Urban legends abound in the beauty world. These are specific hair care myths and stories that get passed from woman to woman, generation to generation. They run the gamut, but consist of fanatical ideas women believe to be true like “split ends are reversible” and “pluck one grey hair and two will come to its funeral.” One of our personal favorite hair care fairytales is some women just wake up with naturally smooth and perfectly straight hair. Bull winkle. Sorry ladies, but we all have to work for the frizz-free sleek stylings we envy on models and celebrities like Jennifer Aniston.
Any woman with curly, wavy hair, heck even “straight” hair should know that to get hair super smooth, some heat styling is in order. It is slightly unfair, but true. If you have pretty straight hair already, you likely only need the assistance of a blow dryer to get a sleek look, but if your hair has texture and is thick or course, you’ll need the almighty flat iron to achieve stick straight strands. Fear not though, with the right hair care preparation, straightening tips, and responsible use, you don’t have to fry your hair for it to look fabulous.
Tip 1: Pick the right size flat iron
Flat irons are like clothes, they are not one-size fits all. The length and thickness of your hair should determine the size of your iron. The right size iron will be easier to maneuver, straighten your hair more efficiently, and decrease the risk of overheating and damaging hair.
For short, thick or fine hair: Use an iron with narrow plates ranging in size from half-an-inch to one-inch thick.
Tip 2: Select the right heat setting
Your hair texture and type should determine your heat setting. Most professionals use an iron with variable heat settings, but a drugstore iron (if you are on a tight budget) will work on some hair types as they are set to a higher, workable temperature and if the density of your hair is average, than you should be OK. If you do have the ability to purchase an iron with a variable heat setting, then do so. The more your iron caters to your specific hair needs, the less likely you will be to damage your hair.
For fine or damaged hair: 250-300 degrees
For medium/average hair: 300-350 degrees
For thick or coarse hair: 350-400 degrees
Tip 2: Select the right flat iron
Look for flat irons that use ceramic, tourmaline or titanium metals. They will heat more evenly causing less heat damage to your hair. They are the “gentlest on the hair” because they release negative ions which work to tighten the hair’s cuticle. This produces a shinier, healthier, less frizzy look and feel. On the flip side, be weary of irons that are ceramic ‘coated’ or Teflon ‘coated as they will heat a little more unevenly, and tend to have a more drying effect.
Tip 3: Prep hair properly
Once you’ve found the best iron for your hair, the next crucial step to straightening your strands like a pro is preparing your hair for the heat it’s about to undergo.
Tip 4: Get a super straight look
Step 1: Start by clipping your blow dried hair into manageable sections — the thicker your hair, the more sections you should create. Starting on the bottom half of your head, near the nape of your neck, grab a half-an-inch to two-inch section of hair.
Step 2: Starting half-an-inch down from your roots (this will help your hair maintain some volume), quickly smooth the iron down the hair shaft, making sure to move at a steady pace. Continue this until you have straightened the bottom and mid-sections of your head.
Step 3: For the final sections near the crown of your head, lift hair off your scalp and get the iron as close to your roots as possible, pressing firmly while drawing the iron straight outward from your head to achieve a flat, smooth finish.
Step 4: Mist with shine spray.
Tip 5: Get a voluminous straight look
For a fuller, more voluminous look — like the one seen here on Jennifer Aniston, you will want to hold the iron a bit differently. Iron from the mid-shaft to ends, still moving the iron straight out to the sides, lifting from the scalp. As a rule, do not drag the iron down when working, because it tends to put creases in the [hair] if you are going against the growth pattern. For added flip, twist your wrist slightly away from your face once you’ve reached the end of a straightened section for a bit of bounce. Mist with a shine spray or flexible hold hairspray.
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