Do you believe that you can wake up to straight hair all the time? This is simply one of those urban myths regarding hair that some actually believe in. Even though you have long, straight hair, you will be hard pressed to count the number of times you woke up with hair that is frizz free. Sooner or later, you will need to use a styling tool to achieve your desired hair style. Straightening one’s hair may appear easy because you have a flat iron to do the work. Unfortunately, there are those who still make huge mistakes when it comes to using this styling tool that they end up with burnt hair afterwards. So how can you straighten your hair like a pro? Here are a few tips to consider.
Prepare your hair
First things first, no matter what shampoo or conditioner you apply on your hair in the shower, it won’t give you straight hair afterwards. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to prep your hair for the straightening routine you have planned for it. Look for a shampoo that has smoothing properties because it will help give plenty of moisture to your hair later on.
Apply heat protection serum on your hair
It’s important that you prep your hair prior to using your hair straightening tool. Since you will subject your hair to intense heat, you need to provide protection to your hair strands. This is where a heat protection serum can work in your favor. Apply some on your hair all the way towards the end, steering clear of the roots. Your hair must be dry when you apply your heat protection.
See to it that your hair is bone dry
One of the most common mistakes that we make when straightening our hair with a flat iron is that we can’t wait for our hair to dry completely. Unfortunately, using your flat iron on a still-damp-hair can actually damage the cuticles and fry your hair strands. Sometimes, the product that you applied prior to straightening your hair can be the culprit so make sure that you check the hair products that you are using. If your hair steamed or you heard a sizzling sound, stop what you are doing and assess the situation.
Section your hair
It doesn’t matter whether you have short, medium, or long hair, you will need to section your hair in order to straighten your mane properly. Use bobby pins, clips, hair ties, anything that will help you section your hair easily. This way, you will know which area you need to work on and the end result will be a properly straightened hair.
Pay attention to the temperature
Another way for you to straighten your hair like a professional is to make sure that the flat iron is heated to the right temperature. Cranking your styling tool to the highest number when your hair is thin or fine can actually damage it. The high temperature is usually reserved for those who have coarse or thick hair. Those who have fine or colored hair should keep the temperature of their flat iron to 300 to 350 degrees only.
Just glide the flat iron
When ironing your hair, make sure that you glide the tool from the top all the way to the bottom to avoid burning your hair strands. The plates should be moving as much as possible for an even finish.
With these tips in mind, you will be able to straighten your hair out evenly. Just make sure that your hair is completely dry before you straighten it to avoid damaging your hair further.
