Review of Ouidad the Curly Hair Experts

When you have friends like Kellie with beautiful curls, it’s easy to have major hair envy.  There was a time when I wore my hair curly regularly but about 5 years ago I started straightening my hair, even doing keratin once a year before summer to battle frizz. Needless to say, my curls are basically non-existent, scraggily, frizzy strands. My hair has also grown significantly so between the curling iron, the length weighing it down and the sporadic keratin treatments, the curl struggle is real, as Kellie would say.

When I saw Gilt City was offering a deal for Ouidad for a cut and curly hair styling I took it as a sign from above that it was time for curl rehab. Keep in mind, I probably still have traces of keratin in my hair so I was doubtful about how grand my results would be, but I knew I needed to start the process,  so I clicked, bought and made an appointment!

I knew instantly that this was right the place to begin this process because when I called to make my appointment the receptionist asked for details about my curl type. Is it fine, thick, wavy, loose curls, tight curls, some straight pieces, coarse, kinky, etc. etc. etc. She then matched me with the curl expert who would best know how to help me, his name was Jason. When I arrived for my appointment,  everyone was super friendly, and as a girl who loves pretty things I was impressed with the décor; flowers, stylish furniture, mirrors, dim lighting, it was all very spa like, a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan.

Jason first took a look at my hair, which I was sure to wear in its natural state, and we discussed my hair concerns. He explained that I would have to cut shorter layers to maximize my curl and that he would teach me how to style my curly hair.

Here are the steps he took me through:

· When you get out of the shower after washing your hair, do not towel dry. Squeeze out excess water with your hands but leave it really wet.

· Evenly distribute tres effects styling gel (a collagen based gel) from the ponytail down

· Use fingers to section off and separate curls. Wriggle fingers through curls section by section for maximum volume and definition

· Use about 4 clips at the root to create volume

· Let air dry a bit if you have the time ( I sat under the drier for about 5-10 min)

· Then he used moose (3 pumps for each side of the head) and scrunched while using a diffuser.

· When fully dry, pat out the gel to soften the curls and ensure that your hair is not stiff or crunchy and get a soft finish

· For the times that you choose not to wear your hair curly and are going to use a curling iron or flat iron always protect your hair with an oil like argan or coconut so that you burn off product and don’t burn your hair, and use an oil never gel or moose.

Now I know a lot of this may seem like common sense and most curly haired girls may already do this, but for someone who didn’t think they had curly enough hair I just never bothered to try these things out. When I saw how Jason was actually able to get my hair to curl, I was pretty impressed. I do believe that the cut is the most essential part about all of this. My shortest layer is above my chin. The way that he cut my hair has a ton to do with how I am able to get body and life back into my curls.

Day 2
I was so happy about the little bit of curl Jason was able to activate, I forgot to tip him! Lucky for me the Ouidad salon is near my job. I ran over at my lunch hour with my day 2 curls and Jason was a complete sweetie pie and said he didn’t even notice (I doubt that lol). He was happy to see my hair had held up and then took me to his chair to show me how to revitalize day 2 and day 3 curls. He used a titanium curling wand on 3 or 4 sections of hair – he said ceramic wands are no good because they burn the hair. He said the titanium wand is better but to of course only use for a few seconds and not all over the head… we are trying to refrain from too much heat and damage. Some people may not need the wand to add life to their curls but for those of us who are still struggling with our curls, this wand will come in handy. He spritz some hairspray while my hair was upside down and scrunched some more and my hair was a little more alive than when I walked in.

Day 3
I had to wash my hair after my super sweaty Bikram yoga class. I used the cleansing oil and followed Jason’s instructions re: applying the gel while still wet. I scrunched the gel on to mostly my ends but did apply some to my roots as well (I guess I don’t follow instructions that well #rebel) I did have the impulse to use more than a quarter sized amount but I refrained and just really worked in the gel as I was told. I used a damp towel to squeeze out the excess water and then let air dry a bit. When I went to bed it was still damp but I re-scrunched and just slept on my curls. I was pleased to wake up to big wild bed-head waves. I didn’t have to do much but I chose to spritz some of my Bumble & Bumble hair thickening spray in the hopes of holding onto some of the volume. So far I love it – it still has body and hasn’t fallen like it typically does.

What I realize now is that my curls are resilient and, in time, they will be back to normal if I keep treating them well. I also realize that I will never have Kellie curls and that is a-ok … knowing and loving your own hair is so important, and it’s better that its healthy, happy hair. For so long I have always felt that my natural hair is not my best look and to be quite honest I don’t think that’s being fair to myself. I can’t promise that I will wear it curly every day, but I will use the tips that Ouidad gave me to make sure I do not damage my hair.  So I am going to try to embrace the fact that this is my hair and learn to love it and cultivate it so that it is my best look!

xoxo – Avy

Products I purchased:
Curl Recovery Cleansing Oil
Tres Effects Styling Gel

Jason also recommended the following:
Curl Foam
Cortex 4” titanium wand
Zotos Angel Diffuser