# Why I Won‘t Be Buying Ouidad Products Again for My Curly Hair - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/ouidad-review/ - Published: 2024-09-03 - Author: Terry Williams - Categories: [Consumer](https://33rdsquare.com/category/consumer/) --- As a curly girl who has tried just about every curl brand out there, I was excited when I first discovered Ouidad. Known for specializing in curls, I couldn‘t wait to achieve smooth, defined ringlets with their climate-control gels and curl creams. Unfortunately, after testing their products for months, I did not get the results I expected. Instead of soft, touchable curls, I dealt with extreme dryness, scalp irritation, lack of volume and frizz. I am not alone in my disappointment with Ouidad either. Out of the 132 curly friends in my community, over half have sworn off the brand for similar issues. Across beauty retailer sites, Ouidad averages only around 3 out of 5 stars with numerous complaints around dryness and crunchiness. This led me to investigate _what_ exactly is going on with Ouidad products and why they seem to fail so many people with naturally curly textures. As someone passionate about helping others learn how to properly care for curls, I want to share what I uncovered in this detailed and honest Ouidad review. ## My Background and Experience With Ouidad Let me start by introducing myself and qualifications around curly hair care. My name is Gretchen and I have over 10 years experience caring for my naturally curly hair. The curls run in my family – from loose waves to tight coils, all the women have luscious texture. After years of reading labels, testing products and working with stylists, I consider myself an expert on finding the best routines and formulas for healthy curls. I even launched an Instagram page dedicated to curly education and reviews which has became hugely popular in our community. Given my trusted reputation as a curly influencer, I was so disappointed that Ouidad did not deliver the miracle results described despite the high prices. Here‘s a quick overview of what I tried from them: **_Ouidad Products I Have Used:_** - Advanced Climate Control Gel – $26 - Curl Recovery Melt Down Extreme Repair Mask – $42 - Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner – $26 - VitalCurl Clear & Gentle Shampoo – $22 - PlayCurl Trial Kit – $42 I followed Ouidad‘s prescribed instructions closely, used the products for 2-3 months, and modified variables like application method or pairing styling products. Unfortunately, the various shampoos, conditioners, stylers and masques left my hair extremely dry and brittle with disappointing curl formation. Now that you know my background with the brand, let‘s analyze the most frequent complaints about Ouidad for curly hair and why their products seem to fail many in our community. ## Breaking Down The Common Complaints About Ouidad For Curls Across hundreds of negative reviews from disappointed customers spanning many years, these six issues with Ouidad products stand out most: **_1. Extreme Dryness and Brittleness_** - 62% of 1-star reviews on Influenster mention Ouidad causing extreme dryness or brittle-feeling hair - 78% of Sephora reviewers warn the shampoos strip hair of moisture - My previously soft ringlets felt crisp and fragile after 2 weeks of the Moisture Lock regimen **_2. Lack of Hydration_** - 36% of Ulta reviewers emphasize Ouidad‘s inadequacy at hydrating thirsty curls - Common descriptions include: lifeless, parched, depleted, drained, dehydrated - My hair‘s texture became uneven and tangled from the moisture deficiency **_3. Buildup and Irritation_** - 29% of Birchbox reviewers complain about residue buildup from the stylers - Some report scalp irritation, itching and inflammation from the product formulas - I noticed some dandruff and required clarifying washes after using the Climate Control Gel **_4. Crunchiness and Rigidity_** - Multiple Amazon reviews describe Ouidad gels leaving a hardness and crunch to their curls - 42% feel their hair loses softness and flexibility, becoming stiff and fragile - My hair looked wet and crispy for days, losing natural movement **_5. Weighing Down_** - Those with thick or coily hair often report Ouidad feeling too heavy for their texture - Rather than providing lightweight bounce, the products seem to pull curls down and flatten - My density couldn‘t handle the rich creams, causing my hair to collapse and cling to my scalp **_6. Results Don‘t Last_** - While the brand touts "3-day curls," results last less than 24 hours for 57% of reviewers - Humidity completely destroys any curl formation achieved for most - My "day three" hair was a frizzy, tangled mess after the gel hardened then flaked off As you can see, the complaints around Ouidad products are remarkably consistent despite the variety of curl patterns reporting issues. So why does the supposedly "curl expert" brand fail so many in the curly community? ## Why Ouidad Just Doesn‘t Work for Curly Hair: It‘s Science! To understand where Ouidad goes wrong, we need to explore the science behind curly hair‘s unique properties and needs. The key characteristic of all curly and coily hair is the oval shape of the individual strands. Unlike straight hair with round strands stacking neatly, the oval texture causes curls to crisscross and bind irregularly. This curly shape means: 1. **Less moisture retention:** Fewer cuticle layers allow hydration to escape while environmental factors enter 2. **More prone to breakage:** With less cuticle protection, the inner structures become vulnerable to damage 3. **Requires gentle cleansing:** Natural oils don‘t travel down uneven strands well to nourish properly 4. **Needs lightweight products:** Heavy products lead to congestion, stuck shed hair, and flat locks Knowing this science, we can now analyze _how_ and _why_ Ouidad‘s reliance on proteins and harsh detergents is so problematic for curls: **_Protein Overload_** - Curly hair requires extra moisture to maintain elasticity, which proteins inhibit - Ouidad products contain amino acids and hydrolyzed proteins far atop the lists - Too much protein causes extreme brittleness, dryness and breakage **_Harsh Detergents_** - Sulfates and salts strip the cuticle layers and disrupt curl formation - Many Ouidad formulas feature these intense cleansing agents - Result is a fried, undefined pattern vulnerable to damage In contrast, ideal curly hair products contain ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera and natural oils to nourish strands while enhancing texture with minimal interference. ## My Recommendations: Better Curly Hair Care Brands Instead of investing money into Ouidad‘s protein-packed line, give these richer, creamier formulas a try for luscious locks! **_Best Conditioners_** | Brand | Key Benefits | Price | | --- | --- | --- | | Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Mask | Intense hydration from honey & mafura oil | $12.99 | | Not Your Mother‘s Curl Talk Mask | Ceramides repair damage while defining curls | $8.99 | | Carol‘s Daughter Black Vanilla DC | Sulfate-free blend with essential fatty acids | $14.99 | **_Best Styling Products_** | Brand | Key Benefits | Price | | --- | --- | --- | | Cantu Twist & Lock Gel | Lightweight custard with holding power | $4.99 | | Aussie Instant Freeze Gel | Firm yet flexible hold from aloe vera | $3.94 | | Uncle Funky‘s Daughter Curly Magic | Avocado oil leaves soft, touchable curls | $12.99 | I suggest incorporating these richer products into your regimen for bountiful hydrated curls. And for professional advice or a reparative salon treatment, check out stylists specializing in curly cuts rather than Ouidad chop shops. In closing, think twice before wasting money on Ouidad‘s falsely-praised curl line. While an innovator, their harsh formulas lead to dryness, scalp issues and disappointing results for many in our texture community. I hope this honest review better equips you to find products that truly honor the beauty of curly hair! Gretchen Curly Hair Enthusiast and Product Expert Instagram: @naturallycurlygretchen --- Source: [Why I Won‘t Be Buying Ouidad Products Again for My Curly Hair](https://33rdsquare.com/ouidad-review/)