Everything from heat, weather and chemicals can wreak havoc on curls, leaving them lifeless, dry, brittle and in desperate need of a pick-me-up. Sometimes that means a trip to the salon for a really intense hair treatment-but that's not always possible. Good news: Ouidad just launched a new At-home Treatment collection, so you can treat yourself to salon-quality treatments without having to leave your house (yes, please!). These treatments are all formulated to bring curls back to life and give them the reset and boost they need. Since each curl type has its own unique needs, these treatments are customizable depending on what your curls crave. Think of it like a green juice for your curls! I personally love this line and have witnessed some amazing before and afters from using it on clients and my own curls as well. So, let's dive in and break down why I love each of them!
CURL THERAPY LIGHTWEIGHT PROTEIN FOAM TREATMENT
This is a lightweight protein foam that's ideal for curls that are extremely compromised from the highest levels of damage or are more susceptible to damage given their natural structure. It's a protein-rich formula that works to restore curl pattern, definition and elasticity, plus boost softness and shine while physically transforming each strand. It's infused with vegetable and rice proteins, which are natural antioxidants that help to reconstruct and strengthen weakened strands, enhance shine, and ease detangling. The great thing about this foam is how easy it is to distribute throughout curls and that you don't have to worry about it over-protenizing your hair.
How to use: Apply to clean damp curls in sections, working through from root to tips with fingers or a wide tooth comb. Leave it in for 3-5 minutes and rinse out.
GET HYDRATED ULTRA-MOISTURIZING SPLASH MASK
I love this product because it's an intense mask but in a liquid form so you can spray it onto your strands and style as usual (great for life on-the-go!). The super-concentrated formula delivers a mega dose of moisture and nourishment from hyaluronic acid, it's star ingredient. What I love most about this product is that it doesn't compromise the texture of the hair, so it won't throw your product routine off at all. It's ideal for curls suffering from heat and color damage, or those that have naturally porous strands [read more about curl porosity here]. Some of its benefits include its ability to enhance vibrancy and shine (peep the before and afters below!), fight frizz, improve manageability, and restore natural definition.
How to use: Apply to wet curls after washing and conditioning. For curls that are in desperate need of moisture in between wash days, you can also splash on from root to tip as a refresher. This product is good for all curl types.
Images courtesy of de Leon
CURL REBOOT STRENGTHEN + NOURISH LEAVE-IN MASK
These customized curl reboots do exactly that, reboot your curls to keep them feeling salon-fresh and healthy. The leave-in masks are ideal for curls suffering from normal everyday aggressors (read: pollution, heat, chemicals). They come in two different formulas, one is for thicker textures, which require heavier doses of moisturizing ingredients like squalane, an oil derived from olives that is great for replenishing moisture and protecting from damage. The other formula for finer textures contains a lower level of squalane and jojoba oil, which provide moisture that is rich in vitamins yet lightweight so as to not weigh curls down. These leave-in treatments can be used whenever your hair needs a little extra moisture on wash days or after exposure to environmental elements such as the sun or chlorine. Some of their benefits include locking in moisture, sealing the cuticle to enhance shine, and softening strands.
How to use: Apply to clean, damp strands in sections. Massage from root to tip until strands feel smooth. Style as usual.
Final Thoughts:
These at-home treatments are a great way to help support your curls by keeping them strong, hydrated and healthy in between your salon visits. They also really help to extend the life of your in-salon treatments. You know your curls best, and sometimes it's evident they're in need of a little pick-me-up. I use these treatments as an excuse for a little self-care at home to not only give my curls the TLC they deserve, but also take a pause for my own mental state as well.