How to Naturally Straighten Hair

There are natural ways to straighten hair on your own.

It seems as though people with straight hair admire those with curly, and those with curly hair wish they had straight hair. Professional stylists can straighten wavy or curly hair by applying harsh chemicals and charging you a large amount of money. There are natural ways to straighten hair on your own. The effects will last only until you wash your hair again, but your hair will love you for not using harsh chemicals.

Things You'll Need

• Straightening shampoo
• Straightening balm
• Wide-tooth comb
• Big round brush
• Hair clip
• Hair dryer
• Straightening iron
• Silicone-based hair shine

Instructions

1. Wash your hair with a straightening shampoo and conditioner.

2. Use a wide-tooth comb to de-tangle your wet hair.

3. Apply a straightening balm. Put the bulk of the balm at the ends and a little at the roots. Comb the straightening balm through your hair.

4. Divide your hair into layered sections. With shoulder-length hair, you should divide your hair into three layers. Divide your hair into more layers for longer hair and fewer layers for shorter hair. Leave the bottom layer out and twist the rest and clip it to the top of your head.

5. Blow-dry the first layer. Use your big round brush to pull the hair through from the root to the end with the dryer on high heat and pointing down. Use fluid, non-jerky movements. If you want a little flip or turn under at the end, aim the blow dryer at the end on high heat and then shoot it with cold air while your hair is still wrapped around the brush.

6. Repeat Step 4 for all layers until your hair is completely dry.

7. Divide your hair into layers again. Leave the bottom layer out and clip the rest to the top of your head.

8. Use a ceramic flat iron from the root to the tip of your hair for a stick-straight look. Press firmly and pull the flat iron down through hair fluidly. Do this for all layers of the hair.

9. Apply a small amount of silicone-based shine product--either a spray or gel--for a sleek, finished look.

Tips & Warnings

• Try spraying 1/3 cup of milk onto your dry hair, combing it through and letting it sit for 20 minutes before you wash it.

• If you are in a hurry and don't have time to blow-dry, apply the straightening balm and pull your hair back using a few ponytail holders. It should look like one ponytail with a ponytail holder every couple of inches. Once your hair dries, remove the ponytail holders. Your hair will be slightly wavy, but straighter than usual.

• When using heating products, don't use the hottest setting, because this can burn your hair.