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The Hair Bible: A Complete Guide to Health and Care

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Providing a complete guide to preserving and enhancing the health and appearance of hair, this guide explains how to identify hair type and select shampoos and conditioners to match it; how to avoid the dangers inherent in potentially damaging processes, such as dying, permanent waving, coloring, and bleaching; and the use of brushes, curlers, and pins. Everyday problems such as split ends and dandruff are addressed as are less common problems that may be the result of allergies, ill health, or climate. There are chapters on babies’ and children’s hair, and issues that may arise in pregnancy or old age are covered. Whether hair is viewed as a crowning glory, a problem that just won’t go away, or something that’s going away all too fast, this book provides answers to just about any hair question.

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

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42 people want to read

About the author

Recognised as the leading authority in hair health, Philip Kingsley has over 45 years of trichological experience. His name is known from film set to catwalk and amongst the professionals who only want the best.

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5 stars
10 (19%)
4 stars
11 (21%)
3 stars
10 (19%)
2 stars
13 (25%)
1 star
8 (15%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole.
289 reviews23 followers
December 20, 2020
Immensely outdated terminology, with little scientific backing. Oriental, Black, and Semitic hair... use of these generalisations made me gag.

And this was ‘published’ in 2014. How in the world, I don’t know.
Profile Image for Rochelle.
1,283 reviews15 followers
April 29, 2010
Terrible book! I didn't learn a single thing I didn't already know about hair. But, what do you expect from an author who looks like this:
Philip Kingsley ?
He claims he coined the term "bad hair day" and also talks about the sexuality of hair.
Don't waste your time reading this book!
Profile Image for Laura.
206 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2023
Read this book some time ago but re-purchased recently as I felt my hair could do with the advice. It's refreshingly un-pretentious in it's approach, the advice is both sensible and perfectly achievable. I did not feel like I was being sold to, it's just good sound knowledge.

I have begun a new Philip Kingsley approved routine and as a consequence now having considerably fewer "bad hair days" (if you read the book you will understand that this is an excellent reference, perhaps now spoilt by my pointing it out).

Worth a read.
Profile Image for Louise.
133 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2023
The Hair Bible whilst an informative read, I found some of the information would be better suited to a hair specialist and not the general population.

The last chapter on ingredients wouldn’t help anyone unless you know more about chemicals and the effect they can have on hair types.

It’s not a book I’d reach for again.
Profile Image for Bluebell.
266 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2021
There's some good advice, but what's the point of listing ALL possible hair care ingredients without telling us if there are any to be absolutely avoided or if all of those hundreds of ingredients are ok to use?

Like, yes, I can Google the ingredients myself, but are they safe to use?

😪
Profile Image for Ben.
9 reviews
August 6, 2025
ridiculously racist and I'm actually shocked at the amount of gratuitous waffle throughout the book.
Profile Image for Allanna.
507 reviews9 followers
June 30, 2008
Not the best/most entertaining hair book I've read.

Good information. But a bit dry.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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