We are a Certified Ouidad Curly Hair Specialist Salon.

About Curly Hair

Curl Patterns

Loose
This soft, less defined curl features big, shiny waves approximately 2 inches wide. When your loose waves are cut short, they tend to look straighter, and become curlier with length. However, longer styles may weigh down a small face or diminish natural body, so keep this in mind when choosing a cut.

Curly
Your "classic" curls fall into tendrils 1 - 1 1/2'' wide. Your mane boasts lots of volume that may fool you into thinking your hair is coarse— don't slip into this trap! Chances are, your tresses are fine and delicate and require tender care. When cut short this curl is tighter, transforming into looser spirals when worn longer.

Kinky
These tiny ringlets of an inch or less in diameter are probably the most fragile of all three categories. Like medium curls, the tightly coiled shape leaves the cuticle susceptible to dryness and damage from heat styling, chemical processes, the sun, pollution and artificial air. Tight curls fall into several patterns. When stretched out, you may see an "S" shape, a loose, reverse "S" like a "Z" or both. The looser the curl pattern the more moisture the hair has retained— although it's never enough. Hair in this category is often chemically straightened or softened which demands extra care and maintenance.

Curl Textures

Fine
The biggest surprise our clients find out about their hair is that almost 99% of them have baby fine locks. Curly hair is often fine and quite delicate— no matter how voluminous or tightly spiraled. People frequently mistake density for coarseness, which leads to improper and harsh treatment. Care for your silky curls with a light touch— steer clear of thick styling gels and creams, silicones and moisturizing formulas that contain oils. By applying lightweight products to your hair, you'll allow your fine curls to reveal their natural shape and spring.

Coarse
These strands are thicker in diameter than fine hair and are much more resilient to damage. Curly hair is usually fine— coarse hair is typically found on the straighter hair of Asians and Native Americans. Sometimes, mature women with gray hair will also find their tresses have become coarser. The cuticle of coarse hair stays closed which keeps out frizz-causing moisture, flyaways and split ends. While this hair texture may sound like a dream, it's actually so thick and heavy that curled sets rarely stay in.
Curl Talk: A Glossary For Curly Hair

There are many terms used to describe, treat and style specific hair conditions. It's important to understand the subtle differences.

Frizz
This is created when hair lacks its own internal weight. Dehydrating forces such as heated styling implements, the sun and dry artificial air to rob the inner segment of the hair of moisture and nutrients. The hair shaft is then virtually weightless, allowing tiny baby hairs to float away from the cuticle, creating that fuzzy halo effect. Well-conditioned and hydrated hair possesses inner weight that prevents flyaways, fostered by a closed cuticle, thus sealing the hair shaft off from a ruffled cuticle and the resulting frizz. The best way to eliminate frizz is to dry your hair naturally.

Dry
By now, you've learned that curly hair is prone to dehydration. A perpetually open cuticle is a magnet for moisture-sappers such as harsh cleansers, heat styling and environmental forces like wind and sun. A dry mane acts "tense"— strands don't relax and fall into healthy curl patterns. If you spend lots of time outside or are addicted to heat styling, weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning treatments are vital to maintaining a beautiful set of curls.

Brittle
Your tresses are most likely fragile from repeated permanent hair coloring, straightening chemicals and excessive styling product buildup. Just as you cleanse your face of makeup and dirt to prevent clogged pores, you must rid the hair of outside elements, such as silicones, waxes and oils that may stifle the hair shaft. Styling is a real challenge with brittle hair because it doesn't want to fall into a shape— it behaves lifelessly despite careful blowdrying or use of a curling iron. Give your hair a vacation from any chemical processes and treat it to weekly conditioning treatments to restore its lost moisture and nutrients and rebuild its strength. Fortunately, this level of damage is rare.

Split Ends
Every mane curly, straight, short, long is susceptible to split ends. Strands become dry and "empty" from a variety of assaults, including the environment, frequent heat styling, and harsh cleansers. In this condition, the cuticle remains open and feathery. These tiny raised layers are actually split ends, also called flyaways. They are weightless and lift away from the cuticle creating that halo of frizz. Contrary to popular belief, split ends are found all over the hair and CANNOT be fixed with cutting. The best treatment for split ends is to feed your hair, just like your skin. A nourished hair shaft will have enough internal weight to keep the cuticle closed so that each curl is smooth. Clearly, trimming split ends is not an option— you might as well shave your head. Split ends can appear anywhere so frequent deep conditioning is the only way to prevent them.
Note: You'll see the most flyaways in the winter when the hair is prone to extreme dryness. For a quick fix, spray tresses with a leave-in conditioner to quench your manes thirst.

Curl Control

Anti Curl:
This is a Thio based product and cannot be used in conjunction with a relaxer ( sodium based). It is great for the multi-processed client who has curly, wavy, or frizzy hair and wants control but still wants great hair color..
Anti Curl comes in three strengths and last 3-6 months depending on the client's texture. It can also be used to completely smooth the clients curl straight for maximum control, leaving the hair with incredible shine.

Thermal Straight:
This is also a thio based product and cannot be used in conjunction with a relaxer ( sodium based) to allow the client to remove 80-100%
of their curl giving the client a straightend texture. This tecnique will last 6- 8 months depending on the natural wave pattern of the hair. It allows the client to weather  the humidity, as this product seals the hair cuticle (outer layer of hair)  so moisture is unable to penetrate it.   The swelling of the cuticle is what will cause FRIZZ.

Kertain Therpy:
A new way to condition the hair and get it smooth. This product removes 80% of the curl and 100% of the frizz.  It also has the added bonus of adding protein to the hair.  This will last 3-6 months depending on the natural curl pattern. This is safe on all hair types.

Relaxer:
Not long ago, a  relaxer (sodium based) was the only way to straighten hair.  It is still very safe, and it can be used in conjunction with semi-permanent hair color. This product can be used on all hair types to give manageability to the hair and permanently straighten it.
The client will have a touch-up to the new growth only.  Depending on the texture it would need to be touched up either: 6-8, 8-10 or in some cases 12 weeks. This product is sodium based product and should not be used over hair that has had a thio product on it.

Texturizer:
This procedure is great for the natural curly client that wants some control to their hair, while still maintaining all the curl. It gives the client more versatility, allowing the hair to be worn straight or curly.. It will last the client 10-12 weeks and in some cases longer with the use of professional salon products. The service is done with a relaxer type product but the hair is not straightened completely.

Curly Hair Styling Techniques