Flawlessly straight hair is popular in today’s mainstream beauty circles. However, smoothing curly, frizzy, or downright unruly hair into perfectly straight tresses can be challenging. Read on for tips to smooth even the most unruly locks.
Styling tips for straightening hair
1. Start with a good blowout.
After shampooing and conditioning, apply a product like Frederic Fekkai Ironless Silky Straight Serum to your hair, concentrating on the ends. Then use clips to separate your hair into sections. Blow-dry each of these sections in turn, starting at the top and front layers and working toward the back and bottom sections. To handle and smooth each segment, use a high quality, natural bristle round brush. Philip B. offers several excellent brushes. To maximize smoothness, place the filter attachment on your hair dryer. Ultimately, the direction you like matters; aim the blow dryer nozzle down the shaft, from the roots to the ends. Focus on each section until it is completely dry.
This task can seem like an eternity, unless you have a hair dryer that works fast. T3’s Featherweight model is ideal: it uses infrared heat to increase manageability and shine, while drying hair up to 60% faster.
2. Time to iron.
If your braids aren’t straight after drying, you’ll need to use a straightening iron. Re-clip dry strands in sections. Starting at the back of the head, gently guide the straightening iron down each section. Avoid applying the iron twice on the same segment. If this routine dries out your hair, try a high-end straightening iron like the one from T3. This amazing tool uses negative ions to encase each hair cuticle in protective moisture.
Here’s another time-saving tip: Skip the blow-drying step by using a steam iron; again, T3’s ManeTamer model is exceptional. Steam technology makes it possible to apply such straighteners to damp hair.
3. Build a strong defense against heat.
Over time, heat can make hair dull, brittle, and difficult to manage. So, protect your hair with a product like Oscar Blandi’s Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray. Oscar Blandi has created a spray that defends hair against 450 degree heat. The keratin proteins in the spray also work to protect and nourish the hair. Simply spray this Oscar Blandi innovation onto each hair segment before applying any hot tools and enjoy radiantly healthy locks despite the heat.
It is also wise to get into the habit of applying a weekly oil treatment. Philip B. Rejuvenating Oil will do an especially good job of increasing the oil naturally produced by the scalp.
A natural straightening approach
Long before Frederic Fekkai and Oscar Blandi designed their wonderful straightening solutions, women yearned for smooth, straight hair. They applied natural concoctions to encourage straightness, and you can too with our Lemon Coconut Milk Cream. The vitamins A and E in coconut milk eliminate frizz, improve softness and shine, and protect hair from breakage. Lemon juice helps remove product buildup. Start by stirring the lemon juice into a glass of coconut milk. Put the glass in the fridge until it acquires a creamy texture. Rub this paste into your hair, taking care to saturate both the ends and the roots. Then wrap a hot towel around your scalp and wait a couple of minutes. Rinse and shampoo. Style as you wish.
Or just go the easy route: apply Frederic Fekkai Ironless Silky Straight Shampoo and Conditioner.
