Curly Girl: The Handbook

My hair is finally growing faster and healthier than better. I have been having a hard time because my mom and most of my family has straight hair while I go my grandfather's curls. I was unknowingly damaging my hair for years and I plan on taking more care of my hair/body from now on. 22 years of causing frizz and harm to my hair but not anymore!

Well written introduction for those choosing to (or thinking about choosing to) embrace their wavy/curly hair. Easy to follow presentation. Well worth the read!

I ordered this book back in November after a few friends recommended the CG Method. It takes nearly 2 months to arrive when I order anything because I have to wait for the APO system. I finally picked up this book from my shelf as I just finished a different series. I cannot express my disappointment enough as I turn to the first page in the book--page number 35! I bought this book as "used-very good." I'm not sure how you can consider a book very good that is missing the first 34 pages. I'm just so disappointed.

This is the most helpful hair book that I have ever purchased. As a black girl, I never thought of my kinky hair as curly. But after wearing it naturally for five years, I realize that's exactly what it is -- curly. Very, very small curls, but curls nevertheless. Anyway, most black hair salons do not cater to women who choose to wear their hair naturally -- they would rather press it straight, or do straw sets or other things that limit my activities and would have me in a beautician's chair every week. I work out five times a week, so I need something that I can do at home most of the time. So I turned to books dedicated to curly hair. This one is amazing! So many of the tips are useful and practical, things that you can easily do at home. After using some of the tips in this book, the only bad hair days that I have had have been when I use a flat-iron to straighten my hair! I spend less time styling my hair when it is curly, I take better care of it now that I know what it wants (moisture, not detergents or pomades). And my black and white coworkers, and even my other black friends with natural hair, are constantly complimenting me.

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.

As my 40th birthday loomed close I was seriously considering cutting my "boticelli" long hair. Then I read "Curly Girl" and decided to keep my curls. It KILLED me to stop shampooing for the first week. I haven't had a bad hair day in 6 weeks. I've learned new pinning techniques, easy styles that look fabulous and my hair which was always dry has never felt softer or looked more in control. I've gotten oodles of compliments from women and men alike. A friend's husband works for the largest distributor of hair care products in the USA and couldn't stop telling me what great hair I had. When I told him I'd quit shampoo'ing he was a bit hurt! BUY THIS BOOK for yourself or a curly friend.

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.

My beautiful wife has luxurious and rich, curly hair. While in the bookstore recently, I saw this book, Curly Girl, and impulsively, I purchased it for her. However, my curiosity got the better of me and I am the one who read the book first. The more I read the more I realised that managing curly hair is one of life's persistent daily problems that can not be ignored or postponed. The author's daily ordeals with managing her hair and helping others with curly hair gave me a perspective on an ongoing chore in my wife's life that I had underrated. Before reading this book I didn't understand my wife's difficulties with managing her hair, the time and attention required for the daily task and the repercussions of ignoring the daily ritual. I got to understand how managing the hair was not merely daily grooming but an aspect of mental reflection. Humorous, informative, and easy to read, I highly recommend it especially to men whose wives and girlfriends have curly hair.