Search Results: Ouidad

Q: I am male and I have curly hair. All my life I have hated my hair with a passion. When dry it represents candy floss and when wet looks curly. But in the past two years or so I have been given the confidence, by my good lady, to try and embrace the curls. The stylist I attend has trimmed the back and sides without making me look regimental and left the top around 3/4 to 1′ long then thinning through. This allows me to comb from front to back with an afro comb training my hair to a style or roughing my fingers through and leaving that just out of bed look. (Both require a heavy styling product”> My main question is, what products could I use to make my hair represent hair when dry rather than candy floss. I do wash and condition my hair every day and try to rinse out any products I may have applied forstyling purposes before bed to allow my floss to breath.
Ouidad: I commend you on the time and thought that you have put into your hair. I’m going to take you from A to Z with a regimen to care for your hair and make your life easier.

You should only shampoo your hair every 2 to 3 days. The days you don’t shampoo use water soluble products so you can manage your hair better. Heavy products have the tendency to dehydrate the hair causing it to dry and frizz.I hope you are using a conditioner when shampooing your hair, if you aren’t, do so, and leave a bit of it in your hair for manageability. Remember I said not to shampoo everyday; the days you don’t shampoo use the spray in conditioner to help you recap your curls and to have control.A light styling lotion is a must. Curly hair needs aid, but it doesn’t have to be heavy. Remember it will dehydrate your hair if it’s heavy. Distribution is very important and key for control. Apply it in sections. Don’t glob it in your hand and run your fingers through your hair, you are fanning your curls out; apply it in sections for control.When your hair is dry, and it’s best to dry it naturally, then finish off with a finishing pomade, again very light. If you follow these steps your life with your hair will be easier, and think about deep conditioning your hair once a month. You see, if your hair has its own weight from the inside you don’t have to weigh is down from the outside. I’m a stickler about Deep Treatment. Good Luck.

Q: I’m baffled! My hair is naturally wavy. Occasionally after a shower I’ll end up with this REALLY curly hair. It’s lovely — Shirley-Temple springy, full, just really CURLY! But even though I always use the same shampoo, never blow dry my hair, and always do the same things (I think”> sometimes it curls like crazy and sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t figure it out! What am I occasionally doing right and how can I make it happen every time?? If anybody can help me solve the mystery, it’s you.Thanks!!! Greta from NY
Ouidad: Greta, are you ready? It’s easy… you see, when curly hair is at its optimum condition, the hair will perform the best. When it lacks in performance it needs to be fed! (Deep Treatment”> The days that your hair is lovely, Shirley Temple springy, it’s not as dry and the moisture in the air the days its not performing, the air is dry and your hair is not at its optimum condition so it can’t perform. The key is to always feed it and it will always perform for you. Challenge me! 
Q: Hi Ouidad, I have never had a problem with frizz until the last two months when the weather got extremely cold and very dry. Now, no matter what products I use, I cannot get the canopy of my hair to lie down. The individual hairs are rebelling and won’t clump together into a curl. I’ve been using a ton of conditioner and deep treatments thinking my hair was crying out for moisture. It made no difference except that my hair got much softer. I clarify once/twice a week even though the styling products I use don’t really build up, so I’m at a total loss.
Ouidad: You are doing everything right when the hair is dry and fly away it means the molecular layer is empty causing the hair to be feather light in weight and causing to lift into a canopy, so my recommendation would be to feed it. You see, most of the problems, if there are problems with curly hair, is that being in a corkscrew shape the outer layer (cuticle layer”>, which is the protective layer of the hair, can’t stay smooth. This causes the molecular layer, which is both your color and condition layer, to escape. It’s the nature of our hair, but since you are conditioning, the only thing I could think of is the conditioners that you are using are heavy on moisture and not balanced with enough proteins to control your hair. If that’s the case, try to use conditioners that are balanced with moisture, proteins, and amino acids. And I think, and know, you’ll see a great deal of results. Email me on my site and let me know of your results.
Q: I have thick, wavy/curly hair, and lots of it. When I lived in the Middle East, I got tired of it’s dryness and out-of-control tendencies……and buzzed it all off! I kept it that way for years but now that I’m married and have a new baby I’m ready to embrace my curls and take care of them again. So I’ve grown my hair out to a whopping 2 inches, and it’s just standing vertically and makes me look like I have helmet-head. What would you recommend I do while it’s growing out, and how do I prevent helmet-head? Thank you! Heide
Ouidad: Heide, I can relate to that!!! If the strength of the hair and curl is strong, you will need length to control it. But you have to start somewhere. I find that a little slicing at the beginning of the bend of your curl will help your hair to puzzle together and have some control and with some styling aid you should do fine. The slicing and carving technique is perfect in these situation. Try to explain to your stylist to puzzle your hair together rather than cutting it blunt, or check on my site to find a Ouidad affiliate salon near you.
Q: I think it’s my hormones, but ever since I turned 28, my hair has gone two ways. First, the hair on the top of my head is straight, straight, straight. Second, the hair below the crown is very curly. I’d love those bottom curls to go to the top but it’s not happening. My hair is thick, thick, thick. Most hairdressers say this, ‘Wow, you’ve got the thickest hair I’ve ever seen.’ To illlustrate, if I put it into a ponytail, it’s about a half dollar in diameter. I currently have a shoulder length layer cut and would like the curls to come on top and have been thinking about getting a permanant wave. Is this advised??? I just want some consistancy. Thank you.
Ouidad: A pony tail that is a half a dollar in diameter, you’re lucky!! It’s natural for a curly head of hair to have up to three to four different textures from straight, wavy to tight. I think your age of 28 is coincidental, because they do say that your body chemistry can change every 7 years. So go figure! Now in my salon, we do a great deal of spot perming to match the curl pattern. The only thing I would recommend is that when you get it done, have your stylist select several sizes of perm rods, so you may have a natural look. Don’t have them select the size they think the rest of your hair is and match it. I’ve never seen a natural looking perm that way. You have to have the same variety as in naturally curly hair. Variety is the spice of life.

In 2002 I was diagnosed with the same disease, at the same age, as was my mom. Breast cancer took my mother from me when I was 25 years old. The last year of her life was terrible; her loss embedded an empty feeling inside of me and took a piece of me with her. My kids, PJ and Sondriel, were 14 and 11 years old at the time of my diagnosis and I didn’t want to be taken away from my family the way my mom was taken from me. I had to take charge and be proactive in my own health.

I sought several opinions and under my doctor’s recommendations, I had a bilateral mastectomy and was put on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Taking into consideration my mom’s history, we proceeded with the hopes of completely clearing this disease from my body. I continue to stay on top of my wellness with regular doctors’ visits and am lucky to have family and friends around me. Through it all, my husband Peter and my two kids were my primary caregivers and my source of strength and support.

When I returned to work behind the chair I felt my experience was God’s way of letting me know my role on this planet. I’m alive because I am meant to help my clients and others who are going through, or are affected by, this disease. Having experienced this disease has made me a better hairdresser. I know I can help with the anxiety my clients are going through in their mind, body and with their hair. I have been able to empower my team and show them from a firsthand perspective how to work with their clients and how to be good listeners. Having this fountain of information regarding what to expect, knowing how to be there and how to manage hair and looks during the process has been healing for both me and for those I’ve been able to touch.

Though I made a full recovery, I vowed that my battle against breast cancer would remain ongoing.

My husband Peter and I established Curls for a Cure® because we firmly believe that we can beat breast cancer by helping fund the research that creates new treatments and ultimately finds a cure for this devastating disease. Being inducted into the Cancer Research and Treatment fund Hall of Fame on November 16, 2010 for my support to my clients is a great honor.

This year we are joining together with our partner salons and stylists to spread the word and raise awareness for this important mission.

---

This month NaturallyCurly has teamed up with Ouidad in the fight against breast cancer. We encourage you to check out our Curls for a Cure page and get involved. Share your story in a blog post, find support in the community, purchase your pink curl extension, answer questions and direct friends to get involved. Together we can fight this disease and work towards a cure. 

Dear Ouidad:

I have the 3A hair type and for years I would color and straighten it, and now I’m having the issue of wanting to give up on my hair completely and just get it chemically straightened. I want my curly hair to work for me though, not conform to the normal straight hair you see everywhere. The ends are too frizzy and undefined, but I don’t like the look of a wet dog with too much gel to control it, what do I do? The frizz is out of control at times and my hair falls out in clumps, any suggestions?

– Lauren N, 3A

 

---

Ouidad:

I am so happy that you want to embrace your natural curls instead of straightening them. Stand out from the crowd girl!

The combination of color and heat styling can wreak havoc and cause dryness, damage and frizz. It sounds like you’re in need of some curl rehab, so I would first suggest my Curl Recovery line of products to nurse your hair back to health.

What you need now is to repair your damage while strengthening and restructuring your curls. It’s especially important for you to keep an eye on ingredients while you recover your curls, avoiding anything harmful that may aggravate your dryness. Shampoos have been known to cause damage to curly hair, so try out a cleansing oil instead. Also be sure to deep condition once a week. Our Curl Recovery Mask will help recreate your hair’s depleted lipid barrier, restoring the protective layer to promote health and prevent future damage. I also suggest consulting a Ouidad Certified stylist to assess your curls and trim your ends as necessary.

MORE: Ouidad Q&A’s

---

Have a question for Ouidad? Send it to askouidad@naturallycurly.com.

Dear Ouidad:

My biggest problem is trying to deal with the frizz that happens as a result of working out. If I work out in the morning I want to be able to wear my curly hair to work without having to wash it. I only like to wash my hair 3 times a week, and I want to work out more often than that. I’ve even tried a Brazilian Blowout to help with frizz but my hair still looks frizzy after a workout. What can I do to refresh my curls and make them look better before work?

– Jamie 3B

 

Ouidad:

This is a very common question that I receive from active curlies and I’m glad you are not letting your curls deter you from sticking to your routine. Give your curls a post workout boost with my Botanical Boost Moisture Infusing & Refreshing Spray. Designed to soften, moisturize, detangle and fight frizz, this is the perfect pick me up without having to rewash your hair! Our 2.5 ounce travel size is great to leave in your gym bag.

How to Use It

• Spritz hair after a workout
• Smooth product over curls to distribute evenly
• Avoid disturbing the curl by taking care not to break up the curls with your fingers

---

MORE: Ouidad Q&A’s

---

Have a question for Ouidad? Send it to askouidad@naturallycurly.com.

Dear Ouidad:

I have thick, Type 3B hair and I deep condition regularly and follow the CG method – but for some reason my hair will not grow past my shoulders. I try my best to maintain healthy curls, but what can I do to encourage growth?

– Hillary 3C, Pictured

 

Ouidad:

To encourage hair growth, I highly recommend starting at the scalp. First I’d recommend you try exfoliating your scalp and then using a deep treatment to repair and prevent damage. This will help clear your scalp and your hair follicles of any product buildup and residue you may have. I created my Mediterranean Bay Leaf Treatment using Fennel Seed Extract to increase micro-circulation and oxygen flow to the root.

How to Use It

• Shampoo hair as you normally would
• Massage the Bay Leaf Treatment gently over your entire scalp for 1-3 minutes using just your fingertips
• Rinse out and follow up with a conditioner, running it throughout your hair for additional moisture

If your goal is to encourage hair growth, I would recommend using this 2-3 times per week. You can also try this alongside our Salon Series Biotin Reparative Treatment, an overnight scalp treatment infused with Biotin and a rich vitamin cocktail. These two products used in conjunction will soothe and improve the condition of your scalp to help promote healthy hair growth.

---

MORE: Ouidad Q&A’s

---

Have a question for Ouidad? Send it to askouidad@naturallycurly.com.

Dear Ouidad:

“Ok, so I know that detangling is a must to help keep my hair from matting together and being a tangled mess. However, whenever I do detangle, I wind up with a fluffed out mess that won’t coil back up. What am I doing wrong? I only detangle when I have a head full of conditioner. I use my fingers and a comb, sometimes my Denman, but not often.Any suggestions? It makes me not want to detangle, but I know that’s a bad idea.”

-CurlTalk user PrettyLady24

Ouidad:

You are absolutely doing the right thing by detangling your curls with conditioner and your fingers, but I would not recommend using a brush on curly or coily hair under any circumstances to prevent frizz. In my experience the most challenging aspect of curly hair is detangling it, and it is crucial to use tools that will slide through your curls without the ripping or tugging. I would recommend giving our Double Detangler a try if you haven’t already. It’s unique in that it has double rows of teeth to eliminate difficult knots and prevent your curls from springing back and re-tangling. Coat your wet hair in conditioner and then separate your hair into sections, gently detangle each section using a comb or your fingers on difficult knots.

After you detangle and rinse out your conditioner, you may find that your curls or coils have elongated or lost their shape. The products and techniques you use to apply them will help to reactivate your curls and give them the hold and definition you’re looking for.

After Detangling

1. Start with a repairing styling primer or leave-in to seal in moisture and smooth frizz
2. Follow this with a moisturizing styling product that will provide soft hold and definition like the Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel
3. Apply your products using the Rake & Shake technique
4. Gently blot your hair with a towel to remove excess moisture

Dear Ouidad:

“I’m new to co-washing and I’ve been using products that are specifically called ‘co-wash conditioner.’ I’m really loving the results on my hair so far but my question is, should I still be using a regular conditioner after the co-wash conditioner?”

Ouidad:

This is really going to be specific to your unique curls and the kind of moisture they need. Pay close attention to your hair while you’re testing out this new cleansing routine of yours to see if the cleansing conditioners you’re using are providing enough moisture for your curls, as this will also vary based on the conditioner you are using. Our own Curl Co-Wash is unlike most cleansing conditioners in that it contains a concentrated blend of conditioners and oils plus a gentle, naturally-derived coconut cleanser that will not dry or strip your hair. If you feel that you still need more moisture you can always follow with a leave in conditioner.

How to co-wash

1. Saturate hair thoroughly with lukewarm water
2. Divide into 4 sections and apply 3-8 pumps to each section
3. Massage the scalp with fingers and comb through to distribute evenly
4. Leave on for the duration of your bath or shower, then rinse
5. Optional: If you feel that you need more moisture you can follow with a leave-in conditioner like our Moisture Lock or a primer prior to styling prior to styling.

Dear Ouidad:

“Every winter I go through the same thing: excessive oiliness at my roots and an extremely dry, flaky scalp. You’d think both problems couldn’t happen on the same head! I’m struggling to find a routine that will address both issues, as a solution for one seems to exacerbate the other. What kinds of products will help me and how should I apply them?”

Ouidad:

The cold and dry air during the winter can be harsh on our curly hair. We see a lot of clients at our Salon who are experiencing scalp irritation and build-up, which leads to hair follicles being blocked and hair roots being dehydrated. In my home country of Lebanon we use a rare Bay Leaf Oil for its restorative qualities, so I developed and imported the Salon Series Mediterranean Bay Leaf Treatment to help our clients improve their scalp health.

The scalp treatment helps soothe the itchiness or irritation you’re experiencing, and its light-textured cream will exfoliate the scalp to remove flakiness. Our formula of Fennel Seed Extract serves to increase micro-circulation and oxygen flow to the root, which will result in a healthy scalp and as an added benefit, stimulate hair growth.

To clear the scalp and follicles of buildup, flakes and residue I suggest first shampooing with Waterworks Clarifying Shampoo, then apply the scalp treatment on freshly shampooed hair. Using the pads of the fingertips (never use nails”>, massage gently over the entire scalp for 1-3 minutes. Rinse out and follow with an oil-free conditioner to balance the oiliness you’re experiencing, running it throughout your hair for additional moisture. For you, I would suggest treating your hair with this every other day.

Dear Ouidad:

Until recently I wasn’t paying much attention to the ingredients in my hair products (bad, I know!”> but now that I’m cutting silicones out of my hair’s diet, I’ve noticed my strands are looking a little dull. I’m missing the glossy shine that products with silicones gave my curls and I’ve even considered going back.

What can I do to get back my shine? Are there certain ingredients or techniques that will help give me that glossy look without the negative effects?

Ouidad:

This is a very good question! I believe that silicones such as dimethicone are best used in small doses, and when used in moderation, don’t put your curls at risk. So you can absolutely add a little back to your hair diet! Silicones create a barrier between your hair and the elements; so in a way strands are protected from frizz, humidity and precipitation.

To help regain hair health and shine, it is important to include a monthly deep treatment in your monthly regimen. I recommend our 12-minute Deep Treatment to feed curls with a combination of essential amino acids and proteins.

In addition, your curls should be rinsed with a clarifying shampoo such as my Ouidad Water Works shampoo at least once every 2-3 weeks to help remove residue from your daily product regimen leaving curls refreshed. We’ve worked hard to formulate a shampoo that can gently remove build-up without stripping your curls of moisture. 

---

MORE: Ouidad Q&A’s

---

Have a question for Ouidad? Send it to askouidad@naturallycurly.com.

My hair has too much volume!

Dear Ouidad: I really need your help. My hair is a 3b and 3c hair and is slightly above my waist in length. My hair has so much volume when I style it and sometimes I love having huge hair, but most of the time I want my hair to be more calm. I mostly use Mixed Chicks or Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and those products are good in defining my curls, but not calming them down completely. I have tried everything, including heavy gels with my curl enhancer, and nothing has calmed my hair down. What would you suggest?

A: I would encourage you to visit one of my Ouidad Flagship Salons in New York and Santa Monica or Ouidad Certified Salons. They are highly trained in my Carving and Slicing technique. It is less about taking off length and more about removing the bulk of your curls so they easily lie into one another, making them easier to manage. You can also try using Climate Control Shampoo and Conditioner to remove frizz that may be involved in making your hair “huge”.

---

Dear Ouidad: I am at my wits end with my hair! It has always been difficult, but more so since having my baby. The front pieces are very kinky and curly and don’t grow very long (and it looks as though I am growing new hair, so I now have a crown of short frizz along my hair line”>. Underneath the tight curls by my ears, the hair is completely straight, and in the back ,it is flat on the top and bigger curls as it gets to the length. I just want a hair style that I can manage and have it look the same every day. I am willing to try some chemicals that are reasonable in price, but realistically, I am not a high maintenance person, so I will not be going to the salon every month. I am debating having it cut A-Line and straightening it, but again, I don’t like to do hair or makeup, so I’m afraid that I would be making a mistake assuming that I will do that every day. Right now my hair is shoulder length, and I usually bobby pin the “bangs” back.

I am out of hair spray and moose so I am open to suggestions on that, but I recently bought Biolage shampoo and conditioner and gel for curly hair — not that impressed.

Do you have a recommendation on a haircut? Do you have a recommendation for a stylist in my area? I live in Santa Rosa California, zip code 95404.

A: After having a baby, it’s very normal for women to experience changes in their hair because of the change in estrogen levels that your physique is experiencing. However, I absolutely love curls and never suggest any chemical treatments that could further damage the hair. You can start repairing your locks by using my 12-Minute Deep Treatment once a week until you feel it’s no longer necessary and continue to use it at least once a month after that.

Secondly, it’s very important to have the right haircut, so you can achieve the low maintenance curls that you want. If you are able to, I suggest going to one of my Ouidad Flagship Salons or a Ouidad Certified Salon. All Ouidad Stylists have been trained in my technique called Carving and Slicing. This technique is designed specifically to address the special needs of curly hair — to remove the bulk associated with the dreaded “pyramid” look, while preserving and enhancing your natural curl pattern.

Lastly, I suggest using my moisturizing Curl Quencher Shampoo, Conditioner and Gel for your everyday products to help with the dryness and frizz you are experiencing.

Read More: 5 Best Hair Oils for Curly Hair

How do I keep volume under control?

Dear Ouidad: I have a hair type that is somewhere between 2c and 3a. I had very long hair until last year, when I cut it short for the first time. It was kind of a haphazard cut (I did it myself in my dorm”>, but I enjoyed having it short. I’d like to cut it again, about to the nape of my neck, but my hair tends to poof out into a mushroom when I don’t have length to weigh it down. Do you have any suggestions for a cut or styling method that will help me keep the volume under control?

A: I suggest, if you can, going to one of my Ouidad Flagship or Certified Salons. Our stylists are highly trained in my Carve and Slice technique. If you are not familiar with it, this haircut is designed specifically to address the special needs of curly hair — to remove the bulk associated with the dreaded “pyramid” look, while preserving and enhancing the natural curl pattern. You also want to keep in mind that when cutting your curls the shortest piece of hair around your face should stretch from the top of your forehead to the chin. This allows enough length to accommodate shrinkage and provide movement around your face.

---

Dear Ouidad: I have mixed kinky and kinky curly hair and I have been going natural for almost a year now. I just got it cut really short about two weeks ago, and now when I wash it, it curls majorly, but after letting it dry, it’s thirsty. I don’t know what to use to moisturize it. Any suggestions?

A: I would highly recommend my 12 Minute Deep Treatment at least twice a month, to feed your hair after all the damage it goes through from day to day. It will help with the overall “thirst” you feel your hair is having. I also have a product called Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner. This is formulated to hydrate your curls and help seal the cuticle layer to prevent frizz and encourage healthier hair and a healthier scalp.

Read More: How to do a Hair Rinse for Healthy Hair

Let’s be honest: coily hair is awesome. This particular pattern holds a great two-strand twist and can be molded into the coolest styles. However, it is also prone to dryness and serious tangling issues. Try these tips for easy coily styling using products from the Beautiful Textures line.

Keep Coils Healthy

1. Add conditioner to your shampoo. Complete your first wash with just shampoo, then add a small scoop of conditioner to your second wash to help begin the detangling process. Your goal is to separate any snags. Try: Tangle Taming Shampoo with Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner.
2. Use a wide tooth comb and a paddle brush. Detangling can sometimes be a feat, so start with a wide tooth comb and finish with a paddle brush.
3. Do smaller twists. Ever wonder why your hair is always frizzy after you’ve spent quite a bit of time twisting? You’re not twisting small enough. Twists should be the size of a small permanent marker. Try: A combination of Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Crème + Curl Control Defining Pudding.

4. Kinky gals are notorious for missing scheduled trims. Zig-zag patterns can tend to hide split ends, so make sure to get a routine trim every 3 to 4 months. You at-home pros should blow out your tresses before trimming, but make sure to apply a protective serum to avoid heat damage. Try: Curly to Straight Flat Iron Silkener.
5. Stretch kinks for better definition. Use your blow-dryer on a medium to high setting to gently to loosen your naturally tight pattern and stretch your tresses while dry. Run the blow dryer quickly across your roots in sections.

How do you keep your coils healthy year-round?

Dear Ouidad:

I am really trying to transition from relaxed to natural, but my family makes jokes about how nappy my hair will look. I have a wavy, kinky curl pattern, but it is very dry and hard to detangle.

There are so many different companies out for curlies like Mixed Chicks, Ouidad, and Kinky Curly. Which products should I use? If I mix and match different products from different companies will I still be able to get good results?

Dear Confused Transitioner:

Don’t let anyone discourage you from embracing your curls! It can be daunting when transitioning to your natural texture, but with time and effort you will figure out your own perfect curl routine and be glad you did!

As far as mixing products, everyone’s curl is different, and it will take time to find out what products work for you. Many brands offer hair profilers on their websites that will diagnose exactly what products you need. You can also try buying trial and travel sizes at first so you can experiment with different brands and combinations. In the end, you will have a much healthier, happier head of curls!

Dear Ouidad:

I am a 48-year-old, type 2 diabetic since I was 40-ish. I don’t know if that will have anything to do with my situation, but I wanted to throw it in there. I have had a natural curl/wave since I was born. In the beginning I didn’t really know how to handle it and, like most, tried blow-drying to straighten. Then, about five to seven years ago, I decided to quit fighting and “let it go,” which is what I did and began embracing my “wash & wear” hair.

Well, I started noticing at the beginning of this year that with a few haircuts, my curls are pretty much gone. I still let my hair air dry, because that’s what I’m used too, and then put in a pony-tail because it’s so fine and, to me, looks lifeless. I’ve always taken pride in my hair and now I just don’t know what to do with it. I’ve also used several products to “revive” my hair, but nothing seems to be working. Any advice?

Dear Missing Curls: I’m sorry to hear about your missing curls! The issue may be leftover damage from your days of blow-drying. Curly hair is very delicate, and heat styling can cause serious damage to the curl formation. However, this can be remedied with a nourishing deep treatment. Start out by using a deep treatment weekly until your hair starts to look noticeably healthier and the curl formation returns. Then, continue doing a deep treatment every other week as a part of your regular routine. Doing this is guaranteed to make your hair stronger, softer, healthier, and less frizzy! If you’re still looking for a little extra boost, try a curl refreshing spray like my Botanical Boost to revive the hair. With this process, your hair should be sporting beautiful curls again in no time!

Dear Ouidad:

My hair is naturally curly, but lately my 3c curls haven’t been as strong as they used to be. Whenever I wet my hair to get my curls, I get this weird looking hump in the front that has ultimately stopped me from wearing my hair curly. Plus, my hair tends to get all frizzy and starts looking kind of dry. Do you have any tips and/or know why my hair does that?

Dear Trying to Embrace:

3c curls are very delicate and need a lot of loving care to look their best! It sounds to me like your hair is in need of some serious moisture to fight frizz and bring your curls back to life. Start using a nourishing deep treatment every other week to replace lost hair proteins and restructure your curls. With regular use, your curls will become stronger, healthier, and more resilient to damage and frizz.

Dear Ouidad:

I am 45-years-old and was blessed with naturally curly hair. All my life I have struggled with this thick, Italian, very curly hair and dreamed of having hair like Cher, or straight hair.

Finally, a year ago my stylist gave me a Simply Smooth Keratin Treatment which I loved and my life changed for the better. It lasted 9 months and I had another treatment ($200 a treatment”> which was not as successful as my first. I had a mini treatment in between as instructed, but I am afraid my old hair has won the battle and I am, once again, battling this curly hair drama.

I don’t want to spend money on another treatment, but my stylist told me she did the same thing as the first time and I need to use the Simply Smooth products.

My question to you is what can or should I do? Is there something I can purchase myself and treat my hair like the Simply Smooth? I am desperate for your sound advice.

Dear Desperate in NY: I always advise my clients to avoid straightening treatments. Naturally curly hair is gorgeous and straightening seriously damages the hair. So my advice to you is to embrace your curls! Start doing a weekly deep treatment to repair the damage and replace lost proteins. Once your hair starts to become healthier you can cut back to every other week. Also, as you transition, try visiting a stylist who has experience and training in cutting curly hair.

Dear Ouidad:

I have been getting Ouidad haircuts since I was 13-years-old. The cut made me love my hair again!

I am a bridesmaid in a wedding and will be getting my hair done in an updo at a Ouidad certified salon. Do you have any recommendations on a style that is easy and will look elegant for a wedding?

Dear Curly Cut Veteran: I’m so happy to hear you’re loving your Ouidad cut! Braided styles are an easy and elegant option for weddings and work well on curly hair. Look online for pictures that inspire you and bring them with you to the salon. Your Ouidad stylist will be able to create an updo that works with your natural curls and also looks great!

Dear Ouidad:

I have very similar hair to you, and I love your hairstyle. I will never, however, get to New York or L.A. to visit your salon. How should I tell my stylist to cut my hair? Do you have short layers? Do you cut your hair with a razor blade? Do you thin it out underneath the hair? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Dear Copycat:

I use my own Carve and Slice technique on my hair for a cut that works with my curly hair instead of against it. Use my salon locator to find a salon near you that has Ouidad Certified Stylists to asses and cut your curls properly. And never layer or thin your curls! Layering will cause your shorter layers to shrink up, while thinning creates an unwanted combination of tight curls and longer limp ones.

Dear Ouidad:

I have fine 3a/b hair. It’s just getting long, not quite half way down my back. My hair tends to have lots of volume, however it gets weighed down with too much product and gets over conditioned. What kind of styling products do you recommend for fine curly hair? I am looking for definition without sacrificing volume.

Dear Weighed Down:

Good products should treat and control your hair without weighing it down. Since you say your hair has natural volume, you should try a lightweight styling gel to get the hold and definition you want. Make sure not to use too much product — a nickel size dollop for each 4 to 6 inch section of hair is enough.