Dear Ouidad: I have tight curls (think Keri Russell”>, but would like to try to relax them into larger waves like Sarah Jessica Parker or Lauren Conrad. How can I achieve this?

A: The only way to permanently relax your hair is with a chemical relaxant or softening treatment. To achieve some loosening or softening without a chemical treatment, you can use heat. After styling your hair with a styling gel and allowing it to dry, divide the hair into 3-4 sections. Stretch out the hair in each section and hit the bend in the curls with heat, which will create some loosening of the curls.