I think I gave myself plenty of time to experiment with the Ouidad products. So far, I’m kinda disappointed with the results. I really want to like it, I really do. But I find myself not liking it more for some reason. Please note that this is from my personal experience so don’t bash me if it worked for you.

Initially, I wanted to try the Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, being that they’re Allure’s “Best Defrizzer” Editor’s Choice Award, so I went and tried it out myself. The results I got from it was not so “award-winning” when it comes to smoothing and controlling my hair. Oh, and it shines alright, if you’re looking to do the wet look. It did not hold my curls well the way Mixed Chicks does.

With Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, I let my hair air-dry and scrunch every 10-20 minutes to help define my curls and within an hour or two, I get nice, big, chunky curls (think Shakira and Rebecca Gayheart) I use the same techinique with Heat & Humidity Gel, I get flyaways and the $26 pomade didn’t help either :(  It took forever to dry, flattens the top, and it did not give a nice curl formation. My hair came out stringy resulting in frizziness once my hair dried completely.

So the winner for best curly hair product is Mixed Chicks cuz I prefer a thicker, creamier consistency to curl my hair. I find better results with Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner than the Heat & Humidity Gel

I don’t want to leave you hanging with the other Ouidad products, so here are my thoughts on the rest of them:

Clear Control Pomade
This must be the most expensive 4 oz. of anything I’ve ever bought. It did control flyaways and frizzies for a while but not for long. I use it if I need to touch up on my curls. Would never buy again, it’s too costly.

Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
The consistency of the gel is similar to a serum, so I dunno why they called it a gel. I wouldn’t use this to curl my hair from start to finish, it just gave me weighed-down,  wet look and my curls came out thin and stringy as oppose to big chunky curls. I could use it for blow-drying my hair straight as a finishing serum to prevent frizz.

Botanical Boost Spray-In Conditioner
I never liked the spray-in application of anything on my hair, except for hairsprays. I’d spray this conditioner and some products just flies in the air and not on my hair. It might as well be an air freshener! I see no results when using this.

Clear & Gentle Shampoo
The thing about this shampoo is that it’s a low foaming shampoo, so I wasn’t sure whether I’ve washed my hair thoroughly or not. Don’t like it.

Balancing Rinse Conditioner
This product was okay. It helped detangled my hair and left it feeling soft but I get the same results with any other drugstore brand conditioners.

Deep Treatment Intensive Conditioner
This part of the regimine is too time consuming so I haven’t had the chance to try it, so I can’t really comment on it.

Overall, they’re great products for what they are, but I would never buy their products again because of their price and you get the same results as any drugstore brands, so it’s not worth it. It may work for some people but not for me.

I’m currently experimenting with natural things, such as Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, aloe vera gel, glycerin, jojoba oil, and a whole lot more, but that won’t stop me from trying other products too. I have my eyes on Curly Hair Solutions products, especially the Curl keeper. Almost every curlies on NaturallyCurly.com swears by this product. So we’ll see what it can do for my hair. I’m on a journey to find the right routine and products for my hair. Call me Curly Girl for now on

Even though I LOVE the Mixed Chicks product for my hair, I couldn’t help but spend some $$$ on Ouidad products. The reason for my splurge: I had a gift certificate code for $5 off on my order of $50 or more (which you can receive when you sign up for their mailing list), their Love Your Curls Starter Kit is back in stock after being out for months, and they’re offering Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel trial size FREE with any purchase over $25. Great deal, huh!?!?

Here’s what I ordered:

Love Your Curls Starter Kit $30.00
Five essential products for all curl types. It’s a great way to try out our products, and makes a great travel companion too!
The kit includes 2-oz Deep Treatment Intensive Conditioner, 2-oz Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, 2-oz Clear & Gentle Shampoo, 2-oz Balancing Rinse Conditioner, 2-oz Botanical Boost Spray Conditioner

Ouidad Clear Control Pomade 4 oz. $26.00
A finishing touch pomade, made from vegetable proteins, that removes the stiff feeling styling products often leave and replaces it with softness and shine. This hydrating formula is a good choice to help thin, fine and dry hair to help form uniform curls.

Duckbill Clips $4.00
3.5″ Professional size metal clips are great for positioning and holding curls in place while hair dries. (pkg of 12)

Climate Control Gel 2 oz. FREE
A revolutionary design in styling gels. Climate Control protects curls from humidity by absorbing moisture from air to hydrate each strand of hair and help prevent frizz. Great for using in place of Tress F/X by all hair types in humid conditions, summer or winter. Winner of “Best Defrizzer” by Allure Magazine.

The starter kit is great way to try out their products before comitting to purchase something that’s full size, plus they’ve included some award-winning products in there and they’re only available for a limited time, so I had to have my hands on that. Oh, and the pomade… $26… ouch! LOL I think it’s a bit steep for something that’s 4 oz. For that much, that shit better be worth it!

After placing my order, I received an email for another gift certificate for 10% off my next order that’ll expire in 30 days. Makes me wanna go back and buy some more Can’t wait to have them delivered to me.

Update 8/29/2008 @ 3:00pm: WHOA!!! I just got my package! Can you believe it??!! Can’t wait to try it!!!