Out of the blue recently a client of mine asked “What has changed at Ouidad since you first started 12 years ago?” Ah, for me every day is the opportunity to transform women’s lives and feel the difference I make on the planet. Really! Women’s hair is their first real relationship.

Some more thoughts… 12 years ago our technology and experience didn’t contain the options and possibilities that we offer today. We now have the mastery to create style and provide solutions that yesterday’s hard work and research presented to us. There were no curly hair cutting, styling, products, or anything 25 years ago. From nothing but vision, determination and passion, Ouidad developed creations, which turned into curly answers.

Today we are able to communicate with the level of expertise and concern that only curly haired clients can relate to. I listen to my clients, I can see and literally feel her hair’s history and shape the curls into a style she loves and can care for by herself. Now, my clients can understand their curls and achieve the look that is best for them!  Today’s curly women can have ease and speed with certainty, which life often demands on Saturday at 9pm…..they know that their hair will be stunning.

Vincent stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

I had a client in my chair that had a problem that many have – gray hair.  She wanted to cover the gray but didn’t want to be chained down to a color regimen just yet.  My advice to her was the option of adding in some low lights to her hairline.

By doing this, you will not only cover the gray but add depth and dimension into your hair.  Since you are going a little darker, you won’t be forced to keep up a schedule of coloring and you won’t notice any outgrowth.

This is a great option for hiding your grays and stepping into the process of coloring.

Virginia, Stylist, Ouidad Salon, NYC

Every couple of years I get THE question, right out of the blue….”Why do you cut curly hair wet?” Or “What’s the difference between cutting curly hair wet or dry?”  Are they asking because they’re interested in what makes curly hair look good or are they questioning our expertise? As the clients have entered into the inner sanctum of beautiful hair at Ouidad….I assume that they really want to know why is it so hard to figure out curly hair?

I explain that hair stylists are not trained for curls because hair fashion has little to do with natural hair texture unless it’s used as a passing look. And curly hair has to be handled on its own terms including the cut that works for curls.

When you really look at a curl, it’s a miracle of individual hairs gathering together in a pattern forming the Curl. Disrupting the pattern, breaking up the curl shape is what a “bad cut” gives you. The successful curl-cut follows the form and shape of the curl, recognizing its character by sight and feel.

Years ago eager to establish a successful reputation as a master cutter, I finally had to face the feared head of curly hair. With no guide, I experimented and practiced, choosing dry hair as my medium. I discovered the best I could do was clipping off the problems and avoiding what I couldn’t control. I was trimming hedges.  Ha! Cutting dry left the curls incomplete. I could manage some of the problems but the look and style was non-existent.  Dead end [appropriate pun.]

I knew the solution was within the curl…following its design and understanding its character. I watched Ouidad demonstrate her “carving and slicing,” I watched the curls flow and spring together, and for the first time I realized the inner workings and harmony of curls….years ago and on my own, I just couldn’t get it.

When properly conditioned wet hair can be analyzed by sight and touch, it’s amazing to see scissors carve into the curl, slice out the weight, giving it body and style. This is a skill brought by education and experience….wet hair reveals the curls and glides the shears within and through curls completing its own beautiful structure. It takes patience and love.  Sounds nice right?  Well it works like a dream!

Vincent, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

I don’t know what it is like to be a teenager with curly hair and to not like it. Growing up as the daughter of the Queen of Curl (Ouidad), I never had the chance to experience a bad hair day. I never had the frustration of frizzy, big, out-of-control hair. I never fell to the pressure of straightening my hair because I loved the spring and bounce it brought to my life. I was always asked why I don’t straighten my hair and I always replied with the same answer . . . “Because I love my curls!”

When I was in High School, I was envied because my hair always looked good. It looked good because I knew how to work with it. During school and in between classes, I would go into the bathroom and style my classmates’ hair and teach them about the Ouidad techniques. This was always easy because I had great products like Climate Control and Botanical Boost. When prom came around, I did a lot of curly styles and I realized that I was taking away my friends’ frustration with their hair. Some of the girls said that I inspired them to love their curls! What a compliment!!

Now I am in the salon working and listening to clients talk about their own hair frustrations from over the years. I think how lucky I am to not have this anxiety with my hair. I work with teens and college-age clients and show them how to work with their hair. I am very lucky to do something I love!

Sondriel, Teen Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

Upon finishing a brand new cut and style for a first time client she reiterated a familiar request,  “If I had to choose just one product what should I pick?” And to make an additional note, this client claimed, she has tons of hair products in her bathroom and she doesn’t need one more…same old story.

Curly hair though has two faces to make it beautiful – inside the curl and out. During the summer months with high humidity and active lifestyles, I recommend deep treatments to get curls in conditioned shape.  Curls also need curl enhancing styling and finishing products to perform easily.  I use Ouidad’s complete product line.

But what’s the one thing most important for your curly hair? Attitude. When you finally see the results you love and understand….the rest is just practice. Fast and easy comes after getting the curls of your dreams.

Vincent, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

During my day at Ouidad, I have plenty of clients that are actresses who love wearing their hair curly because they are what directors want – ‘every day people’ who don’t want ‘blown out, curling ironed perfect hair.’  Sounds great to me!

I had an actress in my chair yesterday who is never afraid to try a new look. She has kinky hair and wears it anywhere from long to a short bob, to very layered or bold curly bangs.  She also plays up her looks with lots of color! She says she never lets a hair stylist on set style her hair. She always does her Ouidad “rake and shake” at home and let’s them spruce it up later if they need to, because she’s seen how frizzy and fried it can look with all the irons and harsh blow drying.

This actress wears her hair confidently and proudly and lets her personality shine with her curly do.  We love it when she’s in the salon because she’s always raving about curly hair and complimenting all the clients too!

Kate, Stylist, Santa Monica Salon, California

As I was watching this season of Shear Genius, I saw one of the challenges was to cut a bob on curly hair… really? That’s the challenge?  These top stylists were going nuts. One even said “I try to never work with this texture” which is almost insulting to us curly heads.  Even in other challenges the models with curly hair were picked last!

This brings me to why I love Ouidad education classes. Each month we have a class teaching other stylists how to cut and style and work with curly hair.  I’m glad to be part of a team that is really trying to push wearing your own natural texture. And they are great! The stylists come in with 9 million questions because they are so eager to learn something to bring back to their clients.

Now more than EVER people don’t want to straighten their hair. In Hollywood and real life, you’re seeing more and more curls and waves. And no worries – Ouidad and her expanding team are here to help.

Alex,  Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

Almost all consultations with my clients start with a request (sometimes a demand)…”it has to be fast and easy!”  Easy, yes but always fast. Never mind, beautiful curls being the first request; it’s always “fast and easy.” But it’s my privilege to introduce them to their very own beautiful curls. And show them the fastest and easiest way to achieve them.

In the winter time I’ve noticed constant, recurring requests for less hair- just a little shorter, no talk of longer hair. “What’s up?” I asked my winter client.  “I have to deal with more dryness, cold, and drying time,” said my client, “and how about coats, sweaters and scarves?” She is not a shy curly head. I gave her a fresh, easier winter cut and fast simple styling advice.

Our latest hair product, Moisture Lock, is an immediate remedy without adding another step.  Depending on the texture and thickness of your hair, add a few drops or our Moisture Lock to your styling product, my favorite is Climate Control. Mix the two together in your palm and apply as before. You will achieve smoothness with softness. When dry, run your palms over your curls to soften and open them up, you may not even need apply finishing product. I prefer to use Moisture Lock as a styling product because it works.

Some of my fearless snow women will run out after just applying Moisture Lock while raking  and blotting. That’s my group of curly Heroines!

Vincent, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

I have a young New York client, who has declared that her first relationship is not with the man standing beside her, it is with her hair. Clients often describe their curls as a person, a living thing that can misbehave.  I hear, “I can never depend on my hair,” “sometimes it does things it shouldn’t,” and “it never does what I want it to do.”

Hair is the “mane” event for all women, and this is certainly true for those whose hair has been a constant state of pain.  Women should be enjoying the fun without obsessing with the details of achieving perfectly beautiful curls. Particularly during special occasions and dressing up…gorgeous hair is the crown of glory.

Winter has drying demands on already thirsty locks but there is a simple, easy solution. I use Moisture Lock Leave-in-Conditioner as a styling product, mixing in a few drops or more of Climate Control Styling Gel for each application.  Or for a lighter effect, I mix in Curl Quencher Gel with Moisture Lock. You will notice an immediate difference – less finishing product is necessary. In no time you will achieve softer more luxurious hair, even in winter…a nice present for yourself any time of year…eh? Easy, fast and beautiful!

Vincent, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC

I have a client who has been coming to the New York salon for years. She has been with everyone from Ouidad to Vincent to Ana and now she is in my chair.

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