To style a Bichon Frise into a fluffy cloud, you need excellent preparation and thorough detangling and straightening of its curly coat. The key is a multi-stage wash and proper blow-drying.
First, we used the clarifying shampoo Double K Ultimate. It's really strong, so it shouldn't get into the eyes, but it can handle even a very dirty "undercarriage". Then we chose Bur bur for all coat types (it contains colloidal silver and activated charcoal), but the clarifying Iv San Bernard shampoo with fragrant mint also works great. It perfectly washes away dirt and grime. You can even combine both shampoos at once; remember to dilute them with water according to the instructions. It provides a nourishing base for the Bichon - ideally Burbur volumizing shampoo, or Iv San Bernard pompelmo pink.
Then we applied a gentle moisturizing mask, but this depends on whether you have a Bichon for show and want a show cut or a classic one for home "use".
- Show cuts do not get a moisturizing mask, only a very gentle (strong but very diluted) spray conditioner, such as Burbur PRO detangling spray or gloss spray. Alternatively, the miraculous Special One show cosmetics, which are very good for the voluminous coat of Bichons, can do wonders.
- Never apply conditioner to the head. We used a grapefruit mask, but you can also combine ginkgo oil with K 101 avocado oil, pH balance conditioner and a grapefruit mask (especially if the dog has a lot of mats).
It's time for blow-drying. It's important to brush the coat from the roots; we used a Tuffer wire brush, but a round, double-sided brush from Artero is also sufficient. Always hold the dryer behind the head and blow directly into the coat where you need to brush. Brush to stretch the coat and make it fluffy.
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This preparatory phase takes about 2-3 hours.
Then comes the trimming. We use straight scissors or thinning shears, or finishing shears. We can also clip the body with clippers and a 1.5 cm attachment.
For this Bichon, we scissored both the body and legs. The legs need to be shaped into columns, creating angulation, rounding the rear, shaping a round face, and hiding the ears in the head.
✂️ Nail trimming is done with Show tech clippers. If the nail bleeds, we use Blood stop powder.
☝️ Final tip: Bichons' nails tend to bleed, so it's important to trim them at the very beginning, before bathing. Then, the paw pads are shaved with clippers.
And there you have it, a fluffy cloud is born!
