The Honest Truth About Life - and the Business of Beauty

This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. It is a true inspiration for someone to be so candid about such painful experiences, and to truly get a glimpse into the events that have shaped who she has become.

I love how she holds no punches! She wastes no time setting everything, and everyone straight. I truley admire her and appreciate her writing this.
Thank you Tabitha!
Sincerely,
a fellow B.I.T.C.H.

After having been introduced to the show Tabatha's Salon Takeover, I found her book. It is a small glimpse into her life and extremely sound advice for anyone. Recounting her life and how she achieved her goals is inspirational to anyone who is looking to better themselves.

Great read. I couldn't stop reading this book. I loved it so much, not only did I buy it for my kindle, I bought the actual book to keep so my girls can read it. Very powerful and inspiring! Thank you Tabitha.

I don't like this book it was more about her personal life than about the beauty industry and it have a lot of profanity in it which makes it hard for me to read it. I did not even go pass the second chapter.

As a hairdresser I was interested in reading about how Tabatha "made it". I enjoyed this easy read and highly recommend it for anyone interested in knowing more about her life in this fun business of ours.

"It's Not Really About the Hair" by Tabatha Coffey is such an inspirational read for anybody. It's not just for hairdressers, it's a deeply personal memoir about lessons she has learned in her incredible, whirlwind of a life. From growing up in her parent's clubs and learning about hair and transformations from the performers, to dealing with her father, weight issues, and the mob, it's a touching and revealing look into the star's life. Everyone can get a life lesson or two from this book. Highly recommended!!!

I really hate reading! but i LOVE tabatha coffey.. so i had to have this book! i haven't been able to put it down.. its an amazing book! really really love it and recommend it.. especially if you're a hairstylist!

I really enjoyed this book Tabatha shared some personal stories about her childhood and the years learning and growing into the person she is now. Tabatha's story was very inspiring and truthful, this book was half biography and half self-help. The writing was OK, but hey she is a hair dresser not a writer so I'm willing to look past it. I would recommend this book to a student like me just emerging into the field of cosmetology or even to a seasoned hair dresser. I think she is fantastic, and hey she has to be to get at as far as she has! I would give it 3 stars.

I couldnt wait to get this book !As soon as i got it I read it cover to cover She is absolutely right in everything that she says This book would help anyone in any business and not just salons She is witty and informative It is just good common sense Shes the Best!!!

Tabatha's memoir is truly inspiring and has provided me with much perspective on overcoming adversity while remaining true to ones self. Tabatha genuinely opens her heart to her readers through the telling of extremely personal life experiences that everyone can relate to! Her amazing strength, individuality, courage, passion, humor, wisdom and signature style are all constant themes that grace every page and will inspire you to always be your true self! This is a MUST READ!

I love Tabatha. Reading this book was great getting an insight into her. Now I like and repect her even more. I found it to be a quick read and kept my interest all the way through. Tabatha is a truthfull tell it like it is person which more humans should model themselves after.

I am a Tabatha Coffey fan, and as she expects perfection from others, I expected it of her. The book was a very easy read, and did not offer the business saavy advice she is famous for. I would have prefered to see her offer information in the same way she coaches business owners and stylists. If you are looking for an easy read to get through as you sit poolside, or travel this is great. If you are looking to learn more about being effective in the salon- her main advice is be a BITCH. Very disappointed.

Great read! When I read it I could hear Tabatha's voice reading her book. No I'm Not crazy. I met Tabatha in the ninety's and benefited greatly from her education classes and on the floor in the salon. She really is who she says she is! Honest as all hell! I totally get her!

As a stylist and a huge fan of Tabitha, I just had to get her book. I couldn't put it down! She has had an amazingly interesting life and is not the person people think she is. I highly reccomend it to anyone!

I read this in about 3 hours, this was while watching tv. All i can say is she should have gotten a better ghost writer cos this was terrible. Nothing went into detail and i was sick of her self help notes at the end of every "chapter". And stop going on about your acronym for BITCH, once was enough but every damn chapter was over kill love. I think she really is only about the hair i'm afraid.

I bought this book because I love tabatha's salon takeover because i think she is so knowledgable but i didn't get alot out of the book as far as any real hair advice but i honestly was so blown away by her language that i just ended up giving the book away before i finished it

Back in October one of the Goodreads groups I'm in You'll love this one...!! A book club & more had a week long non-fiction read-a-thon and this was one of my reads for the challenge. I've long been a fan of Tabatha Coffey and I actually watch her show every week. I love her attitude and her work ethic. Plus when she goes off on the stupidity of some people well she's a girl after my own heart.

When I found out that Tabatha had a book I was kind of surprised and a little nervous. I really wanted to read it but I was a little nervous as to how it would turn out because Celebrity biographies, autobiographies and memoirs can be very hit or miss. So, when I finally did start this book I went into it with low expectations and ended up completely surprised.

In It's Not Really About the Hair: An Outspoken Stylist's Smart Guide to Life Tabatha gives us a glimpse into her early life in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia with her mother and father. Her parents owned a strip club when she was very young and she writes how she often spent much of her time there helping out the transsexual strippers that they employed.

Tabatha's upbringing and life experiences have clearly shaped her into the strong, intelligent, independent woman that she is but even this self reliant woman admits that she could not have turned out the way she is without the love and acceptance of her mother which I can totally relate to because my mother (and father) are the most important people in my life.

Though Tabatha did have some hard knocks in life she was ultimately able to rise above everything and pull her life together to the extent that she was able to open her own salon and employ other stylists to work for her.

The book was a quick read, and to my surprise it wasn't dry as some autobiographies are. Instead while I read the book I felt as though Tabatha were reading it to me. I was impressed with it and the personal details that she shared since she is clearly a rather private person I thought it was a real treat to learn about her and her struggle to get where she is now. I think she's an awesome stylist and a passionate person about everything she does which I truly admired about her.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. It was a quick and easy read but still enjoyable. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves her shows Tabatha's Salon Takeover and Tabatha Takes Over. It's a quick read that will keep you entertained and may even surprise you too.

We all have a story to tell and experiences worthy of classroom lecture time. Albeit many stories go unheard, unread even when broadcast. This is a story worth hearing, worth repeating and worth remembering. Tabitha Coffey unveils the story of her formative years in a way that encourages everyone to embrace their uniqueness. This is a story of acceptance, courage, persistence and love - loving who we are even when It's not a popular choice. This is a reading experience that strengthens inner resolve to be true to the own self. This is a refreshing read and especially for people struggling to just be themselves. Tabitha Coffey refines what it means to be a B.I.T.C.H=Brave, Intelligent, Tenacious, Creative, Honest. She's a B.I.T.C.H. and So am I.

Tabatha tells it like it is in this tome that includes her amazing life story. told in her voice, with her honest, often hilarious sarcasm. She tells you how she went from a tubby little Aussie girl, with no friends in her expensive Anglican school, to one of the most famous hair stylists in the world.
Her parents' strip clubs, drag queens & mafia connections...
Inspiring, with a lot of salty language, this woman had a past like none other. Her struggles & heartache are all here. How she survived being completely rejected by her father, the strength of her mum, & how she developed in to a gorgeous, brilliant modern icon. If you're a fan like I am, this page-turner is a must.

I discovered this book after watching Tabatha on "Fashion Police." Her individuality and no-nonsense attitude made me want to buy her book. I'm so happy I did. Tabatha calls herself a "bitch" but in a good way. I call myself the same. I like Tabatha because she follows the beat of her own drum and not the beat of the crowd. One of my favorite quotes from the book? "Anyone who has worked with me knows that I don't suffer fools easily and that I won't hesitate to speak my mind. The irony of people's reaction to my candor is that I just say what most people want to say but don't have the balls to say. I tell the truth." ~~ This book is for anyone who is honest, who speaks her (or his) mind and who follows the beat of your own drum. Also, you don't have to be a hair stylist to enjoy this book. (I'm not.)

This is a super fast read from Coffey. I've never actually seen the author's reality show, but her get-tough attitude on business made me a fan. I wish everyone had Coffey's strong work ethic. In the first chapters she is at once likeable and just flat-out amazing. As much as I wish I could give this book five stars, I just can't as the remaining chapters spread too thinly over business advice, memoir, and self-help. If Coffey had delved deeper into just one of the these...*SIGH* But that said, if she writes a proper memoir I'm definitely buying it.

If you follow Tabitha on TV, you will want to read this book, giving much information about her early experiences, her family, and what makes her who she is.
Easy reading, good beach book for the summer.

If you've enjoyed Tabatha's Salon Takeover, you will certainly enjoy this book. It is a balanced combination of insight on Tabatha's life, advice, and experiences. As in the show, she is direct and honest (something not everyone can handle). But with the book, unlike the show, you learn about the life/professional experiences that are the reasoning or justification for Tabatha's advice or approach.

And the personal photos are a wonderful treat! They add a nice element of personal feeling to the book and include examples of her travels.

You don't have to be in the beauty business to find value in this book. It is a great read with tips for life and business.

Rock on Tabatha!!

Reading more like a lecture than an autobiography this book quickly descends into a personal advertorial. It must be a burden for Tabatha to always be the smartest person in the room and then having to remind people that she is morally superior. She alludes to the tough upbringing repeatedly to the point where I was so bored by it that I skipped paragraphs at a time when it seemed she was about to launch into another dose of self regard. A lot of people possess sound morals, have a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed but they don't feel the need to boast about it over and over and over again.

I was very surprised to learn how unusual Tabatha's childhood was. She thrived in a world made up of alternative lifestyles and gender exploration. She is a great example of good work ethics and proof that hard work is necessary for success. Tabatha's Salon Takeover [TV show] is a must for anyone wanting to prosper in the hair industry. Any fan of the show or high standards for personal excellence will appreciate the candor and insight of this quick easy read. As a gay person and former hairstylist, I found myself admiring this role model even more than I already had. She wants the best for herself and everyone that she tries to help, but tolerates no nonsense. I like that.
Michael Travis Jasper, Author of the Novel "To Be Chosen"

Just finished reading Tabitha's book and it was very inspiring and very motivational!!!
I am not a hair stylist or aspiring to be one, I am just a business owner. I purchased her book
because I love her no-nonsense, professional expertise and knowledge on how to run a business.
Recently, in the past 3 months I just started watching her show and was so inspired to take my current business to great heights.
I've been so inspired by her that I am currently looking to purchase an existing turnkey salon business, just
to own and manage it to greatness. I recommend this book for anyone who aspires to become a business owner
or take your God given skills/hobby and turn it into a viable and profitable business.

It's a sassy little tale of how she worked hard and made her dreams come true. It isn't instructive enough to qualify as a self help book, and despite a lot of personal stories, it doesn't feel like an autobiography. It just flops around somewhere in the middle.

Candid and brutally honest, Ms Coffey tells it like it is which is exactly what I expected of this book. Knew very little about this industry and was unaware of how much training is needed to be at Tabathas level of experience. I have seen her Salon Takeover shows and her book reflects the same no nonsense attitude which I really enjoy. Quick read, no surprises in style of writing, fun book to read at the beach.

I am a huge Tabatha fan and love the show. However, for anyone wanting to get a glimpse into the brilliant mind of this woman, this book may be a disappointment. Though all the events in her life are presented with her usual honesty, I never once felt connected to her innermost feelings, the way you often do when reading memoirs or autobiographies. Even when describing being picked on, she says "I hated being picked on for being fat" - but never reveals how it truly made her feel. When describing coming out to her mother, again, she only tells you enough to understand the situation, never allowing you in. Anyone seeking solace in her coming out story may want to know more. She is an intensely private person, and the book is a true representation of that. She keeps the reader at arms' length throughout, which in itself is a revelation - you know that's as much as you're getting and nothing more.

This is a "must read" book. Initially, I bought this book because I really like Tabatha. While reading it, I realised it's not her "life story", but so much more. She shares her life philosophy, not just her life story. Just like on her TV show, she tries to trach the reader how to be better. Not all memoires do that. zwhether you like Tabatha or not, I think you can learn from her, through this book.

I truly enjoyed reading this book I have heard of Tabatha and her show I don't have cable and as a hairdresser myself was curious about the book. I am truly glad to have read this book. Learned some things about myself and made me laugh in some parts too.

I read autobiographies and business motivational books non-stop. Normally I wouldn't have picked up a book about a professional hair stylist, but after seeing Tabitha on TV, I decided to give her book a shot. I read it one in day at Barnes & Noble then ordered it off the store for less money. I recommend it.