I love New York City Fashion Week, and this year I had another thrilling opportunity to go backstage at the Tracy Reese show to see firsthand how the Ouidad hair team was complimenting Reese’s designs for Autumn/Winter 2014.
My mission was to find out how busy moms can recreate runway hairstyles at home without the fuss. I spoke with Ouidad’s uber-glam and super-nice Creative Director, Morgan Willhite (who also happens to be a mom), for some take-home advice.
“Bold, naturally textured styles are all the rage right now,” said Willhite. The Ouidad team was using natural parts and defined parts (creating an artificial part in the hair) and allowing hair to lay down toward the face to create an effortless look. Each model looked unique, yet they all were connected by their natural looking styles.
“These effortless looks can be achieved [at home] easily with the appropriate styling products and tools,” said Whillite. She said it’s all about applying product evenly to wet hair (not damp, as I’d previously assumed). The water in your hair helps distribute the product–fighting frizz, giving you shiny, defined curls or waves, and enhancing the longevity of your hairstyle. If your hair is not wet enough, you end up using too much product and get tacky, crunchy hair.
But which products to use? If you have a little time to spend styling your hair, start with Ouidad’s number-one selling product, Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel. Work it evenly into your hair in sections; this will help protect your hair from humidity, add shine and definition, and get your hair looking great for up to a few days afterward. After adding the gel, you can either diffuse your hair for a curly look or let your hair air dry, for natural, soft, effortless, wavy hair, which is what Whillite says is popular right now. The next day, you can wake up and add a little of Ouidad’s Shine Glaze Serum, a lightweight product that fights frizz and flyaways. Ouidad’s PlayCurl Volumizing Styling Spray is a great second, third, or fourth-day product that can reactivate the gel you used on day one (so you can rise and shine without dealing with washing your hair again).
I also love one of Ouidad’s newer products–Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer. This is a two-in-one product that can be used either as a conditioner or at the start of your styling process. For the latter, just as you would add a makeup primer to your face, add this product as a primer to your hair, setting the stage for smooth and even curls. I have been using this conditioner and a curl enhancing spray (on wet hair) and letting my hair air dry as I commute to work and–viola!–instant hairdo.
Another fab multi-use product that Willhite mentioned is Ouidad’s Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Hair Treatment: it can be used on either wet hair or dry hair for blow drying and styling. I love this idea because the fewer products cluttering up my bathroom sink, the better!
Overall, I had an amazing time at the show. Everyone backstage was super-nice. If you can make it to the Ouidad Salon in Manhattan, I highly recommend it. They will take such good care of you and your hair. Their products are amazing (and smell amazing!) and you will feel like a million bucks when you leave. Side note: Ouidad herself was also backstage at the show. She’s a hair pioneer, mother and successful businesswoman and I got to shake her hand and say hello, which was a thrill!
