Straighten Up, Curly!

Most young women today would laugh at the trouble their mothers went through to straighten their hair back in the "good old days." With no specialty tools available at the time, women had to use things like a clothing iron to get the look they desired. Dangerous and damaging to hair, women of that era saw no other option.

Today there are appliances and products to ease the transition from curls to straight.

Going Straight

Achieving straight hair is not a simple task, especially if your hair is extremely curly. With thick or long curly hair, it can take hours to get the look you want.

This is certainly not a quick style change to try before a first date.

But it is definitely possible. However, there are a few steps you can take to make the whole process easier.

The Process

Begin by washing and conditioning your hair. Use a deep conditioner because straightening hair can leave it dry and damaged. Towel-dry your hair and apply a straightening gel. The gel will help prep your hair for the process. Allow your hair to partially air dry before bringing out the hair dryer.

Pin the top portions of your hair up on top of your head. Work just 1 section of your hair at a time. After pinning, use a brush (flat paddle or round) to pull a small section of hair straight while drying it with your hair dryer.

Repeat this process, section by section, until all of your hair is dry.

If your hair is very curly, you will probably see some frizz. Don’t worry; this will go away after the process is finished.

You are now prepped and ready to straighten.

The Tool

The best tool for straightening curly hair is called a flat iron. These appliances come in several different widths. The best for our purpose is 1 ½ inches wide, even for long hair. This size is easier to work with and provides better control than the larger models.

Most flat irons have multiple temperature settings. Different hair types respond to heat uniquely, so you will have to experiment. Until you know for sure, start with the lowest setting and work your way up in temperature until you get the results you want..

You can find one at most drug stores or beauty shops. Your stylist can recommend brands. You want a ceramic model for stubborn curly hair. Prices range from $30 to $200. Don’t splurge on the most expensive flat iron at first. Sometimes the cheaper models work just as well.

The most important key to straightening success is to prep your hair well. With well prepped hair, any reputable flat iron should give you a smooth and frizz-free look.