In this stunning collection of stories and photographs, Black women write odes to their natural hair, share stories about the power of self-love, and encourage a young girl to embrace the beauty in herself. The book was inspired by St. Clair Detrick-Jules's younger sister, who was teased about her hair in school. St. Clair began to compile letters from women across the globe to share with her sister and as the project grew it transformed into this impactful book. Each story is short, making them easy to savor one at a time or read straight through. Readers who enjoy photography will especially appreciate the portraits here, as will those who like to share books with others. This is ideal for reading with loved ones and creating a space to share your own stories together.

I just had to have this book. LOVE love love everything about this collection and the photos are just gorgeous. I highly recommend this to everyone. I have read some of the stories out loud multiple times to friends. It is a beautiful celebration of black hair.

This book is a celebration of culture, individuality, and vulnerability. For so many years, black women have been forced to accept and live by the white standard. Kinky or curly hair? No. Your locks must be straight and flowing. Even now, as we venture into a territory of acceptance and love for our own culture and identity, there are those who seek to destroy what we have fought so hard to hold and uphold. The stories told in this book are inspirational, show vulnerability and a love of self. My heart overflowed with joy when reading many of these stories, but I was also saddened by how what some of these women have had to endure. This gorgeous book is filled with hopes and dreams and acceptances and beauty, not just in the words of these women but also in the beautiful photos showing them in their beauty and acceptance of self. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. It is truly an inspiring narrative.

A beautiful picture book with personal stories from a variety of black women all over the African diaspora. Each personal story gives the highs and lows of what we have to deal with when it comes to our natural hair. As Black women, our hair has always been seen as not professional and not the standard norm. To the point that there had a law that had to have been passed for us to wear it in it's natural state without repercussions. Not only was this book beautiful, it was powerful, it was inspirational and empowering. This is such a wonderful coffee table book that needs to be in the home of every black woman, especially in America.

An excellent read. I would recommend this book.
I received this from Netgalley as an ARC for an honest review.

A beautiful and meaningful book, excellent to share with young Black people who are developing their racial identities in an often-hostile world.

This book is absolutely beautiful. It was the inspiration that I needed as I did the big chop and embraced my natural hair after 38 years of chemical straightening. I think that anyone who is struggling with their natural hair roots, especially younger queens, will enjoy the photos and testimonials of all the contributors. Just like I did!

Thanks to Net Galley for the advance copy.

What great stories for me to read and share with my niece and Sister-in-Law! So honest, raw and refreshing.
I received a copy o this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and h9best review.

I feel like I need to get a hard copy of this book and just keep it for my daughter. When she is old enough, I hope she will know that her hair is beautiful as it is. Should she decide to straighten it, let it be because its want SHE wants but not because society has taught her that black hair is unacceptable.

This is such a powerful, affirming read. Filled with beautiful pictures and stories of natural hair, it is quite a powerful read. I could resonate with these women. I grew up straightening my hair with heat and at some point, with chemicals. With me it wasn’t about identity but more because I thought my natural hair was unpresentable and unmanageable. A decade ago, I went natural and almost lost my job because someone thought natural, black hair was unprofessional. I stood strong and began a silent revolt that led to the change of policies and now I can smile when I see more women with their natural afros and dreadlocks.

This was quite a thought-provoking read that challenged me on my thoughts about black hair and identity. I enjoyed the celebration of natural hairstyles and liked reading about different journeys that the women took towards acceptance and self-love. What a beautiful, powerful read.

This is a wonderful book with thoughtful commentary and beautiful photography. A clear exprssion of joy around natural hair. A must-have for all the branches of my South Atlanta library system.

St. Cair Detrick-Jules connected an amazing group of interviews, personal stories, and photos to create a moving book. It was comforting reading from women who went through the same feelings that I did. I always had natural hair because my mom did not want to put straightener or relaxer in it. My view of my hair changed as I went to predominantly-white schools. I used braids, weave, and wigs to get the desired straight look. She never let me dye or cut my hair. But, it was all for the best. Now, I still have an iffy relationship with it, like many of the women or girls from all backgrounds, nationalities, and ages, but the book helped me. In this book, every woman reading it was/is Khloe. But, this self-acceptance of ourselves should resonate and travel to acceptance of our natural hair. My Beautiful Black Hair. I recommend this for all of my type 4 sisters who struggled watching YouTube videos to try, and fail, to achieve that hairstyle. This is for us.

Words can’t explain how much I love this book. I picked this book because I wanted to read stories from Black women about their relationship with their hair, and I got that and more. The book is split into eight chapters. Within each one is a collection of beautiful portraits and insights from women of all ages. As an African-American young woman, each story hit home from experiences at prep schools to the pushback some receive from their mothers when one decides to go natural. There were stories about how natural hair influences our relationship with ourselves, our families, and our communities. This book is one that I wish I had when I was a child or even when I first went natural. Nothing is more comforting than seeing people who look like me celebrating the qualities that aren't often celebrated by mainstream Western culture. This book is a celebration of blackness that, for me, is much needed after the horror of 2020. I will definitely be picking up a print copy when it is released.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy!

Absolutely beautiful photography. A celebration of black women and their hair. The photos alone are a reason to read the book but the interviews are lovely. One that sticks with me is self-love is an action. And this book showed, often, that phrase in action. That loving yourself is a decision. And one you need to continue to make.

It's a book about black women and their hair for black women. But I think anyone can read it and be inspired to love themselves, as they are. To be less judgemental and to accept everyone for their differences. Our differences are what makes us all beautiful.

After finishing it I feel better about myself and the world. I want everyone to read it and to see that they are beautiful and to be able to see beauty in others.

Thank you. Gracias. Merci.


This book is needed and necessary. It is time that girls, teens and women embrace and love their crowns. Natural state connects you to the source. Natural is healing. Natural is divine. This book is full of stories, essays and letters informing the reader of the journeys to self acceptance, love and peace. This is a gift to Khloe that will free and help others. I will gift this to the young ladies and women in my world. Brava!