Ouidad | March 12th, 2008

Ask Ouidad

 
Learn more about Ouidad.  

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.

  1. Saturate your hair with lukewarm water.
  2. Pour shampoo into your palms and rub your palms together to create a lather.
  3. Run hands through hair to evenly distribute shampoo.
  4. Using your fingertips, massage shampoo into the scalp.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.