How to Flatten Puffy Curls

Flatten unwanted curls with products found around your home.

Sometimes your hair will not cooperate when you try to curl it, and you are left with a big, poofy mess. Tame your naturally curly hair with products that will reduce or eliminate the poof. The first step to straight or wavy hair is knowing what to use on your tresses to flatten the problem, not enhance the issue. Once your hair is under control, learn the basic steps to curling so you will not have the same issue in the future.

Things You'll Need

• Leave-in conditioner
• Comb
• Heat-protectant spray
• Hair dryer
• Silicone serum
• Natural-bristle paddle brush
• Ceramic flat iron

Instructions

1. Wash and condition your hair with products that are tailored to your hair type. In addition, apply a leave-in conditioner, which will add weight to your hair, and comb through to distribute evenly. Apply a heat-protectant spray and dry your hair with a hairdryer set to medium heat and a paddle brush. A heat-protectant spray is a protective spray you use before using a hair dryer, such as a blow dryer or ceramic straightening iron. You can find a heat-protectant spray in the aisles of the Hair section of your grocery store or general pharmacy store.

2. Spray your hair with water to flatten curls that came from hot rollers, a curling iron or another form of manual curling. Like walking in the rain, the water will reduce your hair back to its normal consistency such as straight or wavy. The downside to spraying water is running the risk of creating frizzy hair.

3. Apply a nickel to quarter-size dollop of silicone shine serum to your hair. The silicone will maintain the frizz while applying just enough weight to help pull hair downward. Combine the silicone with a few sprays of water and your tresses will flatten in no time.

4. Brush through your curls with a natural-bristle paddle brush. The bristles will latch on to individual strands and help lengthen the curls without creating frizz or additional poof.

5. Use a ceramic hair straightener to flatten unwanted poof. The ceramic bars will help retain moisture in your hair and prevent frizz while the heat flattens the curls. Remember to spray a heat-protectant spray onto your dry curls before flat ironing.

6. Twist your hair into a high bun or long braid to conceal the issue until you are able to wash your hair. There are several stylish ways to pull your puffy hair into an updo so no one will know what you are hiding. The high bun is a high ponytail twisted downward and secured on top of your head with bobby pins. Braiding is simple and versatile because you can create a high braid, low side braid or large fishtail braid. If your puffy curls stick out of the braid the pull a few other strands out for a messy hairdo.

Tips & Warnings

• When all else fails, wear a hat.

• Next time your curl your hair, consider leaving the curlers in for a shorter amount of time.

• Create wavy hair by braiding wet hair the night before and sleeping. The hair will dry and leave you with naturally curly hair when you remove the braids in the morning.

References

• "Real Simple": How to Fix Common Summer Hair Problems
• "Shape"; Top 5 Tips From the Hair Stylists of New York Fashion Week 2010; Ellen Miller
• "Cosmopolitain": 7 Hot-Weather Beauty Horrors (and How to Avoid Them)