If you are going to wash your hair right before straightening it, consider washing and conditioning your hair with products that contain smoothing agents, such as argan. [2] X Research source This will help prepare your hair for straightening better than regular shampoo and conditioner. Try to avoid shampoo that contains harsh chemicals such as sulfates or parabens, as these can damage your hair. [3] X Expert Source Christine GeorgeMaster Hair Stylist & Colorist Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
Be patient but gentle. Get any knots out without pulling hard by starting at the bottom of your hair and working up the strands gradually, getting a few inches clear of knots at a time.
Make sure that you only squeeze your hair. Do not wring out or rub your hair with the microfiber towel or t-shirt because this can also lead to frizz.
Avoid water-based moisturizers, which are also called humectants. They can make your hair become wavy or curly again. Be sure to massage the oil into the bottom half of your hair. This part of your hair has less natural oil to protect it.
Start at the front of your hair and work your way towards the back. Brush one half of your hair over to the side and behind your ear. Brush the remainder of this section of hair around the back of your neck and over the opposite shoulder.
Hold the base of this section of hair close to your head using your palm so that it is flat. This will prevent a bump or wave from forming at the base of the comb over. Comb the ends of this section around the back of your ear and around the back of the neck. Work in small sections until all of your hair is combed over and around your ear and neck. [9] X Research source
This is the key to getting straighter hair. Having the hair lay tight and flat over your head will keep it straight. Make sure you hold the top of your hair down with your palm as you do so to prevent bumps from forming.
Comb the bottom half of your hair over the top of your head and secure it with the duck bill clip. Smooth it continuously with a bristle brush to keep the sections blended.
Wet hair is easier to comb out and to straighten.
Don’t use regular, uncovered rubber bands to fasten the ponytails. These can get caught in the hair and cause tangles. Avoid elastic hair bands that have metal pieces in them because these can pull out your hair. Gently comb out the bottom part of each ponytail again.
Remember, you don’t want any bumps or indentations in the hair when you remove them. Once again, make sure the hair elastics aren’t tightened too much.
Avoid getting your hair damp, as this will cause it to curl again. If you need to add moisture to your hair, try an oil such as tea-tree or argan oil.
If you use a smoothing serum before blow drying or flat ironing your hair, you can use the same one at bedtime. Just as the serum will protect your hair from the heat of the iron or dryer, it should help protect your hair from the heat and moisture produced on your head while you sleep.
You will need to be strategic about which sections to flatten out first, as you want to build around your head, pinning layers flat on top of other layers.
If you don’t have a hair wrap, you can use an old pair of nylons instead. [18] X Research source Slid the waistband around your head gently,
Apply styling products as you normally would, for instance adding hair oil to give your hair a bit of shine. [19] X Research source
