Are you a newbie looking for information on how to start and care of your natural hair or you are already naturalista but you are struggling to care and grow your hair long without having to deal with breakage. There are a lot of natural hair blogs and YouTube channels that will really help you during your natural hair journey. In addition, below are 10 great books that are easy to read and very informative.
1. Grow It: How to Grow Afro-Textured Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time
Yes! Afro-textured hair can grow long, this book walks you through a simple six-step process to help you understand actions that help you to retain more length and which about actions that could hinder your length retention.
- Author: Chicoro
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Top Amazon Review: “Excellent book. I still use her advice all the time for my hair. I came to realize my hair grows when I stimulate the scalp and give it water. Just like a plant really. As long as it gets light, water, and some touching it will grow. I will always have to trim my ends periodically but I can get better growth by knowing my body and how to work it. Excellent book!”
2. The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair
This book addresses the challenges that Afro-textured hair faces and also provide tools needed to build a healthy hair care regimen.
- Author: Audrey Davis-Sivasothy
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “Great book easy read. Takes hair science and makes it easy to understand. I am a cosmetologist and I got this for my daughter to help her understand the importance of taking care of her hair. It is written in a way that will keep your interest even though it is fact-filled Mumbai jumbo to all those not in the business of caring for hair.”
3. Ultra Black Hair Growth II 2000 Edition
This book provides a simple common-sense step-by-step manual to help black women care and grow their hair.
- Author: Cathy Howse
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “We all know going natural can be scary. I went natural for 7 months, then texturized again. Now I’m growing natural again. The transitioning stage is so frustrating. This book helped me to understand things about the makeup of the hair and how to tame it. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to bring out the bounce in my curls. This time I learned several transitioning hairstyles with helped a lot as well.”
4. Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care: A Parent’s Guide to Beginning Natural Hair Styling
This book provides visual steps to parents and biracial parents who need help in learning how to style children’s Afro-textured hair.
- Author: Rory Mullen
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “Saved me from having to go to the salon for hours at a time. I learned so much from this book. Lots of great photos. Easy instructions. So many practical tips and education on taking care of different types of ethnic hair. I even surprised my black friends with what I was able to do with my daughter’s hair. They wanted tips from me.”
5. If You Love It, It Will Grow: A Guide To Healthy, Beautiful Natural Hair
Dr. Phoenyx Austin explains how to grow and maintain healthy and long afro-textured hair. This book will help you learn how to hair breakage and hair loss, develop a healthy and flexible regimen, health-based principle and how to leverage the power of Ayurveda, an ancient form of alternative medicine that has helped women grow beautiful hair for thousands of years.
- Author: Phoenyx Austin
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “Excellent book. I learned a lot about my own African-American hair which I never knew. I have implemented some of the information provided by Dr. Austin and have already seen results. For example, I never knew how damaging the brush and comb can be to our hair. Since I have begun to use my fingers to detangle and style my hair, I have seen a lot less shedding.”
6. Better Than Good Hair: The Curly Girl Guide to Healthy, Gorgeous Natural Hair!
This book educates women on how to transition from relaxed to completely natural hair. It provides guidance on DIY (Do it yourself) and hairstyling tips and educating parents on how to care for their children’s natural hair. This book is great for newbie naturals since it provides a source of encouragement and how to deal with naysayers.
- Author: Nikki Walton
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “This is my hair’s life savior! Been following recommendations on this book for two months and my hair has already changed for the better. Must buy if you struggle with taming your natural hair”
7. The GlamTwinz Guide to Longer, Healthier Hair
This book is a great starter for anyone going natural and all naturalists who are struggling with length retention, dryness, and breakage. The GlamTwins share their secrets to growing long, healthy and natural hair.
- Author: Kelsey and Kendra Murrell
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “I would recommend this book to transitioning, big chop newly naturals, or ladies like myself that just need some meaningful advice and encouragement. Easy to follow, read it in one sitting, and now I can’t wait until wash day!”
8. Curly Girl: The Handbook
The book provides unique hair-care methods, inspiration, and an empowering pro-curl attitude. It illustrates a step-by-step guide to trimming your own hair and also provides information on green and chemical-free products. Even better it comes with DVD with tutorials on caring for your curls.
- Author: Lorraine Massey with Michele Bender
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “Better than any product I could have bought. This information is worth gold. It’s been a 3-month journey so far but my curls and I are rejoicing…boy had I missed them but baby they’re bouncing back!”
9. The Natural Hair Bible: The 10 Commandments of Black Hair Care
Breanna Rutter breaks down everything you need to know in order to achieve long healthy hair for your specific hair type. It provides a guide to homemade product recipes and guides to buying the appropriate hair products for your specific hair type.
- Author: Breanna Rutter
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer ‘s Review: “I love this book it told me everything I needed to get started and it really helps and breaks down everything so you’ll understand what it really like to go natural!”
10. Thank God I’m Natural –The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair
This book was featured on Essence magazine as “The Natural Hair Bible”. This is the perfect read for the newly natural. It provides natural hair-care guide are product tips for natural hair, homemade hair care recipes and myths about going natural. It also includes expert advice from celebrity stylists.
- Author: Lorraine Massey with Michele Bender
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Amazon Customer‘s Review: “I loved this book. If you are really hesitant about transitioning from relaxed to natural please read this book. It will give you so much insight on what to expect and how to cope with your natural tresses that come from your head of hair. Seeing your natural state of hair is the most beautiful aspect in the world. I can’t wait until I’m fully natural until then I will enjoy my journey.”
What are some of the amazing natural hair book you have read? Tell us in the comments!
