Model Cassie as Marie Antoinette

This Halloween was a real showcase for some of our Ouidad curly stylists who were dispatched to The View for a daytime Halloween styling gig:  our twisty technicians styled the right locks for the right look for The View’s Halloween themed show. Ouidad stylists had their work cut out for them with fashioning do’s from 18^th century’s Marie Antoinette to 20^th century curls with Barbara Eden’s; “I Dream If Jennie” and Madonna’s ’80-s Boy Toy look, highlighting an impressive set of costumes for a batch of eager models!

This was no casual stroll through the pumpkin patch though, as our technicians brought these costumes to life. It was all part of the curly Halloween spirit with Ouidad and The View, and it was loads of fun. Check out this Madonna before and after shot:

Model Marissa as Madonna

Before Ouidad

After the Ouidad touch

Maria Striar is well known for producing and starring in provocative plays. And thanks to Ouidad, she is also known for her crown of fiery corkscrew curls!

Striar is Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Clubbed Thumb, an award-winning New York City theater company. In a recent New York Magazine article she opens up about her appreciation for Ouidad and what makes her feel okay about the way her hair looks. That’s what Ouidad’s trademark Carve & Slice hair cutting technique is all about—freeing curly heads from their curly frustrations.

It’s the Carve & Slice method by a certified Ouidad stylist that makes the difference. Curly haired people everywhere can all relate to the dreaded Pyramid Effect that traditional haircuts—usually not intended for curly hair—can cause.  The Carve & Slice technique is Ouidad’s cure-all for such frustrations because the technique adds volume at the roots, preventing poufy hair.  It’s a method that creates the foundation for beautiful and sustainable curls—curls just like Striar’s. After all, the show must go on!

When I lived in NYC, there were a few curly hair salons that I heard about, but I had never tried one out…until now. It was a Friday and I decided I needed a fresh look so I called up Ouidad, an upscale but friendly 5000 sq. foot salon specializing in curly, wavy and kinky hair on 57th street between 5th and 6th avenues.

I worked with Ana, the artistic director and educator, who has been at the salon for over fifteen years and before we even got started, she talked with me all about my hair..what I like, what I don’t like, etc. She made sure to know exactly what I wanted before getting started.

Right away, I knew I’d be in good hands. She suggested brightening up my color a bit for the summer and added beautiful highlights around my face and to the crown of my head. She knew the perfect color combination. It came out looking natural, but bright with contrast. She mixed three different shades to achieve the look, which also worked to fix a bad color job from another salon.

Next up was the cut, and again, we discussed the length and look I was going for. I like my long hair, but I wanted something fun and sassy, so she cut a few inches. But it was more than just a trim off the bottom. Ouidad’s stylists use a technique called carving and slicing as they address each individual curl. Throughout my cut and color, Ana’s assistant, Sondriel, explained everything to me, from how to shampoo and condition my hair for the best looking curls to the types of products to use and how to style.

She also kept asking if I had any questions.  I think it’s great how much time they spend with you explaining everything, unlike in many salons where you almost feel like you’re bothering them by asking any questions.

A big part of managing your curly hair is how you treat and style it so Ana showed me a technique for getting a certain look when blow drying it straight and then explained the rake and shake technique they use for keeping it curly.  It definitely takes some practice, as I’ve not yet perfected it, but it’s a pretty simple way of getting the full head of curls and volume you’ve always wanted!  Even without spending the time doing the shake and rake throughout my hair, it still comes out really curly with just some gel.  I was amazed at the all of the beautiful curls on the women as they left the salon.

After you are done with your appointment, they hand you a booklet with their products and directions for how to style your hair, but I was so surprised that they did not pressure me into buying any of the products.

Usually at salons like these, they will tell you that you must buy their products to achieve the same look.  Instead, Sondriel suggested I finish the products I have at home first and then I can always go back in or order them online.  I know I will be getting the Ouidad products because I believe they work well, but it’s nice to know there’s no pressure of adding a long list of products onto your bill that day.   I walked out of the salon feeling confident with my new found curls…ones that were always mine, but were hiding under a bad cut.  Thanks Ouidad!

Guest Blogger: Michelle

Ouidad Salon Client

(re-printed with permission from Michelle’s blog)

She has tried to grow her hair out forever and no matter what, she feels “it just won’t drop.”  So I gave her all of her options, including a softening treatment. She was extremely resistant to this due to her horrible past experiences with relaxers, and didn’t even want to hear about it.  I suggested she go online and read about it on ouidad.com. I also stressed that we don’t use sodium hydroxide but a calcium hydroxide, and we mix it with Deep Treatment so it’s not harsh on the hair.  Again, she didn’t want to hear it but said she would think about it.

Two weeks later she booked an appointment for the softening.  She came in extremely nervous; I expected it.  We did a long consultation to go over what exactly she wanted so I could tweak the formula and the timing.  After it was all said and done, she looked great!

Yesterday she called to say how much she is enjoying her hair. I finally asked what made her change her mind and take the plunge. Her reply, “I knew where I was getting it done,” made me feel good.

Alex,  Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

While still quite young, she is extremely talented. You can hear her music regularly on Radio Disney and featured in the TV movie, Another Cinderella Story.  And parents, if you’ve got younger daughters, this is one curly-haired celebrity that you’d want them to emulate: Giardina works with the Ronald McDonald House, the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation and other charitable organizations.

So, who did this curly girl turn to when shooting her new video for No Average Angel? None other than Ouidad stylist Alex! Alex was determined to give Giardina  fabulous curls that would stay with her throughout the entire demanding day of shooting.  This was especially important, since in the past she has mostly been photographed with straightened hair!

Here’s what Ouidad stylist Alex had to say about the experience:

“It was wonderful working with Tiffany on the set of her music video.
The best comment was Tiffany’s mom asking, “Are you going to bring
products to touch-up during the shoot?”I said that we probably
wouldn’t need them. At 11PM, over 14 hours since we started the day,
we wrapped filming and her curls were still perfect!”

Check out her video and her fabulous hair, here!

At first, someone held my hand. As the youngest of four daughters who all who have curly hair, I was a living dress-up doll. Barrettes, ribbons, and headbands decorated my head! My mother braided my hair or pulled my tresses into pigtails and ponytails. Mom would sometimes curl my hair around her fingers, leaving soft, playful ringlets to frame my innocent face! On other occasions, my curls were topped off with a hat.

This was a great arrangement for me until the day Mom scratched my eye and burned my forehead while curling my bangs for school pictures! I think it was my mom’s way of saying it was time to take a few steps on my own.

When I started to walk unassisted, my curls were frequently brushed, which didn’t look so bad until puberty hit! Hormones created more havoc with my hair than a wild fire blazing across the prairie! Like a lot of women, I grieve the loss of the beautiful coloring, sheen, and smooth texture. My curls turned coarse, dark, and difficult, much like a teenager’s attitude! My curls still have a tendency to throw tantrums!

Ponytails weren’t a desirable option anymore after a youth group leader asked me to tell him what’s under a pony’s tail. Instead, I experimented with perms, crimping, and straightening my hair, as well as bleaching and coloring! I took new strides with short hair and asymmetrical cuts, anything to see what style would be most flattering, easiest maintenance, and low cost!

Somewhere along the walking path, curls went from adorable and cute to unprofessional and undesirable. Job interviews were conducted with straight hair or sleek styles. I can count on one hand the number of men who have complimented my curly hair. I can count on one finger the number of times a man used the actual words “I love your curly hair!” Women possess a much better record of admiration! However, I never really achieved my own curl happiness…until Ouidad. For the first time, I’m seeing them as bold and beautiful!

One of my sisters discovered Ouidad. She introduced the products to my mom and me. Wow, what a difference! As a spiritual person, I felt God was encouraging me to embrace the gift of curly hair rather than fight what He gave me. It was consuming too much time and energy to be someone I wasn’t born to be. Song of Solomon 7:5 reads “Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel. Your hair is like royal tapestry; the king is held captive by its tresses.” I wanted to improve my gait by learning to cherish my own royal tapestry!

While researching Ouidad and her products, I discovered she faced many challenges to be the “Queen of Curl.” Four banks rejected her idea to help curly haired people learn to properly care for their hair. For years, I told my hairdressers curly hair shouldn’t be cut the same way as straight hair, but they laughed at me the same way the banks laughed at Ouidad!

I am so appreciative Ouidad did not take “No” for an answer. I admire her courage in the face of adversity and opposition. I wish I had the opportunity to meet her! Ouidad’s site is teaching me to embrace the beauty of my curls, and her products are helping with the transition, especially since the nearest certified salon is 800 miles away! Ouidad’s encouraging spirit nurtures curls from the inside out! I am so thankful she never gave up on her dream! She’s been a blessing to me and many others!

Through the years, God was weaving a unique tapestry that finally brought me to Ouidad, a courageous woman who could help me learn to love my locks! As my mom created finger-ringlets to crown my head, I don’t think she fully realized the power she possessed to liberate curly hair! Little did I know throughout my journey, I had everything I needed to free my curls — right in my own hands.

People immigrate to America for liberty, freedom, and the power of choice. In the case of my curls, liberty is freedom from physical restraint! One of my favorite photos with curly hair was a reenactment of Lady Liberty, a national symbol of the freedom we seek. Isn’t that interesting? I think it was meant to be. Free YOUR curls!

Chelsie Donner

She laughed at me when I told her that I could tell her her own story because I hear it every day. I started telling her that no one knows what to do with her hair. She goes in for a trim and leaves with inches cut off and everyone wants to blow it straight. She has really dry hair and it stays that way no matter what she uses. She was amazed!!

After her color process I gave her a card and told her to check the website.  I got a call from her saying that she is waiting for her products to arrive.  I felt so good knowing that I was able to help someone with their color as well as their curls.

Latesha, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

To create beautiful curly styles, you need to hear from the client what he or she loves about her hair and what doesn’t work for their hair. Not all curls and waves are alike.  When she knew I was listening and understood her concerns, she said she would “trust me.” It was a big step and I challenged…”only if we work as a team.”

When she went home, she had curls along with the education to achieve her beautiful, stylish curly hair. Yes, the cut is essential, the products actually work, and with the knowledge how to put it all together when she got home….then the dream takes off.

Vincent, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

She was so happy and kept saying that she finally felt groomed! She was glad to learn she could throw away her brush and was amazed with the curls she could achieve with just the rake and shake technique! It gave me great pleasure to help her feel beautiful again and I look forward to seeing her soon!

Kate, Stylist, Santa Monica Salon, California

I said to one woman “I love your curls!” And she replied with “oh please I just didn’t feel like straightening them because of the heat.”

The goal should be to learn how to make your hair look good curly so  no matter what, whether curly or straight, it looks good.  There’s an idea!

Alex, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC