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Summary: Finally Someone Who Knows Curly Hair
Review: After I bought this book I put it away and forgot about it, until I was rearranging my bookcase. I took it out and started reading and had to finish. I LOVED IT!!! Finally advice on taking care of curly hair that makes sense. She shows how to care for the different types of curly hair, she doesn't promote any brand...just tells you the ingredients you need to look for and why, the difference in straight and curly hair and why you need to treat curly hair like a fine cashmeir sweater. I've never used blowdryers or curling irons and always let my hair just dry. But still I have seen an improvement in my curls since I started just using conditioner. My hair stylist of 19 years was willing to listen and work with me and very interested in it to tell her other curly clients. Even my 3 curly sisters that I see twice a year noticed and improvement and so I am buying them each a copy.
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Summary: seems counterintuitive, but it makes sense!
Review: I've had a lifetime of not knowing how to deal with my coarse, kinky, extremely thick hair. It frizzed, it flopped, it yanked ponytail holders down with its weight and caused barrettes to snap and go flying across the room. Some parts wanted to curl, some wanted to be straight. Very little of it wanted to cooperate. In the end, as an adult, I did what my parents did: had it cut really short, and wrestled it into place every morning with an ever-changing array of "product".Not anymore, not since reading Lorraine Massey's book. I was already down to shampooing twice a week, having figured out that shampoo irritated my scalp. Turns out that was the detergent component found in most drugstore shampoos. Thanks to Ms. Massey, I now "wash" my hair with a mild conditioner, massage the scalp thoroughly with my fingertips, apply a gloppy thick conditioner to the (growing) ends, rinse a little, add a wee bit of gel and call it done. For the first time in my life, my hair doesn't stand up in the morning. For the first time, I just spritz a little lavender water on it, give it a pat, and go. For the first time, my scalp is not emitting heinous, oily dandruff. And I'm getting compliments on my "new" curly hair. One of the best things about the book is that Massey details what ingredients to look for in hair products that benefit curly hair. She talks about what all those ingredients do, what you want, what you don't want. This has simplified a lot of drugstore angst. There are also many fun and useful hair/scalp treatments to make at home. Massey has no loyalty to a brand and she's not trying to sell products. In short, this book has been a blessing. I've got to say it's not for everyone, and the first couple of weeks were really tough going. That's when my scalp was "healing" (dandruff), my hair was adjusting to all the new moisture, and I felt self-conscious that people would point at me and think I was dirty (eek! no shampoo!). At three weeks though, just as she said, I turned the corner. Now my scalp feels clean, and my hair is soft instead of coarse. Plus it shines. Hooray for Lorraine Massey!
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Summary: Curly girl rocks!!
Review: Okay first off, Massey does say to shampoo if your hair is wavy as opposed to curly. If you actually read the book she talks about this. Also, I do have been told that I have fine hair but lots of it. The actual thickness of each strand of your hair has nothing to do with how many strands you have. BIG difference between thickness and amount of hair. This book is great. I have somewhat oily hair so I do use her advice to purchase very gentle shampoo. I think is commendable that a hairstylist writes a book and not only tells us not to buy every product there is but how to make really inexpensive homemade ones as well. And, believe it or not I have found a hairstylist that cuts my hair while it's dry to observe if all my waves are going the right way - the bonus- she works at a hair cutting discount-chain!!! So have faith and keep looking and asking. You can call just about any salon and find someone who knows curly/wavy hair.
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Summary: A lifesaver for curly girls everywhere
Review: Before this book, I hated my curly hair. I didn't take much care of it, so it turned into a frizzy, knotty mess. But after reading this book, I was so inspired, I went to the local hairdresser for a hair cut and I started following the directions in this book for taking care of curly hair right away. I have to say, it's been life-changing. My hair feels great- no frizz, messy hair, or tangles. This book's main message is to love your curly hair and treat it as if it were your best cashmere sweater. At times, you may think that Lorraine Massey (the author) is crazy. She tells you to stop blow-drying your hair, and shocking as it may sound, give up on shampoo and only use conditioner. But don't be fooled; her plan will save your hair's life. Included in this book are daily routine for corkscrew, Boticelli, wavy, and African-American hair, along with home remedies, simple, inexpensive products you can make yourself at home, quizzes to find out your hair type and the attention it needs, answers to FAQs, confessions of other curly girls, and much, much more. If you're looking for a book that will teach you to love, take care of, and maintain your curls simply, then this is the book for you!
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Summary: This book is great for WAVY hair types too!
Review: I checked this book out from my local library and later on had to buy a copy online because it was so good! I have fine hair and for the last few years I've been blow-drying it straight because I didn't think there wasn't enough wave or curl to style it any other way. Then I read this book and began taking care of my hair in the recommended way and wow! My hair is healthier and curlier than it ever has been before! All of my friends began to notice my new hairstyle and how great my hair looked and they love it! They've been asking me how it's done and some have even started to follow the recommendations and love how their hair turned out. I give this book 5 stars!
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Summary: Nice book, but not for those with WAVY hair
Review: I followed the advice in this book--even though it seemed like a lot of work and kind of out of kilter... NOT using shampoo??? This may work GREAT for actual CURLY headed women. but, my hair is wavy and although the author claims it will work for me, it didn't. My hair looked no worse, no better even after 6 weeks. Also, she claimed empahtically that curly/wavy hair is fine. She maintained adamently that people like "us" don't have thick hair, it only looks that way. Well, Ms. Massey, I hate to disappoint you but I not only have unreal thick hair, it is in fact coarse, not fine at all. Matter of fact, every time I go in for a trim, etc., they always comment on how much hair I actually have on my head--may be part of why her advice didn't help me? Something I did find bothersome... while her detailed advice on how to cut curly hair may be valid, how would you, the consumer find someone who would cut that way? You can't take the book into your hairdresser and tell her she's cutting your hair wrong. How could you tell ahead of time that the stylist WOULD cut it that way??? I'm saying, how does it help ME the consumer to know how to cut curly hair... I can't cut my own hair. I think she should direct some curly hair cutting advice to STYLISTS... perhaps a book or class for them? At any rate, probably of great use to curly haired women. Not so much for wavy haired gals.
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Summary: Nice book, but not really for African-American women
Review: Overall, this is a good book with helpful tips that can be used by all women with curly hair texture. However, most of the black women featured either are biracial and have relatively loose curls, or they choose to wear very short hair, extensions or locs and don't necessarily have to deal daily with their curls. There is a chapter dedicated to African American women, but the only style suggested specifically for African American women is the straw set, which is only for short hair, is incredibly time-consuming and therefore not a practical style for everyday wear. Despite these complaints, the book offers some nice homemade recipes and I believe the underlying principles of hair care can be adapted for women with especially curly and kinky hair.
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Summary: This is amazing!
Review: This book is fun and easy to read. It is written in a light, conversational tone, with great pictures and wonderful ideas for hair care. I too was skeptical, having read all and tried all to care for my curly hair, and resorted to ponytails and braids for most of my adult life. But, now I have two daughters, one with wavy, and the other with exceedingly curly hair, which inspired me to once-and-for-all figure it out. I want my girls to know how beautiful they are and not feel pressured to conform to the straight-hair standard of beauty and sex appeal! I have been using the hair care techniques for just a few days on myself and my daughers, aged 5 and 3. The results are wonderful! Even my husband has noticed and commented on our beautiful hair. The best part is the strict NO BRUSHING rule. My girls think they are in heaven! The advice is clear, well demonstrated, easy to follow, simple routine. I am very lazy with my hair, and have always refused a cut that would require blowing dry or lots of time and product, and this routine for hair care is not a time consumer. Highly recommended to curly girls everywhere!
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Summary: Frizz Free & Sexy: Curly Girl Shows YOU How!!!
Review: I've had to deal with my curls all my life, and I was hoping that Ouidad's book would help (Curl Talk). It didn't. I later purchased Massey's book, Curly Girl, which has totally helped. As a professional model, the way my hair looks is an integral part of my career. I saw Ouidad on Glow (the TV show on the Style Network) and thought that although she merely COATED Linda Lopez's hair with product, maybe the book would have more to it. Not true. The book -as another reviewer said- was pure, shameless self promotion and did LITTLE to provide actual assistance in the matter of caring for you hair. On the other hand, Massey's book, Curly Girl, gave you TOOLS to care for your hair, and even developed a fool-proof system. What I liked most about MASSEY'S system is that she wrote about all types of curl textures, regardless of your ethnicity. Furthermore, I even visited Massey's salon in NYC, which is called Devachan, and I must admit that they actually walked the walk & talked the talk. The knowledge behind Curly Girl is apparent in the salon, & I only wish that *all* women had a salon like that near them! (I traveled from Michigan...I was in NYC for a fashion show.) Bottom line: If you want to be taught to buy products, get Ouidad's book. If you want to be taught about your hair, how to care for it, how to love it, and what works for it & get it to look good, buy Massey's. Massey's language is simple, easy to understand, and the underlying view of the book is about self-acceptance and self-love. From a scientific to a cultural standpoint, Massey has shown great care, concern and research into her CurlyBible. The choice is clear, Curlies. Pony up to Curly Girl & get ready to rock your world. I love it, I continue to recommend it, and I am an avid believer in this book. Further, you can even go to www.naturallycurly.com and the ladies there can also help you.
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Summary: Had given up on having my childhood curls again
Review: After turning 30, my hair seemed to have a mind of its own. I had curly hair all my life and loved it. But suddenly is seemed to go away. I could only manage a small wave with lots of hairspray. I have a closet full of shampoos, conditioners and styling products that promised to bring my curls back. I cut my hair short and then tried to grown out my layers, all in an attempt to "move on." Then I stumbled onto this book at a bookstore. I read a little bit and then went home and skipped the shampoo for 2 days. I have ringlets I haven't had since early childhood!!!!!! I went back and bought the book and now review it religiously. I changed hair dressers, threw away my hairbrush and am "separated" from my hair dryer. I highly suggest this book!!!!!!
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