Ouidad: Thank you and I’m glad that you are seeing an amazing difference with the products. As far as your hairstyle, I think with curly fine hair you need some length to work with the tightness of your curl, but not as much as you have. I would trim some off of the length leaving your hair long enough to tie back when you work out, and slice a bit on the upper layer to create a visual of long layers. That will allow your hair to puzzle in together and fall nicely, and it will give it a fuller look. Q: I’m half African-American and I have very curly, shoulder length hair. No matter what I do, it doesn’t seem to grow past my shoulders! I tried taking vitamins, drink plenty of water, get lots of sleep, exercise, and I try to keep the ends of my hair moisturized to prevent breakage. Do you have any tips on how to promote hair growth?– missgodiva
Ouidad: You seem to be doing the right things to promote hair growth. Are you getting regular trims every 3 to 4 months? Are you feeding your hair by doing Deep Treatments every month? If your answers are “yes”, I would recommend you to see a doctor and have your nutrition tested. If your answers are “no” try doing your treatments and getting a trim. Trimming your hair is very helpful in reviving it. Q: I’ve been coloring my hair for many years in addition to getting highlights at least twice a year. However, this time around, after three weeks I noticed my hair breaking and it was drier than it’s ever been. Even when I air dry my hair, it’s still not as curly or smooth as it used to be. I did get a great cut at your salon (thanks!”> but my question is: Is there any way to strengthen and condition my hair or do I have to just wait it out and keep cutting it? I’m so upset because now I have those little frizzies all around the top of my head, even when it’s not humid. What should I do? Thanks!–Tricia
Ouidad: Tricia, it’s going to take time but it’s not hopeless. Start doing Deep Treatments every two weeks. Make sure to use low heat and to stay under the dryer for at least 20 minutes. When you shampoo and condition your hair, leave at least 25 percent of the conditioner in your hair when rinsing. Remember to Deep Treat three days before you color or 10 days after. When styling, use all water-soluble products allowing your hair to breath. Dry your hair as naturally as possible. Then, of course, get the usual trims every three months, and when your hair is dried and finished, use a dollop of Clear Control on the little frizzies all around the top. Be patient. Your hair will come back. Next time you’re in the salon please introduce yourself to me. I look forward to meeting you. Q: I have a really bad problem and it involves dandruff. I have been to a doctor and he prescribed medicated shampoo because over-the-counter shampoos were not helping me. Using the prescribed shampoo helps my scalp a lot, but my problem is that these medicated shampoos are super drying to my curly hair. I was told that I should use the medicated shampoo twice a week. I can’t stop using these shampoos because the dandruff comes back to terrorize my life (even if I cut down to once a week”>. I obviously can’t stop using these drying shampoos and even with the use of Deep Treatments every week, I can’t get my hair to stop looking dry. Besides my scalp problem, my hair is very healthy. I don’t even color it, highlight it, blow dry it or straighten it ever. I only air dry my hair every time I wash it. I don’t know how to condition it more to look like it did before I started using dandruff shampoos! Please help!!!! PS: It is OK to use the Deep Treatment in your hair once a week, even if the person has healthy beautiful hair and scalp? Thanks!–Kelly
Ouidad: Kelly, I have many clients who use medicated dandruff shampoo and you’re right, it’s very drying. Let me teach you how to protect your hair while using the shampoo. Wet your hair before you apply your shampoo. Apply a daily conditioner into your hair, not onto your scalp. Stay away from the scalp about two inches. Then apply the shampoo in the palms of your hands and with the cushions of your fingertips rub and massage the shampoo into the scalp. Leave it on the required time and then rinse. The daily conditioner will protect your hair from the strength of the shampoo. I recommend moisturizing Curl Quencher Conditioner. This trick will definitely help you. Now as far as doing a treatment every week, that’s too much. Every two weeks is ample. You are not increasing the conditioning process by doing it weekly. The hair needs to work with the product. Good luck. Q: I use all Ouidad products and have a barber cut style (1/2 inch”> that I texturize to loosen the curl. After applying Botanical Boost leave-in, Gel and Pomade (mixed together, I apply to dripping wet hair”> my question is how to palm roll or manipulate to separate the curls. If I roll back and forward over my head, am I handling it too much? I love your products but would like to know how to get ‘the wet, separated-curl look’.’
Ouidad: To get “the wet, separated-curl look,” start styling your hair while it’s wet, using a styling lotion, not the pomade. Spray the Botanical Boost into your hair. Then apply the styling lotion in sections by raking it through your hair. You can control the diameter of the curl by how much hair you place between your fingers. After applying your styling lotion, let the hair dry naturally or diffuse it on a low temperature. To have your style last longer after you have applied the lotion, use the styling mist spray on top of your wet hair. That will define and hold your wet look. I love that look.
Q: I´m transitioning from relaxed to natural and the girl in the salon told me that I could do a perm so that all my hair will be curly, which she said would help. Should I do it or would it damage my hair even more, considering that the roots are natural and the rest is still relaxed? Please help!! I don’t want to make this worst! — Diana
Ouidad: Diana, I chose to answer your question because my team and I face this situation a lot now that people are tired of their straightened hair and want to grow it out. Do not do the perm! In order for the perm to work, your hair has to have its molecular layer intact and hair that has been straightened does not have the molecular layer intact. Your hair will get damaged. I recommend you to do Deep Treatments every two weeks and have some of that straightened ends sliced to create a movement. And your curly roots will help to pick up the ends to position into your new style. Your cut has to be planned correctly. As your stylist looks at your curl pattern at the roots, he/she must plan to slice the ends to move in the same direction. Your style should look great.
