Search Results: Ouidad
Dear Ouidad: I really need help! I am a 13-year-old girl, and you can only imagine how much my looks mean to me! My entire life I have been struggling with my curly curly hair! I guess you could say that my hair is a mix of soft curls (3a”> and kinky (4″>. I have gotten Keratin treatments, relaxers, and unfortunately I do sometimes straighten my hair when it’s damp to get my curls out! My hair is thin, and strawberry blond! I have two pieces near my scalp that are VERY VERY KINKY and even when I shower my hair does not even get straight in the shower! And when I get out of the shower I gel and slick back my hair into a high pony tail, just hoping the curls will tame out! It usually does the trick but I am getting really sick of it, especially because it is ruining my hair! I cry almost every day that I shower because I hate my hair!! I have even considered surgery because it is terrible! The two pieces near my scalp are terribly short and curly from brushing it and putting product on it so much! I simply just do not know what to do with my hair!! And I have used about every kind of product you could imagine!! I am telling you this because I do not know what to do! I just want my curls to go away! This is my last hope if you could help me, it would be a miracle to me!
A: Curly texture is beautiful when you embrace it and don’t fight it. By continuing to straighten your hair you are causing further damage. I recommend that you stop all of the abuse to your hair and start to rebuild the curls. Deep treatments can really help repair the damage and put you on the path to healthier curls. Be sure to use a wide-toothed comb when detangling to avoid breakage. To help with the tighter, kinky spots around your hairline you can visit my salon for a softening treatment. Above all else, curls are unique and beautiful and I hope you will learn to embrace them for everything they are!
Dear Ouidad: My curls need a major overhaul; what else besides the softening treatment can I do to repair my hair?
A: If you are unable to get to a Ouidad Flagship Salon in NYC or Santa Monica, an at home Deep Treatment Intensive Repair is a great option. You should perform regular Deep Treatments at home every 2 weeks to start. Ouidad Certified Salons also offer the Deep Treatment as an in-salon service that can redefine, repair, moisturize and revive the most damaged of curly hair. To find a certified salon near you, check out our salon finder.
Dear Ouidad: How do I determine the best length for my curly hair?
A: The length should be determined by many factors—your height, facial features, your lifestyle, the overall look you want to achieve, not simply by the type of curls you have. These attributes and your goals should be discussed during your consultation with your stylist before the cut.
Dear Ouidad: My hair is much curlier on the sides and back. What should I do to make the two types of hair work together?
A: Assuming your top hair is a different curl, blending the types starts with the cut. Carving and Slicing enhances your curls, fitting them with the surrounding different curls and waves. Styling with the Rake & Shake technique will also help you curls work together.
See our video for how to Rake & Shake!
Dear Ouidad: Is it possible to obtain a cut that looks as terrific blown straight as it does styled curly, and allows the liberty of doing either?
A: With the Carve & Slice technique, both a curly and straight style are absolutely possible. However, over-using a blowdryer or flat iron to straighten the hair damages its condition and your curls cannot perform beautifully.
Dear Ouidad: My hair is like straw on the top layers and my curls are so pretty underneath. What do I do to fix this problem? Please help.
A: Use the Deep Treatment regularly, starting every 2 weeks and then when in better condition, transition to monthly. This will bring back the health of top layers. The Deep Treatment can also be used as a leave in conditioner, particularly on the dry/damaged area.
Dear Ouidad: I’m growing out my thick, coarse, curly hair after 2 years of post-chemo hair. I’m miserable! Small clips and headbands don’t handle my thick hair. Ideas?
A: One option is a softening treatment. It is a technique to loosen the curls with very mild relaxants blended with Deep Treatment. It works to soften out-of-control curls, making them more maintenance free and healthy looking.
Dear Ouidad: My hair has several different types of textures in it—fine AND coarse, and my curl pattern is weak. Should I get a perm like my stylist recommended?
A: It is normal to curly hair to have multiple patterns and textures. You just need to learn to work with it and my recommendation would be to start with Deep Treatment to get your hair back to its optimal condition to see how it performs.
Dear Ouidad: How do I know when I’m due for a deep conditioning?
A: Your curls will tell you. They won’t perform, won’t hold a style, and will have more flyaways.
Dear Ouidad: A friend of mine said she sleeps with the deep treatment on her hair under a cap overnight and rinses in the morning. Is this a good idea?
A: Yes! However, I would highly recommend you heat activate it for at least 5-7 min with a blow dryer first, or even wrap a hot towel around the shower cap and sleep with it wrapped.
Dear Ouidad: Do you treat white/gray hair with Deep Treatment more often or use other products to tame and shine it?
A:You use the Deep Treatment every four weeks with gray hair the same as any other hair. Gray hair can be more coarse, so will need more styling products to help shape and set.
Dear Ouidad: I have lightened my curly hair for years with permanent blond hair color. However, I want to gradually return to my natural brown with blond highlights. Advice, please?
A:Start by weaving in low lights of your natural brown color. Slowly increase the amount of lowlights over several appointments.
Dear Ouidad: Are there coloring products that don’t dry out curls?
Dear Ouidad: Why does permanent hair color tend to wear off easier on curly hair, especially gray coverage, even though I am washing hair only every other day?
A: With curly hair, the cuticle is more open and more porous, which allows it to take on more color but also can allow it to fade more quickly. Color should be semi-permanent which is more delicate. Since the cuticle is already more open, you don’t need a strong activator to break down the cuticle layer to accept color. Also to help seal in color, I recommend a glaze afterward to promote tone longevity and vibrancy.
Dear Ouidad: My daughter is 4 years old and has curly hair. It is beautiful, but when she wakes up, it looks like electricity has run through her. What should I do?
A: She should sleep with a loose bun or ponytail on the top of the head. In the morning spray Botanical Boost to wet hair and then spray Krly Kids Pump n’Go Styling gel
Dear Ouidad: How does one maintain their look for the next day without having to wash their hair again? Is it better to wash the hair every day?
A: When you sleep put the hair in a loose ponytail on the top of the head to preserve curls as best as possible for the morning. In the morning, use Botanical Boost to refresh your curls. After your hair is dry, you can use a drop of Shine Glaze and your hair will look beautiful for the day. In terms of washing your hair, generally it isn’t necessary to shampoo daily. Your curl pattern should dictate how often you should shampoo.
Loose waves – 2-3 times per week
Curly/Tight – 1-2 times per week
Kinky – 1 time per week
Dear Ouidad: Does the cut actually make a difference in curly hair or are you just stuck with hair that has a mind all its own?
A: You are definitely not stuck. No two heads of curly hair are ever the same and even one person can have multiple curl patterns throughout the hair. You need a cut designed specifically for your curl pattern and face shape. Our trademarked Carve and Slice hair cut involves strategically cutting the hair at the curvature of the curl pattern. The result is well-defined curls and waves that fit gently into each other like puzzle pieces creating healthier, more manageable hair.
Sarah Jessica Parker
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.
