Less is More

Monday, 1 June 2009 by Peter, Co-Founder, Ouidad

Less is more. It’s been our mantra for as long as we have been a company. But what does it mean?

Shampoo less. We recommend shampooing at least every two to three days. The natural sebum from your scalp is very beneficial to the hair and imparts a natural sheen, but a healthy scalp grows healthy hair and so you must cleanse the scalp regularly to prevent clogged pores and unwanted odor.

Use less. A common misconception about styling gels goes like this… if a little is good to control frizz, more must be better. We recommend thoroughly coating your curls, section by section, with our “Rake and Shake” method for applying gels and styling your curls. But go lightly. Working section by section, it takes just a few extra rakes of the fingers to distribute less gel, more evenly. Shake and release. You’ll be rewarded with breathable, springy, touchable curls when your style is finished air drying.

Cut less. Most stylists will recommend that you return every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain your hair style. Ouidad believes that the proper technique for cutting curly hair is her trademark method “Carving and Slicing”. Admittedly, it is probably not the best name to mention to clients. For some people it evokes images of electric carving knives and Thanksgiving Turkeys. But when Ouidad first began teaching her method to other stylists, there was no official name for her method. The best way for her to describe the mechanics of the technique, from one stylist to another, was to invoke the visual image of carving and slicing the curls. The technique gained such notoriety, so quickly, that it became known by its classroom name.  A curly hair cut by a Ouidad certified stylist is a better value since it will grow out beautifully over the course of 12 weeks or so.

Order less and work less. We strive to make the care and styling of curly hair so easy and enjoyable that you’ll want to wear your hair curly every day, naturally. We have a variety of products in our line to address the needs of the all types of curls; from limp lifeless curls that crave more bounce and life – dry, parched curls that thirst for moisture and shine – to the tightest kinkiest curls, the most delicate of all, that require special handling. So even though you may see 20 or more products in our line, our goal is to keep your life simple and teach you easy techniques you can do yourself and supply you with just the few necessary basic products you need to help you maintain beautiful healthy curls you’ll love to show off.

Peter Wise, COO

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3 Comments for “Less is More”

  1. 1Nancy S.

    Peter, can you please clarify the best way to determine which product to use? I use the mousse during the winter and in the summer switch to climate control. Sometimes in the winter (upstate NY is wrought with dry air) the mousse doesn’t cut it and as there is not any moisture/humidity in the air so I do not need to use the climate control. What should I be using in when neither of those products help?

    Thanks!
    Nancy S.

  2. 2Nicoline

    It may be that you need some additional moisture for your hair. Instead of trying a new styling product, try using Moisture Lock Leave in Conditioner, that will give you additional moisture as well as protect your hair from the environment.

    Ouidad Customer Service

  3. 3Ingrid

    I have found that it is helpful for me to use curl quencher in the winter and climate control in the summer (both gel). Dunno if that will work for you. Also, I use curl quencher the whole year through on the hair that is closer to the nape of my neck, as I find that it is a different texture and more susceptible to moisture issues in the air.

    Hope this is helpful.

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