Curly Girl: More Than Just Hair...It's an Attitude : A Celebration of Curls : How to Cut Them, Care for Them, Love Them, and Set Them Free

Curly girls of the world unite! Sixty-five percent of women have naturally curly hair, but for too long too many of these women have either been at a loss on how to care for their hair properly or, worse, have gone through life pretending they have straight hair. No more. Lorraine Massey, a professional hairstylist and passionate proponent of curly hair, celebrates the curly girl way of life, from hair care to carefree attitude.

Beginning with The Curly Girl's Twelve-Step Program (Step Three: I will accept that the scalp and hair are two different entities with completely different needs, and I will treat them accordingly), CURLY GIRL is an illustrated how-to, support group, and tongue-in-cheek manifesto all in one.

There are tips on shampoo (never daily), conditioners (use lots), drying, combing (only when wet and well-conditioned), styling, getting the right cut, and how to Heal Thy Hair after years of strong detergents and damaging blow-dryers. There are before-and-after photographs, Curly Cues, self-help tests, confessions from curly girls, advice to take to your stylist. And for girls seeking their inner curl, compassion and encouragement to let their hair break free-and to put the fear of frizz behind them forever.

Because from now on there's no such thing as a bad hair day.

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A professional hairstylist and passionate proponent of curly hair celebrates the "curly gurl" way of life, from hair care to carefree attitude. Includes self-help test, confessions, and before-and-after photos. Full color.

QUIZ: Are You a Curly Girl?

If spring is not just in the air, but in your hair, you might be a curly girl. Just take the following quiz, and find out if the CURLY GIRL: The Handbook holds the secrets to your future hair success.

1. Do you often wear your hair tied back in a ponytail?

2. Does your hair develop volume in humid, hot, or wet weather?

3. Does your hair make you feel out of control?

4. Do you find yourself crying after every haircut?

5. Look at old photographs and recall how you felt about your hair--and yourself--on the day the picture was taken. Was there a strong correlation between your hair and your mood?

6. Do you almost always have a haze of frizz around your head?

7. Do you blow-dry your hair so often that its texture is as dry and brittle as a piece of melba toast?

8. Does your budget for products to straighten or relax your hair exceed your annual tax-deductible contributions to charity?

9. Do you live in fear of humidity, sweating, spontaneous sex, a shower with your lover--or any weather or activity that might unmask you as a curly girl?

10. Are you almost always unhappy with your hair?

11. Do you worry about your hair before any big occasion, like a wedding or an important business meeting?

If you answered yes to one or more questions, congratulations! You know who you are. You're a curly girl waiting to happen. Your hair is bristling with movement longing to break free, waves aching to curl, frizz begging for direction.

Ironing your hair. Wrapping it. Setting it on juice cans (or, worse, soup cans). Plastering it with Dippity-Do. Since the Sixties, women with curly or wavy hair have been denying the obvious and trying to get that stick-straight look. Curls are finally in again, but a lot of curly types have no idea how to drop the blow dryer and let nature take its course. Along comes Massey, founder and co-owner of Devachan, a New York salon catering to these women. Part inspiration (you, too, can shed your inhibitions and discover your inner curl) and part instruction, this book gives excellent advice for cutting, styling, and caring for curly hair. Massey begins by explaining how curly hair differs from straight hair. She then distinguishes among three types of curly hair (corkscrew, Botticelli, and wavy), explains how to decide your type, and provides a detailed program for each. Helpful illustrations and entertaining "Curly Girl Confessions" abound. Massey's enthusiasm is infectious, her advice is clear and cogent, and her book is unique; there is as yet nothing else out there to help curly girls manage their hair. The 71/2" by 61/2" format and a few worksheet pages may seem problematic for libraries, but ignore all that. Some 65 percent of your women patrons have curly or wavy hair, and they need this book. Highly recommended for public libraries. [Coming in August from Three Rivers Press is hairstylist Ouidad's Curl Talk. Ed.] Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal" Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.