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5/29/2003
A review of Shamboosie’s
book: Beautiful Black Hair
By Cathy Howse
I expected more
The first thing I noticed was that four other co-authors contributed to the writing of this book. Two of them
are Charlene Carrol and Yvonne Rose. I found it interesting to note that these two ladies were listed among
the people who praised this book. Additionally, “Amazon.com” lists James Dixon and Frederick Parnell as
co-authors. What credentials do these individuals have regarding proper Black hair care? Why are they
hiding under the name “Shamboosie”? The writing makes it difficult to discern which author is speaking.
Between the number of authors and the lack of voice distinction, it was difficult to sort between which
comments were Shamboosie’s or one of the other authors. This is the first thing that disappoints me about
this book.
The presentation was similar to textbook reading, although light and upbeat. This encouraged me to continue
reading because I enjoy learning from the “professionals,” and scrutinizing what is “customary” within the
industry. Because my focus and 18 years of experience is on Black hair growth, I focused on the “collected
knowledge of the authors” and what they stated about black hair growth. I read the book in its entirety
extracting as much content as possible before forming an opinion. Since Shamboosie is really not the sole
author I will reference the authors by using the acronym CKA (collected knowledge of the authors).
Throughout the book the CKA rebukes the user of no-lye relaxers. I read that oils like olive oil are bad for
no- lye relaxed hair. On page 74 it stated: “…all of the hair will eventually come out. The same thing will
likely happen with the use of a no lye relaxer.” Oh my GOSH! For the past 15+years of using a no- lye
relaxer and having my hair grow to the longest length it has ever been am I SUPPOSED to suddenly believe
this is true and go with a lye relaxer as suggested? NO WAY!!! Having read this book I know that if I apply
the techniques outlined in this book I would sabotage all of my hair to it!!!!! It contradicts everything that I
have learned through research and experience.
Finally, I struggled with recommending this book to other readers because frequent recommendations are
made to encourage using a multi-market conditioner. (NEXXUS) Based on my experience and knowledge of
the requirements for Black hair growth, multi-marketed conditioner lacks one very key ingredient the oil
necessary for keeping Type 4 hair on our head!
Beautiful Black Hair A review by Cathy Howse
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Point – Counterpoint analysis:
Page 24 In the chapter entitled “It’s Growing; Understanding Hair Growth, CKA instructs readers to
…”do a deep conditioning treatment every 4th week including after each retouch. Have your
hair cut or trim split ends every four weeks or as needed”
Cathy Type 4 hair needs to be deep conditioned weekly. Trimming has nothing to do with hair growth
and the ends NEVER need to be trimmed to achieve it!
Page 48 CKA says, “hair grease is for the scalp not the hair. It should be used lightly to grease the scalp
once or twice a month. It will help keep the scalp soft and pliable.”
Cathy Don’t put anything on the scalp! The scalp does not need your help! Putting things on the scalp
increase our scalp problems. The scalp is not the problem. We are focusing on the wrong part.
We need to focus on the ends!
Page 53 CKA says, “The more times you use this product (no-lye relaxer), the drier, and more brittle
your hair will become and the faster your hair will fall out.”
Cathy After 15+ years of using a no-lye relaxer religiously I have to question the research behind
such claims. My experience and knowledge proves this statement to be unfounded and
inaccurate!
Page 56 CKA says “shampoo the hair at least twice, and be generous with the shampoo” Another point
on the same page says “make sure that the hair is fed on time”
Cathy The more lather you get, the drier the hair becomes. The use of two and three shampoos
removes the precious oils from our hair that we so badly need to keep our hair on our head.
Also hair because it is “dead” cannot possibly be “fed”.
Page 60 CKA says “Conditioners containing concentrated levels of protein are not suitable for hair that
is very dry or hair that has been treated with a “No-Lye” relaxer”
Cathy On the contrary, protein is a key requirement.
Page
76/77
CKA says “I have never seen any reason for a hot oil treatment” and on the adjacent page they
recommend crème hair dressing
Cathy On the contrary, oil lubricates our dry hair and it does that best in the conditioning stage as
opposed to laying hair “dressing” on the cuticle.
Page 78 CKA says, “The opposite of dry is wet, which means that the answer to dryness is not oil, but
moisture.”
Cathy Moisture is PART of the equation. Oils are needed to lock in the moisture for Type 4 hair.
Page 95 CKA says, “People of other races secrete a lot more oil from the scalp. This is the reason they
must shampoo and condition more often and on a regular basis. Black people secrete little or no
oil.”
Cathy What is this founded on? We need to shampoo and condition on a “REGULAR” basis too and it
has nothing to do with the fallacy of a “less production of scalp oil! The scalp is not the
problem. Our hair is actually drier due to a tighter curl pattern!
Page 98 CKA says, “The irons I use are Marcel irons, which require maximum heat to do the job well.”
Cathy With my chemically processed hair I would NEVER allow anyone to put Marcel Irons in my
hair because just like the pressing comb, It will Destroy the hair.
Page
151
CKA says “The biggest problem with the no- lye relaxer is that the calcium buildup locks the
hair, sealing the cuticle, and will not allow the hair to receive the moisture from shampoos and
conditioners it needs to remain soft to the touch, pliable and capable of holding its curl and its
style.”
Cathy Baloney! My 15+ years of experience with using no-lye relaxers has proved otherwise!
