Search Results: Ouidad
Ouidad Climate Control
Dear Ouidad: I recently got engaged and am longing for my dry, coarse and kinky curly hair to be more soft, healthy and looser ringlet-like curls before the wedding. (Much like Taylor Swift’s”> Any suggestions?
A: Deep treatment intensive conditioning is the key to getting softer, healthier curls. After that I recommend a softening to loosen tight curls, but make sure that the softening process uses a calcium hydroxyl base, not a sodium hydroxyl base. This should be used months ahead of time, though to make sure you like the outcome. For special occasions you can use a Climate Control gel to control frizz and add moisture to loosen your curls.
Dear Ouidad:I used to be a 3b, but when I was younger I used to always straighten my hair because I didn’t like it. Now I’m a 3a and my curls are not so tight, but I was wondering if there is any way to bring them back?
A: Curly hair tends to change every 7-10 years, so your curl-style may just be evolving as you get older. To start seeing what your natural curl is, you should get a curl-specialized haircut and damage-control treatment and follow up by staying away from the straightening iron and letting your curls down. Getting into a deep treatment regimen is always important in regaining your natural curl./
Dear Ouidad: My hair is wavy and not really thick. I want it long but it breaks off in the back and will only grow a certain length. How do I get it long?
Ouidad: Using a Deep Treatment, with amino acids and essential vitamins and minerals, is the most important step in restoring and maintaining your hair’s health and beauty. I recommend doing a treatment every two weeks to help strengthen hair and enable it to grow. Due to a curl’s tendency to lose nutrients and moisture, frequent deep conditioning is necessary to replenish the mane’s strength, allowing each strand to regain its internal integrity and body and minimize the tendency to frizz. Also getting regular trims to cut off the damaged ends is a good way to keep hair healthy.
A: Wash your hair with a gentle deep cleansing shampoo (such as Water Works Clarifying Shampoo“> which helps remove product build up as well as chlorine, hard water and mineral build up. Try to only use products containing mineral oil on dry hair as a finishing product. Use small amounts and work from the ends up (staying 1 inch away from the scalp”>.
Christina Applegate
Q: I would love to get the look of Christina Applegate on Samantha Who?. I love the length and large curls. I have fine 3b/c hair. Any hints?
Ouidad: Using my Rake & Shake technique, dispense a nickel-size dollop of styling gel (I recommend the Ouidad Curl Quencher Gel, which will help to soften tighter curls”> to palms and work evenly through sections of damp hair. Starting at the nape area take a 2″ section of hair from ear to ear (or a larger section for larger curls”>, and rake the lotion through; holding section at the end, then shake to reset your curl pattern. Repeat entire process, working in sections to the top of the head.
Q: I am a 3a and I am allergic to sulfates, so I cannot use lots of hair products because of the sulfates in them. I won’t go into the gross details about what happens when I do but just think: worst rash possible, only under your hair!!! Anyway, I cannot find hardly any shampoos or conditioners, with no sulfates. Can you recommend anything? I am desperate; it has gotten worse as I have gotten older and it is really bad now. I have spoken to a dermatologist and the products they keep recommending have sulfates in them so I have basically given up. What can I do?
Ouidad: Sulfates are often found in shampoos to help with the cleansing process by removing dirt, oil and residues. My KRLY Kids Shampoo has a very low amount of sulphates. And the KRLY Kids Conditioner and Spray Gel do not contain sulfates so you may like to try them. Go to ouidad.com/Krly-Kids for our KRLY Kids line. And remember for shampoo: no need to use it every day. For curly hair I recommend it two or three days a week.
Q: I’m looking for a pretty updo for prom that showcases my curls. Any ideas?
Ouidad: It’s easy to get a pretty curly ‘do, thanks to a simple ponytail with a romantic twist. You’ll need Play Curl Mousse to prep the hair and Clear Control Pomade and Styling Mist to finish it, as well as 4-5 bobby pins and a decorative hair accessory.
Begin with freshly shampooed hair. Use Play Curl Shampoo and Play Curl Conditioner, towel dry then use fingers to distribute Play Curl Mousse throughout curls.
Tip: It’s best to let curls air dry, or use a hairdryer on cool with a diffuser.
1. Place a dime sized dollop of Clear Control Pomade in the palm of your hand, rub palms together, then smooth hair back into a pony tail.
Holding the pony tight at the scalp with one hand, run your other hand over the pony tail all the way to ends. Clear Control helps to soften, open and define your curls, but won’t flatten them out.
2. Divide hair into two sections with a center part in the back of the head (as if you were creating pigtails”>. Take one side and twist under and to the side, securing with a bobby pin or two. Then, twist the other section, also under and to the opposite side, then securing.
You are crisscrossing the two sections to create a unique, loose tumble of curls that is simple, but so elegant.
3. Smooth tendrils, add bobby pins if necessary, or dress up this look with a stunning hair comb, like this crystal and pearl combo.
If your tendrils need definition, a hot curling iron covered with a light cotton fabric will do the trick. Finish off with the Styling Mist.
Now, go have fun!
Q: Does hair color/highlighting negatively affect hair texture and quality?
Ouidad: No matter how gentle a formulation, hair color is always dehydrating to all types of hair. The way to get the best results with your color and to avoid the dehydration process is to do a deep treatment 3 days before coloring so the hair is fed and strengthened with moisture and amino acids and your color will come out evenly.
Q: How much leave-in conditioner should you apply?
Ouidad: For short, thick hair, a dime-size amount; for short, thin hair, a pea-size amount; and for thick, long hair, a quarter-size. Use your discretion and remember to use enough to work through your hair but not to drench it.
Do you want the beachy look of soft waves like supermodel Giselle? Herbal Essences’ celeb stylist Charles Baker Strahan tells you how to get them with the new Tousle Me Softly collection.
- Wash and condition with Tousle Me Softly Shampoo and Conditioner
- Mist Tousle Me Softly Spray Gel through wet hair
- Blow hair dry with diffuser
(Expert tip: Moving hair too much with the diffuser will cause frizz”>
- Smooth a round brush through hair and curl using heat from dryer
- Smooth Tousle Me Softly Finishing Touch Cream over hair
- Define curls with curling iron
See how to style your hair with Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly.
Q: Does hair weaken with age and certain conditions, like pregnancy or illness? What about poor lifestyle choices, like bad diet or smoking?
Ouidad: Time and age does cause havoc by weakening hair from the natural loss of moisture, proteins, and vitamins as well as environmental wear. Illness and poor diet can also weaken hair — because they cause a shock to the body’s systems. Pregnancy, on the other hand, is very enriching to the hair since the body is filled with nutrients.
Leyda Quintero
Please welcome our latest writer, Leyda Quintero, who began experimenting with makeup at 13. By 18, she says was familiar with just about every brand and had tried every foundation, concealer and powder out there! She also began working with a photographer making up models for their headshots and learned a lot about concealing imperfections, contouring and highlighting and how to enhance every feature of the face while making it look seamless.
Throughout her career, Leyda has traveled to 25 different countries and used her talents on VH1, The Oxygen Channel, A&E and commercials for Hennessey Black. Leyda has been featured in many international publications such as Hapaar’s Bazaar, People en Español, In Style, Swedish Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Elle. She has demonstrated her tips and techniques on various television stations in Venezuela, Ukraine, Ireland, Panama & Costa Rica. Leyda believes “there’s magic in makeup and you see it in the unshakable confidence a women exudes when she feels beautiful” Perfecting and enhancing women around the globe has made Leyda an industry favorite. As Resident Artist at Devachan Salons in SoHo, Leyda has found her home where she not only create makeup masterpieces each and every day, but teach others to do the same, as well. She has come full circle – providing lessons, offering how-to seminars, and bringing out the natural beauty in all of her clients. To make an appointment, call (212″> 274-8686.
By the time summer officially rolls around, my Marilyn Manson skin tone is begging for the sun. Living in the city with no beach in sight made bronzer my B.F.F.
My advice to sun worshippers is to fake it, not bake it. Avoid the sun’s damaging rays, all without the muss and fuss and use a bronzer.
This month, I tested nearly every bronzer out there to find the creme de la creme of bronzers. all without the muss and fuss and use a bronzer.
This month I will help you find the ideal bronzer shade for your skin tone, the right brush, what bronzer is best, along with steps on how to apply bronzer correctly.
P.S Stay tuned next month for more of my favorite makeup tips, beauty secrets and products!
| If your skin color looks like: | Your skin tone is: | Your bronzer shade is: |
|---|---|---|
| Nicole Kidman; Naomi Watts | White; very fair; red or blond hair; blue eyes; freckles & or slightly translucent skin; (Cool”> Slightly blue or pink undertone | Sheer slightly rose |
| Scarlett Johansson;Rose McGowan; Madonna | White; fair; red or blond hair; blue, hazel, or green eyes (Warm or Cool”> | Sheer slightly peach |
| Angelina Jolie; Shakira; Lucy Liu | Cream; white; fair with any eye or hair color; (Warm”>-Golden; yellow undertone | Sheer Copper |
| Salma Hayek; Jennifer Lopez | Light Brown; typical Mediterranean caucasian skin (Warm”>-Olive undertone | Earth |
| Beyonce; Frieda Pinto | Medium Brown; mid-eastern skin types (Warm”> Olive; Golden Undertone | Bronze |
| Iman; Naomi Campell | Dark Brown (Warm”>-Yellow;Red or (Cool”>-Blue Undertone | Chocolate with Subtle Shimmer |
The Bronzer
One advantage of painting faces in New York City is the variety of skin tones I get to make up! I tried and tested several bronzers to find the best quality, blendability and shade for each skin tone and below are my favorites out there!
| If your ideal shade is: | One to try: | Where to buy: |
|---|---|---|
| Sheer Slightly Rose |  Product: Bronzer Shade: Warm Glow Price $ 28.00 |
ww.ULTA.com |
| Sheer Slightly Peach |  Product: Bronzer Shade: Light Price $25 |
www.Sephora.com |
| Sheer Copper |  Product: Glo Bronze Shade: Sunlight Price $38.50 |
Deva Spa
1.646.454.4300 For $1 shipping! |
| Earth |  Product: Terracotta Mineral Loose Powder w/kabuki brush Price: $65 |
www.saks.com |
| Bronze |  Product: Bronzer Shade: Park Avenue Princess Price: $28 |
www.Sephora.com |
| Chocolate with Subtle Shimmer |  Product: Bronzer Shade: Casino Price $30 |
www.Bloomingdales.com |
The Right Brush
Using the right tools are key to the perfect application. Choose the effect you prefer to find the right brush!
| Effect: | Brush Type: | Try: |
|---|---|---|
| Sheer | Fan Brush
Lightly dusts powders around the contours of your features. It doesn’t blend or move makeup |
 Price: $30 |
| Light/Medium | Texture Brush
Ideal for creating soft layers of shimmer or adding texture to your makeup. The flat top is used for lightweight application |
Glo Minerals Texture Brush
 Deva Spa 1.646.454.4300 For $1 shipping! |
| Full/Complete | “Kabuki” Brush
Super dense brush that is ideal for buffing and blending. Kabuki brushes are my favorite brushes to work with and worth the investment! |
Nars Botan Brush  Free Shipping |
6 steps for the perfect bronze :
- Thoroughly exfoliate face, neck and decollete
- Apply moisturizer and allow to absorb completely
- Lightly dust a matte translucent powder all over the face, neck and decollete
- In circular motions, starting at the forehead frame the outer areas of the face and blend in towards the center.
- Concentrate deepening sides of the forehead, framing the cheekbones and jawline while lightly dusting over the rest of the face, neck and decollete
- When applied correctly, the center of the face will be slightly lighter than the outer areas of the face which will be naturally enhance with added dimension while the bronzed areas will sunkiss and contour your best features
Helpful Tips:
- *Always exfoliate before bronzing to prevent the bronzer from sticking to rough uneven areas.
- *If you have rosacea choose a matte earthy shade bronzer with an olive undertone
- *Always apply a matte translucent powder all over the face before applying bronzer to avoid streaking or the oils in your skin from turning the bronzer orange.
- * You may use a concealer lightly to conceal imperfections but should avoid applying bronzer over liquid or cream foundation as it tends to look thick, orange or cakey by the end of the day.
- *Peach, Pink and Berry Cream blushes look great over bronzer!
Q: Is there such a thing as a “strand test” for breakage and hair strength?
Ouidad: Yes — the elasticity test. Healthy hair should be able to stretch up to 50% of its normal length without breaking. Dry hair will break quickly and will not stretch.
Q: Do hair vitamins really make a difference?
Ouidad: Absolutely. I recommend them to all my clients. With today’s environment and our diets, we are always lacking necessary vitamins.
Q: Can you have frizz if your hair is naturally straight?
Ouidad: Absolutely. All hair types have frizz when the hair is dehydrated.
Q: Is frizzy hair more damaged than silky hair?
Ouidad:Frizzy hair happens when the hair is expanded beyond its limits because it is very dry and dehydrated. The hair has usually lost its internal conditioning layer from the environment, causing it to lose all of its weight and to react to the moisture in the air, because it’s very thirsty!
Q: Are certain climates better for the health of your hair? What about certain cities with water quality? (I.e. hard water, versus soft water. What’s the difference?”>
Ouidad: Climates that are not too dry or not too humid are best for the health of your hair. Hard water is too harsh and strips the life out of hair. Soft water causes build-up on your hair, which leads to long-term dryness and dehydration. I recommend Ouidad Water Works clarifying shampoo which neutralizes the damage that both hard and soft water can cause.
Ouidad
Are you a curly girl? If your curls could talk, what would they say?
That’s what Ouidad wants to know in the “If These Curls Could Talk!” contest, which starts today.
Upload a picture of your curly ‘do, and, using the “talk bubbles,” tell Ouidad what your curls would say.
Ouidad will pick a grand prize winner from the top 250 highest scoring entries. The winner will be named a Ouidad Curl Ambassador. That person will have the opportunity to guest blog on Ouidad.com, and will also receive the ultimate curly girl weekend in New York, complete with a makeover with Ouidad at her flagship salon, round trip airfare for two, two nights at the W Hotel, two tickets to see “In the Heights,” a $500 American Express gift card and a collection of Ouidad products. Prizes also will be given to a runner up and 43 other entrants.
The contest runs June 2 through July 14. Enter now!
Ouidad, “The Queen of Curl,” has developed products just for curls. So stop fighting Mother Nature and learn to love your curls!
