The Curly Hair Book by Dr. Ali Said
Curly Hair: Structure, Properties & Care is a learner-friendly guide that provides a scientific perspective on all kinds of curly hair, hair loss, hair growth, all scalp related issues and much more. It is also based on the scientific research of Dr. Ali Saeed. Developed by a renowned expert in hair care formulations, this book is a one-stop solution to all your hair related queries and comparison of curly, wavy and straight hair with structure explanations and best care methods for specific hair types.
Here, Dr. Syed himself talks about the decades of research that went into creating this easy-to-read guide to all things curly hair, and what readers can take away from the book to help them better understand their own hair type.
Q: Tell us a bit about your illustrious career. What first sparked your interest in researching hair care product formulations?
A: I started in the cosmetics industry in 1972 as a manufacturing chemist for a year. A year later I started in product development as a formulator chemist for hair, skin, color cosmetics and fragrance. A year after that I specialized in textured and curly hair because there weren’t many formulators in that field. I’ve been working with textured hair ever since.
In 1984, after working for almost 10 years in multinational companies, I founded Avlon. The Avlon brand became an international brand sold in 60 countries. In the mid-2000s, curly-haired consumers began to demand natural hair products made with natural ingredients for curly hair. So in 2010, we launched the brand As I Am and sold it directly to consumers. It is now an international brand sold in almost 60 countries.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: Since 1985, I have been lecturing to hair stylists frequently while selling the Avlon brand to them. Luckily, my style of explaining hair chemistry has been well received by many hair stylists, helping them understand the chemistry of hair and the products to use on curly and textured hair. My experience lecturing to hair stylists became the basis for my book. Many hair stylists have always asked me if there was a book that summarized the information I teach. So, I decided to compile all the information I have been providing to hair stylists in The Curly Hair Book.
Q: How much of the book is scientific detail about curly hair, and how much is practical advice?
A: In this book, we start by explaining the basic science of curly hair and its characteristics compared to straight hair. We then focus on the needs of curly hair and the products you need to address those specific needs.
Q: Is there a target audience for this book other than just people with curly hair?
A: My book is actually a comparative study of all hair types: straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, etc. Hairstylists can read my book to decipher information about different hair types.
Q: What is something people might not realize about curly hair?
A: The first thing people don’t realize is the difference in structure of curly hair compared to straight or wavy hair. They may also not realize the difference in elasticity, strength, moisture and curl of the hair. These differences determine the type of products that are appropriate for each hair type.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
A: I hope that people can benefit from demystifying the inner complexities of hair structure and its properties, as well as information about the scalp and hair loss, and how hair care depends on the type of shampoo, conditioner and styling products that provide maximum moisture to the hair, strengthen it and preserve its style against humidity and pollution.
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About Dr. Ali N. Syed:
A renowned expert in hair care product formulations, Dr. Ali N. Syed has had an illustrious career spanning several decades. With over 45 patents, numerous scientific publications and three books, Dr. Syed’s expertise is unmatched.
He founded Avlon in 1984 and As I Am in 2011, revolutionizing the industry with his innovative strategies and deep understanding of chemistry. Dr. Said’s commitment to excellence is evident in his hands-on approach, as he personally oversees all projects at Avlon’s Research and Development Center. His collaborative spirit also extends to professional hair stylists, who he considers essential partners in Avlon’s success.
Embracing creativity and continuous improvement, Dr. Said’s contributions to the field are widely recognized, as evidenced by his publications, guest lectures, and acclaimed speaking engagements around the world.
Release date: January 1, 2023
Genre: Better Yourself, Non-Fiction
Author: Dr. Ali Sayed
Number of pages: 262 pages
Publisher: As I Am
Publisher: KADOKAWA