Curly Girl : : the Handbook

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

I do not recommend. submitted by Cherie on July 10, 2023, 5:11pm This book was not helpful, to say the least. I picked it up thinking it might offer some good tips on how to handle my curly hair, but it was more like an “As Seen On TV” ad about curly hair, and it was full of contradictions and non-sequiturs.

For example, it said in one chapter to NEVER use elastic bands in curly hair - only use scrunchies. Then in the style chapter it tells you to use an elastic band to achieve a particular hair style. Another example is how the author pushes so hard to be rid of almost all hair products (including shampoo), but then says to use a variety of products (including a “hair cleanser” aka shampoo) during and after washing, throughout the day, and before bed. That’s way to much junk sitting in my hair, and way too much work to maintain.

The book also gives straight up bad advice. For example, using conditioner on your scalp has been condemned by all my hair dressers because it can irritate the scalp and cause dandruff. The “hair cleansers” recipes contain ingredients like lemon juice and baking soda, which make hair dry and brittle. And judging a stylist on whether or not they have curly hair is just nonsense.

It was also quite disturbing how cult-like the tone is about curly hair, and how it seems like life should revolve around naturally curly hair. Several of the “confessions” inferred that fighting naturally curly hair practically ruined several people’s lives. However, the “confessions” weren’t without their share of contradictions either. One of the folks said she preferred straight hair, and another was happier just shaving her head.