February 2012
Understanding your client's hair texture will lead to a better color service with results tailored to her unique curls. As the texture revolution seriously takes hold, clients with curls are on the prowl for texture-savvy stylists who can transform their hair sans straightening. Women seek cuts specifically designed for their curls, and to complement these cuts, they want color tailored to highlight their hair's natural texture and beauty. Clients know their own unique texture and expect their stylists to feel comfortable and confident in working with it. Are you up to the task of coloring these varieties of texture? Because of the structure of curly hair, achieving good color results can be a challenge. But when used correctly, color can be one of the best tools to create a new look for clients with textured hair. Highlighting How-To Textured hair is naturally drier and more porous, which may cause color not to process into the anticipated shade. “Semipermanent is the way to go for curly hair,” says Morgan Willhite, lead stylist and creative director at Ouidad Santa Monica salon. “If you are using permanent color on curly hair the color may come out darker than expected because porous hair absorbs more color.” Baliage Basics Morgan Willhite, lead stylist and creative director at Ouidad Santa Monica, shares her baliage tips for success: • Be sure the mixture is thick so it doesn't drip down the hair. • Don't paint with the tip of the brush, paint with the side for natural fading. • Use a color or lightener that has buffers and use a lower volume if possible. • Determine the desired shade, and then go half a shade lighter, or even a whole shade, to get the desired result. • Highlight the sections of curl as they naturally form. If you brush out the hair before you highlight, you will only separate the natural sections more. • Have clients deep condition or use a protein treatment before they come in, or do it right before coloring at the salon to help with the porous nature of the curls—the color will hold better if you do. • Advise clients to never use a protein treatment right after highlighting, as it can strip the color. • Never reprocess the ends. In between treatments, use color glosses and glazes on curly hair. Make sure it is a no-color gloss—it coats and adds a lot of shine, plus it helps control frizz and give the hair a healthy overall look. Tweaking Your Technique Because textured hair lives in motion, a full color from roots to ends is not necessary to achieve the highlighted look. In fact, a subtle ombre highlighting, where the lighter color is applied more heavily to the midlengths and ends is better suited for textured tresses. “Because it looks more natural, clients don't need touch-ups as often,” says Willhite. “When you don't touch it up, you don't over process the ends.” Avoiding over processing the hair, and thus avoiding drying it out even further, is key for curly hair health and will ensure the client can recreate the salon look without frizz caused from damage. To become your curly client's highlighting hero, become an expert in coloring her unique texture. Training classes and online videos are available— talk to your color manufacturer or visit modernsalonlearning.com for more information on classes. “Many stylists don't know how to baliage or how to do it well—it's an art,” says Willhite. “You have to get training. There are classes, and videos will help. I've been doing it for years and it is definitely an art you have to master.”
January 2012
OMG! So as you know from a previous post, I'm in NYC for a couple of days. Since I was here and have been wanting a curly hair cut, I decided to go to Ouidad to check out the Carve & Slice method. I was greeted by a very nice man at the front prior to seeing my stylist Mirsada. Mirsada took me to the prep room and began to ask me questions about what I was looking for. I told her I definitely wanted my hair shaped (not necessary length cut off, but wanted the bulk gone) and possible some color. She decided to do some platinum blonde highlights to break up the "orangeyness" (I made that word up) of my hair. I let her do her thing. I was a little nervous at how the color would look mixed with the platinum but I liked it!!! I was definitely pleasantly surprised. BTW Adrienne of "Me, My Hair, & The City" was taking all my pics and doing the video (which I will post next week) and she fell in the LOVE with the color(Thanks Adrienne for coming with me!1) So after she did the color, her Assistant Carolina detangled my hair with the Ouidad Double Detangler and detangled section by section and put on a deep conditioner. After that, it was time for my cut! I have been so ready to get a curly cut after seeing amazing Tracee Ellis Ross' awesome curly cut (not sure where she got her hair cut) and how it just falls nicely and isn't bulky. I wanted that in my life! The Carve and Slice method is so detailed and I can't even tell you what she was doing..but she did an AMAZING job!! Their hair cutting method is only done at their Certified Salons. It basically takes the bulkiness out of your hair and keeps your hair from doing that pyramid thing I hate that mine does from being all one length. Mirsada did an amazing job and I love the shape of it. Here it is after the cut! (the flash from the camera and the lighting made my hair look yellow and orange but that isn't what it looked like!! lol) I then sat under the dryer for not long at all. I got out and laid back the chair so she could soften up the hair with a diffuser. I then flipped my hair forward and she did the same thing. She then put a serum in my hair and puled it through. I absolutely love this cut and the way my hair falls!!! Yay!!! More wash & go's!! (I've been lazy recently so I plan to do more wash and go's in the near future) I loved the way both of them explained everything to me while they were doing it. They helped me understand everything they were doing and why they were doing it! If you are in the NY area or in an area with one of their certified salons, I definitely recommend you get a cut if you are looking for something less bulky, etc.. Thanks again to Ouidad for doing such an amazing job and for the GREAT customer service. The video of all the action will come next week so look out for it!
January 2012
Rihanna's been rocking ringlets lately, and we're totally obsessed. At a recent Lakers game, her 'do looked its best yet—if this pic doesn't make you want to show off your curly side, we don't know what will! To coax your mane into a style that's this polished and frizz-free, follow these rules: Don't over-shampoo. Curly tresses are almost always dry, so use just a tiny drop of shampoo on your scalp. Then, load up on the conditioner. Check out Ouidad's Moisture Lock if you're looking for a line that's just for curls.
December 2011
Climate-Control Hair Products Anyone who fights frizz has benefitted from the newest category of hair products — shampoos, conditioners, and stylers that can fight the effects of temperature, wind, and humidity. “These products have the right balance of film formers, humectants, and conditioning agents to help hold hair in place in different climates without making the hair look like a helmet,” says Ni'Kita Wilson, cosmetic chemist and vice president of Englewood Lab. We are equally impressed with the Ouidad line of climate-control products specifically designed for curly hair — perhaps the most vulnerable to weather changes. These products contain proteins and conditioners to shield hair from humidity changes and keep thirsty strands moisturized and resistant to frizz.
December 2011
Best Bet: Ouidad Climate Control Conditioner Winter is unkind to delicate hair: The cold weather turns locks brittle and tangled, while heat styling leaves ends fried. Though Ouidad is best known for its curl-focused products, the brand's Climate Control Conditioner is a strand-saver for all hair types. Free of sulphates and packed with moisturizing amino acids, the thick conditioner detangles and coats strands to protect them from heat and cold without feeling heavy. It leaves hair feeling stronger and softer, even after a month of blow-drying and straightening. Ouidad Climate Control Defrizzing Conditioner, $20 Ouidad.com
November 2011
It's shaping up to be a pretty rainy week here in the Northeast, which means you better keep your umbrella-ella-ella on hand and prepare to fight the humidity. Here are a few things you can do to keep your hair looking fabulous. Style: Don't fight your natural texture—work with it. If your hair tends to curl in the humidity, enhance your curls with a styling gel instead of trying to force them to stay straight. If you try to do the latter, you'll just end up with a half-straight, half-curled, all-bad look at the end of the day. Try Ouidad's Tress Effects Styling Gel, which has vitamin B5 and proteins to make curls manageable and botanicals and collagen to smooth cuticles. If you feel your hair is beyond help (we all have those mornings), throw it up in a cute updo with our braided and curly hair tutorials.
October 2011
Breast cancer is a devastating disease that not only ravages the person but it also devastates families, friendships, communities, workplaces and even classrooms. Victims of breast cancer are mothers, daughters, sisters, colleagues, students and friends. Now in it's 25th year, the month of October has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In order to fund research and hopefully a cure to a disease that strikes 1 in 8 women every year, some of my favorite beauty products, jewelery companies and clothing labels are going pink for the month of October. The Queen of Curl, Ouidad is matching her Facebook "likes" with $1 going towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
October 2011
The trend continues and it is noted the 'braid' is the hair accessory of the moment as mentioned on a recent segment of The Today Show. Whether you are looking to add a touch of classiness, a bit of edge or a hint of playfulness, braids are an easy way to spruce up your curly do. According to Ouidad Stylist, Morgan Willhite "braids are a hot trend this season and there is something very feminine about rocking a Medieval braid." The Medieval braid is ideal for curly hair and allows for a loose, effortless look. Tips To Achieve Medieval Braids with Curly Hair: -With clean hair, run the Ouidad Double Detangler through your mane to get rid of any knots -It is ideal to braid hair once hair is dry and styled -Begin braiding a few tiny strands of hair on each side of the part in your hair -Use the Ouidad Clear Control Pomade and coat each section as your braid it -Pull the sides of your hair back, including the braids and secure it with a barrette or pin -Braids should be loose at the top of the head and tighter at the bottom -Complete the braid with rubber bands, ponytail holders, or ties to keep the braid in place
