A straight and sleek mane can make a big impression everywhere you go. It’s the kind of hairstyle that works with any outfit. Besides, it is rather flattering on all hair lengths. Do you desire sleek, straight hair? Well, you do not need to go to the salon and shell out big bucks to achieve that look; you can do it from the comfort of your home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to straighten your hair at home.
How to straighten your hair at home in 6 easy steps
Step 1: Prep the hair
The fact that a shampoo or conditioner is labeled a straightening or smoothing product does not mean it can straighten the hair. But, these products greatly help to prepare the hair for the task ahead. You need to have enough moisture in your lock so that it will lie flat after straightening, and this is what these smoothing hair products offer. So, to prepare your hair, wash with straightening shampoo. And moisturize with a conditioner. To ensure the conditioner penetrates deeply into your mane, use a paddle brush to comb it in.
Step 2: Rough-dry and detangle
The next thing to do after washing and conditioning is to dry your hair. This is an essential step as flat ironing wet hair can cause hair breakage. Gently pat with a towel to get rid of excess moisture. If you have curls, avoid rubbing the towel on your hair, as this might amplify your natural curls. When your mane is no longer dripping wet, you can then detangle it with a wide-tooth comb. Then rough-dry it with a blow-dryer. When rough-drying your mane, set it to a cool temperature so as not to expose your lock to too much heat. Once your hair is about 80% dry, leave it to air-dry.
Step 3: Apply thermal protectant
Now that your hair is dry or semi-dry, the next thing to do is to apply a thermal protectant to your mane. Why is this important? This product helps to protect your hair from any form of damage that can be caused by heat. There are different thermal protectants out there with diverse capacities. Some have the capacity of protecting the hair from the heat of up to 450 degrees. The type of protectant you go for is dependent on your preference. However, always avoid any oil-based thermal protectant. This is because you will be boiling the product into your hair follicles, and this can cause breakage or damage to the hair.
Step 4: Section your hair
Some people complain that flat ironing hair takes time. However, this is not so; the reason why some think it takes time is that they are not working in sections. If you just grab random pieces of hair, you might have to go over it again and again before it straightens. And this is not recommended because it exposes your mane to excess heat. So, to make straightening easy, you should section your hair into smaller pieces. To section into two, part your hair in the middle. Use the bridge of your nose as a guide to locate the middle of your mane. Then you can start splitting out smaller pieces as you progress. But, if your hair is thick, you can decide to part it into four pieces.
Step 5: Set the temperature of the flat iron and start straightening your hair.
Now it’s time for the main task, which is straightening your hair. Put on your straightener and set it to the right temperature. The temperature guide for fine hair differs from that of thick mane. Besides, the fact that you have applied a thermal protectant does not mean you should expose your hair to too much heat. If the heat is too much, it will damage your hair even with the presence of the protectant. Once you notice the heat is too much for your hair, reduce the temperature. This is why your hair straightener should have adjustable temperature settings.
Grab a piece of your hair, clamp the straightener at the root, then gently glide it down to the tip of your mane. You can pass the straightener over that piece two more times, then move to another section. Continue doing this till you cover the whole area of your head.
Pro tip: Do not apply too much tension when you clamp the flat iron on your mane. If the tension is too much, you might just find your hair coming off.
Step 6: Spray and style
Once you finish straightening your hair, allow it to cool, then spray. If you want to reduce frizz and make your hair shiny, then stay away from silicone-based finishing products. After spraying, you can now style it to get your desired look. And that is the simple guide on how to straighten your hair at home.
Related: Can you straighten your hair after dyeing it?
5 best hair straighteners to straighten your hair at home.
You need to invest in good hair straighteners to achieve the best results when straightening your hair at home. Here are some recommended flat irons.
1. Dyson Corrale
This rechargeable flat iron is made of manganese copper alloy plates. These plates have a smart heat management system that modifies the heat to the type and texture of hair. It has three heat settings and its plate width is 1.5 inches. Because it is rechargeable, it is cordless, thus making it easy for you to use at any angle. You only need to charge it after 30 minutes of use.
2. GHD Platinum + 1-Inch Styler
This straightener is made of ceramic and has one heat setting. The temperature is set at 365 degrees. This makes it suitable for any type of hair. It heats up fast but does not get hot to the extent of damaging the hair. Besides, it goes off automatically if you leave it on without using it for about 30 minutes.
3. Babyliss Pro NaNo Titanium Hair Straightener
This flat iron is seen as a great investment because it lasts longer. Its plate of 2 inches is made of titanium. Because of the wideness of the plate, you can use it on a large portion of hair. It heats up to 450 degrees, thus making it suitable for thick and naturally curly hair.
4. CHI Original 1-inch Digital Ceramic Iron
This 1-inch tourmaline-infused ceramic straightener is an excellent one. It’s a good straightener that’s cost-effective and gives the hair a lovely finish. It takes seconds to reach the maximum heat of 425 degrees. Besides, it goes off automatically after an hour of inactivity. Its sleek form also makes straightening, curling, and waves a breeze.
5. T3 Singlepass X Straightening Iron
This straightener is a gem for those with a thick or coarse mane. Its plate is made of ceramic, and it has up to five heat settings. This straightener keeps the heat constant during styling. This enables you to straighten your hair in a single pass (it really lives up to its name). Thus, it helps you to work fast even on very coarse tresses. Another great thing about this straightener is that it saves your temperature settings for next time.
Don’t like what you see? Visit hairstraightenerlab.com to choose from an extensive list of hair straighteners.
Final Thoughts
Straightening hair at home is quite easy. But without knowing the right tools and techniques, you might find it a bit tricky. Follow the step-by-step guide in this article, and you will be on your way to getting sleek, straight hair.
