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Ask Ouidad
Ouidad
Q: Do hair vitamins really make a difference?
Ouidad: Absolutely. I recommend them to all my clients. With today’s environment and our diets, we are always lacking necessary vitamins.
6/29/09
Q: Are certain climates better for the health of your hair? What about certain cities with water quality isues? (I.e. hard water, versus soft water. What’s the difference?)
Ouidad: Climates that are not too dry or not too humid are best for the health of your hair. Hard water is too harsh and strips the life out of hair. Soft water causes build-up on your hair which leads to long-term dryness and dehydration. I recommend Ouidad Water Works clarifying shampoo, which neutralizes the damage that both hard and soft water can cause.
6/22/09
Q: Do girls with long hair need more conditioner than girls with short hair, or does the oiliness of your scalp/damage of your hair matter more?
Ouidad: The length of hair definitely determines how much conditioner you should use — longer hair needs more conditioner. To allow your scalp to breath, you should always apply conditioner to your hair two inches away from the scalp versus applying it directly to your scalp.
6/15/09
Q: Are certain climates better for the health of your hair? What about certain cities with water quality? (I.e. hard water, versus soft water. What’s the difference?)
Ouidad: Climates that are not too dry or not too humid are best for the health of your hair. Hard water is too harsh and strips the life out of hair. Soft water causes build-up on your hair, which leads to long-term dryness and dehydration. I recommend Ouidad Water Works clarifying shampoo which neutralizes the damage that both hard and soft water can cause.
6/8/09
Q: Do girls with long hair need more conditioner than girls with short hair, or does the oiliness of your scalp/damage of your hair matter more?
Ouidad: The length of hair definitely determines how much conditioner you should use — longer hair needs more conditioner. To allow your scalp to breath, you should always apply conditioner to your hair two inches away from the scalp versus applying it directly to your scalp.
6/1/09
Q: How much conditioner do you need?
Ouidad: It depends on the length of the hair. People have a tendency to fill their hands, which is too much. For short hair, a nickel-size dollop will do. For medium-length hair, a quarter-size dollop. And for longer hair, a two quarters-size dollop is the right amount.
5/11/09
Q: What’s the proper way to condition oily hair that’s also damaged?
Ouidad: Condition with a water-soluble formula (non-oil based) with proteins, such as soy and wheat proteins. Also to be most effective, apply the conditioner to hair approximately 2 inches from the scalp versus applying directly to the scalp.
4/27/09
Q: How much conditioner do you need?
Ouidad: It depends on the length of the hair. People have a tendency to fill their hands, which is too much. For short hair, a nickel-size dollop is sufficient. For medium length hair, a quarter-size dollop. And for longer hair, two quarters-size dollop.
4/20/09
Q: What’s the proper way to condition oily hair that’s also damaged?
Ouidad: Condition with a water soluble formula (non-oil based) with proteins, such as soy and wheat proteins. Also to be most effective apply the conditioner to hair approximately 2 inches from the scalp versus applying directly to the scalp.
4/13/09
Q: What’s the proper way to condition oily hair that’s also damaged?
Ouidad: Condition with a water-soluble formula (non-oil based) with proteins, such as soy and wheat proteins. Also, to be most effective, apply the conditioner to hair approximately 2 inches from the scalp versus applying directly to the scalp.
3/16/09
Q: What should you look for — and avoid — in a conditioner?
Ouidad: Avoid heavy emollient products that weigh the hair down and avoid silicones, waxes and heavy oils.
3/2/09
Q: How frequently do you recommend conditioning when showering? How frequently do you recommend shampooing hair?
Ouidad: You should use a conditioner daily, even if it is a spray-in conditioner (such as Botanical Boost) on days that you do not shower. I recommend shampooing hair once or twice per week.
2/23/09
Q: How much leave-in conditioner should you apply?
Ouidad: For short, thick hair, a dime size amount; for short, thin hair, a pea-size amount; and for thick, long hair, a quarter size. Use your discretion and remember to use enough to work through your hair but not to drench it.
2/17/09
Q: Which leave-ins do you recommend?
Ouidad: I recommend using leave-ins with ingredients like prickly pear cactus, Green Tea and Vitamin B-5 – like my new Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner!
2/9/09
Q: Does leave-in conditioner help rehabilitate damaged hair or keep healthy hair happy?
Ouidad: Over time, a daily leave-in conditioner will rehabilitate damaged hair, but it cannot compete with the rehabilitating benefits of a deep treatment. A daily leave-in conditioner with ingredients to help store moisture, heal and plump the hair on a daily basis is essential to nourish and strengthen the hair and add gloss. Each time you use it, you are only strengthening the results!
1/20/09
Q: Does colored or relaxed hair need to be given extra care when heat-styling?
Ouidad: Yes. With any chemical treatment your hair will experience some dehydration. So it is essential that everything is done to protect your hair and rebuild it after going through these processes. Regular Deep Treatments are critical to replenish hair’s strength. When conditioning your hair, use a leave-in conditioner for extra protection, or if you use a rinse-off conditioner, you can still leave a portion of it in your hair to help maintain moisture. And use a styling product that can help protect hair from the heat such as my Climate Control Heat & Humidity gel.
11/17/08
Q: What sort of measures should women take to prevent heat-styling damage?
Ouidad: First, I would try to avoid excessive use of heat-styling tools. Instead of using a blow dryer with heat to dry your hair, I would always encourage letting it dry naturally or using a diffuser on low heat. If you must use heat-styling tools, you should give your hair extra protection to help it maintain moisture. My Climate Control Heat & Humidity styling gel is a styling product that also provides a layer of protection to help seal in moisture to the hair shaft even when heat-styling tools are used.
11/10/08
Q: Why is heat styling bad for hair?
Ouidad: Heat styling is bad for hair because it forces the moisture and conditioning elements out of hair. Similar to skin, hair needs to be fed essential nutrients, such as proteins, amino acids, and moisture so it is able to look and perform its best. Heat styling can also cause damage to the hair cuticle, which it causes to lift from the hair shaft. This leads to frizz and can also cause breakage. It is best to let your hair dry on its own if possible.
Q: What sort of care does colored hair need?
Ouidad: I always advise applying a deep conditioning treatment, like my Deep Treatment, three days before hair coloring to give strands substance and to allow the colorants to absorb evenly. Ten days after coloring, repeat the deep treatment to keep the color melocules bonded and to prevent fading. A daily leave-in conditioner is also a great way to keep hair looking and feeling soft and hydrated. Try my new Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner. And prior to styling a spray in conditioners such as Ouidad Sun Shield or Botanical Boost can also serve as a great base.
Q: How often is too often to color hair?
Ouidad: If the hair is very grey, then I recommend my customers to do one process every 6 weeks and do a front hairline touch up two weeks after that. Then, wait 4 more weeks and do the whole head roots again. That will stretch your color to 12 weeks. The less you do color the better it’s for your hair. For highlights - every 10 weeks.
10/21/08
Q: Does hair color/highlighting negatively affect hair texture and quality?
Ouidad: No matter how gentle a formulation, hair color is always dehydrating to all types of hair. The way to get the best results with your color and to avoid the dehydration process is to do a deep treatment 3 days before coloring so the hair is fed and strengthened with moisture and amino acids and your color will come out evenly.
10/14/08
Q: What does it mean to prime your hair?
A: We all know how important it is to prime before we paint, but not everyone knows it is equally important to prime before your daily beauty regimen.
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner leaves hair in optimal condition, no matter what adversity it faces. Created by the curl expert and leader of the “curl revolution,” this hybrid conditioner and pre-styler in one is a breakthrough that Ouidad spent over two years developing!
“Conditioning is the best way to protect hair from environmental factors such as heat and humidity while also priming it for styling,” offers Ouidad. Not only will hair’s strength be enhanced with Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner’s proprietary blend of naturally active ingredients, including Arnica, Prickly Pear Cactus, Green Tea and Pro-Vitamin B5, this advanced product also helps hair hold onto moisture – creating a protective barrier that adds shine while safeguarding hair for overall health and vitality.
8/21/08
Q: I keep hearing a lot about Meadowfoam. What is it and why does it show up in so many hair products?
Ouidad: Meadowfoam is a white, flowered herbacious plant that gets its name because of its resemblance to the ocean. It is used in hair-care products in the form of a light, non-greasy oil. It contains 98 percent of unique, long-chain fatty acids and higher quality triglyceride levels when compared to other oils. These fatty acids and triglycerides offer moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities, making it a good hydrator for the skin and hair.
This natural ingredient works particularly well in hair care because of its non-greasy consistency, which won’t weight the hair down or damage it. It’s actually one of the only oils I suggest using on hair. Meadowfoam deeply penetrates the hair cuticle to deeply hydrate without leaving hair limp, lifeless and greasy. It also contains UV protecting agents, which shield the hair from sun damage and provide thermal protection.
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoam is a chief ingredient in Ouidad Curl Quencher Gel, a conditioning and holding gel that quenches dry, frizzy hair. The formulation of this gel combines skin-care ingredients with specialized hair-care ingredients to create a unique styling product. It’s ideal for color-treated, permed or chemically treated hair.
6/20/08
Ouidad addresses brushing curly hair
Q: Why shouldn’t you use a brush on wet hair?
Ouidad: Because of the way a brush is structured, with teeth staggered, it has a tendency to pull the hair causing stress and breakage.
Q: Is brushing curly or African-American hair especially bad? (Wet or dry?) Why?
Ouidad: Yes. Brushing curly or African-American hair both when it’s wet and dry is especially bad because this hair type is finer and more delicate than any other hair type, causing it to break even easier.
Q: Would you recommend a wide-toothed comb or finger styling for those textures?
Ouidad: I recommend using a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair in the shower. Then use your fingers to style.
Q: What can you do to avoid breakage?
Ouidad: I recommend keeping hair properly conditioned by doing a biweekly deep conditioning treatment. This will give the hair its own internal strength and will naturally prevent the hair from breaking.
Q: I’m confused about all these sun-protection products out there. Does hair really get sunburned? Why should I use one?
Ouidad: UVA and UVB rays are damaging to the locks as well as the skin. Protecting your tresses and your scalp is a must! Always keep hair under wraps with prolonged sun exposure, either with a great brimmed hat or fashionable scarf. Also, I developed Ouidad Sun Shield Spray to instantly provide UV protection to hair with its exclusive cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride ingredient, traditionally reserved for skin care usage. The small molecules of this ingredient absorb sun rays, as conditioning agents including quartz crystals, proteins, amino acids and antioxidants reflect sun damage away from the hair, keeping it moisturized. A breathable clear glaze that acts as a shield — protects hair from harsh elements — preserving the hair color and promoting healthy shiny curls.
Q: I hear all these things about shampooing. What is the best way to shampoo?
Ouidad: Look for a shampoo that is mild so your hair will be cleansed without being stripped of its natural moisture. A gentle shampoo is one with a low pH (6.8 or less) that is formulated for daily use. Key shampoos to look for are those designed for chemically processed or color-treated hair as they aren’t made with abrasive ingredients and won’t drab down color. I recommend Ouidad Curl Quencher Shampoo or Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo.
Curly hair tends to be drier, a key culprit to creating frizz and breakage. If you don’t shampoo every day, you should still rinse daily with warm water and conditioner to keep hair hydrated and to revive the curl pattern. For extremely curly hair, shampoo only once a week. This hair type is the most delicate and dehydrated, so be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo.
- Saturate your hair with lukewarm water.
- Pour shampoo into your palms and rub your palms together to create a lather.
- Run hands through hair to evenly distribute shampoo.
- Using your fingertips, massage shampoo into the scalp.
- Run your fingers downward to clean and detangle the hair. DON’T pile your hair on top of your head; added tugging and scrubbing leads to breakage.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
A beautiful updo for prom.
1. Begin with freshly shampooed hair. Towel dry then use fingers to distribute Play Curl Mousse throughout curls. It’s best to let the curls dry or use a hairdryer on cool with a diffuser.
2. Place a dime sized dollop of Clear Control Pomade in the palm of your hand, rub palms together, then smooth hair back into a pony tail. Holding the pony tight at the scalp with one hand, run your other hand over the pony tail all the way to ends. Clear Control helps to soften, open and define your curls, but won’t flatten them out.
4. Smooth tendrils, add bobby pins if necessary, or dress up this look with a stunning hair comb, like this crystal and pearl combo. If your tendrils need definition, a hot curling iron covered with a light cotton fabric will do the trick. Finish off with the Styling Mist.
Have a great time at the prom and take a lot of pictures!
Q: I’m looking for a pretty updo for prom that showcases my curls. Any ideas?
Ouidad: It’s easy to get a pretty curly do, thanks to a simple ponytail with a romantic twist. You’ll need Play Curl Mousse to prep the hair and Clear Control Pomade and Styling Mist to finish it, as well as 4-5 bobby pins and a decorative hair accessory.
Q: I just saw the Broadway musical “In The Heights” and was in awe of all the great curly actresses. I understand you helped them get those beautiful curls. I’d love to know what products you used.
Mandy Gonzalez
Ouidad: Mandy Gonzalez came to “In The Heights” asking for softer curls. Lead Ouidad stylist Ayanna complied and began this softer look by using Curl Quencher Gel, which contains rich botanical emollients and Pro-Vitamin B5, a penetrating moisturizer that conditions, defines and holds dry, thirsty curls. Curl Quencher gel not only gave Mandy the added moisture her curls needed, but gave them the light bounce she desired.
Nina LaFarga
Nina LaFarga knew she wanted to wear her hair wild and messy, just as she does in her daily life. She relayed this information to Ouidad stylist Ana who had the perfect remedy to keep her curls lively: Ouidad Tress FX is an alcohol-free, lightweight styling lotion that defines ringlets without smothering or weighing them down.
Janet Dacal
Janet Dacal’s hair contains a mixture of curl patterns that include loose waves and tight ringlets. In order to add a bit of flexibility, with the utmost amount of control, to Janet’s tresses, Ayanna used a combination of Ouidad Climate Control and Ouidad Curl Quencher. The Climate Control protects hair from humidity and actually hydrates each individual strand of hair to prevent frizz, while the addition of Curl Quencher moisturizes, conditions and defines.
Q: I’ve been watching “American Idol,” and I would love to get my curls to look like the flowing waves of Brooke White. Any suggestions?
Ouidad: The best way to create free-flowing waves is the second day after you’ve washed your hair. Spray hair with Ouidad Botanical Boost leave-in conditioner, which seals in moisture and provides hair with nourishing vitamins and Aloe Vera. Scrunch and then spritz with Styling Mist to set and hold waves.
If your hair was just washed and is fresh, add leave-in conditioner, like Botanical Boost, post-shower and then add a styling lotion like PlayCurl Mousse to build body and exaggerate fullness.
Brooke White
Trying to revive second-day waves? It’s easy! Simply spray curls with Botanical Boost to refresh curls and tame frizzies, then top off with a shine agent like Shine Glaze, which contains micronized crystalline particles that add shine and control frizz
For feminine, frizz-free curls, add a bit of shine to hair, then smooth out and use your fingers to separate waves and create individual wave patterns.
Want tighter curls? Take hair in three individual sections, add Clear Control Pomade and twist into three buns high and tight then pin to the top of the head. Hit buns with a bit of hot air from the blow dryer and take down for frizz-free curls. Finish off with Shine Glaze, for a perfectly in-place coif.
Looser waves? If you’re looking for looser, Brooke-like waves, separate hair into sections and pin oversized buns to the crown. This will create a larger wave pattern. Again, finish with shine serum for brilliant results.
Q: I believe I am a 3b. I have very tight corkscrews. It’s above my shoulder and I recently got some highlights. But now I’m missing my long hair. I feel like it’s so bulky with it this length. Whatever I have I want the opposite. Any suggestions?
Ouidad: With bobs being in right now, you could have a great deal of fun with that length of your hair by having it carved and sliced in the right areas to puzzle the curls into each other. That will decrease the bulkiness and make it easier to manage. Check out Ouidad.com for certified salons in your area. Also, use Ouidad Deep Treatment every two weeks and then more to once a month. Your hair will have its own pulse/performance, with a great deal of shine.
Learn more about Ouidad.
This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 1:33 am and is filed under Curl Salons/Stylists, Curly Q & A. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
The great thing about Ouidad’s products is that there is something for all hair types/ textures. There are products for volume, taming, light control, dry hair, thin hair, thick hair, even children’s hair! All are scientifically designed to work with all hair types. They work! I use her products and haven’t seen frizz since. Check out the website!
October 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am
I am a 3a and I am allergic to sulpha, so I cannot use lots of hair products because of the sulpha products in them. I wont go into the gross details about what happens when I do but just think, worst rash possible, only under your hair!!! Anyway, I cannot find hardly any shampoos or conditoners, with no sulpha products, can you recommend anything? I am desperate, it has gotten worse has I have gotten older and it is really bad now. I have spoken to a dermatologist and the products they keep recommending…have sulpha in them so I have basically given up. What can I do?
Signed;
Desperate
October 29th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I would love to get the look of Christina Applegate on Samantha Who? I love the length and large curls. I have fine 3b/c hair. Any hints?
November 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I really like the look of the prom updo, but don’t see Step 3 - how to actually put it up?
November 15th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hi! It’s been said that mineral oil causes build up on the hair. How can I remove it, since I’ve been using some products that contains mineral oil?
November 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
My hair is wavy and gets thinner in the cold weather. The top is flat. How do I not make it so flat on top?
November 20th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
My hair is wavy and not real thick. I want it long but it breaks off in the back and will only grow a certain length,
How do I get it long?
November 26th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Hi, I use to be a 3b but when I was younger I use to alway’s straighten my hair because I didn’t like it and now I’m a 3a my curl’s are not so tight but I was wondering is there anyway to bring them back??
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I recently got engaged and am longing for my dry, coarse, and kinky curly hair to be more soft, healthy, and looser ringlet-like curls before the wedding. (Much like Taylor Swift’s) Any suggestions?
December 14th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I’d like to send you a picture of my Ouidad hair cut that I got in Green Bay,Wisconsin. Where can I up load it?
Lin
tellurideadventure2@yahoo.com
December 19th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Ouidad, I was recently involved in a burn accident this past June which resulted in loss of some hair, damage to my scalp, and damage to the rest of my hair. I have always wanted to have straight, sleek hair and I’m considering thermal reconditioning. Another part to this is I also have dark brown hair (level 2-3), but have colored and highlighted it to a level 7-8 blonde. After waiting a while longer until my scalp heals up more, do you think it would be safe to keep up the coloring and highlighting as well as starting the thermal reconditioning?
December 26th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
i have really thick 3b hair and i want to get it cut so that its not so bulky but i live in london and there doesnt seem to be any good hairdressers near me. What do you recomend?
January 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
I have 3b hair, I have had it chemically relaxed twice, It has completly wrecked my hair. i have dry hair now im 13 and i have tryed that many products my hairs that frizzy and dry and i hate it my corkscrew is half way in now. summer it will be back i have just had layers in to try and get rid of the dry ends and a lot cut offf but it is still dry any advise??
Thanks x
January 15th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I need to get a curly hair cut but live in the Caribbean where specialists are lacking!! They all seem to handle relaxed hair well but I am skeptical about curly hair!!! HELP this is horrible!! I transitioned from relaxed to natural about 2 yrs ago so I’m sure I have split ends, I have not had a Deep Treatment of any kind and my hair is dry, tangles quickly, but surprisingly very little breakage!! Any tips on how to get a curl cut at an ordinary salon??
January 31st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Q: Hello I need help with my hair.. Im half white and half Hispanic my hair is naturally curly, thick and coarse. I just recently got it trimmed layered and thinned since I’m growing it out.. My hair seems to frizz a lot. Perhaps it could do to the location I live in Portland Oregon?!? I need help or tips on fighting the frizz that seems to be on the top of my mop and sides.. Im currently using these products.. Catwalk Sexy Curls, Pureology, and last Bed Head Curls rock. Not all at the same time though.. Would it help to use a good shampoo and conditioner? As you can see I have a lot of questions it would be FAB if you would please help me out…. Thanks Wades***
February 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Hi Quidad,
I have red thick curly 3A hair. I would like to wear curly more often and I use leave in but it is alwayz flat or weird looking curls?
February 10th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I know your not supposed to shampoo daily but then how do you restlyle your hair the next day with all the leftover product. Like when I use products to syle it curly then the next day I want to stle it curly again but it looks bad if I wash two days in a row?
February 19th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I have 3b/c hair, probably more 3c, its very messy and not nice. Its quite long but the curl still very tight which makes the length look shorter. I used to have yuko on my hair but its to straight, i look ugly and cant manage curly hair, i also dont like short hair and was wondering if anyone knew if there was anything i could do to make the curl loser, like a wave or very big curls, id be more happy.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks very much
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
hi!can you pls help me find out my real hair type? after showering, i dry my hair with the diffuser and im scrunching it as it dry without putting any chemical in it, it looks like it is 2C or sometimes 2B.but there are times that i wouldnt shampoo my hair for a week or more that it looks like 2A the slight wave then after washing and using a diffuser, it is a lot wavier again.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:19 am
hey. a product question for you. i have really fine, chin length curly hair - i’d say about 3A becasue it is ringletty round the front and reasonably curly at the back. i need to use a product that gives it some volume and hold but that helps keep the curls in shape too. i have been using aveda confixor on it but this isnt really designed for curly hair and i’d like to experiment with a few other products. i am from the UK so things that are available over here are best!thanking you!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:26 am
My hair is several different textures but the middle is extremely dry. I use carol’s daughter hair milk and healthy hair butter on my ends. I put 2 french braids at night and tie with a silk scarf. I undo the braids on mornings my hair feels soft all day but it still looks dry. Help!!!
May 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hey. i have 3a/3b hair and About 6 or 7 months ago my proudcts started giving me acne around my hair line and on my forhead.I’m currently using l’oreal ever pure frizz free serum, garnier fructis leave in conditioner, pantene pro-v curl mousse, and pantene and garnier hairspray. and have also tried every product/brand you can get at a drug store. help please!
May 7th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I have 3b hair very similar to Julianna Margulies: very tight ringlets. Many times, when my hair is almost dry I put it in a bun to stretch the curls a bit. But I think I’d like to get my hair relaxed into a wavier texture. Is this possible, and how much would it cost?
May 10th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I have 2b hair and lots(and i mean a ton) of it. My scalp is always dry and flaky, I try exfoliating to no avail. Whats a girl to do?
May 10th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
hey i have a 3a hair, but i straightened it too much and my curls dont really go curly any more. it is kinf of dead and dry. What can i do to fix it?
May 27th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
HELP with wavy hair please! I just bought deva curl products…and can i use the no poo shampoo everyday? I have 2b hair and want to get more spirals..what products should i use?
June 4th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Is it true that if you wet hair under cold water for about 30 seconds after rinsing out your conditoner, it will add more shine and softness to hair?
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
my hair is 2c and totally unmanageable :/
i have the recessive crazy thick hair gene from both sides of my family.
it doesn’t really help that i swim two hours a day every day during the school year and four hours a day every day during the summer.
since my hair is so thick, it’s nearly impossible to leave it natural-the top layer gets heavy and literally straightens itself
how on earth do i keep all of my hair super wavy and not frizzy?!