If you have naturally curly hair, you know the struggles are real. Frizz, dryness, undefined curls—the list goes on. But one curl boss said enough is enough and set out to change the game for curly-haired folks everywhere.
Meet Ouidad (pronounced "wee-dad"), the original curl expert. With her innovative hair care products and curl-enhancing cutting technique, Ouidad has been empowering curly girls to embrace their natural texture since the 1980s. Today, the brand continues to be a leader in the curly hair industry, with a full range of products for every curl type and concern.
As a curly girl myself, I had to put Ouidad to the test. I tried out some of their most popular products and scoured hundreds of customer reviews to bring you all the curly tea. Is Ouidad truly the GOAT for curly hair? Let‘s find out!
Behind the Brand: Curls, Curls, Curls
First, let‘s talk about the woman behind the brand—Ouidad herself. The curly-haired queen started out as a hairstylist in New York City in the 1970s. At the time, there were no products or techniques specifically for curly hair. Ouidad noticed her curly clients weren‘t getting the TLC their curls desperately needed and deserved.
So in 1984, Ouidad opened the first salon dedicated to curly hair. This was MAJOR. She essentially created the curly hair category in the beauty industry. In her salon, Ouidad perfected her signature curly hair cutting and styling techniques. She even started whipping up her own custom product formulas to give her curly customers the best results.
Fast forward to today, and Ouidad is a full-blown empire with salons, products, and curl education resources. Even after Ouidad herself passed away in 2013, the brand has continued her mission and legacy. The current company mission says it all:
"We believe that curls are beautiful, brilliant, and brave. [And] we‘re committed to letting curls be curls."
Love that. Now that you know the herstory, let‘s get into the products!
Ouidad Products Put to the Test
Ouidad has a HUGE range of products for all curl types and concerns. But some reign supreme in the court of curly public opinion. Here are in-depth reviews of the brand‘s bestsellers and cult faves:
VitalCurl+ Tress Effects Styling Gel Review
Perfect for: Wavy to tight curls
Key ingredients: Omega 3-6-9 complex, green coconut water
What it does: Defines and holds curls without crunch or flakes
The Ouidad VitalCurl+ Tress Effects Styling Gel is the gold standard for curl gels. It gives incredible definition and hold without leaving curls crunchy, flakey, or weighed down. The consistency is like a thick serum that you can apply directly to wet curls.
The formula contains an Omega 3-6-9 complex derived from botanical extracts to nourish curls. It also has green coconut water to boost hydration. But the real star is the "memory interlock technology" which helps curls hold their shape all day.
This is one of Ouidad‘s most popular and highest-rated products. On Ouidad.com, it has 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 200 reviews. On Amazon, it has over 600 reviews and a 4.5 star rating. Curly girls RAVE about the defined, frizz-free curls this gel gives them.
"I have 3B curls and this gel is my holy grail! Applies smoothly, smells great, and most importantly gives me defined curls that last for days!" – Bella C.
"Finally a gel that doesn‘t make my hair feel gross! Curls are bouncy and frizz-free. You need this in your life!" – Curly Q
With results like that, this gel gets a 10/10 from me. If you‘re looking for an alternative to traditional, crunchy gels, give this one a go.
Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel Review
Perfect for: All curl types, especially in humid climates
Key ingredients: Wheat protein, chamomile, lemon, amino acids
What it does: Protects curls from frizz, heat, and humidity
If you‘ve ever walked outside on a muggy day only for your curls to instantly puff up, this one‘s for you. The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel is like a raincoat for your curls. It creates a weightless barrier that locks out frizz-inducing moisture.
The anti-frizz powers come from wheat protein and special polymers in the formula. It also contains UV filters to protect curls from the sun and other environmental stressors. But don‘t worry, it won‘t make your curls feel coated or greasy.
This is another Ouidad bestseller with hundreds of glowing reviews. On Ouidad.com, it has nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.6 star rating. Curly girls can‘t get enough of the sleek, defined curls this gel delivers.
"I live in Florida where it‘s ALWAYS humid. This gel keeps my curls from turning into a poofy mess the second I step outside. Total game-changer!" – Sunshine State Curls
"I have thin, wavy curls that tend to fall flat or get frizzy. This gel gives me definition and volume without weighing my hair down. Obsessed!" – Beachy Waves Babe
If you battle humidity on the regular, this gel is a must-try. It‘s like an invisible shield for your precious curls.
Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo Review
Perfect for: All curl types, color-treated curls
Key ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru butter, ceramides
What it does: Gently cleanses and hydrates curls while controlling frizz
Curly hair 101: sulfate shampoos are the enemy. They strip away natural oils and leave curls dry, frizzy, and sad. But the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo is different. It‘s sulfate-free and packed with nourishing ingredients to cleanse curls without the damage.
The star ingredients are a blend of shea butter, murumuru butter, and ceramides. These help smooth the hair cuticle and lock in moisture to prevent frizz. The shampoo also has a luxurious lather that gently lifts away dirt and buildup.
Ouidad customers give this shampoo a big thumbs up, especially those with color-treated curls. It has over 700 reviews on Ouidad.com with a 4.4 star rating.
"I was hesitant to try a new shampoo because my colored curls are so delicate. But this shampoo leaves my hair so soft and shiny without stripping my color. Love it!" – Color Me Curly
"My 4C curls need LOTS of moisture. This shampoo gets my scalp clean but never leaves my curls feeling dry or crispy. The slip is amazing too!" – Coily Queen
If you‘re looking for a gentle, moisturizing shampoo to keep your curls happy, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Bonus: it smells amazing!
Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner Review
Perfect for: Wavy to tight curls
Key ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru butter, ceramides
What it does: Deeply hydrates and detangles curls
Conditioner is a curly girl‘s BFF. And the Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner takes things to the next level. It‘s like a tall drink of water for thirsty curls, instantly boosting hydration and softness.
Like the Advanced Climate Control shampoo, this conditioner contains a trifecta of shea butter, murumuru butter, and ceramides to nourish curls. But it also has strengthening ingredients like wheat amino acids and algae extract.
Ouidad customers cannot get enough of this conditioner. It has hundreds of reviews on the brand‘s website with an impressive 4.8 star overall rating.
"This is the only conditioner that can detangle my daughter‘s super tight curls without tons of pulling and tears. It melts right through knots and tangles. A staple for us!" – Curly Girl Mom
"I have bleached curls and this conditioner saved my life! It makes my hair feel so soft and healthy. Worth every penny!" – Blonde Bombshell
If your biggest curl concern is dryness or tangles, you need this conditioner in your life ASAP. Your curls will thank you!
The Bottom Line: Is Ouidad Worth the Hype?
After trying out Ouidad‘s products myself and scouring hundreds of reviews, my verdict is YES, Ouidad lives up to the hype. No wonder the brand has been a leader in the curly hair space for almost 40 years!
Here‘s why Ouidad gets my stamp of approval:
- High-quality, effective formulas with proven results
- Products for every curl type and concern
- Rave customer reviews across the board
- Accessible price point compared to other high-end brands
- Cruelty-free and made without sulfates, parabens, etc.
The only downside is that there are SO many products, it can be a little overwhelming to choose. My recommendation? Take Ouidad‘s Curl Quiz on their website to get a personalized routine for your unique curls.
Also, Ouidad‘s website has a ton of helpful content about different curl types, how to use the products, and styling tips. Def check out their blog and YouTube channel to learn more.
As far as price, Ouidad is considered a high-end brand (most products are $26+). BUT I think the prices are fair considering the salon-quality formulas and how long the products last. Plus, Ouidad always has promos like free gifts with purchase and you can find the brand at Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, etc.
Final Thoughts + Ouidad Discount Code!
Calling all curly girls: if you haven‘t tried Ouidad yet, you‘re missing out! This curl-focused brand has everything you need to embrace your natural texture, from cleansing and conditioning to styling and tips.
Even if you‘ve been burned by disappointing curly hair products in the past, I promise Ouidad is different. This brand was made BY curly girls FOR curly girls. And the proof is in the glowing customer reviews and incredible before and afters.
I especially recommend Ouidad for my fellow wavy, curly, and coily queens who:
- Want defined, frizz-free, healthy curls
- Prefer clean, high-quality ingredients
- Don‘t mind splurging a bit on effective products
- Appreciate curl education and support from a trusted brand
Trust me, once you see how amazing your Ouidad curls look and feel, you‘ll be a convert for life. And you can save some coin while you‘re at it! Use my exclusive code OUIDAD20 for 20% off your first purchase at Ouidad.com.
To sum it all up: if you‘re still searching for your curl holy grails, Ouidad is the answer. This brand is the real deal and 100% worth the hype. Your curls will never be the same!
