No Lye: The African American Woman's Guide To Natural Hair Care (Paperback)

by Tulani Kinard (Author) "THE HAIR THAT COVERS OUR BODIES is separated into three categories: short hair, lanugo hairs, and long hairs..." (more)
Key Phrases: mature locs, natural hair care, chemical straighteners, Avion Julien, Sister Locks, Months Once (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"No Lye is a degree granting, home study course in the mystique, magic and proper care of black women's hair. What a blessing!"
--Iyanla Vanzant, author of In the Meantime

"No Lye is not an ordinary how-to book. Tulani Kinard's study on African American Natural hair care is based on her philasophical belief that beauty and self-love is also healthy and biologically sound. A must-read for every African-American women, man, girl, and boy--at least!" --Bernice John Reagon
-- Review

Review

"No Lye is a degree granting, home study course in the mystique, magic and proper care of black women's hair. What a blessing!"
--Iyanla Vanzant, author of In the Meantime

"No Lye is not an ordinary how-to book. Tulani Kinard's study on African American Natural hair care is based on her philasophical belief that beauty and self-love is also healthy and biologically sound. A must-read for every African-American women, man, girl, and boy--at least!" --Bernice John Reagon

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312151802
• ISBN-13: 978-0312151805
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best!, September 6, 2000

By	NappyGirl (United States) - See all my reviews

NO LYE! is probably my favorite book on the topic of natural haircare for Black women. Although I've owned it for several years, I still find myself pulling it off the bookshelf when I'm contemplating a new style.

Tulani takes a decidedly "Afrocentric" approach to hair styling so you won't find any braid styles that "mimic" European hair (for example, there are no weaves or individual braids w/ human hair ends left free flowing).

NO LYE! is full of useful information about the various "types" of African hair and how to best care for it in it's natural state. It also contains information on hair adornment, proper diet, caring for children's hair, alopecia and dryness/breakage.

The book is full of beautiful black and white pictures of sisters (with and without extensions) sporting braids, naturals and locked styles. Since I'm considering locking my own hair, I found the info in the lock chapter to be inspiring and extremely helpful.

NO LYE is a fantastic all-around reference book for natural hair but many of the styles would probably have to be done by a professional stylist if you aren't an expert braider yourself (I'm not). There is a brief segment on how to braid with extensions but it wasn't detailed enough for me to copy. Aside from twists and short naturals, there aren't many do-it-yourself styles for natural sisters in the book.

In any case, I would recommend this book to anyone that has recently made the committment to natural hair.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Pics and Good Infomation, May 16, 2000

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

Tulani has done an excellent job of putting together the much needed info for caring for natural, chemical free, hair. Why there are so few books on the subject is a mystery to me given the health ramifications involved with continuously using caustic chemicals on ones scalp. But, the need to "fit in" is greater than the need for a healthy life. Well I am finally brave enough and secure in my own heart to know that whatever God gave me is what I have and if it sticks straight up then it sticks straight up. I use this book as a reference guide along with Pamela Ferrell and Lonnice Bonner's books. It helps to re-read some of the sections when you are staring in the mirror with a head full of nappy hair and thinking why oh why don't I just get a perm. Whenever I feel the urge to take that road I read one of my reference guides. Not only for the how to info but the moral support as well. My hair is now 6 to 7 inches and growing like crazy. In other words it quit breaking off and I think that the longer it gets the easier it will be to manage. I look forward to the day I can easily wear buns and do single braids. This isn't far off but until this time I will deal with the twisting and braiding while I wait for a few more inches to grow.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overjoyed!, November 26, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Decatur, Georgia) - See all my reviews

I heard about this book in passing and was anxious to read it. I LOVED this book! As a college student who will graduate in a few years I am constantly searching for hairstyles that I can wear on a job interview or hangin' out with my girls. Ms. Kinard's book allowed me to explore some natural hair options for myself (I don't plan on putting a chemical back into my hair ever) and push my mom towards the natural hair experience (it really is healthier). This book is especially helpful if you're coming out of a chemical and want to strengthen your hair, or if you just want to know a little more about the whole natural hair movement. One thing I can guarantee, you won't want to go back to chemically-treated hair after turning the last page.