Cathy uses her web site to discuss my web site. OK with me, but what if I was included in the discussions? See below the concerns of customers. It’s only fair that if you want to know about my book that you would ask around.

Review of Black Women Rejoice
(Customer Review)

14. Are you aware of any particular brand or make of hair comb that IS NOT made from a mold that leaves "seams" in the teeth, subsequently pulling, tearing or ripping out our hair? I just happened to run across BlackWomenRejoice website yesterday after having engaged in a healthy debate with a co-worker regarding black hair care and the difference in care that it inherently requires. When I clicked on her link, I got tossed into A MESS of a screen. It was actually one of many areas

Must have been during my early web creation days

of Brenda's website that anyone can get into, but girl it was just a MESS!!!! Words strewn clear across the screen; no apparent order to ANYTHING! I did finally get to her home page, which was a sight better, but the stuff she talks about (or DOESN'T talk about).... I just don't know, Cathy. I JUST DON'T KNOW!!!!!

This other sister, Carolyn Gray, has a much more eye-appealing website. However, if aesthetics is all someone is interested in, I guess folks will buy into her theories and/or philosophies, too! When I read something about "oiling the scalp", I gasped, and left her website! Of course, I did take note that she was sponsoring some sort of Hair Care Clinic/Cruise. (MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE, MY PEOPLE!!!!) I'm not getting caught up in that stuff. While I do realize that it is important to watch what you use in your hair, I'm not foolish enough to think that a comb ALONE will be the ruination one's progress with hair growth! Besides, she makes what she has to say sound so freakin' mysterious.... Not kosher AT ALL!

One highlighted example from the book and all of a sudden I’m obsessed with a comb? My People, My People, My people!!!!

Review of Black Women Rejoice

Hi Cathy,

Per our conversation this morning I would like to share my experience with you regarding other products that I have used. I would appreciate if you did not use my name.

In 1995-1996 I started using the Wanakee (www.wanakee.com) hairline. My hair was in braids for a year before I started using Wanakee’s line. I would follow her suggestions, wash, deep condition, air dry my hair opposed to blow drying, pressing it with her "hair oil" and putting "constant care for ends" on the ends of my hair. I would regularly get it trimmed every 8 weeks just as she stated. Also I would wear my hair in protective styles to keep from being dried out by the "air".

My hair had been without a perm for a year so needless to say it was quite unruly. I followed Wanakee's methods for about a year and I didn't really see any noticeable difference in my hair. I think that it grew, but not really that much. I then opted to buy her "moisture shampoo and conditioner" thinking things would get better, but things did not really improve, particularly regarding growth. My hair still appeared to be dry which didn't help with the breaking. I don't know what type of hair I have, but I know it is fine, but you wouldn't know it if you looked at my hair because I have so much hair - volume that is.

So the products never seemed to penetrate all the layers upon layers of my hair so it was moisturized. It seemed dry, brittle; therefore I was not satisfied and stopped using her products. I then decided to get a relaxer and I implemented various things I had learned over the years about black hair care. I continued to let it air dry, I tried to keep it moisturize which was very difficult because I have so much hair and tried to do very little to it. My hair is shoulder length now, but I know it's important to take care of the hair you have or you will lose it, which is why I'm so interested in what I can learn, what I can do, so I can keep my hair on my head as well as try to achieve some sort of hair length.

It was in June-July of 2000 that I came across Brenda's website (www.blackwomenrejoice.com) regarding her knowledge as to growing African American hair. I sent away for what she calls "the report" and tried to do what she said. Wash hair every 3-5 days, getting a perm every month, WRONG trimming your hair at least 1/4" every month WRONG with the SSOTP (sharpest scissors on the planet), using a moisture-rich shampoo WRONG and conditioner, etc. I knew that hair experts say that hair, (no matter what kind of hair) grows 1/4" - 1/2" every month. So I asked Brenda via e-mail, and I quote... would it be OK if I cut only 1/8" every month since hair only grows 1/4" - 1/2" every month. Would I not be cutting away my growth if I cut off as much as you say? Unquote.

She responded back by saying that she insists.... it must be 1/4" and her explanation was... you need to get in control of the split ends/breakage. I'm not sure exactly word for word what she said, The success is in the details but it was something along those lines. So I began her methods. I even bought a pair of scissors that were very expensive because I wanted to follow her methods to the "T". She advised us to give it 3 months - 6 months. I washed and conditioned my hair every 3 days. I would use no oils, no grease, no moisturizer WRONG (other than the shampoo and conditioner); nothing else.

If you needed more moisture, she said that you could use a capful of the conditioner throughout your hair after you washed it. Then I would blow dry my hair. Now I have to admit, my hair was fluffy like she stated, but I noticed that instead of strands of hair in my comb, I had little hairs falling, which I figured was due to breaking because it was just so dry.

I didn't wear my hair out, I wore a wig because it was so difficult to style, especially since I couldn't use any other products on my hair, but it also was my choice because I just did not want to wear my hair out/down (I guess it's one of the carryovers from Wanakee where she encourages you to wear your hair in protective styles). I tried Brenda's methods for about 3 months and stopped because I did not see any significant change/difference in my hair.

I am sorry to hear that because there is so much we could have done to help her. I don’t like to see this. I painstakingly try to make sure each customer understands the details because that is where the success is.

I got my hair professionally relaxed in November with the "Affirm" relaxer. I decided in the month of March 2001 to go back to the braids because I wanted to give my hair a break from the chemicals. I'm pleased with my hair, (very little breakage) but I just want to take care of it. I want to concentrate on building it up so it can be strong when I get the chemical services in January. I can't wait till your products come, and I hope that it will soften my hair because I do not want my hair to break while I'm awaiting to get my relaxer.

The tugging and pulling now I have to do just to get a comb through it is awful! I will employ your "straightening with the curling iron" method and hopefully this will allow my hair to be manageable until I get my relaxer.

Cathy, I hope this helps you. Like I said, I prefer to remain anonymous. If you need to contact me via e-mail please feel free to do.

Take Care,

A caring customer who wishes to remain anonymous

• blackwomenrejoice.com
  Where brenda charges $20 for her top secret hair growth testimonial which basically amounts to this: wash 2x per week, rinse with water/wet daily, use super sharp scissors to trim hair monthly, file down combs, use wide tooth combs & boar bristle brush (for edges only), use no snag elastics, and braid your hair up at night. PRETTY GOOD, SOME OF THIS IS CORRECT.she still blow-dries (on HIGH!!!) AND SHE WAS DOING SO WELL!! WHERE DO PEOPLE GET THIS STUFF? and uses a curling iron on her self-relaxed hair...

When I completed my book update last year I tried my best to include every concern I heard from my customers. More details, same program, … details details. Do not buy this book, look at the “Table of Contents”, put it under your pillow and tell others your know my program. If you run into a problem, contact me. Get your money’s worth out of me. If I had the time I would come spend a week with you making sure this was working for you properly. Since I can’t, read, read, and plan your hair strategy.

Make your life easier by not doing the ritual you have now. Learn something simple, and lets get your hair growing.

Thanks,

Brenda