How to Straighten Hair

As someone of mixed race, I have been cursed *ahem* blessed with curly hair. I have spent years trying to tame the beast that lives on top of my head! I've chemically relaxed it, only to be left with a dry, brittle mess. I've tried to allow it to be curly, only to resemble Shirley Temple. This may sound ok, but spiral curls are not ok when your 25.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straight Iron
• Blow Dryer
• Moisturizing shampoo/conditioner
• Moisturizing leave-in conditioner
• Oil sheen/ Conditioning spray
• Clips
• Patience

1. 
    

   First, you need to wash your hair using products that are going to make the straightening process easier. Most curly hair is also thick, frizzy, and SUPER dry. Straightening your hair only dries it out more, so you need to use a variety of moisturizing products. Start with a moisturizing shampoo, like Aussie Moist Shampoo($5), Aveeno Nourish + Moisture Shampoo($8), Garnier Fructis Moisture Works Fortifying Shampoo($4), or Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo($7). People with curly hair usually don't need to wash their hair everyday, so try to go every other day, or even twice a week. This will help your hair retain its natural oils. If you can't stand going that long, just rinse your hair with water instead of lathering up.

2. 
    

   You also need a good moisturizing conditioner. Conditioning, unlike shampooing (that's a funny word!) is VERY beneficial to your hair, so feel free to do it as often as you like. Try one of these great conditioners:
   Aussie Moist Conditioner($5)
   Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize Conditioner($8)
   Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner($5)
   Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Conditioner($5)
   Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Conditioner($5)
   Freeman Papaya And Mango Massive Moisture 3 Minute Conditioner($3)
   Fructis Moisture Works Fortifying Cream Conditioner($4)
   Frizz-Ease Straight Ahead Style-Starting Daily Conditioner($7)
   L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Conditioner Rosemary Mint($7)
   Motions At Home Moisture Plus After Shampoo Conditioner($5)
   Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner($7)
   
   Make sure and coat every strand of hair with your conditioner, and let it set a few minutes while you shower.

3. 
    

   After you have rinsed all the conditioner from your hair, gently dry it with a towel. Avoid rubbing it roughly or balling it up on top of you head; this will just lead to a tangled, frizzy mess. Try just patting it with a soft towel until its fairly dry.

4. 
    

   Now you will want to apply your styling products to your damp hair. I recommend using a leave-in conditioner like Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner($5) or Neutrogena Triple Moisture Pure Strength Conditioning Treatment($8). Depending on the curliness/frizziness of you hair, you may also want to try a mask like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask($7), or a balm like Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm($20). Make sure that your product coats every strand. It may help to comb it through your hair using a wide-toothed comb.

5. 
    

   There are several other products you can try to decide what works best for your hair. For ethnic hair its good to use a conditioning spray, like Oil Sheen. These spars add oil to the hair, which many ethnic hair types are missing. There's also a great product called Pink Moisture Lotion, which is SUPER hydrating. You may also give straightening lotions a try, like Aveda Hang Straight Straightening Lotion($20). However, these tend to be very pricey, and I find them unnecessary.

6. 
    

   Next you need to finish drying your hair. I love letting my hair air dry, but who has time for that? If you are going to blow dry your hair you need to have a good blow dryer with a diffuser.
   Start by dividing your hair into 4-6 sections, and clip them up. I like to start with the top sections and work my way down. Take the first section, and with the blow dryer at least 6 inches away from your hair, start drying from the scalp down. Keep the dryer pointer downward, it you blow dry upward it will cause more frizz(eek!). Keep the dryer in constant motion, if you let it linger on one spot too long it will burn and damage your hair. Finish each section with a quick blast of cold hair to seal the hair shafts and leave them shiny.

7. 
    

   Once all the sections are dry, you may want to add some anti-frizz or moisturizing serum, or spray with the Oil Sheen. Now on to straightening!

8. 
    

   There are TONS of different straightening irons you can choose from. You will need to take into account your type of hair and how long it is. There are different sizes, that will work better for different lengths and textures. There are also ones that offer an option to straighten AND dry your hair in 1 step, but I find these to be EXTREMELY damaging.
   Here are some examples:
   Chi Original Flat Iron 1in($130)
   Conair Dry 'n Straight Ceramic Straightener Wet/Dry($36)
   Conair Nano Silver Steam Straightener High Temperature($100)
   
   I have been seeing tons in infomercial's lately for the InStyler rotating straightener, and I'm DYING to try it, so let me know if you have used one!

9. 
    

   Turn on your iron, and if needed, set the temperature. Usually 250 is a good temperature, but if you have really coarse hair you made need to crank it up. While your straightener is heating up, you will once again want to section off your hair. Its best to work with 1-2" sections that are no more than 1/2" thick when straightening. Take each section, and place the iron as close to the root as possible, without burning your scalp. Now gently and slowly drag it all the way down to the ends. Depending on your hair type, you may need to go over each section a few times to get it stick straight. Repeat until your hair is straight and luscious.
   
   
   
   Rub a small amount of finishing product between palms and apply it to your straight hair to seal the look. But don't apply too much product, or your blowout will get greasy, and you'll have to start all over again all too soon...

10. 
     

    Once done you made need to add some more serum or oil sheen to you hair to keep it frizz free and shinny. Usually your hair will stay straight for several days, as long as you avoid thunderstorms, swimming pools, water gun fights, etc. In between washes you can use the straightener for little touch-ups. Usually my roots and the hair around my face need to be touched up daily.

11. 
     

    Enjoy your silky smooth locks, and the jealous looks from ladies and desirable looks from men.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid products that are curl defining, volumizing, deep cleaning, or contain alcohol

[iknewthat]

on 7/9/2009 EXCELLENT article like always. 5*

[ceceliabreeze]

on 7/9/2009 Great tips!!