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

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!

So let me introduce my long haired clients. Keeping their length is the trance I see in their eyes as I hear my long haired beauty say, “Just a trim” very casually and simply put. Ah ha! But do they want the same but better? It’s been 3, 4, or 5 months or maybe longer since their last cut.  All that new hard earned length deserves a reward and a thrill for me. New shaping, new lift, new framing….tailoring that fresh length into a new style, a new look and really a new feeling. That’s the difference long hair curls and waves can create. My clients will have each and every time a fresh look and a new feeling of style and energy. Those trims to keep the ends “healthy,” if cut too often…. can “end” up short.  Better to rely on that sense of how your hair “feels” for your trims than the old routine of every two months.  Good conditioning will also maintain your valuable ends. So shake your long sexy tresses and keep yourself new and vibrant.

With permission from a nameless source a true story… a long haired nightmare.  In a consultation in another salon before Ouidad, my client was advised to wear a style more to the appropriateness of her age – shorter was the initial suggestion with other disparaging descriptions. What woman could endure such onslaughts?  Were these stylists out of their minds?    Where was the personal service, awareness, and sensitivity in communication with women? There are ways to contribute, suggest or present ideas and designs without being blunt and unintelligent. There are compassionate and thoughtful ways to serve. Let your hair be beautifully free, for you, along with your dreams.

Vincent, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

They’re natural

While some of your amigas are paying good money and putting their hair through harsh treatments to obtain curls… guess what? You’ve got ‘em naturally!

You’ve got the right stuff…and Ouidad has the right stuff for you

It doesn’t matter what type of curls you’re lucky to possess, we all need a little product to help tame our tresses. The right product makes a world of difference when it comes to loving your curls. Here at Ouidad, you can shop by category, curl type, or hair concern to make it easier to get the right stuff for your mane.

Mornings are easy

Curls don’t have to be difficult and time-consuming,  in fact they should be just the opposite! Our very own stylist Sondriel demonstrates this perfectly in her 4-Minute Curls video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This February, make it your mission to fall in love with your Latina locks all over again!

There are questions as to what cleansing products to use, what’s best? Notice I use the word “cleanse”? Shampoo is often blasted as a “dirty” word in some circles. Yes, not all cleansing products are the same and curls themselves have their own different needs. Shampooing need not be frequent, but it depends on your own hair needs. Oily, fine hair may need more frequent washing – monitor and touch it daily to determine what your hair needs.

Conditioning is a major factor in the maintenance and look of beautiful curls.  Apply conditioner after shampooing, or you can use conditioner only on days without shampoo. You can shampoo and condition or simply rinse and condition.

I am first most loyal to what works for your hair, if your products work, then use them. My curly-wavy haired clients always want “Fast and Easy.” I remind you to look for beautiful too. You make me love what I do.

Vincent, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC

Then what happens my curly, wavy fashionista? Where is that special feeling you get when someone admires your beautiful hair, or compliments your curls, or praises your gorgeous waves? Do you look like everyone else? Do you notice everyone looking like everyone else? Oh, you may go “straight” for a day but…..there’s always the stunning curly haired real you waiting to return.

Let’s face it, everyone is looking over their shoulder for the look that’s “it” which is unfortunate because the true fashion leaders are busy creating from their own passion, intuition and proud heart. They have self-respect, they honor their personal taste and are fiercely committed to what they love. They’re busy showing off their talent vs. trying to change themselves based on someone else’s vision.

You should take care of what is important to you.  Polish what is beautiful about you and flaunt  it.

At the salon last week, I got another anniversary notice. My client informed me that I’ve been styling her hair for eight years!  Six years ago I styled her wedding curls and now she’s asking about her little girl’s curls! She laughed and said that her daughter wouldn’t have to go through the “nightmare curls” that her own mother knew nothing about.

What a validation…..to make such a beautiful difference in someone’s life and to see it transform the next generation. Wow!

Vincent, Stylist,  57th Street Salon, NYC

At Ouidad we talk about creating out of Natural beauty…discovering your own beautiful curls and waves. But this is New York City, fashion capital. So where does it take us….natural anything? A stylist friend of mine loves his mantra…”natural is boring.” But is freedom boring? While we travel, buy, hustle, search “for what’s really it” – whose agenda are we following anyway?

The first thing my swirling haired consultations want, let me repeat…the first thing they ask, inform, demand…is fast. Fast. Yes, they haven’t mentioned their curls but “no time to spend,” “It’s got to be fast,” “I don’t want anything that takes time,” etc. My clients are asking for freedom to have life their way. Working all day and then taking care of family…..who’s taking care of our women?

Priorities can simplify and liberate. Whatever you give your attention to will take or give you power. We can’t do it all, but instead pick what matters most and make sure we enjoy it. Doing what you love is freedom and time no longer is an issue.

Look for what’s next for you… what do you want?  Never mind what you need.  What gives that woman in the mirror the freedom to do, to be? My Mom left everything, there was nothing more to give. I am here to give back to the woman sitting in my chair everything she needs to make this world her own. So this coming year, Rosita’s son will know another powerful woman is making her way through the chaos into her vision.   Let’s not have it all…just what you want.

Vincent, Stylist,  57th Street Salon, NYC

That’s why Ouidad created this new video “How Do I Tame My Kids’ Curls?” The Queen of Curls shows moms and kids how to care for their curls with confidence, not confusion! This great step-by-step demo features Ouidad and her expert stylists who bring new life to delicate curls, putting the Krly Kids Collection and her signature Rake n’ Shake method to work!

Click here to view the embedded video.

For me, this was not new. I see hair like this all the time, so I know exactly what to do.  My advice to her was to do an intense deep conditioning treatment in the salon called the Damage Control Treatment.  This would help rebuild and re-hydrate her damaged, brittle hair.  This would be followed up at home with Ouidad’s 12 Minute Deep Treatment two times a month.  The treatment and products will bring proteins and amino acids back into the hair for a healthier and shinier curl.  After the treatment, I styled her hair and walked her through the techniques, so she was not lost when she does her style on her own.  Now, she can enjoy the curls when she’s at home too.

Mirsada, Stylist,  57th Street Salon, NYC

My consultation sat before me with actually…..beautiful curls. Her naturally straight hair had never styled or permed curly…ever.  She did not know what to do with this new curly head of hair. This was not a visit of interest or fashion.  My potential client unhappily asked “What could I do for her hair and what was our Slice and Carve? How does that work?”

As I started explaining as simply as I could, her demeanor seemed to suggest my answers did not calm her. I stopped as an idea popped up…..”How would you like to watch me Carve and Slice?” Her face softened…. and as I returned to another waiting client, I demonstrated the technique for curly hair.

After completing the styling, I turned to my consultation for her questions and comments.  She wanted to know why there didn’t seem to be a set, exact pattern for cutting curls? “Simply put, rather than a generic size dress, we custom fit our styles as a tailored dress would be perfect on the body it was made for.”

Quiet though…she left.

Would she have ever consulted us with her straight hair in her life prior to treatment? From observing the life that she is now living, I don’t know. Compassion, respect, empathetic to another person’s emotions, my hairstyling with Ouidad has been such a rewarding life – easy at times, revealing, with the ability to create a beautiful, natural life for a woman. Hair means a lot to women, I experience the emotional shift to joy, freedom and then sensational gratitude.

When she left, I felt quiet too. I’m sorry for why she had those new curls, but I will be here when she’s ready to embrace them.

Vincent, Stylist, 57th Street Salon, NYC