A list of books I plan to purchase in the future for my Naptural Library:
Book #1: Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff
Synopsis: In this funny, funky, and eminently practical guide to hair care for African American women, Bonner shares many of her own Bad Hair Days (and weeks and months) and her experiments with weaves and wigs and braids and Jheri curls; what’s more, she illustrates her text with several dozen photos of the results of those experiments–and the healthier alternatives she now recommends. Bonner’s basic advice to readers is to understand the structure and composition of African hair and find styles that take advantage of its natural curliness instead of injuring it with strong chemicals and heat in an effort to change its nature. Good Hair covers grooming tools, shampooing, conditioning, and daily maintenance; suggests substituting light texturizing for perming; describes newer wet-set styling approaches; and offers pragmatic “lifestyle” advice about coping with humidity, wind, and hot and cold weather. A useful contribution to readers’ self-esteem–and to libraries’ fashion and beauty collections.
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Book #2: Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America
Synopsis: Whether it’s hip-hop diva Lil’ Kim’s “weave of the week” or activist Angela Davis’s Afro, black hair evinces the power to set trends and define icons. In this entertaining and concise survey, Byrd (a research chief for Vibe) and Tharps (a reporter for Entertainment Weekly) revel in the social, cultural and economic significance of African-American hair from 1400 to the present. The opening chapter chronicles the rise of the slave trade, revealing intriguing facts about the significance of hair in African cultureAsuch as that only royalty donned hats or hairpieces, and recently widowed Wolof women stopped maintaining their hair as a sign of their mourning. The authors contextualize issues familiar to African-Americans while explaining black hair culture to the uninformed, so readers who don’t already know what “the kitchen” refers to (hair at the nape of the neck, usually the “nappiest”) will soon find out. Photos and illustrations are put to effective use, though amusing charts such as “Five Famous Men with Equally Famous Hair” and the “Black Hair Glossary” are out of sync with the text. Meanwhile, significant figures, like Madame C.J. Walker and Nathaniel “The Bush Doctor” Mathis, are revisited in detail in various chapters, resulting in unnecessary repetition. But these are small quibbles with a book that successfully balances popular appeal with historical accuracy, adeptly exploring the roots of pervasive intraracial discrimination while explaining, for example, how the much-maligned Jheri Curl ever became a fad. Agent, Marie Brown. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book #3: Nappy Journey: The Twisted Road to Natural Hair
Synopsis: It is amazing how a single word can conjure up feelings, places, and smells, smiles and tears. That single word is HAIR!! Likened to The Vagina Monologues for African Americans, Nappy Journey: The Twisted Road to Natural Hair is filled with rich personal histories that will have you laughing out loud and then looking for a tissue in a matter of minutes.
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Synopsis: The American standard of beauty is an optical illusion that has mesmerized the world. Artificial hair, and makeup in the hands of a beautician is equivalent to a deck of cards, a top hat and a magic wand in the hands of a magician. The multibillion-dollar beauty industry has successfully proven that the hand is quicker than the eye. Hypnotically, the public applauds the deception. Most women-even some little girls-are addictive users of the hair and cosmetic charade; yet, few know its history. Most women were convinced in childhood by subliminal messages in the media that their natural hair and facial features were substandard. Ultimately, acquiring the acceptance and applause from a well-trained public became a subconscious ritual. No civilized race or nationality is exempt. This book exposes secrets and facts about the American standard of beauty rarely revealed, such as:
- The untold truth about artificial hair
- Why natural beauty is heavily discouraged
- The cosmetic conspiracy
- A totally natural method of growing nappy hair
- What are Sisterlocks and who is its creator
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Book #5: No Lye: The African American Woman’s Guide To Natural Hair Care
Synopsis: “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
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Book #6: Textured Tresses: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair
Synopsis: Textured hair styles like Locs, Braids, Twists, Cornrows, and Knots are all the rage, adorning the heads of celebrities, athletes, and everyday folk now more than ever before. Yet, the actual caring, styling, and maintenance of textured hair still remains a mystery to many.
Now, Diane Da Costa, celebrity stylist and master designer of natural hair, unravels the tresses of textured hair, providing readers with information on the proper care of natural hair as well as a step-by-step guide on achieving various exciting styles.
Textured Tresses will help you:
- Identify and celebrate the texture you were born with (whether it’s wavy, curly, very curly, or tightly coiled)
- Keep your hair healthy and strong by using hair products and tools correctly and managing stress effectively
- Select the right stylist and salon to suit your hair care needs
- Transition from chemically relaxed hair to natural hair safely
- Experiment with color, weaves, and chemicals
- Achieve the styles you admire on your favorite movie stars and recording artists
Packed throughout with photos, illustrations, and special celebrity sections, Textured Tresses is a must-have whether you already twist, coil, loc, or want to learn how to begin.
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Read a few of these yourself? Let me know what you thought.
Have a few more titles to recommend? Drop a comment about them too.
As soon as I have secured and read these books, I will offer my own opinion of them. Until then, thanks for stopping by!
Blessed Be…
Idadi
