5 Hair Care Books That Should Be On Your Book Shelf Now

We have become a microwave society, meaning we want everything fast, right now, and in a hurry. In terms of hair care, we want our hair to grow now, be thick now, and be healthy now.

We follow everyone who have accomplished our own ultimate hair goals for those “special secrets” to get what we want now.

However, we often get burned in the end and fail at following the same methods as others when we thought they would be great for our hair. Why? All because of our own impatience.

The internet has become so convenient for us, because we can get the information that we need in an instant. However, it is easy to miss something so important and vital that can help you succeed in your own hair care journey.

Sometimes we just need to slow it down and do the research from books. Below is a list of 5 must-have hair care books that will help you in your own hair care journey.

These books are not only filled with useful information, but they are great investments for your own hair care future and will fill in the missing pieces that you just cannot get from the internet:

The Science of Black Hair

Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, a health scientist and a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, is the author of this most highly-rated reference textbook on black hair care today.

The Science of Black Hair is based on research and testimony in how to maintain chemically-treated and natural hair for optimal hair health.

This book is filled with valuable information about hair and scalp structure, how to regulate PH balance, protein and moisture balance, product selection, how to build a healthy hair regimen, and so much more.

There are real photos of textured hair at a microscopic level to get an extensive understanding of the science of black hair. This book is very technical, but it is very straight-forward and an easy read.

Curly Girl: The Handbook (2nd Edition)

Lorraine Massey is the founder and co-owner of Devachan in New York City, with her passion being all types of curly hair. Her book is not only filled with how to care for all types of curly hair, but she gives daily routines in how to care for each one of them as well.

The Curly Girl Method or “no shampoo” method is held in high regard as being the best recommended way to care for curly hair.

This is a method where you would not use shampoo to cleanse your hair, but wash your hair with a conditioner (know as cowashing) to give your curls ultimate moisture instead of stripping your natural oils* with the sulfates that are in shampoos.

You would also use silicone-free products to style your hair, in order to keep your curls hydrated as well. Curly Girl is a fun read with vibrant pictures and step-by-step tutorials for cowashing and styling your curls.

If You Love It, It Will Grow

Dr. Phoenyx Austin, M.D., is a fitness specialist who is the fabulous author of If You Love It, It Will Grow. This book takes a different tone to black hair care portraying great connection between how women feel about themselves and their own hair.

This deep message explains the need to love your own hair by nurturing, protecting, having patience with, and committing to your hair with feelings of self-love and self-acceptance.

She gives quality information on how to grow afro-textured hair and how to stop hair breakage by being healthy in your diet and creating a regimen based on holistic hair care.

The two questions she wants us to answer throughout the entire book are, “Do you love your hair?” and “How do you love your hair?” When you have finished reading this book, you will understand that “if you love your hair, it will grow.”

Better Than Good Hair

Nikki Walton (founder of CurlyNikki and a licensed psychotherapist with a Masters in Psychology from the University of North Carolina) and Ernessa Carter (a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Masters of Fine Arts) are the prominent authors of Better Than Good Hair.

I’m sure you all have at least heard of this book or you’re probably reading it now! Nikki starts the book off by telling her own hair story with the purpose to help others with their own healthy hair journeys.

This book also explains in depth the stages from the Big Chop to being all grown up with step-by-step styles, routine guides, and hair products recommendation.

You will find this book is encouraging, full of love, and support. Better Than Good Hair is must-read reference book to help you in each stage as you travel in your hair journey.

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black America

Ayana D. Byrd (a graduate of Barnard College with a Bachelors in political science) and Lori L. Tharps (a graduate of Colombia University with a Masters in Journalism) are the renowned authors of Hair Story.

This book encompasses the enriching history of our black hair roots. From black hair in bondage, crossing over to the changing politics of our hair, and ending up to the present day of “team natural” taking over in society is explained in depth.

Not only does this book give important milestones in African American history, but the evolution of black hair is greatly declared as well. Hair Story is a fresh and easy read for those who get lost in history books, but want to understand the enriching history of black hair.

This book is important for your own hair care to understand why we think of own hair a certain way and how to love our own black hair again. This book is definitely enjoyable and quite the page turner.

There you have it, several treasure troves of information that have a place in your arsenal of hair care aids. Which books have helped you on your hair journey?