Curly Girl

Rating:
Summary: This Book Really Made a Difference
Review: I've been struggling with my curls for 29 years now. I've tried chemical relaxers, hot irons, and every product under the sun. My mom used to perm my curls to make them more uniform. I've always worn my hair curly becuase it was just to hard for me to straighten my hair. But it always looked bad and I felt as if I lacked the necessary membership into the good hair club.

As a result of follwing the plans in this book, I am much happier with my hair. I finally know what to do with it. It has an updated style and my curls look healthy and more formed. I was actually wondering if my hair was wavy or curly, I now think I might have corkscrew curls.

My husband, who is a tough critic, said that he was thrilled with the results. He said he knew I always had beautiful hair hiding there somewhere.

The recommended products are not expensive. In fact she more tells you to look for products with certain ingredients. I have a new modern way of styling my hair and now know what to do with my daughters curls.

This book is a must have for anyone with naturally curly hair.

Rating:
Summary: All I can say is WOW!!
Review: Last weekend I was walking around the bookstore trying to waste some time until my movie started. I happened to notice this book and started paging through it, all of the sudden I felt as though this book was written specifically for me. Like the author was inside my head and knew every single thought I had ever had about my crazy hair. I bought the book and as I read through it, I was more and more excited about my hair. I right away gave up shampoo and all my $20/oz "miracle" products, and I haven't looked back yet! On wednesday my boyfriend told me how nice my hair looked and this morning the little girl that I nanny for asked me why I didn't have my ponytail "on." I feel amazing, Like someone finally gave me the instruction manual to my head!! This is a great book, it is a definate must have for anyone with curls! Not only will you look better, you feel better!
!

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book that validates my hair program
Review: First--I am 62 years old (grew up in the Carol Lynley, Twiggy era--silky, straight blonde hair--have very curly hair, colored to a honey blonde, and live in Miami, Florida, frizz capital of the world.

All of the above could indicate that I am "mane-ly" challenged...but:

About 35 years ago, after having an enormous fight with my very expensive, Madison Avenue hair stylist, who refused to cut my hair dry, although it was December and I was just getting over pneumonia, I picked up a pair of serrated hair-cutting scissors, started cutting my own hair DRY, and never looked back. (Think of the time and money I have saved all these years--I have not seen the inside of a beauty salon since.)

Last August, after cutting my shoulder-length hair that I had been tying back to control--it and was getting thinner on top because of the tension--I decided to shampoo only once or twice a week. All was starting to improve and then I found "Curly Girl" while on vacation.


My hair has not seen shampoo since, has been colored with only demi-permanent colors, and has been the source of daily compliments--even from my husband, unbelievable that he even notices after 41 years of marriage.

A few of my own discoveries:

· I have made a study of ingredients, second only to searching with terror for MSG. I use only products that Lorraine would sanction.

· I have not completely eliminated the "cones," silicone-containing products. Even skin cream has them.

· I have found that any hair conditioner makes a great cleanser, even the cheapy kind from Costco.

· I still swear by Sebastian Potion 9 (including the knock-off version in Sally's Beauty Supply) and found that it does contain the ingredients that Lorraine lists.

· Every night I slather Cetaphil (yes, the moisturizing lotion) on my skin and all over my hair. Then I rub aloe gel, $3.99 a bottle from Walgreen's, into my scalp.

That's it.

Thank you, Lorraine. I wish you had entered my "head" much earlier.


Rating:
Summary: More than just a "how-to"!
Review: I had already gone air-dry, no-shampoo under the guidance of a curl-friendly stylist when I bought this book, but there's a lot more to it than just advice on how to take care of your hair. This book is about *loving* your hair, appreciating your natural beauty instead of trying to get your hair stick-straight like everyone else. This book makes you think, "Wait a minute - why is our culture so violently opposed to curly hair? Why should curly-haired women have to spend thousands of hours and thousands of dollars to make their hair not look like theirs?"

I loved getting to see the pictures of women with curly hair. I thought their hair was absolutely gorgeous and it made me feel, for the first time, *privileged* to have the gift of naturally curly hair. I've given my copy of the book to my curly-haired sister (who still blow-dries hers straight) and I'm planning on passing this message on to other curly girls.

Rating:
Summary: No Poo Girls Have Beautiful Curls
Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have been doing the No Poo thing for about a week now, and my hair has never looked better. My hair is soft, my curls are more defined, and no longer frizzy. After the first morning of trying this, I found myself singing the new McDonalds Jingle - da da da da da - I'm loving it! Curly hair is beautiful hair, when it doesn't look like straw. This book is a must have for anyone with curly hair!

Rating:
Summary: Kramer No More!
Review: As a child, I was 'brillo head' and as an adult I used to occasionally get compared to 'Kramer' from Seinfeld! How bad did *I* feel? I'd look at Nicole Kidman's beautiful tresses and think "yeah right, she has a stylist!" I have very thin but curly, frizzy hair and have never really known what to do with it. I for years pinned it back or wore it short. I wandered across this book in our local library. I checked it out thinking, "It can't hurt!" I was already only shampooing every 3rd day, but still had soft but unmanageable, frizzy hair. Tried every product under the sun including reverse permanents to 'straighten my curl' and even 'Ouidad' products which were expensive and made my hair look wet. I couldn't believe the author's recommendations about giving up shampoo! I was very skeptical but decided to give it a try considering the years of dissatisfaction (and short haircuts to control my curls). The first week was tough! I had to step up my face care regimen, too, because I definitely had more 'oil' present on my face and scalp. Though it felt strange, I stuck with it. I'm sooo glad I did. My hair was looking better all the time. More defined curls, more shine. I'm half Arabic and have always thought my problem with my hair was that I was neither 100% white nor 100% Arabic. Not the case. I just didn't know how to take care of it. This book showed me some concrete steps to take. If you are at all hesitant, check it out of the libary. I'm certain you'll decide (like I did) that you want to own it. Thanks to this book, I am now enjoying my curls. I've gotten more compliments in the 3 months since attempting this than in my entire adult life! Best of all, I am happy with how my hair looks and feels. I've thrown away lots of useless haircare products, follow her simple recipes, and now know which ones to buy (System Biolage makes a nice clear gel containing the products she recommends). I'm recommending the book to curly girls that I know.

Rating:
Summary: Curly Hair Bible!
Review: I just recently bought this book after hearing from all my fellow curly haired friends how great it was. Wow, they were right...my hair has never looked better. I have embraced my corkscrew curls with avengance and rid myself of the product graveyard I use to have. I have referred back to the book multiple times and used it to help other curlies too. Thanks to Lorraine for thinking of all of us and not keeping these secrets to herself.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: I'm African-American with very tightly coiled hair and let me say that nothing short of chemical relaxers could give me any control over the wild frizz and tangles. I've tried all the other curly salons and over the counter products but I always went back to chemicals. I bought the book, went to the salon in NYC and was told by the stylist that she would not give me a relaxer until I gave her a chance to sample the products. Well after my hair cut, which was done on dry hair, then my shampoo with no-poo, followed by the conditioner my hair was the softest and easiest to comb through. In fact a comb was not even used on my very dense hair just fingers. I've been using the products for a month and I am sold! I've been giving the stuff away for christmas presents along with the book! The stylist was right I did not need a relaxer. Those days are over thanks to this book!
T.F.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring, wiring, and firing!
Review: I picked up this book because I don't have curly hair and want it so badly. I've always been fascinated by corkscrews, spirals, and waves. The book grabbed me from page one and I couldn't put it down. It turns out I'm a curly girl too! My hair has just enough wave in it that, with the help of this book, I can naturally encourage it to curl. I definitely recommend this well-written, easy-to-read book for any girl with the tightest of corkscrew curls or the loosest of waves!