Comments on: How to Straighten Hair with a Blow-dryer

on 8/19/2007 Just a note about flat ironing . . . it does not and cannot prevent split ends, whether you are using a ceramic iron or not. Ceramic irons are better because they encourage even heat distribution so you don't get what stylists call "hot spots." This doesn't mean they're good for your hair. You hair will seem shinier because using a flat iron seals the hair cuticle temporarily. Key word here is temporarily. You're still damaging your hair whenever you apply heat and it's best to use the flat iron sparingly.

on 5/21/2007 I have fairly short coarse curly hair. When I dry my hair and try to pull the curl out, I am left with waves which I HATE! I don't like straightening irons. How can I avoid making waves???

on 2/22/2007 put a hat on after you dry your hair with a towl...then take it off in 30 minutes and you should have pretty flat hair..then brush again

on 2/22/2007 as soon as you get out of the shower, towel dry your hair and put on a clean baseball cap for like an hour,then when you take it off your hair has dryed straight down,....make sure to brush hair before puting the hat on

on 1/21/2007 Dont condition hair everytime you wash it to increase volume...straight hair doesnt have to be flat!

on 1/21/2007 Dont condition hair everytime you wash it to increase volume...straight hair doesnt have to be flat!

on 11/25/2006 I have really curly hair, and tried just about everything under the sun to make it less volumized. If the products even work, my hair's as hard as a rock because of all the product I put in it. I would kill for wavy and less-puffy hair. I love my curls, and although I've straightened it several times, I wouldn't want to get rid of my curls permanently. If anyone has suggestions as to what I should do to achieve my results, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

on 9/26/2006 I really urge you all to invest in a Chi straightener. In Canada, it's about $150, but it's worth all the money. The Chi is fully ceramic, so the heat is distributed evenly and it doesn't damage your hair, unlike other cheap ones (such as Conair) that are only coated in ceramic.

With the Chi, you should use products by Bio silk, called Silk Therapy. They come from the same company as Chi, so I find they work well together. Wash your hair with the Silk Therapy shampoo and conditioner the night before, towel dry a bit, comb it out, add some silk therapy frizz serum near the ends, and let it dry overnight. You'll have smooth and silky hair in the morning, since blow dryers make your hair frizzy and puffy.

Separate your hair into two to three inch sections with clips. Start at the back by spraying the section with hairspray (aerosol not pump) and then use a comb to brush it out before going over it with the Chi straightener. Repeat this on every section. I can guarantee that you'll have incredibly smooth, silky, and straight hair that will last all day, regardless of humidity.

Let the straightener heat for about half an hour before using it and wipe it clean every few days.

on 9/11/2006 I've used ceramic flat irons for a few years; they straightened out my hair pretty well but did nothing against humidity. I recently got a sapphire flat iron called Solano and it's great! It leaves my hair straighter than any ceramic iron ever did and my hair doesn't frizz out in rainy weather anymore. It's more expensive than the ceramic flat irons you see at the drugstores, but it's definitely worth it.

on 8/30/2006 The best way to start any hair straightening routine is to rinse out shampoo with hot water, and rinse out conditioner with water as cold as you can stand. It guarantees your hair will be soft, shiny and sleek no matter how you straighten it.

on 8/20/2006 I don't have the skill, upper-arm strength, or patience to blow dry my hair. I found out that a local hair salon has one "low-cost" day -- so for $25, I had my thick hair done professionally. Since my hair is dry, I don't have to wash it that often and the blow dry is good for almost a week.

on 8/17/2006 After taking a shower, finish off with cold water! It will make your hair shiny and less fizzy. The cold water seals the hair follicles.

on 8/14/2006 I can't afford fancy straightening serums or gels, so after I come out of the shower I apply some conditioner to my hair. I don't like to blow dry my hair because it tends to make it frizzier, and it also damages your hair quite a lot. I can't use a clothes iron either, because it also damages hair and leaves it feeling dry. I tend to put my hair in tight braids to minimize frizz, so the next morning it is easier and quicker to straighten my hair with my ceramic hair straightener.

on 8/8/2006 I find it easier to straighten my hair at night, then in the morning I just do a little touch up at the roots and ends. It saves a ton of time in the morning.

on 8/8/2006 This method can be a little time consuming, but if you need stick-straight hair for a special event, it definitely pays off.

After washing hair, comb it out using a wide tooth comb and then divide hair into sections, making them as equal as possible.

Start with the top layer of hair and pin it up, followed by the next layer and so on, until you are left with only the bottom layer down.

Using a blow dryer with an straightening attachment, take a round bristled brush and brush hair following with downward movement of the blow dryer. Basically the blow dryer attachment should be moving down with every downward stroke of the brush.

I use the Conair Ion Shine Ceramic Brush, because the ceramic on it gets hot as well and helps the straightening process. I also use the Remington ProAir Optima Blow Dryer because it has 4 heat settings, plus a cool setting and a great straightening attachment.

Once the first bottom layer is done, you may wish to take a pea sized amount of a straightening balm and smooth it through the layer for added shine.
Continue for each layer, using the straightening balm if you wish.
Once you are done with the top layer, switch your blow dryer to cool and blast hair with cool air everywhere. This helps set the straightening.

At this point if you have and stubborn pieces, you may wish to go over them lightly with a flat-iron.

If you do decide to touch up with a flat-iron, use a heat protecting product like L'Oreal Iron-Tamer so that you limit the damage that flat-ironing does to your hair.

I do this almost everyday and I get so many compliments on how perfectly straight my hair is!
When I do go out with my naturally wavy hair, people ask me how I got it so wavy, when really the secret is how I always keep it so straight!