Image via coolcruelworld.blogspot.com

You might recognize Kerry Washington from the Academy Award winning films Ray or The Last King of Scotland. No matter where you’ve seen her, it’s her great curls that always steal the show!

A Screen Actors Guild Award nominee, Washington has definitely proven her acting chops alongside some of Hollywood’s greatest stars.  She’s also a political activist and did her fair share of campaigning during the recent presidential race. So with a busy schedule of acting, modeling and political involvement, we know she’s not just another pretty face…but what a face, and what curls! Many of us would like to try those curls on for size, so, let Ouidad show you what you need to get a movie star quality coif.

Begin with a great starter kit, like our Curl Quencher Collection.  The moisture rich shampoo and vitamin packed conditioners will keep any set of curls looking healthy and vibrant. Plus, the curl defining gel hydrates your locks and maintains their style all in one. Then, just follow along with our step-by-step style guide to achieve your perfect look!  Voila!  Now you’ve got Kerry Washington-worthy curls, ready to go out and conquer this curly world!

Thanks to Ouidad, you already know how to fight the frizz. But to be sure you’re always donning perfectly defined curls, it’s just as important to know why frizz happens. Let us help you get at the root of the cause, so your hair can forever be frizz-free.

Image via hubpages.com

Let’s get one thing straight; Frizzy hair is dehydrated hair.  And the three keys to healthy, luscious curls are: moisture, moisture and moisture! If your hair is dry and malnourished, your hair will undoubtedly frizz. And while it’s true that your frizzy hair might be hereditary (for example, if your mother has always had frizzy hair, it’s likely that you too are used to taming the frizzies) there are other reasons that frizzies occur.

If you are not careful to protect your hair from environmental elements like the scorching sun and the arid winds, hair can easily become dry and frizzy. For this challenge a nourishing leave-in conditioner can be used.

Likewise, regular blow drying, brushing or over-handling your hair can disturb your natural curl pattern and create frizz.  Remember that curly hair should never, ever be brushed—whether it is wet or dry. And opt for an air diffuser over heat styling to ensure healthy, beautiful curls no matter the weather or whatever curly inheritance your mother gave you!

Since 2007, HGTV star Kim Myles has shown us a keen eye for design on her interior design show Myles of Style which, she says, “perfectly captures her sensibility.”  We curly hair fans at Ouidad are happy that Myles is equally comfortable showing us her beautiful curls, and we have a keen eye for celebrities with this kind of curl confidence!

Image Via kimmyles.com

There’s no doubt Myles’s hair always look great, whether she’s donning a dark-colored ‘do or a bright, highlighted look. She proudly wears her bountiful curls with style and confidence that shines as much as the curls!

Image Via dispatchevents.com

Like Ouidad, Myles began her career as a successful hair stylist. According to Myles, “visual expression is how you show the world who you are, whether it’s your home or your hair.” Beautifully put; and that fits in to our Ouidad Curly Philosophy so nicely! Her vibrant style and perspective proves that Myles of Style also has miles of curls worth spotlighting.

Image Via urbancurlz.com

No one adores curly hair as much as we do! And Ouidad herself wants nothing more than for you to love your curly hair every single day. So we have compiled a fun list about people, when they truly love their curls!

You know you love your curls when…

You are the first to notice when a television commercial or magazine ad does not include a representative from the curly-haired camp.  (And you can’t help but wonder why).

You cannot remember the last time you straightened your hair. And you don’t have plans to ever do it again!

You own a t-shirt or other accessory that boldly states your curl coolness. (Comes in handy, and is more practical than simply announcing it to everyone you meet)!

You can spot another naturally curly-haired person practically a mile away—if not even further!

You can’t wait to jump into the water, even when everyone else is trying hard to avoid it.  After all, you know that moisture is a curls’ best friend.

You can’t help but smile at your curly image yourself—whenever you catch the reflection of your beautiful locks in the mirror!

So, do you have as much curly confidence as we think you do!?

Image Via allmoviephoto.com

There are few stars we love to watch reinvent themselves on the big screen more than Janet Jackson. Over the course of her lifelong career as a singer and actor she has, with stunning fashion, kept up with all the latest style trends.  And in her latest role in Tyler Perry’s current film, Why Did I Get Married Too, Jackson lets her hair down and shows off a bountiful crown of cascading curls. Here at Ouidad we love the look so much that we just had to spotlight it.

Image Via thehairstyler.com

As you know, Jackson is no stranger to curly hairstyles. We’ve come to expect a stylish new look with each exciting venture she brings to the screen.  Whether it’s a super curly updo on the red carpet or a bold new color for a musical tour, she’s always able to bring a fresh face to that great curly hair!

Of course we remember the curly haired Holly Robinson Peete for her roles on 21 Jump Street and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.  After all, the actress has been entertaining television audiences with her remarkable talents, while donning a crown of luscious curls, for over two decades.  She definitely exudes the kind of curl confidence that we at Ouidad applaud!

Image Courtesy of curl2curl.com

Aside from acting, Peete is a mother, author and activist who always keeps’ up with the latest curly style trends. In the eighties, she wore it big. In the nineties? Loose and wavy.

Image Courtesy of nbc.com

These days, we are watching Peete proudly don a classic curly ‘do as she fights for the charity closest to her heart on Celebrity Apprentice, proving that she too, like Ouidad, is curly with a cause!

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, the afro was the hairstyle of choice for many African-American men and women.  For those looking to make a fashion statement it was a funky, new look. And for those who wanted to make a political statement, it was a symbol of power and pride. But for both camps, the afro was a bold statement about self-acceptance and embracing your natural beauty.

Recently, Essence Magazine paid homage to the classic hairstyle in the Beauty/Strands section of the May issue spotlighting modern-day versions of the timeless look

The really good news is that whether you wear your afro asymmetrically, as a low ‘fro, or in any of the myriad of modern ways, both Ouidad and Essence agree: Ouidad’s Double Detangler is a fantastic way to achieve your perfect look! The comb is designed to slide through your curls without ripping, tugging or disturbing the natural curl pattern so you’re ‘fro always looks perfect. Maybe the ‘fro is ready for a major comeback!

Image Courtesy of menshairstyles.net

When it comes to men’s hair, most style options are traditionally short—especially for African-American men with kinky hair. And this often requires regular visits to the barbershop or salon to maintain.  But in between professional treatments, there is one simple and important step from Ouidad that you can take to make sure your curls stay looking fresh.

Since kinky hair is often fine and delicate, it is important to moisturize to prevent your curls from becoming dry, brittle and damaged.  It’s simple to find a leave-in conditioner that is right for your hair. Remember, inadequately moisturized hair leads to hair damage; and damaged hair can easily lead to hair loss.

As an extra precaution, try Ouidad’s conditioner with built-in sunscreen to help protect your scalp from sunburn and other skin damage from all kinds of weather. Consider these important curly cues, and keep wearing your curls with confidence, no matter how long or short you choose to style them!

What does it matter that the groundhog saw his shadow? Some of us just can’t wait for winter to “officially” retire so  we can finally spring into the fresh hairstyles of the season! Once made popular by favorite fairy tale characters, the headband can be a stylish solution. It’s a pretty and practical way to transition your hair now that spring is upon us.

Image Courtesy of brides.com

While headband might be a less than perfect look for some of our straight-haired sisters—since straight hair leaves little for the band to grasp onto and stay in place—a headband nicely adorns curly and kinky hair, and the varied hair textures allows the band to stay put.  On still colder days, you might find a wider headband made of cloth can help keep your ears cozy, while transitioning from winter to spring.

Additionally, you can quickly pull your curls, kinks and twists back into a headband to keep your hair under control on cold, windy days, and still have the freedom to show off those bountiful coils with curl confidence!

With so much to do in college, from classes and exams to roommates and finances (and everything in between) managing your schedule can be a real challenge. This is one time in your life when it’s OK to resist the urge to pamper your curls every single day.

Image Courtesy of Seventeen.com

You already know from Ouidad that the less-is-more approach to managing those curls is best, including shampooing less frequently. In this case, it’s not only the healthy thing to do for your curls, it’s practical!

Sites like Suite 101 give budget-conscious students practical tips as well, like suggesting the condition-only method. The idea is that an occasional shampoo can be swapped out for a wash using your conditioner instead, to both clean and condition your curls.

Then to help make the transition from college back to the “real world,” visit your closest Certified Ouidad Salon for a great wash and go cut and style. Then you can refresh your curls everyday with a dollop of leave-in conditioner!

Sure, there’s a lot to keep track of in college, and following these tips can make it a little more manageable so you can hit the books!