There’s something classic yet sexy and beautiful while natural about perfectly straight, oh-so-shiny, sleek hair. When the hair is straight, it reflects light better making it look like a smooth piece of cut glass and giving off a perfectly polished look. But getting the hair straight with nary an ounce of frizz in sight takes work and following the proper steps and using the appropriate products for straightening the hair are critical.
Straight hair complements every haircut, length and type and can be worn year-round. So, if straight hair is what you crave, here’s everything you need to know from start to finish—and beyond—to get your hair stick straight sans any damage.
Table of Contents:
- Prepare Your Hair for the Use of Hot Tools
- SkinStore’s Recommended Tools & Hair Care to Straighten Your Hair
- A Step-by-Step Process to Straightening the Hair
- Post-Straightening Care
- Tips for Maintaining Straight Hair and Protect Against Heat Damage
- The Bottom Line
Prepare Your Hair for the Use of Hot Tools
Before you take any heat to your hair, it’s essential to do a quick hair health assessment to make sure your strands can tolerate it. Heat can cause damage to the hair that’s hard to undo, so if your hair bears any of these signs, nurse it back to health before exposing it to additional heat (it probably caused the damage in the first place).
- Split, frayed or broken ends
- Hair that sticks up or out at the root, indicating breakage
- A lack of bounce and movement
- Hair that feels rough, like sandpaper, or crunchy
Related Article: How to Repair & Protect Dry and Damaged Hair
If the hair is in relatively good condition, it’s time to prep it so it’s well-protected and able to handle the heat you will put on it. For starters, never use heat on sopping wet hair, which increases the risk of damage. Instead, let the hair air dry about 65% of the way.
What you use to wash and condition your hair also impacts its health. Thick, curly hair should avoid shampoos that lather and instead stick with sulfate-free shampoos, which are less drying. An anti-frizz or smoothing shampoo is also worth investing in since it will hydrate the hair and help the cuticle to lay more smoothly for fewer flyaways. All hair types benefit from a hydrating conditioner (comb it through the hair while still in the shower), but heavier, oil-based ones are better suited for thick, dry and damaged hair, whereas thin and fine hair should stick with lightweight conditioners that won’t weight the hair down. It’s important to always start with clean, conditioned hair, providing a good base for straightening the hair.