How to straighten your hair

Different hairstyles go in and out of fashion, but since convenient home hair straighteners have come onto the market, sleek straight hair has been consistently on trend. Some people are lucky enough to be born with naturally straight hair, but for those of us without such a luxury, frizz-, curl- and kink-free styles can require a bit more time and effort. To help you get that beautiful straight look here’s our go to guide on how to straighten hair.

Using the right equipment
To achieve the straight locks of your dreams, the first step you must take is choosing a flat iron or straightener that matches your hair length and type. This way, the straightening process will be easier, quicker and less damaging to your hair.

Check which size straightener you should use:

• 1/2″: pixie haircuts and bangs
• 1″: short, thin hair
• 1 ¼″: shoulder-length, medium-thick hair
• 1 ½″: long, thick, curly, coarse hair  
• 2″: very long and thick hair

Before getting your heat styling tool ready, here are the top tips from experts when it comes to straightening your locks:  

• If you’re buying straighteners go for the ceramic type. They heat up quicker and have a smoother surface, guaranteeing much better results. Ceramic plates also allow an even distribution of heat and will be less likely to damage your hair.  
• Avoid setting the temperature of your flat iron higher than 185°C. If your hair is thin, the heat should be between 150-160°C only.
• To improve your final straight look, use a thermal brush at the roots while using the flat iron so that you get more volume at the top of your head.
• Try to not straighten your hair every day. Giving your locks time off from the tongs will reduce the risk of long-term damage and breakage.
• Ask your hairdresser for product recommendations that suit your hair type. Using a protective spray is essential and there are lots of different products on the market for you to choose from.

How to straighten hair: step by step
New to hair straightening or want to know how the professionals do it? It’s easier than you thought! Just make sure you make a note of all the tips mentioned above and you can turn your hair straightener on:

1. Start by making sure your hair is clean and conditioned. It’s much easier to straighten clean hair – even a little bit of grease can react to heat and create much-dreaded frizz. Conditioning your hair prior to straightening also helps to make sure the hair strands are supple enough to bend into position without breaking.
2. Ensure your hair is completely dry. Unless you’re using a specialist wet-to-dry straightening tool, your hair will need to be completely dry before starting. This makes it difficult to do directly after using a hair dryer as even the most thorough drying sessions tend to leave at least some parts slightly damp. Allow 30 minutes to pass between blow drying and straightening your hair (you can apply your make-up or choose an outfit during this time). This should allow every strand of hair to be completely moisture free before straightening.
3. Always use a protective spray. Despite the real advances made in straightening tong technology over recent years, straightening your hair can still cause some damage. Reduce the impact of heat by using a spray specifically designed to protect your locks before using the hair straightener. Be sure to apply liberally, separating your hair into sections to make it easier.
4. Straighten each section separately. If you want to know how to straighten hair like a pro, this step is key. By partitioning your hair into small sections and straightening each part in turn, rather than doing big sections in one go, you’re more likely to get salon results!

These are just a few quick and easy tips on how to straighten hair. Keep this guide to hand as you style away and give your locks the straightening treatment they deserve.

Guest post by Joanne Teixeira