Video | Curly Halo Book Review

If you have been paying any kind of attention to my blog and channel, you may have noticed that I like natural hair and hair care books. I have a few reviews here and there and have an entire video dedicated to sharing my favorites.

So, it comes as no surprise that I decided to do a review of "Curly Halo" by Kimberly Elise. Someone reached out to me from her blog team and I accepted a copy of the book and a code to share with you all. The code can be found in the description box of the video on Youtube.

Overall I think the book is an attractive, easy read that gets straight to the point about natural hair care. You won't find super scientific and detailed descriptions of how hair works. You won't find more advanced topics like how and when to do a protein treatment or clarify. It reads like a "pick up and get started" workbook and that is exactly what I feel this is.

For even more detail and to snag that code, watch the video: https://youtu.be/Ss1xycUj4L8

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Video | Recommended Natural Hair Books

I have always loved reading. In school I blazed through large books like Harry Potter and Twilight in a matter of days. So it's only natural that I would also enjoy reading natural hair books.

In this video I discuss my favorite natural hair books. I give you information on what each book is about, why I like it, and the value I think you'd get from it. Check out the video to get all of the details.

Also, it is worth it to add that my favorite way to read these books is through the public library. I only pay if the book is going to stay! Rhyming, fully intended.

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Book Review | Ultimate Black Hair Growth II

Earlier in June I went back to Georgia to help out my mom. She had had surgery and was not allowed to drive. One day she wanted to go to the library because they had completely remodeled it and opened it again. We scoped it out and then got ready to go. We stepped outside, saw that it was raining, then stepped right back in to wait it out. I decided to see what haircare books they had so I could read something while we waited.

I was excited to find that they had Ultimate Black Hair Growth II by Cathy Howse. I read pretty deeply into it before the rain cleared so my mom checked it out for me and I finished it before I went back to Florida. Here are my thoughts on the book:

Cathy Howes' book lays the foundation for much of the haircare information online today. This book was published a little before a lot of the hair care blogs, forums, and youtube channels existed. I see Howes' ideas of more frequent washing and constantly keeping "our" hair moisturized echoed a thousand times throughout these media. Howse explains that the scalp needs to be healthy and clean because that is the source of hair growth. Furthermore she points out that the shape of African American hair makes it more dry, thus the need for regular moisturizing.

There are holes in some of the information. Perhaps it is my inquisitive nature but at times this book does not explain the "why?" behind concepts. Howse advises that we avoid shampoos that lather too much as they are similar to detergent and dry the hair. This is true but how would one know that the shampoo lathers to much without buying and trying the product? We now know that sulfate is responsible for the extra lather and simply checking the ingredients label will let you know if the shampoo "lathers too much."

There really isn't much specific reference to ingredients at all and I think that is a very important element. In my early regimen days I found out that I was using products loaded with protein and they were breaking my hair off! Thinking of breakage which makes me think of ends, Howse does not trim her ends at all and does not advise you do so either. This differs from a lot of the advice in the black hair care community. She also suggests that the elements do not cause ends to dry out it is simply the hair being dry of itself. So, if you keep your ends moisturized you should not need protective styles.

Howse also mentions another "Hair Care OG" in her book, Wanakee. Wanakee is all for trimming and protective styles so you know "shots were fired." lol. In fact, a lot of shots were fired as Howse spends a chunk of the book defending her method.

In the end I am happy I read a piece of self hair care history. I recommend others read this book and glean from it what they will.  

Check it out here: http://go.magik.ly/ml/8kh/

What hair books have you read lately? Comment below! 

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Book Review: Haylie Pomroy's "The Fast Metabolism Diet"

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/FastMetabolismDiet. The book was provided free of cost but my opinions are my own.

If you follow me on Facebook, then you saw me mention that I had received this book nearly a month ago. You also know that I was a bit apprehensive before actually reading the book.

The first thing that jumped out to me, was the cover and it's claims. This book says you can lose 20 lbs in 28 days! According to the usual up to 2 lbs a week recommendation, one could only expect to lose 8 lbs in 28 days. So, already I was giving Pomroy the side eye for saying that one could lose a whole 12 lbs more than what is considered normal and healthy.

Then, I actually began to read the book. I enjoyed Pomroy's writing style. I almost felt as though I was having a conversation with a girlfriend that so happens to be a nutritionist. The book is organized into just a few sections. The first section of the book tells us of the success of Pomroy's clients. The next section burst through some common diet myths. I particularly enjoyed this section because some of these things Pomroy said, I already believed. The following section gets really scientific and goes into great detail about the metabolism. I was beginning to feel that there was something to this fast metabolism diet.

The rest of the book is spent breaking down the actual diet plan and also includes lists of allowed foods and recipes  On to my thoughts on the actual diet...The fast metabolism diet consists of three different phases, each lasting 2-3 days. During each phase there is a focus on a nutrient or nutrients that are supposed to help heal some part of the organs that help you metabolize your food. No matter what the "nutrients of the day" are, you are expected to eat 5-6x a day to keep your metabolism going.

This diet is meant to last for 28 days to heal your metabolism, then you can go your merry way. Pomroy states that many of her clients make the diet their lifestyle or repeat it at the beginning of each season. Personal experiences have led me to believe this diet definitely works, but not because of a magical metabolism repairing reason. The fast metabolism diet forces you to eat real food. When you eat real food, you take in fewer calories, despite eating more and your body gets the vitamins and nutrients it probably was missing on a diet rich in processed food. The fast metabolism diet is more like a clean eating jump start.

Most of my meals consist of real food and I do not eat the 5-6x a day required by the fast metabolism diet nor do I focus on specific nutrients, yet I have been consistently losing weight since August of last year. I am down 20 lbs and a pants size. What I am doing is working...without a fast metabolism. Despite my personal experience, I still recommend this book. Too many people are on fad or starvation diets, devoid of any real nutrition, that have them trapped in a weight gain cycle. Do the fast metabolism diet. Exercise regularly. Then begin eating mostly real food.







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Book Review: Nikki Walton's "Better Than Good Hair"

I'm about a month late doing this review, but it is better late than never! Now, I usually dislike most hair books except for my few favorites, so I snagged Nikki's book from my public library.

What It's All About...
"Better Than Good Hair" is a from-the-ground-up, back to basics natural hair guide. If you are wondering how to do the most basic care to your or even your child's natural hair, it's in this book. It is even divided into hair phases: Transitioning, Big Chop, TWA, etc.

My Reaction...
I was delighted to see so many familiar faces in this book. I saw bloggers and YouTubers that I follow and admire. I love anything that brings women of color together positively. I also enjoyed how complete the book is. You could be clueless about natural hair, read this book, and walk away knowledgeable.

However, I cannot lie, if you are a bit more knowledgeable about natural hair (you've been natural for over a year, you regularly read natural hair blogs, you watch a lot of YouTube videos), you may not see much new information in this book. I was familiar with most of the concepts in this book and had also passed some of the hair stages that divide the book into sections. That does not erase how useful this book will certainly be to some. I can think of a handful of people I would refer to this book right off the top of my head!

To Sum It Up...
If you are a new natural, don't hesitate--buy. If you are a more seasoned natural, still buy this book. It makes for great gifting to family and friends who have expressed interest in or who have just gone natural. I'm giving this book two out of three hearts, simply because I was probably not the target audience.

♥♥ out of 3

Get your copy of the book here: http://go.magik.ly/ml/8k0/


                               




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Book Review: Curly Like Me

If you haven't been able to tell, I've been getting my read on this summer--which is something I enjoy, but can't really do during the school year. So, one of my recent reads has been Teri LaFlesh's "Curly Like Me." I enjoy Teri's site and personal story so I was excited to purchase and begin reading her book.

What its All About...
Teri's book tells you her own hair story which is pretty varied and extensive. It details how she came to love her hair after fighting with it for years. Her book is basically a collection of the pages from her website detailing a simple regimen that works with not against your curls. She also includes a few styles--not found on the website and details how the hair is made up and helps you break down the ingredients in hair products.

My Reaction...
I really enjoyed seeing all of the photos of Teri's hair as you can see just how much of a difference her new techniques have made in her hair. Trust me y'all...it's a whole new world! Now, I am very familiar with her site so a lot of the regimen was pretty much a rehash for me. What was new and I really enjoyed were all of the hairstyles. Some I had never thought of doing before and hope to try. I also liked how she broke down the product ingredients, because on her site she recommends products, but it's great to be able to find out if that new product will do all of the things that a product needs to do with Teri's regimen. (The conditioner that you leave in must be able to detangle, moisturize, and weigh down your curls. It must also act as a daily refresher/moisturizer. That's a lot!)

To sum it up...
I'm giving this book two out of 3 stars, not because it isn't good, but only because the same information can be found on her website. It is still a good read and--if I had purchased a hard copy instead of the iPhone version--it could serve as a quick reference instead of having to visit the site. The products ingredients and hairstyles are worth a read and I plan to one day give Teri's regimen a shot.

Visit her site here: http://www.tightlycurly.com 


♥♥/2 GOOD

 

Book Review: Grow It!

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So, I finally got my hands on Grow it! by Chicoro (A member of LHCF and Fotki). I was thrilled that I finally got my hands on a book written by one of the people who's Fotki I'd drooled over. I read the book in a day. Here's what I thought of it.

What its All About...
Chicoro tells of the beginning of her hair journey and breaks down her "grow it process". I can best describe the process as a collection of tips that can be incorporated into your already defined regimen or help you build one of your own.

My Reaction...
I really enjoyed reading Chicoro's own story at the beginning of the book. I never knew that there was a time that she could play with the un-braided tip of her braid and the whole inch or so would break off. Everyone has a starting place and hers is described in great detail in her book. I also like how easily her process can be incorporated into an already established regimen. I did some of the things already that are mentioned in the book and others I had been considering. I also enjoyed how she explained why each tip was necessary. People always want to know why and how and Chicoro gives it to them at the end of each of her sections.

To sum it up...
I give this book three out of three hearts and believe it to be a great read for those starting out like Chicoro in the beginning of the book. I also can't argue with the fact that I got it FREE with the gift cards I'd won and I got FREE two day shipping with my FREE amazon prime account. Good book...good deal...Now, go get your copy!

♥♥♥/3 EXCELLENT!

♥ KAYLA