Ouidad: The Curl Experts

August Guest Blogger, curly girl Jenny Hurwitz!

Rather than introduce myself in some mundane fashion that tells you my name (Jenny Hurwitz) where I’m from, (Warren, NJ) how old I am, (21-LEGAL!) and what my favorite color is, (Purple, duh). I’ll explain via my very startling, very real, and very telling reoccurring nightmare that I experience before all important events in my life.

I’m being my typical self, giggling and probably doing some form of the Carlton dance (for the sad souls unfamiliar with the Fresh Prince or Will Smith’s hoity-toity spastic cousin’s dance, click here) and I appear totally happy. Cut to the next scene and I find that that my long curls have been maliciously cut off and I’m now some 5’10’’ chic with a Shirley Temple bob, who resembles something similar to a toothpick.

image via: lemondropvintage.blogspot.com

Translation: I have curly hair, a lot of it, and after 21 years on this world I can safely say that it helps define me.

Naturally I suffered from the horror of this nightmare the night before my first day at my summer internship and awoke on the Upper West Side of New York City in a pool of sweat, only to realize I did in fact still have my hair, and my secret weapons to boot.

Although my curls have always set me apart, I can’t say I always thanked them for that. But, after a rocky relationship, two bad flat irons and a ton of expensive products, I learned to love my hair and all of its imperfect glory.

Every girl has their secret weapon and mine just so happens to go by the name of Ouidad.  For the past 6 years my life, Ouidad products have been my right hand gals. They helped me get ready for my first N*SYNC concert, the first day of college, and most recently, the first day of my new internship. In short, I’d be lost with out them.

Which is why, when I was responsible for creating a blog for my Social Media course last semester, I naturally created “Jenny From Blog” and wrote about all things curly. Although my peers found my topic choice peculiar (yeaaaah, because blogging about baseball is waaaay more innovative…) my professor (a curly man himself) was encouraging. Sure enough, I was well on my way to mixing a little humor into my product suggestions (Tress Effects) and my life with curls.

Speaking of suggestions, I recently discovered and may or may not have instantly fallen in love with Ouidad’s Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel. It’s summer, and when you’re curly, summer is unfortunately synonymous with the word frizz and the sound it makes (which I find comparable to the noise those cicada bugs make).

A long time fan of the aforementioned products, the Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel is a more fitting match for my summer frizz. Without the crunch-effect of most products, Climate Control does its job; it tames my mane.

After using your (Clear and Gentle) shampoo and (Moisture Lock) leave-in conditioner, apply Climate Control generously to your hair and watch as fireworks explode as your frizz naturally disappears like Houdini.

I can’t promise you a life of happiness, but I can promise you a frizz-less one. And for those of you who’ve suffered like me, that’s a pretty darn good promise.

Ouidad Climate Control Love,

J

Start spreading the news! Ouidad is a hot commodity in New York, from the stock exchange to Times Square, to beautiful Upstate – great curls are all the rage.

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!

I’ve been working with Ouidad for over 13 years. I stay busy with my own clients, while new clients are mostly referrals. A short time ago a lady was recommended to the salon for a consultation. One of my colleagues suggested I consult with her for her particular questions. After introducing myself, she quickly informed me she was a breast cancer survivor. I did not expect her information and directness but appreciated it.  I have had past experience with cancer survivors and hair replacement and many women in the process of treatment who are experiencing the side effects bring in their hair replacements for our services.

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