How long do you usually spend styling your hair?

Imagine the freedom to style your curls any way you want. Carving & Slicing makes it possible by creating healthy, manageable curls. Carving & Slicing is an exclusive salon cutting method developed by Ouidad to address the special needs of curly hair. It's so unique, the US Trademark Office recognizes "Carving & Slicing" as a trademark.

Essentially, Carving & Slicing removes the bulk associated with the dreaded "pyramid" look, while preserving and enhancing your natural curl pattern. This combination produces well-defined ringlets that fit gently into each other like puzzle pieces creating healthier, more manageable curls.

Carving & Slicing was developed based on years of experience that earned Ouidad the title of "Queen of Curl" from beauty editors and produced a star-studded clientele at her flagship New York City salon. It's only available at Ouidad salons so beware of stylists claiming to "Carve & Slice" without the intense training, knowledge and understanding of curly hair that only the Curl Experts at Ouidad salons receive.

The road to becoming a Curl Expert is a long one. In Ouidad's case, over twenty years of hands-on experience with every imaginable curl type went into creating her award winning product line and the proprietary styling techniques her salons are known for. Ouidad is no less demanding of her stylists, each of which is given intensive training in three main areas of curl care.

First is a thorough understanding of curly hair and its unique characteristics. This allows stylists to appreciate the science behind Carving & Slicing while learning the technique under Ouidad's watchful eye.

Stylists then learn about Ouidad's product lines, each formulated for a particular curl type or condition. Proper product application is essential and a stylist's ability to specify the right hair regimen is a must for any Curl Expert.

Finally, Ouidad stylists learn the styling and finishing techniques that compliment each curl type. This knowledge ensures that every Ouidad salon client leaves with fabulous curls that are easy to manage and maintain, day after day.

So you see that Carving & Slicing is so much more than just a hair cut. It truly forms the foundation for healthy, manageable curls upon which everything else builds. Visit a Ouidad salon and you'll learn to love your curly hair.

A Carve & Slice cut at a Ouidad Salon is the first step to setting your curls free and the perfect complement to our award winning products. You can visit Ouidad's flagship Salon and Curl Education Center in New York or one of several Ouidad Certified Salons throughout the US and Canada. Beginning in 2007, Ouidad will begin franchising her unique cutting and styling techniques to even more salons around the country, making your dream of perfect curls more real than ever.

Click here for a directory of Ouidad Certified Salons

Re-form curls and go from kinky to slinky in no time with Ouidad’s exclusive Softening System. Styling control and healthy shine are just a few of the benefits that this treatment imparts. It works to soften out-of-control curls and make them more maintenance free for get-up-and-go ease. Softening differs significantly from a straightening process as it contains much less damaging chemical ingredients. (A standard straightening process contains about 12% sodium hydroxide which is too harsh for curly hair.) Curly hair is actually the most predominant hair type as well as the most fine and delicate (almost 80% of curly hair is fine.) Our exclusive softening system uses half the amount of chemicals in combination with a deep treatment that is customized for each client. Results are looser curl patterns that allow for a completely customized curl or wave. The process includes a complete analysis of one’s individual curl pattern, gentle treatment application and Deep Treatment sealant/conditioning. Benefits last up to 3-4 months and the treatment can be used as a “spot softener” in just needed areas. Ideal for year-round usage, it is also perfect for withstanding humidity during the spring and summer months. Prices start at $250 and up for a full head; spot areas start at $75 and up.

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Did you know that curly hair requires special formulas and techniques to insure healthy shine and color that lasts? Ouidad’s color experts use state-of-the-art formulations and application processes that lock in color and prevent premature fading and brassiness for vibrant color and shine.

Demi or semi permanent formulas are best for coloring curly hair. Curly hair tends to be drier, which makes for a more vulnerable starting point. Special formulations and application techniques must be used so the hair won’t look heavy or “spotty” in tone and appearance. Ouidad uses a dual-step coloring approach that mixes color with conditioners, glazes, and vitamins to balance the dimension of color on curly hair and promote tone longevity and vibrancy. Beautiful color results extend into coloring stubborn, curly grey hair and creating natural-looking highlights utilizing a variety of colors for authentic-looking, lasting results.

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In a moment of weakness you sent your curls on a kamikaze mission and straightened them! Now you want your curl life back and pronto! The Damage Control Treatment was designed to combat serious damage that chemical processes have caused (think Thermal or Japanese Relaxers.) These processes went into the hair shaft and flattened out the cortex layer (proteins molecules that control hair’s condition and color layers) -- causing the hair to weaken and break.

Damage Control is formulated using full strength proteins and vitamins to penetrate into the cortex layer and “re-pump” damaged molecules. Hair is gradually re-strengthen and revitalized with this intense reparative approach. With repetitive treatments (once every 2 weeks for the most damaged of hair,) one will begin to see a discernible improvement in hair condition and health. Deep Treatments are also recommended in between Damage Control appointments to further encourage hair growth and overall health. Prices start at $165 and up depending on hair length.

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Like a parasol for your hair, the Ouidad Sun Shield in-salon treatment is designed to protect curls from the sun’s damaging rays with a unique combination of UV filters, conditioners, and glazing to protect color treated hair. Created to help clients keep their hair and color in good condition, preserve shine and impart sun/environmental protection benefits that last for up to 4 to 6 weeks it’s formulated with deep penetrating ingredients that include 21 amino acids, proteins and sulfur in a base of an organic clear glaze to help seal in the conditioner and protect from the sun.

Click here for a directory of Ouidad Certified Salons