If you ask me, I think Ouidad products are some of the best out there for curls and waves.
They have been in my rotation of products probably longer than any other curly hair brand (think back to when the NaturallyCurly.com logo was orange and yellow!”> After visiting the flagship salon in NYC for a great cut a few weeks ago, I have been on a Ouidad kick.
One line in particular that I have been trying out and beyond impressed with is the Curl Recovery Line.
The particular line was developed for dry, damaged textures. It contains a special repair complex with ingredients such as Mafura Butter and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil which are both nutrient-rich. I also like that using this line helps not only to repair the hair, but also help prevent future damage because believe me when I say right now my hair is damaged enough. Read on for my thoughts on all four products in this line!
Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil
What The Brand Says: A foaming, water-activated formula rich in fatty acids, proteins and oils that gently removes build-up while restoring essential moisture and healing distressed curls. Cleansing Oil is an ultra-rich healing formula with an advanced oil base that gently removes dirt and build-up while restoring essential moisture. This foaming Cleansing Oil wraps delicate curls in the proprietary, nutrient-rich CR-4 Repair» complex, a cushiony coating of concentrated fatty acids that helps nourish, rebuild and protect curls in need of repair. Silk proteins and coconut oils bind to the cuticle for lasting hydration and renewed body and shine. Free of Sulfates and Parabens.
What I Say: I used a cleansing oil from a different past a year or so ago and wasn’t impressed, so I didn’t have the highest of hopes here. Boy was I wrong! I was surprised by the lather from an oil but it left my hair feeling clean and so moisturized. I may have been able to get away with no conditioner after but I am always too nervous to ever try. I only needed the tiniest amount (about a nickel size worth”> so the bottle will last a nice, long while. This cleanser is wonderful.
Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner and Styling Primer
What The Brand Says: A healing olive oil blend with Shea Butter and Glycerin moisturizes, nourishes and strengthens hair for smooth, fortified, frizz-free curls. Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer is a modern, dynamic multi-tasker that combines therapeutic conditioning with style priming power. This rich, silky formula wraps curls in a unique Triple Olive Oil Blend and Green Tea Extract to nourish and protect dehydrated hair, keeping curls moisturized all day long. Primes while conditioning to restore the natural curl pattern and encourage bouncy, defined, frizz-free curls.
What I Say: This is such a cool, versatile product! I think the whole “whipped cream can” packaging is cute. This conditioner is rich, luxurious and decadent. I can use it as a conditioner in the shower and I get results just as good, if not even better, than some masks! It helps me detangle really easily, plus my wave definition pops, and my hair was soft and frizz free when I tried it as a rinse out. When I use it as a leave in conditioner/styling primer it elongates my curls, which I like so my hair appears longer. It also leaves them feeling hydrated and frizz free. Like the cleansing oil, a little goes a long way. To compare this to Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner which I also enjoy, that one is more lightweight. I would use that when I want more defined 3A like curls and use this when I want more of a looser curl 2B/2C look. Or when my hair needs an intense dose of moisture. I like that as a leave-in, this also plays well with other products.
Melt Down Extreme Repair Mask
What The Brand Says: A blend of three clinically-proven actives instantly restores hair’s depleted lipid barrier to promote health and prevent future damage. Melt-down Extreme Repair Mask is a luxurious treatment formulated with our proprietary CR-4 Repair Complex including nutrient-rich Mafura Butter and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil – that envelops the hair shaft with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids vital to rebuilding, nourishing and protecting hair. A blend of three clinically-proven actives instantly recreates hair’s depleted lipid barrier, restoring the protective layer to promote health and prevent future damage. Unique melt-down technology pampers hair with a subtle warming sensation as it replenishes moisture.
What I Say: I’m not sure why, but I do not feel the warming sensation that the brand says happens. Regardless of that, this mask is amazing! Being that I have loved their original 12 Minute Deep Treatment for years, I had to find out the exact difference between the 2. Basically, the 12-Minute is a hard protein treatment, really targeting the core of the hair and needs heat to be activated and should not be done more often than every 2 weeks, where this one helps to repair the lipids and moisture levels and is for really dry hair and can be used more often. I have been using it once a week for the past few weeks. Like everything else in the line, a little goes a long way with this product. The consistency is so nice and thick and my hair drinks it right up. I found it to have excellent slip as well. It has a sweet smell with a little spiciness to it but is not overbearing. It leaves my waves super moisturized, defined and frizz free, even the more damaged hair I have on the end of my strands!
Curl Defining Styling Souffle
What The Brand Says: A proprietary CR-4 Repair Complex envelops the hair shaft with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids vital to rebuilding, nourishing and protecting hair. Curl Defining Styling Souffle is a cream styler that transforms dehydrated, damaged curls into elongated, healthy, head-turning spirals. Our proprietary CR-4 Repair Complex – including nutrient-rich Mafura Butter and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil – envelops the hair shaft with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids vital to rebuilding, nourishing and protecting hair. Natural emollient oils from Avocado, Radish, Coconut and Meadowfoam replenish moisture for superior definition, reduced frizz and healthy shine. Cuticle smoothing polymer holds style and conditions all day. Ideal for natural hair and transitioners.
What I Say: I am crazy about this whole line. If I had to get only one product, this would be it–this is also added to my holy grail list and I may need to hoard some back-ups. The container said that this souffle is moisturizing enough on it’s own to not use a leave-in with it, even the whipped curls from the line. That was surprising, I don’t remember the last time I went without using a leave-in conditioner prior to styling products. What’s more is usually cream products do not provide my hair with enough hold not putting a gel on top of them–my hair poofs out way too much. Well, I don’t have either problem! This jar full of goodness is a miracle product. I am used to using at least 4 products to style my hair after the shower to get it to look decent. And I don’t mind that, as long as my hair comes out good. With the souffle, I can use this with an oil to seal–and that’s it! This saves me time styling my hair and will make my bag lighter when I travel. I was shocked how I didn’t need a leave in with it, it defined my curls, left them feeling nice, helped with frizz and had a nice soft hold with no crunch. I hope it holds up just as well in the summer when humidity increases. We will see.
To conclude
Ouidad knocked it out of the ballpark with this line! Out of all the different Ouidad lines I think this is the best one for my hair for right now, plus using the original 12 minute deep treatment every other week. I can kick myself for not trying these products sooner. I just hope they never get discontinued like the Salon Series Biotin did–I was crazy about that stuff.
Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?
[prodmod]*Editor’s note: this article was not sponsored.
