There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sleek, straight hair. Unfortunately, for those with curly hair, achieving this look can be a challenge – frizz is often unavoidable. But don’t worry, there are ways to achieve straight hair without frizz.
In this post, we’ll share our tips and tricks for how to do just that.
So whether you’re looking to go completely straight or just want to tame some of your curls, read on for our best tips!
How to Straighten Curly Hair
1. Prepare your hair for the wash
Curly hair is more prone to knots and tangles because the bends and coils wrap around one another. Wet curls are also fragile and susceptible to breakage. That’s why it’s important to detangle before you shampoo.
To get the slip in your hair, deeply hydrate it with a nourishing conditioner, oil, or mask. Let the conditioning product sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
To detangle your curls, start by separating them with your fingers. For stubborn snarls, use a wide-tooth comb. Start from the ends and work your way up. Be patient and take your time to avoid causing any damage.
2. Wash your hair
To get the most out of your shampooing routine, thoroughly soak your curls with water before applying any product. This will help the shampoo evenly distribute throughout your hair.
Choosing a sulfate-free or paraben-free shampoo is important, as these chemicals can strip natural oils from the scalp and cause frizz. (1) A shampoo, which is specifically formulated to control frizz, helps smooth and nourish your curls.
Massage it into your scalp, focusing on the roots, to remove product build-up. rinse with warm water to open up the cuticle and allow the conditioner to better penetrate the hair shaft.
3. Condition your hair
Rinse out the shampoo completely and then gently squeeze the extra water out of your hair. Even if conditioned before shampooing, your hair will still benefit from an extra dose of hydration.
When applying conditioner, avoid your roots and focus on the ends to mid-shaft. Once you have applied the conditioner, detangle your hair with your fingers again. Finally, rinse it off with cold water.
You should make sure that your conditioner is silicone-free and moisturising your hair naturally. (2) This is because silicone can be difficult to wash away and needs harsh cleansers with sulfates in order to be removed.
4. Use a leave-in conditioner
A leave-in conditioner can be a lifesaver for anyone with dry or damaged hair. Unlike traditional conditioners, which are rinsed out after a few minutes, leave-in conditioners are designed to be left in the hair to provide extra moisture and protection. When used correctly, leave-in conditioners can help to keep hair frizz-free, smooth, and hydrated.
Apply a dollop of leave-in conditioner to damp hair, avoiding your roots. Use your fingers to comb the conditioner through your hair, making sure that each strand is coated.
When using leave-in conditioner, be sure to listen to your hair’s needs and figure out which ingredients work best for your hair type.
5. Dry Your Curls
When it comes to drying your hair, it is important to use the right method and materials. Cotton or terry cloth towels can cause damage to the hair, as well as create frizziness. (3)
Instead, gently squeeze water out of your hair with your hands or use a soft cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel. If you have the time, air-drying is the best option, as it doesn’t involve any extra friction or heat.
However, if you must blow dry your hair, use a diffuser to disperse the heat and avoid concentrating it on one area. Additionally, brush your hair as you dry it to minimize tangles and help coax your curls into straightness.
6. Use a heat protectant
Heat protectants help shield your strands from the damaging effects of heat styling, and can help prevent long-term damage. When used before applying heat, they create a barrier between your hair and the styling tool. Depending on the type of heat protectant, it will be available in spray, cream, oil, or serum formulas.
You may apply it on damp hair or dry hair; if you have thicker hair it may be easier to distribute on damp hair. When looking for a heat protectant, look for one that contains hydrolyzed keratin. This ingredient helps to increase moisture retention and also helps strengthen your hair.
7. Use a Quality Straightening Iron
Curly hair is more prone to heat damage. By investing in a quality straightener, you can reduce heat damage and straighten each section in a single pass.
There are a number of different straighteners on the market, but we would recommend looking for one that is made from (not coated with) titanium, ceramic, or tourmaline.
Ceramic is great for thin delicate hair, while titanium is perfect for thick hair and professional use. If you’re looking to reduce frizz, then we would recommend choosing a model that has tourmaline coating.
We recommend you check out our top 5 best flat irons for curly hair.
8. Pick the Right Setting for You
To set the right temperature, you first need to take your hair’s health and texture into consideration.
If your curls are fine, turn the temp dial down a bit. Start on the lower end, between 250°F and 300°F.
If damaged, a lower temperature closer to 250°F may be better. If your fine hair is healthy, you can go up to 300°F.
Normal, not too thick, and not too thin waves can be straightened between 300°F and 350°F.
For natural hair, somewhere between 350°F and 400°F may be ideal.
If your natural hair is finer or chemically treated, stick to the 350°F temperature.
If your coils are thicker, turn the temp dial up a bit. Damage-free tresses can go up to 450°F. (4)
9. Section Your Hair
If you’re looking to straighten your hair, it’s important to section it off properly before you start. This will help save you time and ensure that every strand of hair is straightened evenly.
To section your hair, start by drawing a straight line down the middle of your head from front to back. Then, create a horizontal part just above your ears.
Next, take the top half of your hair and clip it on top of your head out of the way. Now you’ll be left with two sections of hair to work with.
hanging down in the front. Take one of these sections and divide it into two even parts. Take one of these sections and divide it into two even parts.
10. Begin straightening
Preheat your flat iron before you start. Make sure your hair is completely dry before you begin.
Starting at the underneath layers, begin clipping small subsections of hair and straightening them at a slow but steady pace. Continue until all of the hair in that section is straightened. Then move on to the other section and repeat the process.
The key to prevent frizz is to get as close to the roots as possible at the top layer of hair. You can do this by either holding the flat iron vertically or by using a comb to guide your hair through the iron.
Slowly glide the iron down the hair shaft in a fluid motion. Never stay in one spot for more than a few seconds at a time.
If you have loose curls, you can use bigger sections of hair. However, if you have defined curls or thick hair, it’s best to work in smaller sections to make each curl manageable.
Once you’ve finished straightening all of your hair, let your it cool for a few minutes before touching or combing it. This will help set your new style and minimize frizz.
11. Finish with a cool blast
Once you’re finished straightening your hair, finish with a cool blast of air from your blow dryer. This will help to close the cuticle and seal in your new style.
12. Lock In Your Look
If you’re looking for a style that will last all day and into the night, then straighten your curls and use some light oil to lock in your look. Argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil are all great options. Simply apply a small amount of oil to your hands and run it through your hair. This will help to keep your hair looking sleek and shiny, while also helping to control frizz. you CAN also use an anti-humidity hairspray to keep frizz at bay.
6 Mistakes To Avoid While Straightening Your Hair!
Straightening curly hair can be a great way to achieve a sleek, polished look, but there are a few things you need to avoid in order to get the best results! Here are four mistakes to avoid while straightening your hair:
1. Not using a heat protectant.
Before you start straightening your hair, it’s important to apply a heat protectant. This will help minimize heat damage and keep your hair healthy.
2. Using too much heat.
When you use too much heat on your hair, it can become dry and brittle. This will lead to split ends and breakage.
3. Not using a straightening iron that’s right for your hair type.
There are a lot of different straightening irons on the market, but not all of them are right for your hair type.
If you have thin, delicate hair, you’ll want to use an iron with ceramic plates.
4. Not sectioning your hair before you start.
If you don’t section your hair before you start straightening, you’ll end up with uneven results.
5. Straightening your hair when it’s wet.
Straightening wet hair can be very damaging. Make sure your hair is completely dry before you begin.
6. Going over each section multiple times.
When you straighten your hair, you should only go over each section once. Repeating the process will damage your hair.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to straighten your hair without frizz and damage.
