How to Make Hair Pin Straight

Eva Longoria shows off super-straight locks.

Pin straight hair takes time. You can't just whip it out in 20 minutes. Professional hair care company Schwarzkopf says that the secret to straightening hair is in using the right technique and prepping with the right kinds of products. Once you have the tools and the time, you can achieve sleek straight hair.

Things You'll Need

• Straightening shampoo and conditioner
• Ceramic straightening iron
• Straightening balm
• Round brush

Instructions

1. Shampoo and condition hair with products specifically for straightening hair, such as Clairol Herbal Essences "Dangerously Straight" or Pantene "Extra Straight" shampoo.

2. Remove as much moisture from your hair as possible before using a hair dryer. Do this by towel-drying then waiting at least 15 minutes; this will help eliminate frizz.

3. Apply a hair serum to protect your hair from heat damage. Apply nickel-sized or larger depending on hair length and thickness. Comb through your hair to ensure even application.

4. Blow dry your hair by running your fingers through it in different directions until it is 85 percent dry. Then attach the straightening nozzle to the dryer, and separate your hair into several sections. Clip the top sections out of the way.

5. Wrap one section of hair from the root around a round brush (use a paddle brush for long hair). Hold the dryer at a 90-degree angle, follow the brush as you brush down in a straight direction to the end of the hair. Repeat until the section is dry. Then move onto the next section.

6. Once hair is dry, add the finishing pin-straight touch with straightening iron with ceramic plates. Again separate your hair into several sections, and pin up the top layers. The two keys to success in using a flat iron are not using too much hair and going at a slow enough pace. Section hair off in 1.5- to 2-inch sections, and run the iron down the hair slowly and smoothly with slight tension. Start as close to the root as possible, and finish on the tip.

Tips & Warnings

• Making your hair pin-straight takes patience! Stick with it - if you do it correctly, your straight hair will last two or more days.

• Don't use too high a heat if your hair doesn't need it. Start at the lowest heat possible, and work your way up. When hair comes out of the iron as straight as you want it to be, you have found the optimal temperature. Generally speaking, the thicker/curlier your hair, the higher the temperature.

References

• Schwazkopf: Straighten Your Hair While Looking After It
• Marie Claire: 4 Hair-Straightening Secrets