Hair Apparent presents GREAT HAIR READs: the book of the month featuring topics related to hair care, hairstyling and beauty industry success stories. Today, it is my pleasure to share with you one of the best books written on one of my inspirational mentors and heroes, Madam C. J. Walker -- the legendary African American entrepreneur, a self-made beauty industry millionaire mogul, business woman and philanthropist.

It's very fitting to end the last blog I will write for Hair Apparent with ON HER OWN GROUND, The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker (Scribner, 2001), written by her great-great grand daughter, A'Leila Bundles. Ms. Bundles draws from more than two decades of exhausting research with exclusive access to personal letters, records and never before-seen photographs from the family collection. Madam Walker managed to overcome astonishing odds: building a storied beauty empire from the ground up, amassing wealth unprecedented among black women and devoting her life to philanthropy and social activism. ON HER OWN GROUND is the first comprehensive biography of one of history's most amazing entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Madam C. J. Walker is truly and African American Icon.

How do you become a young successful entrepreneur, businessman and publisher with an unconventional ponytail hairstyle? According to Kyle Donovan, founder and CEO of NV Magazine and author of the newly released book, the DO' BEES says, "I understand that when you are playing the corporate game, you have to follow the 'corporate rules' of the game and wear the appropriate uniform. The ponytail lets me play in the game without losing my style?"

Donovan, now 35, started his own photography business at the age of 19 years old. By 23, his business had a client list that included the New York Times, Barron's Dow Jones and EMI-Capitol Records, just to name a few. From the profits of a self-taught stock market venture, Kyle launched NV Magazine (New Vision in Business) to become the youngest publisher of a national publication. NV is a glossy, bi-monthly magazine filled with vibrant graphics, powerful photographs and articles about investing, business ownership, financial topics, technology and fashion.

Read more about Kyle's answers to a few Hair Apparent grooming questions and the corporate game:

Can you imagine walking through a lofty, high-tech warehouse with brick walls, earthy tones, incredibly high ceilings and track lighting? This futuristic, ultra modern space with all four natural elements describes the new home of Khamit Kinks -- Hair Apparent's Salon of the Month. Khamit Kinks is the premier natural hair care salon, located in the thriving borough of Brooklyn, New York. Originally founded in a Brooklyn brownstone in 1989, Khamit Kinks moved to Tribeca, NYC in 1996 and has since completed a circular journey by returning to its roots-- contributing to Brooklyn's cultural and commercial renaissance.

Find out more about salon owner, Anu Prestonia and Khamit Kinks' hair philosophy.

Styling and maintaining curly, wavy and coily coifs are definitely time consuming and much more work than relaxed hair. However, sporting curly or wavy textures - be they twisted, coiled, braided or soften for manageability leaves your tresses healthier, full of body and with more bounce to the ounce!

You'll get more versatility out of wearing your textured hair natural or softened, than wearing totally relaxed straight hair. Curly girls have the option of wearing their hair in an array of natural set styles, then turn around and go straight again. The beauty in today's world is that product companies have developed a vast inventory of botanical and botanically infused synthetic beauty products that address the needs of curly, wavy and coily girl's tresses. The ingredients and holding power of curl boosters, definers, enhancers and smoothing products are quite amazing.

What are the top five ways to achieve healthy natural hair?

Do you really love your smooth relaxed silky hair? I know I did -- while my hair was relaxed in my pre-teen to young adult life.

The real question is--are you willing to go the extra mile to create a healthy, beautiful hairstyle? One that promotes versatility, while sustaining fullness and volume for a soft, smooth, silky relaxed finish?

One thing you should know about relaxed hair is that over processing and over-lapping your coif is one of the major causes of breakage, shedding and hair loss. The proper technique for relaxing any textured hair is to only relax the curl pattern 80 to 85 % straight -- that means your hair will still have a slight wavy consistency. This is known as elasticity - the ability to stretch.

What are the Top Five Ways to achieve healthy relaxed hair?

Finally, Chaka Khan's first album in over 10 years has arrived - FUNK THIS! Keeping true to her burnt-red glamorous hairstyle, Chaka absolutely brings big waves and curly reddish-FROs back to life in her live performances! Chaka is shown here, singing at the 2007 'Angel Ball' presented by the G & P Foundation-- founded by Denise Rich to benefit a cure for Leukemia.

Today, we will use the Textured Curl Rating System to rate shampoos, especially formulated for dry and flaky scalps. Seborrhea dermatitis, commonly known as, dandruff is actually the over production of sebum-- the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands. When the glands over-produce sebum, the result is an over abundance of oils which then, dry up and can turn into dry flakes.

On the other hand, if you have large dry flakes and an itchy scalp, you might have psoriasis or eczema. At this point, you should visit your dermatologist for a diagnosis. These scalp conditions can lead to hair loss and it's very important to treat the condition medically. Dry hair should be treated very differently than dry and oily scalp conditions. Treat your scalp with a shampoo, especially formulated for dry and itchy scalp conditions. Treat your dry or oily tresses with a shampoo, especially formulated for oily, dry, brittle or over processed hair.

What are the top rated shampoos for dry and itchy scalps?

We've received hundreds of questions on hair techniques, products, tools, styling, chemical services, beauty and lifestyle. As promised here are the most frequently asked questions --answered.

Q: I know a texturizer is not quite a relaxer, but is it "better" for you hair?

Diane: A texturizer or 'Texturizing' is a technique which leaves the hair with a slight wave and not bone straight. The results are less damaging than a bone straight relaxer. Scientifically, a relaxer should never be 100% straight. When receiving a relaxer process, the hair strands should only be relaxed or softened up to 80% - 85% straight, leaving a 20% curve with some elasticity left in the hair for additional heating tools to finish and style. The natural curl pattern is stretched and elongated with a mild or non chemical relaxing system, leaving your curls soft, frizz-free and looser. A texturizer allows you versatility and options, leaving your hair healthier than a bone straight relaxer and with much more volume and bounce. You are now able to wear your tresses with long lasting wavy and curly styles by applying curl enhancing products. Or, immediately after roller setting, blow-drying, wrapping and using a ceramic flat iron to create a smooth finish.

By Diane Lym-tai Da Costa, AOL Black Voices

Ms. Amber Efe may not ring a bell as of now. But I guarantee you --she will be a household name very soon. Ms. Efe, the powerhouse performer, plays the 'Judge" in her debut role in Legally Blonde: the Musical. I interviewed Amber backstage at the Palace Theater on Broadway to check out the self-proclaimed 'Renaissance Woman'. We chatted in between performances to dish about her beauty secrets on and off the stage.

J. Lo and Halle Berry, both first-time mother's to be, must create a plan and strategy to maintain a healthy hair regimen during the pregnancy cycle. A simple, healthy and glamorous look is achievable! J. Lo and Halle are featured with dark to medium blonde tresses and golden highlights.

Generally speaking, doctors recommend that women DO NOT relax their hair during pregnancy. However, coloring and highlighting are still in debate. There are a few recommendations that should be considered, if you are in the planning stages or already pregnant.

What should you consider in regards to hair coloring, while expecting?