Customer Reviews

Ultra Black Hair Growth II 2000 Edition

5 star:		(108)
4 star:		(49)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

I read the first edition of Ms. Howse's book when I was a young teenager, probably about 10 years ago. This was the first book I had ever read about Black hair care, and the length and health of my hair improved when I followed her guidelines. There were not many books about caring for our hair on the market at that time, and as a hair care beginner, this book helped me tremendously. The book was riddled with spelling errors and editing problems, but this was not a big deal to me, as I was reading the book to gain information and not for entertainment.

I saw the newest edition of the book in a bookstore, and decided to reread it. The spelling and editing have been improved, yet are still far from perfect, as many other reviewers have noted. There are two major differences in the two books, both of which disappointed me tremendously:

1. Much of the second edition is dedicated to ranting about her personal disagreements with hair care professionals. This is irrelavant to the purpose of the book, which is to learn to care for and grow your hair.

2. Secondly, and most disturbingly, she now uses the book as a platform for selling her haircare products. Many reviewers have been bothered by this, and so was I. In the first edition, Ms. Howse tells you the formula for making conditioner. This was written before she went into the business of making hair care products. I cannot speak about her products that she sells, as I have never tried them. But, I will tell you that the recipe that she gives in the first edition is the best product I have ever used on my hair, and I have tried everything! So, here is the recipe for conditioner that she reccommends in her first book (please note that this is a variation, as I have long ago lost the book and have been making the recipe for years, so the amounts may not be the same as in the original book):

Mix these ingredients together:
1 32 oz. bottle of protein conditioner (I use Mane & Tail)
6 oz coconut oil (you must liquify this in the microwave)
3 oz olive oil
.5-1 oz (personal preference) peppermint oil (must be real essential oil)

In my opinion, this was the most valuable information in the book, and it wasn't even in this edition.

I have read the other reviews with great interest and I have come to the conclusion that you can't please everyone. However, I noticed that there were references to other books about black hair, specifically the Shamboosie book. I don't know Cathy Howse, but as a black scientist and a physician
I do know that there were NO SHAMBOOSIES or Bamboosies 15 years ago who were writing intelligent guidelines to care for the hair of black women.

CATHY HOWSE is the FIRST author to seriously address and dispel the myths and the subculture attitudes of black hair grooming and growing. The other epigones are too late as far as I am concerned.

I have had professional hairstylists and hairdressers "take care" of my hair all my adolescent and adult life. I was so afraid to wash it by myself. I just scurried off to the hairdresser once or twice a week; had relaxers placed according to THEIR schedules and followed their "advice" to the letter. After all, they were "professionals". Yet, my hair remained less than 3 inches in length. That is, until I happened to stumble on to Cathy's book on Amazon.com this past August. The book literally CHANGED MY LIFE!!! It has become my bible and my daily guide. Her website is also awesome. There are many questions that she answers on her website that do not appear in the book (www.ubhpublications.com). I have ordered her products and the products of others, including Dudley, Motions and Pantene. Believe me, her products are FAR SUPERIOR than those offered by the other hair companies. She really has done her homework!! Some may find them expensive, but, "you get what you pay for". The only question that should be asked is, "Does this product promote the healthy growth of my hair?" If the answer is yes, then buy it!

I have always been driven by "evidence-based" science, not by hearsay. That's why I always went to a professional stylist. Well, those days are over. Now, I am confident enought to take care of my own hair now and I dictate to the hairdresser what I want and what I don't want.

Cathy is a Godsend and all the naysayers should be aware of the fact that SHE was the first person who put her experiences in writing from which we black women can benefit. For that alone, she should be given a medal.

My "exp-hair-iment" is proceeding quite nicely and I owe it all to Cathy Howse.

I first came across UBHGII while I was on the net trying to get as much information as I could on addressing the needs of my hair. I was having problems following the use of Rio products-yes, I made a grievous mistake, and believe me for the last seven years I have been paying for it-severe breakage, dryness, lack of texture-it didn't feel real; and no visible growth at all. And, yet it was not my hair I was concerned about. I have 4 little girls ages 12, 11 10, and 7-that means I have alot of hair to take care of. I relunctantly made the decision to put a perm in the 3 older children's hair, and shortly after that, breakage. I couldn't believe the amount of breakage we experiended. My girls went from having hair that hung just below their shoulders to hanging just at their ear lobes. My heart was broken. It's one thing for me to mess up my hair, but it's a far more serious situation for me when it comes to my children. With tears in my eyes, I promised them I would learn how to properly care for their hair, and I would do something to help facilitate growth. I frantically got out on the internet, and started reading all the information I could find. One day, I came across UBHGII. Immediately, I was impressed with the before and after pictures of Mrs. Howse. As I browsed her sight, reading all the information, I became increasingly more interested, so I ordered the book. As soon as I got the book in the mail, I practically inhaled it. I must say, I found it to be so refreshing. Many of the questions I had struggled with were answered in the pages of that book. I couldn't believe the wealth of information. Important things, like the need for protein to rebuild your hair following chemicals. I had always, always put conditioner in the girls hair. How was I to know it was just being rinsed down the drain. Everything I had learned, all the myths about our hair were suddenly gone, and I was left with-truth. I now had something I could work with.

Well, I have been using the products for six months. I have seen more growth, in the last six months than I have in the last seven years since RIO. My hair feels like hair, again. But, the most exciting thing has been the benefits to my children's hair. It has been in such good condition. And, we are beginning to really see the benefits of using the "Howse Method". I immediately went out and got a heatcap once UBHGII explained the importance of heat when conditioning. My girls now wash their hair and get under the heat cap every week. They are getting to the point where they enjoy, and look forward to washing, and conditioning their hair. It's not just something they have to do-it has become something they want to do. They moisturize everyday, and are really doing well.

I am so thankful they have the opportunity to learn how to care for their hair at an early age, and can avoid many of the mistakes I have made.

Thank you Mrs. Howse for taking the time to learn how to care for our hair, and then sharing your findings with others.

M Patterson

"Ultra Black Hair Growth 2000" is a book every woman, hairdresser/stylist should read. Ms. Howse's "common sense approach" to black hair growth will enlightened any one who reads her book. You will see results if you follow the program the book suggests. After I purchased and read the book and began to follow the steps as stated in the book, within a very short time I began to see and feel a difference in not only my hair but my daughter's hair as well. It was in the nick of time because I was about to have my hair cut very, very short and I did not want to do so.

I was searching for information to help me with the problems I was having with hair breakage, dry itchy scalp, and damaged hair. The "common sense approach" made sense to me. I have changed my overall hair care regimen, (caring for total me also). So I say to woman who likes to keep her "mane" together, looking its best, "Ultra Black Hair 2000" is a "must have."

The book is very easy to read and follow. Once you begin to read it, you won't stop until you have read the book cover-to-cover. This is not a book on hair styles, so don't even go there, but if you are looking for sound advice, go ahead and buy the one book that makes sense.

Thank you again, Ms. Howse for sharing your wealth of information on the subject of hair growth and hair care. May God continue to bless you.

This book is ridiculous.

I read it in one sitting and only found out things that I already knew, like taking vitamins, having good nutrition, avoiding overprocessing, avoiding double-processing, avoiding repeated use of heated styling tools, and avoiding too much blow drying.

This book is only one woman's point of view, since she happens to have long hair. She grew it and she wrote this book. But she seems to have more fun dancing around the crucial information that you need to know in order to have healthy hair.

The most important thing that you should know is that this book does not give you pointed information on what to buy and how to apply it to your hair. For example, she says to buy a good shampoo, but she won't tell you which ones are "good". She says to get a "moisturizer", but she won't tell you how to know a moisturizer when you see it, how you should apply it, and how to style your hair after using it. She says not to use hairspray, but she doesn't say WHAT to use to keep your hair from blowing around in the wind when you step outside. Furthermore, she does not give ALTERNATIVES. She says, don't do this, don't do that. But then, she forgets to tell you what to DO with your hair after you've washed, conditioned, moisturized, and airdried your hair. Now what. Do you just walk outside as is?

There are just too many things missing from this book. Don't waste your money on it.

Cathy's book is informative. Who cares that she may seem rude - she knows her stuff! I picked up the book two years ago. I waited to write a review because I wanted to try it out myself.

I also have read Shamboosie's book, Lisa Akbari's book and No Lye!. Shamboosie's book is a basic advertisement for Nexxus and Dudley products. Lisa's book didn't really contain any new information - plus it was questionable if she actually addressed the black hair type that most of us share. Out of them all, I liked Cathy's book. Shamboosie just had regular looking people in his book, besides one token person with long hair. Cathy has actual photos of people who have used her method - and it's more than one person (...)

Cathy's book makes sense - the more you condition, moisturize and give your hair gentle care the better it grows. For instance, my hair was in a short style with tapered sides and edges two years ago. Now, my hair is to my shoulders and it's very shiny and healthy. It has never been this long before without breaking off. Try her method with good products. I'm not necessarily an advocate for her products - although you can try them. I've tried a gang of them and thrown them out. However, I do keep the following stock: Cathy's daily creme moisturizer - it is truly the best moisturizer that I have found that doesn't tend to be drying, dulling, weighty or greasy. I also use AVEDA anti-humectant pomade - it smells good and gives huge shine. For conditioner, I use Aubrey Organics GPB (found at the VitaminShoppe and other stores - it makes your hair soft but has protein to strength your hair. Cathy has a conditioner but this one seems to give the same effect while keeping the hair soft.

I first read Cathy Howse's book several months ago. Since then, my hair has grown several inches (is now shoulder length- and mind you, has never been)and is extremely soft and healthy.

Cathy's book has helped me to take back control of my hair. No longer am I spending ridiculous amounts of money going to a hairdresser every week trying to get my hair to grow or paying for excess services that seem to do more harm than help to my hair. I am growing it myself!!!!!!

I think it is great that this book doesn't TELL you what brand of moisturizers or conditioners to get. That's the PROBLEM Black Women- for decades companies have made money off us with false promises long, healthy hair through using their product; It's called marketing.

Instead Cathy arms you with the ingredients that you need to look for in hair care products that will promote strength and elasticity to chemically-treated hair. She educates the consumer to got to a store or salon and pick what is best for their hair (which is not always the most expensive product), not allowing someone else to make that decision for you.

Frankly, I would purchase Cathy Howse's book before Barry Fletcher or any other hairdresser out there (I have read Barry's book- can't compare). Cathy speaks from the consumer point-of-view and for someone who has not had any formal hair care training, she is on the money. And I have a head-full of hair to prove it!!!

I purchased Ms. Howse's book about two years ago. I had a devastating relaxer done professionally (6 months before the book) that left my hair falling out like pine needles. My hair became extremely thin, especially at the crown, and just broke off if I looked at it the wrong way! LOL (Though I was not laughing then) I had to cut my shoulder length hair into a pixie cut above my ears, thinking this would help stem the breakage. I think it got worse.

I then went to an "experienced" stylist I trusted who nursed my hair back to health. Basically, I needed to re-grow an entire head of hair. However, after some months, though my hair had filled back in some, the length was not returning. Instead, the stylist just kept cutting, and cutting explaining that cutting helps the hair grow. Little did I know! So I decided to research a new hair routine and read all of the black hair care books I could find. I tired them, and neither worked so immediately at stopping the breakage as Ms. Howse's methods. I liked her common sense approach, and yes, I gained those 6 inches of hair in a year.

Then, I got lazy, assuming I could wash my hair a little less, wear my hair out more didn't moisturize as prescribed in the book. Within a couple of months, all of that beautiful grown was gone and my hair was thinning. Needless to say, I went back to the Ultra Black Hair method, and my hair is thicker than it has been in years and grows very well. This is amazing because I have the driest, coarsest, wiry-est, nightmare-to-style hair of anyone I know. Like steel wool, it's actually pierced my skin in the past! If it works for my hair, then it must be a good thing!

The book is a practical manual for women and the products are great. Do you have to use them? Of course not. However, I found that similar, quality products I've thoroughly researched and purchased at salons cost much more than Ms. Howse's. Ultra Black Hair works.

I have been using Cathy's program since June of 2003. My hair was just at my ear when I started, it is now November and my hair is touching my shoulders and is the healthest my hair has ever been. My story is like most sisters my hair would break off before it would get to the lenth that I want, or it would thin out if it did get to the lenth (rarely), and who wants long see through hair? Out of frustration I wore braids for over a year. But I wanted to wear my own hair, when I found the program and thought I'd give it a shot. My hair was natural when I took the braids down to my horror I had not been protecting my hair I had damage it beyond belif,(I had synthetic hair not natural and it dried out my hair completly) the texture of my hair was that of matted dolls hair, and that's an insult to the dolls hair. The older part of the hair would not take the relaxer, my hairdresser had to apply it 3 times to get any change in texture, the whole time I'm praying that my hair would not melt away. Still my shoulder lenth hair had to be cut to just at my ear. Fortanatly I had Cathy's book and I followed her advice to the letter, amazingly with 3 application of relaxer at 1 sitting NO BREAKAGE!!! only natural hair shedding. I am no longer afraid of relaxers I did not exspect to enjoy the process of growing my hair out , as much as the end result, but I do. I don't understand why some of the reviewers have such a negative mindset on this book, it really seems like their nitpicking at every minute insignificant straw that they can grasp at. Well it's their loss I hope any who is looking at this review will take the time to think for themselves and really look at what these people are griping about...nothing. Also one reviewer who critizes Cathy for promoting her hair conditioner, I wonder did it ever dawn on her that there really isn't another conditioner on the market that was developed for the benifit and needs of BLACK HAIR as describe in the book. Or give credit to someone who did not sit on the sidelines an whine but did something about it. I did take the time to search the market myself and if you want the garbage that companies are promoting to take our money because THEY KNOW we want long hair but they don't want to do anything about it, That is your choice. And why don't the big companies make stuff that actually works for our hair? Because you make more money treating the problem instead of curing it. And that crap that they are selling doesn't even treat it we are just in the dark and desperate for anything that may work. The cure will come from you. Once you have the knowlege no one can ever take it away.

Before I purchased the Book by Cathy Howse I did what every other curious consumer would do,I read the reviews of her book by many. I must admit I was not impressed and I quickly became skeptical on whether or not it was worth my money and time. (...) I Hit The Jackpot!!!

This books is well written, contains essential information on proper ingredeints to look for and avoid, proper vitamins,moisturizers,tools best suitable for your hair, and how to maintain healthy hair from this point. That's right this point only. For all of you searching for a miracle; Please look elswhere. But for those of you ready to step up and take some of the responsibility on why your hair is not manageable, damaged by overuse of chemicals, curling irons,etc.. "This is the only Book On the Market" Let's Face it, We have not been naively led down some conspiracy road by the salon and hair industries, We just never asked? That's right we never inquired about ways to maintain the healthy look or healthiness of our hair. Instead we expected the stylist( who has a mortagage,car payments, childcare etc..) to encourage us to take
practical steps to maintain our hair at home. Why would they? Who else is going to make a weekly payment to their lifestlyes. Don't misread me I am not against the hair industry or salons. I'm dissappointed that they neglected to inform me and provide me with alternatives. Of course if what they were telling me were positive ways to take care of my hair, I would spend even more with them. The reason why Is simple. At anytime I was unable or did not have the time to do my own hair I would trust the person who thought enough about me to be honest not someone who just wanted to take my money. I say Buy this book and get back to the basics of simplicity, health, knowledge, realism and most of all RESPONSIBILITY.

Since I have purchased the conditioner my hair is stronger, healthier and the book has left me empowered and now I can communicate with any stylist on the planet about What is best for MY HAIR.