Search Results: Ouidad
Q: I’m confused about all these sun-protection products out there. Does hair really get sunburned? Why should I use one?
Ouidad: UVA and UVB rays are damaging to the locks as well as the skin. Protecting your tresses and your scalp is a must! Always keep hair under wraps with prolonged sun exposure, either with a great brimmed hat or fashionable scarf. Also, I developed Ouidad Sun Shield Spray to instantly provide UV protection to hair with its exclusive cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride ingredient, traditionally reserved for skin care usage. The small molecules of this ingredient absorb sun rays, as conditioning agents including quartz crystals, proteins, amino acids and antioxidants reflect sun damage away from the hair, keeping it moisturized. A breathable clear glaze that acts as a shield — protects hair from harsh elements — preserving the hair color and promoting healthy shiny curls.
Q: Why shouldn’t you use a brush on wet hair?
Ouidad: Because of the way a brush is structured, with teeth staggered, it has a tendency to pull the hair causing stress and breakage.
Q: Is brushing curly or African-American hair especially bad? (Wet or dry?”> Why?
Ouidad: Yes. Brushing curly or African-American hair both when it’s wet and dry is especially bad because this hair type is finer and more delicate than any other hair type, causing it to break even easier.
Q: Would you recommend a wide-toothed comb or finger styling for those textures?
Ouidad: I recommend using a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair in the shower. Then use your fingers to style.
Q: What can you do to avoid breakage?
Ouidad: I recommend keeping hair properly conditioned by doing a biweekly deep conditioning treatment. This will give the hair its own internal strength and will naturally prevent the hair from breaking.
Q: I’m confused about all these sun-protection products out there. Does hair really get sunburned? Why should I use one?
Ouidad: UVA and UVB rays are damaging to the locks as well as the skin. Protecting your tresses and your scalp is a must! Always keep hair under wraps with prolonged sun exposure, either with a great brimmed hat or fashionable scarf. Also, I developed Ouidad Sun Shield Spray to instantly provide UV protection to hair with its exclusive cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride ingredient, traditionally reserved for skin care usage. The small molecules of this ingredient absorb sun rays, as conditioning agents including quartz crystals, proteins, amino acids and antioxidants reflect sun damage away from the hair, keeping it moisturized. A breathable clear glaze that acts as a shield — protects hair from harsh elements — preserving the hair color and promoting healthy shiny curls.
Q: I hear all these things about shampooing. What is the best way to shampoo?
Ouidad: Look for a shampoo that is mild so your hair will be cleansed without being stripped of its natural moisture. A gentle shampoo is one with a low pH (6.8 or less”> that is formulated for daily use. Key shampoos to look for are those designed for chemically processed or color-treated hair as they aren’t made with abrasive ingredients and won’t drab down color. I recommend Ouidad Curl Quencher Shampoo or Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo.
Curly hair tends to be drier, a key culprit to creating frizz and breakage. If you don’t shampoo every day, you should still rinse daily with warm water and conditioner to keep hair hydrated and to revive the curl pattern. For extremely curly hair, shampoo only once a week. This hair type is the most delicate and dehydrated, so be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo.
- Saturate your hair with lukewarm water.
- Pour shampoo into your palms and rub your palms together to create a lather.
- Run hands through hair to evenly distribute shampoo.
- Using your fingertips, massage shampoo into the scalp.
- Run your fingers downward to clean and detangle the hair. DON’T pile your hair on top of your head; added tugging and scrubbing leads to breakage.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
Dear Ouidad: I just saw the Broadway musical “In The Heights” and was in awe of all the great curly actresses. I understand you helped them get those beautiful curls. I’d love to know what products you used.
Mandy Gonzalez
A: Mandy Gonzalez came to “In The Heights” asking for softer curls. Lead Ouidad stylist Ayanna complied and began this softer look by using Curl Quencher Gel, which contains rich botanical emollients and Pro-Vitamin B5, a penetrating moisturizer that conditions, defines and holds dry, thirsty curls. Curl Quencher gel not only gave Mandy the added moisture her curls needed, but gave them the light bounce she desired.
Nina LaFarga
Nina LaFarga knew she wanted to wear her hair wild and messy, just as she does in her daily life. She relayed this information to Ouidad stylist Ana, who had the perfect remedy to keep her curls lively: Ouidad Tress FX is an alcohol-free, lightweight styling lotion that defines ringlets without smothering or weighing them down.
Janet Dacal
Janet Dacal’s hair contains a mixture of curl patterns that include loose waves and tight ringlets. In order to add a bit of flexibility, with the utmost amount of control, to Janet’s tresses, Ayanna used a combination of Ouidad Climate Control and Ouidad Curl Quencher. The Climate Control protects hair from humidity and actually hydrates each individual strand of hair to prevent frizz, while the addition of Curl Quencher moisturizes, conditions and defines.
Brooke White
Ouidad: The best way to create free-flowing waves is the second day after you’ve washed your hair. Spray hair with Ouidad Botanical Boost leave-in conditioner, which seals in moisture and provides hair with nourishing vitamins and Aloe-Vera. Then, scrunch and then spritz with Styling Mist to set and hold waves.
If your hair was just washed and is fresh, add leave-in conditioner, like Botanical Boost, post-shower and then add a styling lotion like PlayCurl Mousse to build body and exaggerate fullness.
Trying to revive second day waves? It’s easy! Simply spray curls with Botanical Boost to refresh curls and tame frizzies, then top off with a shine agent like Shine Glaze, which contains micronized crystalline particles that add shine and control frizz
For feminine, frizz-free curls, add a bit of shine to hair, than smooth out and use your fingers to separate waves and create individual wave patterns.
Want tighter curls? Take hair in three individual sections, add Clear Control Pomade and twist into three buns high and tight then pin to the top of the head. Hit buns with a bit of hot air from the blow dryer and take down for frizz-free curls. Finish off with Shine Glaze, for a perfectly in-place coif.
Looser waves? If you’re looking for looser, Brooke-like waves, separate hair into sections and pin oversized buns to the crown. This will create a larger wave pattern. Again, finish with shine serum for brilliant results. (more…)
Q: I believe I am a 3b. I have very tight corkscrews. It’s above my shoulder and I recently got some highlights. But now I’m missing my long hair. I feel like it’s so bulky with it this length. Whatever I have, I want the opposite. Any suggestions?
Ouidad: With bobs being in right now, you could have a great deal of fun with that length of your hair by having it carved and sliced in the right areas to puzzle the curls into each other. That will decrease the bulkiness and make it easier to manage. Check out Ouidad.com for certified salons in your area. Also, use Ouidad Deep Treatment every two weeks and then more to once a month. Your hair will have its own pulse/performance, with a great deal of shine.
Q: I am a 25-year-old woman who has naturally curly red hair. I have never once let anyone other than my sister cut my hair. Never short. No layers. Nothing. Now I am in a bind because I really would like to get the fullness out of my curls, but I am debating whether or not to allow anyone to put layers in my hair or whether to stick to the same routine I’ve had for the past 15 years. Is it safe to put layers in my hair or am I going to have a handful of fuzz to deal with. I am very nervous to have this done to my hair. If you could please give me some advice, I would so love it. Ouidad: It always brings a smile to my face when I see a naturally curly red head come into my salon. Not only is it beautiful, but it makes an entrance. My mom had red hair. The rest of the clients always comment on how beautiful it is. Dusty, I’d be very nervous about layering my curls. But you can definitely have it “Carved & Sliced,” — a cut that I created over 20 years ago — to allow your curls to puzzle and sit into each other. This will take away the triangle effect, and by slicing the top layer a bit and around your face, it will create a movement that looks like layers but is much more controlled. I’ve had my share of layered haircuts. That’s the reason I created Carving & Slicing. I’ve trained stylists throughout the country with this technique, so check my website to see who is in your area. Don’t be nervous — you’ll love it.
Q: Help! I have fried the bangs of my hair with my curling iron. I have naturally curly hair and used the iron to curl my bangs. It was the kind that gets very hot. I have managed to fry it and now it won’t curl at all. It is stick straight. How ironic! All I wanted all my life was straight hair. And now I like the curls and the top is stick straight. What should I do? I was trying to grow it out. I hope I don’t have to cut it now. Brenda
Ouidad: I don’t know how much damage the curling iron has caused, (all kinds of irons can be mean”>, but you can nurture your hair back with a serious program of doing the Ouidad Deep Treatment every two weeks. The proteins, amino acids, and sulfur will help to strengthen your hair. You will find that with two to three treatments the hair that is not totally damaged will be revived, and the rest of the hair will get back its pulse and shine. I would highly recommend that you use the Deep Treatment on a regular basis so your hair will always perform for you. I do see this in the salon and get great results with this intense program. Don’t worry; your hair will be fine.
Q: Please help me. I have long curly hair. Recently I spent two months in bed due to an injury and wouldn’t let anybody near my head or hair. Now I have matted hair. Is there anything I can do to get it out. I do not want to lose my hair. I have been through so much and do not want to lose it. Thank you so much. Karen.
Ouidad: Karen, I’m sorry to hear about your injury and I hope that you are on the road to a healthy recovery. About your hair, start to detangle with a wide tooth pick, starting from the bottom up. It will take lots of time. Some of the hair will fall because it’s already broken when it got matted. After you’re done with that process apply conditioner on your dry hair first, and then wet it. That will help to create more of a slip. Then add more conditioner after it’s wet and use a wide-tooth comb and start from the bottom and work your way up. After it’s all detangled, a good shampoo and the Ouidad Deep Treatment is a must to use. As a professional. I must recommend that you get a trim right away as it will definitely give your hair a jump start and follow up with another Deep Treatment. I wish you a healthy recovery to you and your hair. Q: I have super thick, wavy/curly hair. I don’t know if my hair itself is thick, but I have a lot of it. No matter how I style it or what products I use, it forms a triangle shape around my head—flat on top, and puffy on bottom. I live in Florida, so no matter what I do to it, I feel like my hair is a big frizzy mess due to humidity. Please let me know how I can get rid of the triangle shape on top of my head. I am also very self-conscious about my hair and rarely ever wear it down. How do I gain more self confidence about my hair? Ouidad: The best way to work with a triangle shape is to make sure that the hair has its own molecular connection so it will lay down by itself. You can achieve this by doing a Deep Treatment every two weeks. Two things will happen. First your hair won’t get as big, and second you’ll eliminate the frizz. Now to work with the triangle shape, you will need to get a Carve and Slice haircut. The cut will definitely eliminate the triangle and give your hair shape. I have a salon in Fort Lauderdale that is certified with this technique that will help you and teach you how to manage your hair in the Florida weather. Once your hair is controlled, you’ll find that your confidence in wearing your hair down will increase.
Q: I am a mature women of 49 years. I have very fine, naturally curly hair. When it is first washed, it is a spirally, frizzy curl. After a day, the curl is not so tight and not so frizzy when I use appropriate product. Presently, I have hair that reaches the bottom of my neck, with some long layering around my face. Although I have had very short hair at times — it seems to lay flat and not curl so much — I would like to keep it approximately this length, at least at the back. Layering in the front and top seem to be the only way I can control it. I would like to have some style or cut suggestions. They would be most appreciated.
Ouidad: You can keep your hair at the length that you wish — all you need to do is to have the back “carved”, which will allow your curls to sit into each other and manage the shape. As far as the front and top, a little “slicing” will help to frame your features and create height on top. The stylist should be able to create a beautiful style with this technique to compliment your look. The sky is the limit with curly hair.
Q: What’s the best thing to do with long curly hair before sleeping at night? Most of the time I pull it back in a ponytail but in the morning it’s really flat and knotted. That’s a problem because I don’t like to wash my hair everyday. — Dee Dee
Q: I have SUPER thick wavy/curly hair. No matter how I style it or what products I use, it forms a triangle shape around my head — flat on top, and puffy on bottom. I live in Florida, so no matter what I do to it, I feel like my hair is a big frizzy mess due to humidity. Please let me know how I can get rid of my triangle shape on top of my head. I am also very self conscious about my hair and rarely ever wear it down. How do I gain more self confidence with this unusual hair type?
Ouidad: The cut that I developed — ‘Carving & Slicing’ — will actually work very well for your type of hair. It will puzzle the curls into each other while getting rid of your puffy bottom, and if it is sliced properly you can have a good deal of height on top. Get on my website, Ouidad.com, and find a salon in Florida that is certified by me to do Carving & Slicing. You will be able to wear your hair down, frizz free, because they will teach you how to work with your hair. Once you learn to take care of your hair, you’ll feel that self confidence. Write me and share.
Q: I am a mature women of 49 years. I have very curly fine hair.When it is first washed, I have spirally, frizzy curl. After a day, the curl is not so tight and not so frizzy. Presently, I have hair that reaches the bottom of my neck, with some long layering around my face. Although I have had very short hair at times, as that is the only way it seems to lay flat and not curl so much, I would like to keep it at this length, at least in the back. Layering in the front and top seem to be the only way I can control it. I would like to have some style or cut suggestions. — Annette Venditti.
Ouidad: I think if your hair is cut in the Carving & Slicing technique it will puzzle into each other and perform for you. You can actually have it cut to accentuate your features. You can have it flow freely to allow movement for softness. I don’t like very short controlled curls. I find them too hard looking. So really, the sky is the limit with this technique. I just came back from the Chicago Midwest Beauty show where I conducted seminars for hairdressers and salon owners from all over the country, demonstrating and explaining my technique. Find a Ouidad affiliated salon to carve and slice your curls. We’ll be training more salons later this year.
Q: I’m a 20-year-old college student and I’ve been blow-drying my hair with a diffuser since about 11th grade. I would say that my hair has soft curls and waves. I’ve been reading a lot about all different curl products and techniques and blow-drying seems to be really bad for curly (or any”> hair. The thing is, I like the way my hair looks diffused dry so much better than when I dry it naturally. It has more luscious curls and more volume. Whenever I let it dry naturally the curls are few, the frizz is high and it’s just a poof with some waves. Another factor is that I don’t have time to let my hair dry naturally as I usually diffuse my hair and then run out the door to class or work. If I continue to diffuse dry my hair, is it going to be destroyed in a few years? If drying naturally is the way to go, how do I get my curls to be as nice as they are after blow-drying and to dry quickly? Thanks for your consideration.– Aleesha, Brooklyn, NY
Ouidad: If you diffuse your hair on low heat and do your treatments regularly you will find it will be okay for you. I agree with you that you need to diffuse to accelerate the drying process. But it’s also good to stop before the hair is completely dry and let your hair finish drying naturally. So diffuse your hair 75 percent of the way and let the ends dry naturally. They won’t frizz.
Q: I have medium-thick curly/wavy hair and I’ve been concerned about the cleansing agents in shampoos since Iv’e been hearing bad things about sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate. I’d just like to know if there’s a difference between Ammonium and Sodium sulfates? Also, out of these surfactants, which one would you say is less harsh and gentler on curly hair? Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.
Ouidad: Curly heads should shampoo at least once a week to unclog scalp pores and I generally recommend twice a week. I prefer ammonium laurel sulfate and use it in my formulas. But to break down hard water minerals, you need a combination of sodium lauryl sulfate and fruit acids like in my Water Works Shampoo. This type of cleansing treatment only needs to be used periodically to be effective. By removing hard water residue from the cuticle, you’ll make your curls more manageable.
Q: I am 16 years old with naturally curly hair (type 3a.”> Is it possible for curly hair to be oily? I feel like my hair has become oily over the last year or so. I thought only straight hair could become oily. What do you recommend I do to combat this issue? — Liz
Ouidad: An oily scalp condition has nothing to do with the hair shaft itself. It’s the excretion of sebum from the pores of your scalp, and it’s very normal for your age. I recommend you shampoo your scalp twice a week — only your scalp. Apply the shampoo in your palms, rub your palms together and use your finge tips to massage your scalp only. Rub the later through your hair with your fingers. Do not scrub your hair. Then rinse thoroughly and apply a water-soluble rinse two inches away from the scalp on your hair shaft and rinse as much as you need out. Remember water soluble products are very important. Q: Everything I read tells me that brushing your hair, especially when wet, is horrible for curly hair. Yet my hair is so thick and so curly that it is literally impossible and very painful to comb through. I look at the pictures used to describe curl types and my hair falls looks like none of the types. If I brush my wet hair with conditioner still in it, am I still damaging it? Ouidad: Any kind of brushing is very harmful to curly hair and will only cause more frizz. When you are in the shower and have conditioner in your hair, first run your fingers through your hair to start the detangling effect. Then use a very wide-tooth comb, starting from the bottom up to help to detangle your whole head. Then rinse, and leave about 50 percent of the conditioner in your hair. The rinsing process will reset your curl pattern in. I’ve yet to run into a head of hair that cannot be detangled with a comb. Remember my saying, ‘Less is More’. The less you manipulate the hair, the better results you will have. Q: I have been using your products for four months and my hair has never looked better. I use the Water Works shampoo once a week, Clear shampoo two to three times per week along with the Balancing Rinse, as a detangler and leave-in, Botanical Boost and Tress F/X. This regime has worked great but I still have one problem — dandruff/dry scalp. My scalp has flakes and I do not know how to get rid of it. Do you have any suggestions? — Amy, IndianaOuidad: I’m glad that you are pleased with my products. As far as the dry scalp/dandruff is concerned, some times it happens from a change of climate — from too little moisture in the air due to dry, cold weather and heat in our homes. If that is the case, moisturizing the scalp by deep conditioning does usually work. If it doesn’t please check with a dermatologist and they can recommend a treatment shampoo.
To NC.com members, Thank you. Answering your questions over the past year has been an educational process for me and a refresher course for all that I have learned and taught over the years. I want to thank each and every one of you for your questions, the ones that I have answered and the ones I couldn’t get to because of time constraints. I want to wish you all very happy and healthy holidays! Vive Le Curl, Ouidad
Q: Hi, I have naturally curly hair. It’s 3b, I think. It is just past my shoulders with a little bit of layering. I am having a hard time with it. I get halo frizz all the time which drives me crazy. The bottom is shaped in a curve and the sides, which frame my face, get much curlier than anywhere else. The rest is long, thin curls. But the underside in back gets big soft curls. It used to be very curly all over with lots of lift, but now it always looks kind of flat on top and bigger as it goes down. On top of that, the hair on the back of my head in the center always looks straight and frizzy. By the end of the day my hair is frizzed out. I can’t figure out what products to use, mostly because it seems like anything heavy enough to control frizz weighs the curl down. I like to diffuse my hair (on low”> because otherwise it takes forever to dry and I have a 3-month-old baby. I noticed if I don’t rinse out the conditioner I get nicer curls, which makes me think my hair is dry. I’m using Aveda leave-in, gel, and pomade but I’m still not satisfied. I want something that is going to give me shiny, soft curls without this frizz. Please help. Theresa Ouidad: Theresa, your description of your hair is a common conversation in my salon. You see, it’s natural to have all types of curls in one head of hair. But in caring for them they should be addressed individually. The problem of the frizz can be solved with a Deep Treatment every two weeks and a lightweight gel — like Climate Control Gel — that works with humidity . I would carve the underneath of your upper layer to support it and give it height at the roots, and carve the sides to loosen your curls. I would slice around the rest of your hair where you have loose curls to give them more of a boost and that will give you a visual of even curls. I think Deep Treatment and lightweight products will give you the shiny soft curls you’re looking for. Q: My mother is Asian and has very thick wavy hair. My father has coarse kinky hair. This makes me a girl with very thick hair and a lot of curls. I think I’m a 3C. I love my curls nevertheless, but to make my curls a bit more manageable I want to loosen them up with a texturizer. But I’m afraid to do so. I’ve been told that a texturizer makes your natural hair come out even curlier and coarser. Is this true? I don’t want to get rid of my curls, but I don’t want my hair to become unmanageable as a result of the texturizer either. Have you got a suggestion what I should do? Cheryl Ouidad: Cheryl, the reason I formulated my own Softening System is because texturizers swell the hair shaft and make curls unmanageable. A Ouidad Softening will soften your tight S’s causing your hair to loosen into a manageable desired curl.The softener is 50 percent the strength of a professional relaxer and contains my Deep Treatment to rebuild the hair — it’s customized to the hair that is being treated. Your softener should be done three times a year. Make sure you do your Deep Treatment regularly. Q:I have wavy and curly hair and I flat ironed it with a ceramic flat iron. I set it on the highest temperature because I was trying to get my hair straight much faster. Afterwards when I wanted it natural again, I washed it (many times”>. It’s been over two months and then it didn’t curl up. Could you tell me if it go back to i’s natural state again? Thank you..Mariah Chicago, Illinois Ouidad: Mariah, Every time you used your flat iron, you are baking the life out of your hair as you singe your hair over and over. That’s why it lost its curl now. I recommend that you do my Deep Treatment every two weeks and within three treatments you will see your curls coming back. Not to say you won’t see it from the first treatment, but it will take at least three treatments for your molecules to bond so your hair will perform. If you can stop using your flat iron and feed your hair every two weeks, your curls will come back. Q: I have two types of hair and it drives me crazy! Other than the top of my head, I have lovely, thick, soft twirly curls. Then there’s the top and a few wiry pieces right up against my head that scream at me when I look in the mirror. That area is more like a loose wave. If I can wait until it’s almost dry to style it, I can keep it a little curly. If I dry it loosely right away as I do the rest of my head, it comes out like two different hairstyles. The top is straight and the rest is soft and curly. Is there a product or cut that can help me pump up the wave a little to meet the curl I have everywhere else? My stylist said I could do a top-only perm if it really bothers me, but I really don’t think I need to. There’s got to be a better way! Joyce Ouidad: Joyce, It’s natural to have different textures of curls in one head of hair. My PlayCurl Mousse is designed for the front section of your hair. It’s designed to help boost your curls where its needed, at the roots. You’ll find that it will work well for you. So, if the roots of your hair are straight and the rest of your hair is curly, use the PlayCurl line. It will boost your hair!
Q: I am 41-year-old female with medium-length curly, coarse, thick hair. I have worn it past my shoulders my entire life and wear it up most days because I live in a very humid climate and it does nothing but frizz when I leave it down. I am tired of having big, long hair at my age. I want to cut it above my shoulders, but am afraid it will go wild and I won’t be able to pull it up. Any suggestions? I desperately need a change! thanks.
Ouidad: You have several options. But first I should tell you that I don’t believe in age and length being an issue. You can have any length hair at any age. Now, the reason your hair frizzes is because it’s dehydrated. You need to put the moisture back into your hair by doing your Deep Treatments every two weeks. Think of your curly hair as being like a dry sponge. If you put a dry sponge in water it will expand, but if you put a wet sponge in water, already plump with internal moisture, it won’t have any reaction. So if your hair is properly moisturized your hair won’t be prone to frizz when you wear it down. Now you can also have it carved and sliced to lighten it up and make it manageable at the length that it is. Your second option would be to soften your hair, which means loosen the curls and cut it shorter. That could be fun also. Just make sure you deep treat every two weeks and that will definitely give you a change.
Q: I have naturally curly hair (spiral curls”> which falls past my shoulders. I have purchased so many hair products for curly or frizzy hair which then leave a build up in my hair (and yes I am making sure to rinse out all of the product”>. Yet if I choose something that does not leave a buildup, the conditioner does not go through my hair. I seem to have a reaction to most products on the market. Is there a daily conditioner and aftercare product that you would recommend that would not leave this kind of buildup in my hair but would still work through my hair? Thanks so much. Rachel
Ouidad: I’m a strong believer in water-soluble products. I don’t believe you have to weigh your hair down to control it. I believe you have to feed it so it may have its own internal weight and manageability. If you have not tried my products, I would recommend the Curl Quencher Shampoo and Conditioner and the Cur Quencher Moisture Gel lotion. But before you use them I would recommend seeing a dermatologist to see what is causing the reaction.
Q: I live in San Diego and have long, fine 3c hair – a ton of it. I’m 32 and still can’t wear my hair down. I have tried so many different stylists without much success and a lot of heartache. I follow all of your styling tips as best I can. But the only time I ever like my hair and can wear it down is after I put tons (one treatment worth”> of Deep Treatment on it. I won’t wash it out for four to five days because it’s the only time the hair has enough ‘weight’ to not look like a triangle head. I love what the Deep Treatment does to my hair (defines curls, gives them weight”>. But as soon as it’s washed out, it’s back to my normal, dry, huge hair. Unfortunately, I really can’t afford using the Deep Treatment as a daily leave-in. Any suggestions on getting more weight into my hair? The Climate Control, Curl Quencher, etc. don’t do enough for me. Help! :”> Alana
Ouidad: I think you like the feel and performance of the proteins in the Deep Treatment on your hair. When you are doing the Deep Treatment use heat to bond the molecules together. Try using the Balancing Rinse as a leave in conditioner. After you leave the Balancing Rinse in your hair, add some Climate Control Gel to style. This will give you the same results as the treatment has been giving you. Please let me know how this works out for you.
Q: I have had dreadlocks for the past five to six years and I’m ready to cut them. I have about an inch – in some places more – of growth. Every time I wash my hair, my curls show. I would really like to get my curly hair back. What can I do to help grow my hair so it isn’t too short when I get it cut? Eniola
Ouidad: I think proper feeding for the hair — Deep Treatment every 3 weeks — and patience is the only thing I could recommend. The Deep Treatments will help to strengthen your hair and that will relieve some of the stress from the dreadlocks. Good luck!
Q: I have naturally curly hair and am extremely frustrated with it. The most frustrating part is the bang area of my hair. My hair is shoulder length with layers. I recently had a long bang cut in, which is to my cheekbone when wet. I would like a little lift in my bang area, but if I use a brush it frizzes. And when I scrunch it with my fingers, it seems flat and looks like I just woke up and walked out of the house. I would like to style it to keep it out of my eyes and to look neat and like I meant to style it that way. I hope you can help. I’ve gone from hairdresser to hairdresser and tried product after product and I still can’t get it right. Please help. Stephanie
Ouidad: As you are styling and gelling your hair, take your bangs with the top section of your hair, gel it and position it together. Use a duckbill clip to hold it in place as your diffuse it or dry it naturally. After its dry, use a light – not a stiff spray – on it to hold it in place. One good thing about curly hair is that you can puzzle it together, and when your bangs get a little longer you’ll find it easier to work with. Ouidad.
Q: My 14-year-old daughter has really tight curls and her hair has pretty much been the same length for years — shoulder length. She is trying to grow it longer to help control the curl. But instead of her hair getting longer, it gets bushier and the curls are really frizzy. We have gone to hairdressers only to have disastrous results! I have begun trimming it myself to spare her the agony, but again her hair won’t hold the spiral curl and it turns to frizz. When her hair is wet, it looks great as faras the spiraling of the curl and the length of her hair. She currently uses a gel on her hair in an attempt to hold the curl. But it doesn’t seem to help and then, when her hair dries, the length completely shrinks up. Help!! I don’t know what to do and am at a loss of how to help her. Sheis in high school now, so her hair has become a big issue. What do you recommend to help her situation? Thanks so much! Candy<
br class=”webkit-block-placeholder” />Ouidad: I understand all too well. High school is one of the reasons why I chose this profession. Now I’m assuming besides your daughters hair being tight, it’s also fine, which make it susceptible to dehydration. The only way to combat this is by doing the Deep Treatment every two weeks. That will hydrate the hair and strengthen the molecular layer which will extend the length.The hair has to be healthy in order for it to grow. And when it’s healthy and the molecular layer is connected, the hair will have it’s own internal weight and will not shrink as much when it dries. By leaving a little conditioner in the hair after shampooing and applying a lotion like the Curl Quencher Moisture Gel, you’ll find that your daughter will have better manageability and success with her hair. Good luck!
Q: I just started swimming about three times a week and I don’t want the chlorine to damage my hair or affect my curls. What should I do and what kind of shampoo do you recommend for post-swim? (I have somewhere between the 3a and 3b hair type”> Thanks a lot! Lea
Ouidad: My clients who swim use the Ouidad Water Works Shampoo. And with that I recommend that they rinse their hair out right away after they come out of the water and put a conditioner in it. Another tip is to wear a swim cap. Put conditioner on your hair while it’s dry, then put on your swim cap. This tip also helps protect your hair from absorbing chlorine in the firstplace. Most important, remember to Deep Treat.
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.
PS: My budget is tight so I don’ want to go spending tons on some fancy product which doesn’ t even work! Help me please!
Ouidad: In order to be successful with styling curly hair you must use styling products. In my years of experience I never have seen a client’s hair fall out because of hair gels. I don’t think it’s true, but if you have reservations, use a daily conditioner as a styling tool. It won’t hold your hair well, but it’s better than nothing at all. I think you should search for a good water-soluble styling product.Q: My daughter is 5 (biracial”> with very loopy, curly hair. Athough it’s fine, she has a lot of it. I read the comments about instilling confidence in children and I have tried to do that. But her friends have straight hair and it sometimes seems to be an issue for her. But for the most part she is accustomed to receiving lots of positive comments about her hair. I do tend to braid it daily or put it up or in a pony tail because of the time it takes to brush it. Wearing it loose tends to be a special-occasion thing — which in a sense reinforces that it is extra special. She likes her hair loose but hates the prep the following day.Until now I have been afraid to cut it because I have heard so many horror stories of the curl completely leaving. Her cousin, also biracial, had his color and curls disappear after a particularly short haircut. The most I have ever cut is about a half inch off my daughter. It is now mid-back length. I believe she needs a cut because her ends look a bit damaged. The curls are also being weighed down, so unless I really soak it, it is looking wavier at the top. Any ideas on this? –Josée Fonseca
Ouidad: There are several things you can do to help your precious daughter wear her hair loose. First, congratulations on instilling confidence in her about her hair. It’s very important. Second, you should never brush her hair out. Third, shampooing once a week is OK.You should style her hair by using gel and applying it in sections to help the curl pattern and diffuse on low heat, or let it dry naturally. If applied thoroughly, your daughter should be able to wear her hair loose for the next three days. When she’s going to sleep, pull her hair into a low ponytail very loosely and use a scrunchee to loosely hold the hair to prevent tangles. In the morning take off the scrunchee and her hair will keep its shape. By the fourth day you can pull it back and braid it. Your daughter will have the best of both hair styles and it’s easier for you. Now as far as her cousin’s hair color disappearing after a haircut, I’ve never seen or heard of that before. A hair cut should not take the curl away if your hair is curly from the roots out. And yes, I would get a little trim for your daughter. Its good to clean it up once in a while, every three to four months.
Q: I’m an 18-year-old college student with quite a few curly girl problems. First, I have yet to figure out if my hair is wavy or curly! I’m multiracial and my hair is both fine and thick. Also, when I leave my hair with nothing in it, it doesn’t make curls, and I find that I have to use a lot of product to keep the curl in my hair. Also, when I was little, the front of my hair was very prone to breakage. In an act of desperation, I took a pair of scissors to my hairline and cut big bald spots in my head. Fortunately, my hair grew back, but the texture of it was completely different than the rest of my head. I used to relax the front of my hair, but after a few years it stopped working. Now I’m stuck with tiny stunted curls that drive me crazy. Do you have any suggestions for how I can disguise the short hairs? Also, is there anything I can do so they’ll grow like the rest of my hair does? Thanks a lot. –Allysha R.
Ouidad: In a curly head of hair, it’s natural to have many textures. Having fine and thick hair, you must treat it with Deep Treatment every two weeks to help the spring in your curl so it can have a healthy pulse and bounce. Be sure to use a styling product to style fine curls. When your hair is in a good condition, you’ll find you will not need to use a lot of product to keep the curl in and your hair will not expand as much. Also by doing your Deep Treatment, your tiny curls will grow a bit. Eventually when they are well-conditioned, you may (chemically”> soften the front to match the rest of your hair.
Q: I would love to have the loosening process performed on my spiral curls but my hair is already color-treated. Is the loosening process safe on this type of hair?
Ouidad: If, when you say “the loosening process,” you are referring to the Ouidad Softening System, then the answer is yes. But only if you do the Deep Treatment every two weeks for three treatments before the process. The Ouidad Softening System is a very gentle form of loosening the curl. With the Deep Treatment, you are strengthening your hair But you must be disciplined and do it every two weeks. Many of my clients do both processes (coloring and softening”>.
Q:Ouidad, I just recently purchased your starter set and after a week of using it decided to order some more products. My question is about the Deep Treatment. I have used it just once and did notice a difference in my hair’s softness, but I did not use a hood style dryer or hair bonnet as I do not have access to either. Instead I placed the recommended plastic cap around my head and used a hand held blow dryer for 20 minutes. Will this technique of applying the Deep Treatment be just as effective or am I wasting time and money? Do you have a better technique to suggest as an alternative?Also, I’ve been using the Climate Control Gel. Although I am really liking it, my hair is still feeling somewhat crunchy. What do you suggest to keep my curls defined but give them softness? Thank you!–Anna in NM
Ouidad: Using a hand-held blow dryer also works well. The only difference from a hood dryer is that while you are heating one side of the head, the other is still cold. So it just takes longer to heat the hair thoroughly.. Also, you can go into a steam room for 20 minutes if you have access to one at a gym. Some clients have told me that while they run on their treadmill in the privacy of their own home, they do the Deep Treatment. Just apply the Deep Treatment and cover your hair with the plastic cap and run. If you can find a cheap heating cap at a pharmacy, that works too.As far as crunchiness from the Climate Control Gel, I would finish your hair with a dollop of Clear Control. Place it in the palm of your hands and run your hands over your hair in a ponytail effect all the way to the ends. That will define your curls and give you the softness and shine you seek. Good luck.
Dear Ouidad: Please settle this problem once and for all for me. Please let me if I know should comb my hair when it is wet (right after taking a shower”>. My routine is to wash my hair, put in some leave-in conditioner, put in some product and pull it up in a bun/pony tail. I would very much like to wear it down once and for all. ( I am 25 and have never — and I mean never — worn my hair down.”> But I am cursed by having too much hair, compounded by the fact that it is course and thick, and the minute I try to wear my hair down after washing it, and combing product into it, it gets poofier and poofier, even though I am air drying it. Help! What am I doing wrong.? Should I not comb my hair at all, even when its wet. When I have not combed it through, it gets less frizzy/poofy. HELP!
A: The best way to detangle your hair is while you are in the shower. After applying conditioner to your hair, use a large-tooth comb to detangle the hair while the conditioner is still in the hair. This is important because hair is prone to overstretching and breakage when it is wet. The conditioner will add what we call “slip” to the hair to make the detangling process easier. Go slowly and gently. Start at the ends and work your way up. Then rinse half of the conditioner out of your hair under the shower and leave about half in. Gently blot your hair with a towel, but do not flip it over or twist the towel into a turban. You want to avoid disturbing the curl pattern set by the running water in the shower. Only use a wide-toothed comb while you are in the shower with conditioner in your hair. At all other times and for styling purposes, just use your fingers as your styling tools to distribute the styling lotion. You’ll find that you can definitely wear your hair down. Keep in mind that the less you handle your hair, the better your results will be. My mantra: Less is More!
Dear Ouidad: I am a teenage girl who has a full head of naturally curly, thick, poofy, frizzy hair! I am willing to do anything to get rid of my frizz and have beautiful curls! I just can’t spend tons of money on products. I’m desperate! Please help me, it’s urgent!
A: There are many things you can do. You can get a softening (which is a very mild chemical treatment”> to help soften your curls and get rid of frizziness. You only need to do it twice a year — once every six months. Or you can get the best deep treatment your money can buy and do it every two weeks. That way your hair will be filled from the inside and will have its own internal weight. By leaving a conditioner in your hair at all times, you’ll have dramatically increased manageability. For the best results, check ingredients and make sure your deep treatment is made with soy and wheat proteins. Besides being animal friendly, vegetable proteins have higher moisture retention levels than animal proteins so the benefits for the hair are realized longer.
Dear Ouidad: Hello, my name is Tiffanie. I am a 21-year-old college student with very long, naturally curly hair. I have a huge problem with it because lately I’ve been going right to bed after my shower and sleeping with it wet, in a high bun on top of my head. It’s turned into bird’s nest — so matted and tangled that there are no visible ends. Is there anything I can do to loosen the hair to begin to untangle it? I’m very desperate and will do anything to avoid cutting it. Thank you so much for your time.
A: The first thing you need to detangle your hair is patience and time. Start out by wetting your whole head and apply lots of detangling conditioner. Choose a conditioner on the oily side for optimum slip. Then use a chopstick to start opening your bun a little at a time, starting at the edge of your bun and working your way in. That should be the hardest and most time-consuming part. After you have unraveled most of your bun, use your fingers to do the rest of your bun. Keep applying conditioner during this process to ease the stress to the hair. After you have opened the bun sufficiently with your fingers, use a large tooth comb starting at the ends and working your way up to detangle the rest of your hair.Once you have completely detangled your hair, rinse it thoroughly and apply a deep treatment. Apply a deep penetrating conditioner every two weeks to bring the life back to your hair. I’m not a fan of oily conditioners because they coat hair, causing it to dehydrate and become dull and brittle. But I am recommending it to you just to detangle your hair. Please call my salon (212-333-7577″> and leave a message to let me know your results. Good luck.
Dear Ouidad: I have been blessed with naturally curly hair, which I love! However, thanks to genetics, my hair is very fine and thin. It is currently just above my shoulders with long layers. I don’t ever wear my hair completely down for various reasons. First of all, my hair is so fine and thin that you can see my scalp and I appear to be balding (even though I’m not”>. Second. my hair begins to curl about an inch from the roots therefore my hair looks flat on top until the curls begin. I have a combination of waves, loose curls and a few Shirley Temple curls as well. I also can’t seem to find a combination of products that allow my curls to be smooth and defined for any length of time — they always end up frizzy by mid-afternoon. (I love your Heat and Humidity Control gel which is a lifesaver in the summertime”>. To combat this, I always wear my hair half way pulled up, in a ponytail or french braid. I wish I could leave it down and have the beautiful curls I see other curly haired women have. However with my fine, thin hair, is this possible? Please help! Kristin
A: Dear Kristin, My Play Curl / Boost line was created with your hair type in mind — fine, combination wavy, loose curls. It’s natural for emerging hairs to grow straight from the follicle. Straight hair is straight because the opening of the follicle is circular. Wavy hair like yours has a follicular opening that is more oval-shaped. As the hair grows and lengthens from the roots, it starts to create its curl patter like curling ribbon. The more pronounced the oval, the tighter the curl pattern. PlayCurl will help boost your roots and define curl pattern throughout your hair and right down to the roots. It will allow you to wear your hair down. And keep in mind that applying a deep treatment to your hair every two weeks will definitely put the pulse in those curls and keep them bouncy.
Dear Ouidad: I would like to know how often I should be getting my hair trimmed. Unfortunately I don’t lilve anywhere near a certified Ouidad salon, so I have to rely on stylists that don’t know very much about curly hair. My hair has been at shoulder length for the past 10-15 years. I get regular trims every 6-8 weeks — sometimes as long as 10 weeks. Still there’s no apparent growth. My stylist insists she is only cutting 1/4′ to 1/2′ at a time, depending on the ‘breakage’ she sees. Help! I am going to start using the products suggested like the Deep Treatment, but I am looking for advice on trims. I’m desperate to see my curls go beyond my shoulders. Thanks in advance! Jill
A: Deep Treatment will definitely be of great help. But you should trim your hair only every 12 weeks. Hair that is in good condition should and will grow a quarter to a half an inch a month. If you cut your hair every three months and only half an inch — because I’m sure that’s all you’ll need — your hair should extend a full inch every three months with your hair cut. Four inches a year is very good. You’ll find your that curls will go beyond your shoulders in no time. Good Luck.
Ouidad: When wanting to achieve a loose curl, I’ve found that using the Ouidad Climate Control gel works best. Apply the product to your hair in sections. (The amount of hair that is between your fingers will create the diameter of the curl. so take large sections.”> Make sure you have enough product for each section to set. Let your curls set for about 15 minutes then diffuse the hair while gently pulling the ends down to stretch and elongate the curls.
Another way to loosen your curls would be to soften your curls, which is a very gentle process similar to a hair relaxer. This softening process will allow the curls to loosen into a wave pattern. Make sure you do it professionally at a salon. At my salon, everyone wants to have it done, especially before summer because it loosens the curl but retains the bounce and pulse.
Q: My niece has naturally tight curls (just like her aunt”>. She is one quarter African American and three quarters Irish. The curls from the two nationalities are not connecting like good friends! The curls on top of her head are looser, while the hair in the back is more kinky. Any ideas on how to tame two different types of curls on a 2-year-old’s head? — Leah
Ouidad: She must be adorable! I would recommend a carving cut on the back of her hair where it’s kinky, in order to puzzle those tight kinky curls together. That will give it a softer look visually. Then slice the top where it’s looser to blend both curl types together.
To care for her hair, use my new KRLY Kids No Time For Tears Shampoo, which is very gentle shampoo and KRLY Kids No More Knots Conditioner. The KRLY conditioner doubles as a leave-in conditioner that will get the knots out easily. It is light and gentle enough not to weigh her delicate curls down. Then to finish her style and keep her curls in shape, use KRLY Kids Pump & Go Spray Gel for control and smiles. A child’s hair is virgin, and my KRLY Kids line utilizes skin care ingredients so that they are extra gentle for children. Our young clients in the salon have been using my new products with success for the past year.
Q: I am a mother (with very staight hair”> of a toddler with VERY curly hair. It is adorable, but is forever getting matted and frizzy. I have heard eveything from ‘Never cut it’ to ‘Use leave in products as an adult would’ I never knew blond hair could be so curly! I would appreciate any suggestions. I also feel very strongly that she should love her hair and don’t want it to seem like a hassle for her. Already she spends too much time with it in pigtails! I live in NYC so if you have a salon suggestion for her I will take that info too! — Julie, curly toddler mom
Ouidad: We see this all the time in my New York salon. Moms with straight hair and girls with curls that don’t stop!! One of my KRLY Kids models is a 5-year-old with blond kinky tight curls. A kid’s hair is very fragile and you need to care for it gently. Hair care lines for adults require different ingredients to work with all the damage we do.
What is especially important is the knowledge on how to maintain and style curly hair. I would recommend to bring her in to my salon (Ouidad, 846 7th Ave, 212-333-7577″> and consult with one of my curl experts. They will teach you to develop skill and curl understanding. Your attitude and encouragement will prepare your daughter for a life time of beautiful curly tresses.
Q: I used to wear my fine, curly hair long. Then, I moved to a new climate, had two children and passed the 40 year mark. Things were not good. My lovely curls began to grow out and at the moment that I saw a picture of myself with what appeared to be a frizzy perm that was growing out, I cut the whole thing off. For years now, I have worn it short, blow drying it into what I think of as my ‘small market newscaster hairdo’. I miss my curly hair.
Now, I live in a very dry climate, I color my hair about every three weeks and I haven’t had it cut in four months. It looks a little raggedy. I’m going to try it long again (one last time before the mandatory 50-year cut-off”>. It’s still a little short (3 inches all around, for the most part”>, and the curls are sticking out a bit wildly. I’m thinking a perm might get me over the hump and smooth out the curves now. Can I color and perm at the same time? If I do, will I have to cut off those three inches in the end. — Susan
Ouidad: I wish you were standing in front of me because I would yell at you. Two kids and 40 years old — your life can’t get any better. One thing that bothers me is your assertion of “the mandatory 50-year cut-off of hair.” I don’t believe you need to adjust the length of your hair based solely on your age. I have clients in their late 60’s and early 70’s with gorgeous sophisticated long curls!!!
A dry climate can be a good climate for growing out your hair because you can control the moisture level in your hair with Deep Treatments, not the environment. As you are growing your hair out, I would recommend a little carving (which is my cutting technique”> to have your sides set into each other instead of sticking out. The theory of a perm might be practical, but not the perm itself. Perms are as a volumizer on straight hair to give those poor people some hope. But for you and me, it would be just the reverse making our hair frizzier and twice as big. So forget it. Condition, condition, condition with Deep Treatment instead. Using Deep Treatment every two weeks will allow you to color your hair. Personally, I soften and color my hair. Try to extend your color to 6 or 8 weeks by just doing the hair line and part in between full coloring processes. The less you color the better.<
br class=”webkit-block-placeholder” />Q: Hi! I have thick wavy to curly hair. But at 23, I still have no idea what to do with it. My mother has super straight hair so she was never able to teach me how to style my hair properly. I’ve been blowdrying my hair straight since I was 13 but I’ve never been happy with how it looks. It always turns into a wavy, fuzzy mess by the end of the day, no matter what product I use in it. I’ve recently resorted to a straightening iron to smooth my hair, which works pretty well. But, I’m concerned about the damage that all this styling is doing to my hair and I would rather just wear it naturally.
The problem I find is that my hair is different on different parts of my head. My hair runs from slightly wavy on top to curly in the back to kinky ringlets at the temples and the nape of my neck. I’ve tried diffusers and air drying, but it ends up looking dry and messy. I know that I’m not styling it correctly, but I really don’t know how else to deal with it. Do you have any suggestions on how I can tame my hair??
Ouidad: Well, from the history that you have, you have some work to do.
You must Deep Treat your hair every two weeks to try to put the life into it that you have taken out by blow-drying. The straightening irons actually singes the outer protective layer of your hair eventually causing it to break off. If you were to touch a hot curling iron with your bare skin, the first layer of your skin will singe off. The same damaging effects happen to your hair. As you condition your hair, it will start to perform for you because you are linking the internal molecular layer.
In regard to all the different parts of curls in your head, it’s normal to have three to four different curly hair textures on one head of hair. So you need to style in sections and customize your gel application to your curl pattern. For an example, I would take the finer, tighter curls in larger sections and make sure that I apply enough gel to set the curl to match the fatter looser curls. I would roll the top of my hair which is the looser curl around my index finger with gel to set a tighter curl.
With proper conditioning and a little extra attention to your gelling application, you’re home free. Let me know how you do.
Q: I am a woman in my mid-30’s and my hair is naturally thick and very curly. Last year, I decided to have my hair relaxed using the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning System. I loved the new look for a while. But started to miss my naturally curly hair. Now, 10 months and three haircuts later, my hair is driving me crazy. The top part is straight and the underneath part is curly I would love to have my curls back. But having the patience to grow my hair out is driving me mad. What would you recommend I do? A perm? A body-wave? Please help! — Julie
Have your hair sliced on the upper layer to create a layered effect and work those ends in. Actually, it will give you a look of layered curly big hair of the eighties. That’s the style we’re showing more of right now and it’s beautiful. And thanks to most ladies like yourself who took that avenue, you have given my team a lot of experience matching those ends to the rest of the hair.
Remember, Deep Treat, Deep Treat.
Q: I know you encourage drying hair naturally. I’m not crazy about the ‘wet look’ and I don’t have a lot of time for my hair to dry naturally so I use a diffuser like the one you promote. What’s interesting is that if I don’t use the diffuser, my hair is STRAIGHTER and very flat. It’s never springy or curly enough when I dry naturally. And I’ve been using the deep treatment twice a month as prescribed. Do you have any suggestions?– Kristi
Ouidad: Kristi, from your description of your hair being straight and flat when you let it dry naturally tells me that you hair isn’t that curly. Doing the Deep Treatment every two weeks would definitely enhance your curls, but it can only enhance what’s there. So, when you’re diffusing you are actually adding more curl with the aid of the diffuser and your hair is performing because it’s not dry and dehydrated. Since you like the result of the diffuser better, use your diffuser on low heat and try not to over-dry your hair.
Q: I have curly hair — it was a lot more curly before I had my daughter but it still has a good wave in some places and tight curls in others. I have noticed, though, that if I touch my hair the curl comes right out. I am having a hard time keeping it down and not in a ponytail because it becomes straight and thick. What can I do to stop this from happening without putting so much gel in there that it’s crunchy all day?–Kimberly
Ouidad: Kimberly, It’s very natural for a women’s hair to change after giving birth. My hair also got a bit looser after giving birth. Sometime the natural curl pattern comes back, but if it doesn’t, have your hair cut into a style by using both textures. You can have some of it sliced to create a layered movement effect to compliment all textures, and with a little bit of gel, you should do well.
Q: Please help!! My hair is naturally curly, coarse and thick. It is about midway down my back. I cannot find a hairstylist that will cut layers in my hair to give it some shape. So my hair is all one length which means it is weighed down on top and very full the further downward it goes. All the hairstylists I have consulted with tell me the same thing, ‘layers will make your hair curlier because the shorter your hair is the more tight the curl will be’. I do not have a problem with my curls: it’s the overall shape of my hair. How could I explain to my hairdresser what cut my hair needs to give it overall shape and body and not just a bell shape?
Ouidad: I understand exactly what you mean, and I also understand the stylist fearing layers, because you hair will definitely get out of control. So what I would recommend is to start slowly by slicing a bit around the face and a bit around the upper layer, and if you feel confident that your stylist is performing well, then ask for a bit of carving, which means to cut into the curl from the inside at the beginning of the curl pattern to allow the hair to sit into each other; that will get rid of your hair getting wider at the bottom. Slicing will give you the visual effect of layers with much more control and carving will puzzle your curls together to sit in each other and closer to the head.
Q: I’m a 15-year-old girl with hair a little past my shoulders; it’s a mix of 2b and 3a curls, with graduated layering. I have trouble creating more volume at the top and keeping my style ‘locked’ with out getting the crunch factor. Plus, I wash/condition/dry/style my hair at night because I just don’t have time in the morning. Help me before I return to my blow dryer and brush!!! — Carly Marquis
Ouidad: Carly, you know you don’t want to go to the blow dryer & brush!!! When you are styling your hair at night while your hair is just been gelled, place duckbill clips (not flat on side”> at the root of the hair all around the top and sides and crown of your head. Then lightly spray your hair with a mild hairspray like the Styling Mist, and then diffuse. That will create height for you. Now to save your hair for the next day, even though it’s layered, try to gather all your hair gently into a loose ponytail and use a scrunchi to hold it while you’re sleeping to save your style. Let me know how you do.
Q: If I don’t use product on my hair my curls are huge and fuzzy. I have tried loads of serums but they don’t seem to stop this. I end up using hair gel (lots of”> then drying my curls. Then I finish off with strong-hold hairspray to keep the style set. I end up with nice curls, but it always looks wet and I can’t touch my hair because the gel and spray goes flaky and looks like I have dandruff, thus I have to wash and re-style my hair every day. Can you think of any product I can use that would keep my curls separate, bouncy and not frizzy but not as hard and sticky. Thank you so much. –Emily, Carlisle, UK
Ouidad: Emily, what you are explaining is exactly the reason why I created my products. To set your curls, try the Climate Control, which is my styling lotion. Then dry your hair. When your hair is completely dry via naturally or diffusing, then use my Clear Control Pomade to help open and define your curls. When your curls dry with the Climate Control, it will have crispy feeling, which is how your curls will sit. Now by using a dime size of the pomade, rub your hands together and pull your hair back away from your face in a ponytail position, then hold one hand to hold the pony at the back of the head and use your other hand to run over the rest of your ponytail to loosen and define your curls. You hair should feel soft; look shiny and bouncy, not stiff. All my products are water soluble.
Q: I have naturally curly hair with some reddish tint to it. I’d really like to bring that out with some red streaks and maybe add some blonder streaks as well. However, my stylist is afraid that the chemicals will make my hair less curly. How can I safely color my hair without ruining the curl? –Lindsey
Ouidad: Lindsey, clients get their hair colored and softened at my salon all the time. The key to their success is that they do the Deep Treatment every two weeks, which helps to reconnect your internal molecular layer of the hair so your hair won’t empty out. And, it keeps its life in the hair which means you won’t lose your curls. Make sure you do your treatment three days before color to prep the hair and get even color tonality. Then repeat the treatment 10 days after coloring to rebuild the molecular layer. You can have both!
Ouidad: A softening is a chemical process similar to hair straighteners. The one I use is half of the strength of a gentle straightener and I add my Deep Treatment to it to make the formula even softer. Depending on the hair I’m working on, I customize it. The idea and result is to soften, loosen the curl to a desirable pattern for manageability. It works wonders but, you must understand that any chemical process you do to your hair does have a drying effect. And if you don’t feed your hair on a regular basis it could be damaging. Most of my clients get softenings. They are able to wear their hair down and have different styles because the hair does become more manageable. Also we are bombarded with softenings in the spring and summer because it gives the client freedom from fear of the weather. Another good thing about softening is that you can do it in spots if need be. I’ve been softening my hair for more than 20 years. Q: It has taken me more than 30 years to finally come to terms with the fact that I will never be able to run my fingers through my naturally curly hair once it’s dry. My hair will just never look like the soft, shiny, silky hair in those Pantene ads, unless I get Japanese straightening like my cousin, who has come to regret it and is now letting it grow out. My sister, however, has not realized this fact. Can you please confirm for me that it is simply not possible, nor should it be expected, to be able to run your fingers through naturally curly hair? If you print this Q&A, I can show it to my sister and maybe that will convince her.
Ouidad: I love your question. When I was little and when my sister use to get on my nerves. In order to get her back, I would wait till she had finished her hair and was ready to walk out the door to go to school. I would run my fingers through her hair and then run for my life. I still do it to this day when I see her, for old-times sake. Actually, no one should run their fingers through curly hair. What happens is that the hair will fan out into such expansion and take away the smooth curl pattern. If you must touch your hair, you can play with curly hair by picking up some of the curls and repositioning them. Or, one can play by teasing with the tabs of your fingers at the root of the hair to create movement.
Q: I have decided to stop fighting my curls and to embrace them however. I had my hair straightened about 7-8 months ago by thermal reconditioning. Now I have 3 inches of curly outgrowth and then straight hair. Any suggestions during this transition from straight to curly? Should I cut it off? Any info would be appreciated. I recently read ‘Curly Girl.’ What do you think of her care techniques?
Ouidad: Congratulations on your decision to embrace your curls! I see your situation often. There are several suggestions. One, you can soften the new growth a bit to break the visual difference of the two textures of hair. Two, you can have your hair sliced on the upper layer of the hair to create a movements giving a layered look, and shorten it a little. Now my last suggestions is to cut it short, but believe me you can have fun growing it out. As far as the care techniques in ‘Curly Girl,’ I don’t mind most of them, but I really don’t agree with no shampooing.
Q: Can certain ingredients in hair products make you break out? The reason I’m asking is that I am currently using shampoo and conditioner that do wonders for my hair, but they make me break out around my hairline.My routine is I condition every day but shampoo every two to three days. .
Ouidad: I like your routine for you hair care. As far as ingredients are concerned, I believe that it is possible to break out. I would recommend to have them checked by a dermatologist to figure our exactly what ingredients are causing you to break out and switch to products that are free of these ingredients. Or, you can try to shampoo and condition your hair staying away from your hair line and see how that works, if you really like these products.
Q: I recently turned 20 years old. From grades 8 through 11, I wore my curly hair up in a bun/ponytail. I’ve been wearing it straight all the time even up to now. Since I just turned 20, I decided to go back to curls. But it’s been soo long since I’ve had them. I don’t know what to do with them. My main question is hair products. My hair is a 3b, but is extra kinky at the roots especially in the front (that’s the part that scares me away from my curls”> and I would like to use a hair product to help weigh down my hair. Or is there a way to tame my roots? Any suggestions? Also, my poor hair is very damaged from all the heat I’ve used on it. What could I use to help that? It’s been a while since I’ve actually seen my curly hair and I would like to welcome it back into my life.
Ouidad: Lucy, I’m glad that you have decided to welcome your curly hair back. Frankly I think its about time. People like you are my favorite clients. Follow these steps and enjoy your curls. I’m a strong believer in Deep Treatment. Use every two weeks for beginner clients, then once a month.Shampoo every 2nd or 3rd day and the days you don’t shampoo, wet and condition hair only.Your styling lotion should be light-weight humidity blocker.. You see, if your hair is restructured enough, your hair will have its own internal weight, and you don’t need to weigh it down with products. Keep in mind that products that are big on oils, waxes, and silicones cause the hair to dry out and get out of control, even more so in the long run. Remember my philosophy: “Less is More” It works in all areas of curly hair care. Shampoo less often. Touch your curls less. Use light-weight, breathable products. Use as few products as possible so that you’ll create an easy, manageable curl regimen. Now that we have your hair in the right condition, let’s work on your kinky curls in the front. You can do a spot softening, which is a gentle chemical treatment that shapes the kink into soft curls like the rest of the hair. Or, when styling, add a drop of Deep Treatment to your gel and roll the front around your index finger to set the curl. Now, Lucy, you follow these tips and let me know of your results. Enjoy.
