When do i straighten my hair

Invest in a blow-dryer with a concentrator attachment. Hot Tools makes a great, affordable blow-dryer that comes with this game-changing tool. This paired with a paddle brush or round brush can make a killer combo. Lift a section of hair with your brush from the underside and apply heat from above, sandwiching the hair between the two tools.

Move them down the length of your hair slowly with the hair inside of the brush bristles and watch the kinks disappear. Repeat this all over to remove most of the frizz and curl from your hair before you start straightening. If you have straight or slightly wavy hair, let it air-dry instead. Stay away from oil-based thermal protectors. Use hairspray before you straighten. Use a fine-tooth comb when straightening.

Buy Now. Kaleigh Laurino Kaleigh Laurino is an avid writer, traveler and illustrator that has embraced her frizzy blonde 3b curls as her identity. If you have the time, let your hair air dry completely to save it from unnecessary heat exposure and friction. If you need to dry hair quickly, try using a diffuser to disperse the heat and reduce friction.

Gently brush your hair as you dry it to detangle and help coax your strands into straightness. Never attempt to flat iron wet or damp hair! Flat ironing wet hair is less effective and can cause additional damage to your delicate strands. Once your hair is completely dry, split your hair into sections to make flat-ironing more manageable. The best way to do this is to work from the bottom layers of hair up. Pin the top two-thirds of your mane up, and work on the underside first.

Working from the bottom-most layer of hair, pull a small section taut and pull it through your straightener starting from the roots. Work with small enough sections that you only have to do two swipes of your flat iron. When the bottom layer of hair is straightened, unpin the rest of your hair and start straightening another section. Continue until each strand is smooth and shiny. For the best results, use a flat iron with long plates for quick straightening and frizz control.

Pro Tip : The ends of your hair tend to be the most delicate and prone to breakage. The ends are also thinner, requiring less heat to straighten. To help protect them from excess heat damage, stop mid-shaft when straightening your hair in sections.

Then, at the very end, gather all of your hair and straighten the ends together. Give your newly straightened locks a good once-over in the mirror. Did you miss any spots? This YouTube tutorial is an excellent place to start. And as for products, I've got you covered with the best heat protectants , finishing sprays , and more, below.

IMHO, if you're looking to really straighten your hair , it's best to start the process in the shower yup, before you even plug in your flat iron. I like to cleanse with a super-hydrating sulfate-free shampoo —like this one from Moroccanoil. Why no sulfates? They can be really harsh and drying, and the last thing your hair needs before being literally ironed is a lack of protective moisture.

Fun fact: Even if you're just rinsing your hair—i. Your hair is super delicate when it's wet, and a nice dollop of conditioner this one from Briogeo is spiked with hydrators like rosehip, argan, and coconut oils gives you an extra layer of protection against damage which you'll def need if heat styling is on your agenda.

Before you wrap your wet hair in a scratchy cotton towel, pls consider using this microfiber wrap instead. Not only does it cut down your drying time, but it also helps minimize frizz and prevent breakage for real , without roughing up your hair cuticle like a traditional towel. If you're an air-dryer like me, twist it around your hair and get cozy. When washing your hair, tailor your shampoo and conditioning products to your hair type. For thick, frizzy hair, use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner.

For thin, flat hair, use volumizing products. Once hair is washed, dry it gently with a microfiber towel, spray it with a heat-protectant product, and then blow-dry it with a hairdryer. This will help to pre-straighten your hair, so you will have less work to do with the straightening iron. Dry the roots of your hair with the hairdryer first, then work through the lengths of your hair. Turn your head upside down while drying your hair to add more volume. Use a paddle brush to work through tangles and hold hair taut as you dry.

Apply a heat protection spray. Investing in a good heat protection spray which you apply every time you straighten is one of the best things you can do for your hair, without forgoing straightening altogether.

The heat protection spray locks in moisture and prevents hair from becoming dry and frazzled. Apply the heat protection spray evenly over dry hair, holding the can about six inches away from your head.

Heat protection sprays can be found at most drug stores and hair salons. It may be worth investing in a brand name product which will do a better job of protecting your hair.

Try asking your hair stylist for recommendations. Divide your hair into sections. Dividing your hair into sections will ensure that you straighten your hair properly, without missing any strands. The easiest way to section your hair is to divide it into three layers. Create the first layer by taking the front sections of your hair and scooping them back with your thumbs to grab all of the hair on the crown of your head.

Separate this layer by twisting it and securing it with a hair tie or butterfly clip. The third layer consists of any hair which remains unclipped, which should be the hair at the back of your head, growing around the nape of your neck. If you have very thick hair, you can divide your hair into extra layers.

If you have very thin or fine hair, you may not need to divide hair at all, or you can just split it into two sections. Set your straightening iron to the correct temperature for your hair type. Most good quality hair straighteners give you the option to adjust the temperature of the irons.

Using the right temperature for your hair will ensure you get the best results and will prevent you from doing unnecessary damage to your hair. Use the correct technique. Straightening your hair with a straightening irons does not involve anything very complicated, but there are a number of helpful tips you can follow in order to achieve the best results: Use the right size strands. For best results, straighten your hair in strands that are 1 to 2 inches 2. If you use sections that are much bigger, your hair won't straighten properly, but if you use smaller sections, it will take too long.

Hold the hair taut. Use one hand to hold the section of hair taut as you clamp the straightening iron around it and smooth it through the hair. Begin straightening about an inch away from the roots. This will leave a little volume in your hair and make sure it doesn't look too flat. Use smooth rather than jerky movements. Try to run the straightening iron over the hair in one smooth, fluid movement. If you move it jerkily, you will end up with horizontal lines across your hair.

Stop if you see any steam or your hair starts to sizzle. If this happens, it means that your hair is not fully dry. Stop, turn off the hair straightener and use a hairdryer to get your hair completely dry before you resume straightening. Using a straightening iron on damp hair is very damaging and will leave your hair in bad condition, so avoid whenever possible. Straighten the next layer of hair. Once you have straightened the bottom layer of hair, unclip the next section and begin to straighten it using the same technique as before.

The top layer of hair should be the last section of hair you straighten. Examine your work in a mirror to make sure you didn't miss any sections.

It can be easy to overlook a strand or two throughout the straightening process. Don't forget to check the back. If you spot any waves or kinks, just go over them with the straightener one more time.

You can check the back of your hair by standing with your back to a mirror while you hold a second mirror in your hands. You should be able to see the reflection of the back of your head in the hand-held mirror. Use a finishing product. You can use a silicone-based serum to add shine, or spray your hair with hairspray to hold your hair in place. Just don't add any mousse or water-based product as this will dampen the hair and cause it to turn wavy. Method 2. Wash your hair. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you will need to wash your hair before blow drying.

Use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner if your hair is thick or prone to frizz, or go for volumizing if your hair is thin or flat. Only apply conditioner to the ends and mid-lengths of your hair. If you apply it to the roots, your hair will look flat and greasy.

Use a wide-toothed comb to work out any tangles while the conditioner is in your hair. The conditioner will make it much easier and will minimize hair breakage. Towel-dry your hair. Once you step out of the shower, wrap your hair in an absorbent, microfiber towel and leave it for a minute or two.

Then unwrap your hair and use your towel to gently dab or blot your hair to get rid of any excess moisture. Don't rub your hair with the towel, as this will cause your hair to break. Remember that you are not trying to dry your hair with the towel, it should still be pretty damp when you're finished towel drying. Comb out any tangles.

Use a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush to part and comb your hair. Make sure to be gentle because damp hair is very fragile. Remember to work from the ends upwards, rather than from the roots down, as this will cause less breakage.