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

When it comes to curly hair care, only one expert is recognized as the gold standard.  And that is our very own Ouidad, the Queen of Curls!

As we curly fans all know, Ouidad’s passion for education has catapulted curly hair to the forefront, making the internationally recognized stylist the most respected curly hair leader in the industry. Her trademarked Carving & Slicing technique, Rake & Shake styling, and her award-winning product line have acquired a dedicated following.

And that’s why Ouidad works to create a network of salons that curly haired clients can rely on for expert cuts, styling and curl-specific products–without having to travel far. So, along with her handpicked team of A-list stylists, Ouidad has created an intensive certification process that guarantees that curly girls and guys will get the care we deserve.

Once accepted, stylists are invited to Ouidad’s flagship salon in NYC where they learn about the various types of curls, curly hair products, and techniques. Ouidad uses hair models to demonstrate her signature techniques, so stylists gain hands-on experience to learn Ouidad’s cutting and styling techniques—the key to success with curly hair.  “Curly hair can be impossible to manage,” says Ouidad.  “It’s all about precise cutting and styling techniques.”

Beauty blogger Joey Alycia was recently a Ouidad hair model, and she tweeted her way through her eye-opening salon experience and the Ouidad difference: “Thank you so much for the experience of a lifetime! I have never been so in love with my hair as I am right now!  I can’t wait to return!”—More proof that Ouidad certification puts salons a cut above the rest.

Salons interested in certification can apply here. Or to refer a salon for certification, please click here. A world of curls awaits you!

Humidity and curly hair are definitely not bff’s. When there’s moisture in the air either it’s a hat day, ponytail city or the brave ones just go for it like Monica on that episode of Friends when they went to Barbados! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little more control over your curls on those tropical curls days?

Lucky you! Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo by Ouidad is just the thing to tame your locks while keeping them soft & manageable for styling. And there’s more luck…Lucky magazine, that is. We are so excited to be featured in the Lucky Hair Guide (May 2010). Lucky is always on the cutting edge of fashion and beauty with tips and ideas on so many subjects.

The article that features Curl Quencher is called “Triumph Over Humidity” and it has some great ideas for thick and curly hair. With advice to wash your hair less, use shampoo designed for that challenging hair (hey, we know a great curls–care company who makes that!) and to work in smoothing creams and serums when your hair is wet. Really great tips for curls!

So, get a bottle of Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo and the May copy of Lucky and head out into the warm weather with your beautiful curls held high…Lucky you!

Need those curls dry, now? No need to fear the blow dryer, you can have beautiful natural curls even with electric heat! With Ouidad’s curl expertise, it’s all about the right technique combined with the right products!

In the April edition of Real Simple, Ouidad shares with readers how to get those luscious locks dry in a hurry – while maintaining beautiful, natural, healthy curls!

So, here’s what you’ll need:

Blow dryer with up to 1400 watts and a “low” temperature setting

Ouidad’s Air-Diffuser with the concave middle, so curls form naturally

The right products to nourish, protect, and maintain your curls

Ready, set, dry – it’s that easy with Ouidad.

1.  Shampoo, condition and rinse with the Ouidad products for your type of curly hair.

2.  Use the tried-and-true Rake & Shake styling technique with Ouidad Climate Control Gel to set your curls. No curling iron or rollers needed!

3.  Add Duckbill Clips for extra volume on top, and attach the diffuser to your blow dryer.

4.  Diffuse-dry hair at the roots by flipping hair to one side, then the other, leaving ends to dry naturally. The dryer should be on low or medium. Remove any duckbill clips once hair is dry.

5.  Apply Ouidad Clear Control Pomade to finish and smooth, by rubbing a small amount in hands, and running hands over curls from scalp to ends (as if you were sweeping hair into a pony tail).  Spray with a finishing product for extra hold or shine.

Voila! You have beautiful, natural curls – dry in no time, and ready for whatever the day brings!

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

Ouidad has been getting some serious face time behind the camera. So by now you’ve probably caught one of our fantastic videos, whether you’ve watched it on YouTube or here on our blog.

(Who is Ouidad? Ouidad Answers Curl Questions in New York,  Four Minute Curls, or Curls for a Cure!)

We want to hear what you think!  Just like our last survey about your favorite curly-haired celebrities, tell us which video you enjoyed the most: Who is Ouidad?, Ouidad Answers Curl Questions in New York City, 4 Minute Curls, or our latest video about the Curls for a Cure organization.

Vote now and help us figure out what you want to see next!

Naturally curly hair is a gift, so don’t let curl questions stop you from enjoying those beautiful locks – let Ouidad help! Ouidad is ready to answer questions, so tell us what you want to know.

Thanks to www.naturallycurly.com for the image

What’s your top curl quandary? Questions about curl care? Cutting and styling tips? Coloring curls? Does changing weather cause you curl stress? What about going between work and play with all those curls? Or is it growing-out your curly hair?

We know that your curls are a wonderful expression of your personality, and that they require a little TLC too. Let’s talk; you tell us the problem, Ouidad will help you solve it!

Partiendo del hecho que tienes excelentes rizos, hay muchos productos que te ayudan a resaltar tu cabello – pero recuerda que no todos los productos fueron creados iguales. Ouidad te pone alerta para que no seas víctima de posibles paradojas.

foto cortesía de http://cursos-peluqueria.com/

Tu cabello necesita tratamiento, pero un tratamiento equivocado puede llevarte a darle aún más tratamiento – y en algunos casos, a dañar tu cabello.

Aplicar demasiado de un buen producto puede sofocar tu cabello. Quizás tus intenciones sean buenas y estés tratando de echarle la mano a un cabello seco o frágil, pero éste necesita respirar también.

¿Alguna vez has visto cómo quedan las uñas naturales después de remover uñas falsas? ¡La uña natural es prácticamente destruida! Eso es lo que le puede pasar a tus hermosos rizos si utilizas los productos equivocados – tus rizos pueden terminar secos, frágiles y muy enchinados.

Ouidad siempre te aconsejará “alimentar” tu cabello rizado. La clave está en nutrirlo con los productos más adecuados y Ouidad puede ayudarte a determinar qué productos son mejores para tu pelo.

Recuerda, la idea principal es dejar que tus rizos florezcan de una manera saludable, con ondulaciones definidas que luzcan un cuidado completo.

Translated from: The Good, The Bad, and The Too Much: Damage Control and Products

Are you constantly getting complimented on your fabulous curls? Do your curls get the lion’s share of the attention at parties, and when you’re out with friends? If so then we want you to submit your photo for our “Calling All Curls” model casting call.

What is “Calling All Curls?” It’s Ouidad’s new project – we’re looking for models with beautiful waves, kinks and curls for an upcoming photo shoot that we will be doing in New York City! Think you have what it takes? And do you think your curls have what it takes!?  Then submit your photo by Thursday, January 21st, along with your name, age, phone number, email address and home address to modelcall@ouidad.com.

And share the fun – do you have a friend who might be interested also? Tell them about it with our share button below!

Good luck to all of our curly contestants!

“First there was Cher, then there was Madonna and now there’s Ouidad!”

-          From the video “Ouidad Celebrates 25 Years!”

Twenty five years ago, Ouidad and her husband Peter started a phenomenon with their now famous salons and curly-haired viewpoint. Over that time Ouidad’s work has transcended to an empowering lifestyle and a positive (curly) outlook. Now with this pioneering philosophy of curls and care, Ouidad has celebrated a major milestone: 25 year at our New York city location.

Want to take a behind the scenes look at the event?  In this great video, you’ll hear from Ouidad herself, her first clients and many other really fantastic testimonials. Take a moment and watch Ouidad celebrate her 25^th Anniversary!