to do. After almost a year of waiting and growing, I found Lonnice's book; shortly thereafter, (and thanks to this book!) I found the courage to take out my braids and cut off almost 10" of permed hair. I now have short, single-strand twists! I *love* my hair. I don't miss my extensions and I don't miss my damaged, permed ends at all. This book gave me the courage to finally do what I had wanted to do for years - go all natural - and look great (and professional!) doing it.

I have been wearing my hair naturally for about 4 to 5 years and people always compliment me on how long it is. Trust me, I have had my ups and downs with it. I always had long hair as a child. It wasn't until I started high school and was able to afford my first relaxer that things started to go downhill. Yes! I loved that fact that my hair was now able to get wet without me having to worrying about it reverting, but with that came the touch-ups and the hair breakage which lasted for about 7 years of my life. I had both a Jheri Curl and a relaxer. Once I finally became tired of all the hair loss I finally decided to get my hair braided and keep it that way! The relaxer did so much damage to my hair that the braider could not even get enough hair to attach and extension. The worst part of it all was the in between stage, not quite relaxed not quite natural. The braids help it out alot and it finally paid-off, after 2 years of keeping my hair braided and letting the perm grow out, my hair is now stronger and healthier. I wish I had a book such as Plaited Glory during that stage in my life, it would have saved a lot of "hair-ache". I also work in Corporate America in one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and my braids were not look down on. In fact they were always complimented. As long as you're braids are neat and not too extravagant they will go over well.

I admit that like thousands of African American women I am obsessed with my hair. I bought Lonnice Bonner's first book and was relieved to find that I am not alone. It was funny and helpful. I got braids and have worn them off and on since then. This second effort though is more of the same information. My biggest problem with the book was the lack of hairstyles with individual braids. She talked again about what makes up hair and what it means to have curly hair. The scientific facts for most of us are unimportant. The care and products needed are more important to us. I like Lonnice because she does have her finger on the pulse of the absolute craziness that we black women have to face in a society that glorifies silky blond hair. She shows us that our beauty is admired and appreciated by many because of the differences that we all have. On a positive note I feel like I know Lonnice because of her writing style. I do think that the first book is enough though and that the second could have focused more on style with photos of both human hair and synthetic braids.

This book was the most down home honest book I ever read about black hair. Ms Bonner has an excellent sense of humor which made the book thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself in this book as Ms. Bonner recounted her trials and tribulations with her hair. Not only was this haircare book upbeat and funny but it also included tons of advice on the proper haircare. It also included numerous examples of natural hairstyles. I found this book impossible put down. In fact its in my hands now as I am typing this!

This book helped me get started on my road to natural hair care. In April I decided to go natural I have had my hair in braids since then, its now October. I am ready to move on to locks with no starting point. A friend recommended this book, Ohmigash am I glad she did. I learnt how to wash my hair, clean my roommates scalp, without disturbing her loc/coils/twist. The home remedies in this book really work I tried one the day after I read the book..... If your looking to learn our hair this book is a must have.

Lonnice has charm, wit and intelligence which comes bursting through the pages of this little book. While I am definitely in favor of chemical free hair (that means no chemical texturizing either) you can still use a lot of the info in this book. I have found that texturizing can be done naturally by cornrowing or twisting your hair. See Pamela Ferrell's book about this subject matter. I think you should include this book in your library as a reference guide because it does have some goods tips, especially about conditioning your hair. Some of the products can't be found anymore but hey there are others that can be substituted and as long as you understand the concept Lonnice is trying to convey who cares what the product is called, just do it.

Like "Good Hair" before it, this book hit the nail on the head (excuse the pun). I've been waiting for sometime for a book on Afro-natural hair to hit the stands and here it is. My only disappointment (if I may use such a strong word) is that specific products were not suggested, as procuring products that care for and maintain the kinkiness of Afro-natural are hard to come by. It seems to me that because the demand is not as great, the commercial entities, even the ones that proclaim themselves to be 'Black' don't spend much research time or money on developing said products. So it is left to those of us in the 'struggle' to help each other by passing on the information as we go through our experience. Thanks a lot Ms. Bonner, I'm a happier nappy-headed-double-twisted-girl since I received my "Braided Glory.." in the mail and thanks Amazon for coming through. PS. I live in the Caribbean.

I had become more and more interested in growing out my relaxer and wearing my hair natural. After finding enough information on the internet, and finally decided to do the big chop. I bough Lonnice Bonner's book so get some more tips on how to style and care for my hair. It's a really great, and very funny book which talks about Lonnice's personal hair experience. It gives great advice on how to care for natural hair, and shows some pictures and styles. The only reason I give it 4 stars and not 5, is because I was lookiing more for some intructions on how to actually do styles. But I would definitely recommend this book. It's an easy read.

Plaited.....pick up where Good Hair left off: Ms. Bonner has finally figured out that there are different ways to wear natural hair according to varying preferences and textures. Not only does she offer more styling options, she even drops a little history and humor into the mix. The only drawback is that I wear locs, and IT DOESN'T SHOWS YOU HOW TO GET DIFFERENT STYLES! It's still a worthwhile read, especially if you've just discovered your natural roots and need guidance an encouragement about you new look. Looking forward to the next one: keep on leading our sistas to the promised land!