Ouidad Fan Image via Flickr.com

If you have an active kid with spunky curls, Ouidad knows that it’s probably hard to get him or her to sit still for much of anything. However, getting your little one into the right hair stylists’ chair is super important for curly kids. Not only will the proper haircut make your child look cuter (can that be possible?!) but it will help with those tangles, frizzies and all sorts of curl-issues. Your child will feel better too!

The very best haircut for curls, even on children, is Ouidad’s trademarked Carve & Slice cut. This is Ouidad’s method, created 25 years ago specifically with curls and waves in mind. In a nutshell, Carving & Slicing removes the bulk associated with the dreaded “pyramid” look, while preserving and enhancing your natural curl patterns. This combination produces well-defined ringlets that fit gently into each other like the pieces of a puzzle, creating healthier, more manageable curls.

And, this technique can work on all hair lengths, so whether your young one prefers their hair in a long or short style, you’re in luck! Ouidad recommends haircuts for kids (and adults!) with curls every 10-14 weeks to keep the style intact.

One thing to keep in mind: the unique Carve & Slice method is only available at Ouidad-certified salons, so beware of stylists claiming to “Carve & Slice” without the intense training and understanding of curly hair that only the Curl Experts at Ouidad salons receive.

Good luck with your child’s haircut … and be sure to take a few photos to post on our Ouidad Facebook page!

It’s funny being a curly haired expert and having an “Ah ha!” moment after thinking you knew everything about curly hair.   Our straight haired friends don’t understand that curls are not the same all around our head.  My curly female clients have those places of wild curls; sections of frizz, fright and tight curls that never seem to grow.

If my curly clients are lucky, the problem area is out of sight, in the back of the head that is. Lately I’ve been asking my clients about their ignored hair problems. Wouldn’t they love to have length where the tight curls are?  Wouldn’t it be great to have curls calm down, deflate and blend with your style? I, after my “ah ha” moment, have been very busy “spot softening” those stubborn areas into the next level of beauty and control. Leave what we love and only “soften” those small areas!

One Saturday my next to last client of six years mentioned as usual, something was wrong with the back…it never grew….it just bushes out. When the hair was wet, the length was incredible, but when dry it sprung outwards and shortened. She had mastered her beautiful curls but now it was time to transform this small area of tight curls into a beautiful set of curls like the rest of her head.  What a difference!  She now had very long curly hair. It cascaded, flowed and swung….even when it was styled before, it never had this effect!

Little areas that are unruly end up being bigger problems when they’re the only areas that look different from the rest of your curls. It took me this long to discover a great solution to those “little” problem areas so keep looking and keep asking for more from your stylist so you too can get past those little problem areas.  And thanks for putting me on the spot by asking for solutions!  It has allowed me to find answers for more curly headed clients.

Vincent, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

photo via hairstylelounge.sheknows.com

San Diego loves curls, curls, curls! When you think about it, this Southern California city has a really great climate for maintaining vibrant, bouncy curls all year long.

Thanks in part to the mild weather and its beachside location, San Diegans have a uniquely laid-back view of life. Whether at the office, enjoying a leisurely brunch, or hitting up the Gaslamp Quarter with friends, you can be sure your curls will look effortlessly fantastic!

Here are a few tips from Ouidad for maintaining laid-back San Diego curls:

• When the weather is almost always perfect, who needs a blow dryer? That’s right, we’re giving you permission to give it a rest and let your curls dry in their natural splendor!

• As a desert city right at the Pacific Ocean, Ouidad’s Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel will help protect your hair from frizz, whether taking a stroll on the beach or heading out for a night downtown.
• Don’t forget to keep those curls hydrated when you’re spending a lot of time in the famous California sun. Our Sun Shield Leave-In Conditioner does the trick leaving your hair soft, smooth, and protected.

We love that San Diegans really embrace their curls as part of their laid-back lifestyle. Thank you!

Ms. Picoult and Ana!

Maybe you can’t judge a book by its cover, but we are totally judging a book’s author by her hair … and we give her five stars for curls! Jodi Picoult, one of today’s best-selling authors, has a luxurious head of blonde curls. Just past shoulder-length and typically parted on the side, her ringlets are reminiscent of the hair of goddesses in a Botticelli painting.

And, what we’re really excited about is that Ms. Picoult gets her fabulous hair cut at a Ouidad salon! Recently, the author arrived at our New York flagship salon and put herself in the capable hands of Ana, the Salon Creative Director. Ms. Picoult got a deep treatment and a haircut while she discussed her novels.

Ms. Picoult writes novels about love, families and relationships. She has written eighteen novels and one, My Sister’s Keeper, became a feature film starring Cameron Diaz.  Just recently, in March, she released Sing You Home, which debuted at #1 on the USA Today book list, and at #1 on the New York Times print & e-book list!

Ouidad wishes Ms. Picoult and her fabulous curls all the success in the world … and thanks to her for embracing those curls and providing an inspiration to all women with curly hair!

Ouidad Facebook Fan Photo

How often? We recommend getting a Ouidad Carve and Slice every 10-14 weeks.

But remember, it is of utmost important to always have a consultation with your stylist before he or she begins cutting your hair. It’s your personal, verbal contract that allows you to know exactly what to expect from the beginning to the end of your haircut. Taking a few moments to discuss your individual curl needs will eliminate the stress of guessing if you’ll be getting what you want…consultations ensure you will walk out of the salon feeling beautiful and confident!

Ouidad stylists have not only been expertly trained in curls care, but they have also been trained to answer all your questions and meet whatever curly needs you might have!

To find a Ouidad- Certified salon year you, visit the Salons page on our website for more information. If you have questions about Ouidad products please feel free to contact our Curl Experts at 1-800-677-4247 or via email help@ouidad.com.

Ouidad Facebook Fan Photo

We often get asked for salon recommendations from curly haired friends who are seeking curl specialists to cut their hair. Whether they’ve heard about the famous “Ouidad cut” from a friend or have read about Ouidad’s signature Carve & Slice method, they write or call us asking how we can get our hands on their hair!

Ouidad has two flagship salons: there’s our original location in New York City and the west coast salon in Santa Monica, California. If you don’t live within close proximity to either flagship salon, we have a number of certified salons located throughout the United States. To find the salon closest to you, use our handy Salon Locator!

Ouidad believes that curly and wavy hair is beautiful and we are dedicated to building healthy, radiant curls while instilling confidence in our customers and their curls. That’s why both our flagship and certified salons feature stylists who know your curls and have gone through an intensive training process to be where they are today.

For questions about Ouidad products, please feel free to contact our Curl Experts at 1-800-677-4247 or via email help@ouidad.com. To book an appointment, be sure to use our online Salon Locator to contact your local salon directly!

Was it a curly friend who shared Ouidad’s hair care secrets with you? Or maybe while browsing for a solution to a curl dilemma, you came across Ouidad products and curl talk advice? Perhaps you were introduced to Ouidad through this very blog!

Perhaps you visited a Ouidad flagship salon or one of many certified Ouidad salons? Whichever story, once you were introduced to Ouidad, we bet that your hair was never the same!

Los Angeles is one of those cities where you and your hair need to be ready for anything. You start the day at a Malibu beach party, then go shopping for the latest fashions on Robertson Blvd., and end up that night at a swanky nightclub dancing the night away beside a tabloid princess. It’s a happening lifestyle!

What does this mean for your curls though?

Being on-the-go in L.A. means being prepared for both brisk ocean breezes and curl drying heat, all while looking great and partying the night away! So Ouidad has some thoughts to help keep your L.A. locks gorgeous and under control:

• Visit our flagship salon in Santa Monica. Our stylists love to share curly hair care techniques and show you how you can embrace and easily manage those special spirals.
• Be prepared. Because you’re always on the go: keep some key products in your purse, like our Shine Glaze, which helps your curls make that quick transition into the nightlife.
• Read through our blog! As Los Angeles is near both Death Valley and the Mojave Desert – check out our great curl care tips on the Ouidad blog. We’ve got you covered for all occasions and seasons, like keeping your curls well hydrated and in top shape in those Hot, Hot, Hot! California Deserts!

As the quintessential Californian, Randy Newman sings about L.A. – “We love it!”

In fact, if you’ve got an Empire State of Mind with your curls, you can catch a cab & head to our Ouidad  flagship salon in New York City. After tremendous customer demand for Ouidad and her team of curl gurus, the salon found its home on New York’s swanky 57th Street. The 5,000 square foot, bright, state of the art salon also has a training studio – and there are even opportunities for you and you gorgeous waves to be hair models!

What better place than to learn the best ways to tame your curls? And since you’re in the city, after your expert cut you can head over to Curly’s Lunch, a famous vegetarian diner for a bite to eat, and show Curly those beautiful waves!

(One of our favorite New Yorkers: Both “Carrie Bradshaw” & Sarah Jessica Parker call NYC home)

Image via fabsugar.com

Of course, curls aren’t just for the city. Upstate (generally considered anything outside of NYC & New Jersey) is just as enticing, covered with wonderful mountains and lakes. The Catskills, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls call out to nature lovers everywhere. Humidity is a factor though, so if you’re feeling frizzy upstate try some Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel from Ouidad.  It will have you out the door, ready to hike in no time!

Chelsea Clinton (famous for taming her frizzy hair)
Married in upstate in the summer of 2010

Image via nypost.com

Whether lacing up your hiking boots or hailing a cab –your hair can look awesome in New York. Thanks to Ouidad, if your curls can make it there, they can make it anywhere!

We are proud to present our grand prize winner, Jennifer, known as HiddenCurls during our contest, and her thoughts on winning below:

“Help! Let us go free!” The most fun we get is an hour of freedom before getting blow-dried, smashed and FRIED in a flat iron!”

This is what my curls were saying until about six weeks ago- when they were finally let free! In New York City, Ouidad reintroduced me to my fabulous curly hair!

My curl weekend in New York, at first was almost cancelled. After the east coast was hit by two huge snow storms, my curly companion for the weekend, my mom, was snowed out and her flight was cancelled! After digging out of the snow, I was ecstatic to find that the day of my trip to New York, the trains were finally operating normally and I would be able to make it to my curly weekend, but unfortunately without my mom.

After arriving in NYC, I found my way to the Ouidad salon. Straight hair and all. Ouidad couldn’t believe I came in with it straight- but I told her, you knew I would from my entry!

After we talked about how I felt about my hair and what I was looking for, her team took action and I got a deep treatment to revive my dry and fizzled hair. Everyone was great and talked me through all of the steps, arming me with the knowledge to maintain the new look I would leave with.

Ouidad let me know the nature of my hair and how best to take care of it. We discussed how resilient curly hair actually is, and that her fabulous looking hair was going on its third day after being washed and styled- I couldn’t believe it! I expected to have to wet and style my own hair every morning- something I was not looking forward to after getting accustomed to washing and straightening my hair only once a week.  Ouidad told me all I would have to do, was wear it in a loose high pony tail at night and with a few spritzes of botanical boost in the morning it would look great- I kept saying, I won’t believe it until I see it, and that the next morning would defiantly be my test to see if I could stick to this!

After leaving the salon I was excited to spend the weekend out on the town with my new hair! I found that all weekend I kept catching my reflection and making a double take, I couldn’t believe how great my hair looked and that it ended up being fantastic all weekend!

Six weeks later I can say I have not straightened my hair, and I don’t plan on doing it any time soon! I am LOVING MY HAIR! It took a few tries to get used to styling it on my own and to get the results I was looking for, but boy is it easy! I am amazed that in about 30 minutes I have my moisture lock leave in conditioner and climate control gel in and my hair dried with a diffuser.  With a little touch of clear control pomade and shine glaze serum, I am out the door and on my way without any fear of the wind, snow and rain! I find now that after the my previous attempts at curly hair, it didn’t work because I had not found the perfect products. Ouidad really has done something amazing, and helped me let my hair go free!

The only thing that could have made this experience better would have been for my mom to be there with me! She is the one who taught me to straighten my hair and has been straitening hers for the majority of her life. We already have a trip planned for her to visit and we are planning on trekking up to NYC so she can get a Curly hair makeover of her own! I can’t wait to introduce her to Ouidad so that we both can proudly wear our hair curly together!!!

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and especially Ouidad and her team for helping me discover how wonderful and easy my curly hair really is.

Jennifer/”HiddenCurls”
Grand Prize Winner
If These Curls Could Talk Contest

Click here to view the embedded video.