First, a deep cleansing breath ….inhale…. ahhhhhhhh, exhale. Feeling better? Now step away from the brush, and let Ouidad show you how easy it is to have perfect curls.

Let’s review three basics:

1.      Cut:

Do get a proper cut. If you can’t make it to NYC, LA, or a Ouidad salon, talk to your stylist; curls need a curl-cut. Carving and Slicing is Ouidad’s patented signature curl cutting technique, and the optimum way to bring those beautiful natural curls to their full potential.

Don’t get another choppy cut that leaves you with heavy clumps of curls that messes up your mane.

2.      Cleanse:

Do wash and condition your hair. Ouidad says Rinse and RETREAT, not Rinse and Repeat; once is enough. Curls are delicate; less is more. Massage the shampoo into your scalp, working down the length of your hair with a rake-and-shake motion. Rinse the shampoo and move right to the conditioning. And don’t be shy with conditioner; Ouidad suggests using plenty of conditioner, and condition often.

3.      Style: This is where you need to step away from the brush, and put your hands to work.

Ouidad says do position your hair with your hands while it’s wet, and let it air dry. But don’t keep touching your hair while it dries; touching disturbs the natural curl, causing unwanted frizz!

Ouidad reminds you to do let your curls thrive naturally and don’t overwork them, trying to “tame the mane”!

In the summer issue of New Beauty, with Heidi Klum on the cover, Ouidad explains how the big, wild perms of the 80′s are gone, replaced with softer, gentler perms that work with your hair and can mimic natural curls.

The key to new perms according to Ouidad, is to communicate with your stylist – so you get the curls you want, which can be anything from loose and wavy to tight ringlets!

To keep your perm perfect, Ouidad suggests a gentle shampoo and lightweight conditioner — so as not to weigh down those sexy curls — along with a monthly intensive conditioning treatment to extend the life of your curly perm!

For more tips on transitioning to sexy curls, and keeping them perfect, pick up a copy of New Beauty, or visit Ouidad online, at www.ouidad.com!

I commissioned German artist Gisela Goppel to design the curl icon featured on the packaging.  Gisela told me that she was inspired by the energy and motion of curly hair. She worked with dynamic forms that reflect the shape of the curls, waves and loops and the design shows the richness and variety of curls.

What I’ve always loved about my packaging is that it’s timeless and never feels outdated.  Throughout the design process I saw countless images and layouts before I finally landed on this exact look that I had been searching for.  I believe the new expression shares both a sense of lasting design and my vision of curls as art.  And I feel that the new packaging embodies the essence of my curly haired clients and friends- strong, determined yet warm and fun-loving.  I hope you’ll love my new look as much as I do.   Please let me know what you think.

Ouidad

Of course I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I had to chime in.  I suggested to them to not put their hair back so tight, and after class to just use a leave-in conditioner spray, such as Botanical Boost, to refresh their hair.  Although they were freaked out about not shampooing after the gym, I told them it’s just salt and sebum – not the same smelly sweat that comes off on the rest of the body.

So here I am now holding up the class because I realized the whole class and instructor were listening to me.  It made me laugh because my job never seems to end, even after I leave the salon.  The discussion continued and after a while I was almost getting frustrated because I wanted to start the class, but everyone was so into the conversation – it made me realize how much women just don’t know about their hair.

So many women say that their hairdresser just doesn’t educate them.  If we as stylists don’t educate, who will?

Alex, Stylist, 57^th Street Salon, NYC