Those with slightly wavy or slightly curly hair sometimes would like to straighten it, but without damaging it. In fact, caustic chemicals and hot plate can ruin them. Fortunately, there are numerous techniques that do not involve heat to obtain a smooth hair: they are ideal methods for not particularly wavy hair, while more defined curls usually require at least a little heat. This article will tell you how to prepare your hair to maximize the effects of straightening. In addition, he will show you ways to straighten them without heat and achieve a smooth and silky result with the hair dryer, while minimizing the damage typical of the process.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take Care of Your Hair
Step 1. Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo
To have straight and shiny hair (with or without heat), you need to start from a healthy base; this means that it is necessary to take care of them from the moment of washing. In fact, products are important, especially if you are going to put some stress on your hair or try to do a hairstyle that you generally don't realize, such as straight styling. In particular, wavy and curly hair tends to dry out easily, and the cuticle, which is the outermost layer, is often rougher.
- A moisturizing shampoo will help you to moisturize the shaft and cuticles for a smoother result, without frizz and broken hair.
- When choosing a moisturizing shampoo, read reviews online and look for products labeled with adjectives like "nourishing", "softening" and "moisturizing".
Step 2. Alternate between a protein-based conditioner and a moisturizer
The proteins contained in the conditioners create a protective film on the hair. It smooths the cuticles, and reduces frizz and the appearance of knots. In addition, the proteins penetrate the stem to smooth it out. In your specific case, you need both hydration and protein. The hair will therefore be elastic, that is, it will stretch without breaking, a fundamental indicator of their health. Consequently, you need to find a balance between these two characteristics.
- If you have curly, healthy hair, alternate between protein-based conditioners (containing wheat germ, keratin, silk, milk, collagen, or soy) and moisturizing conditioners.
- That said, if your hair is dry and frizzy to the touch, it's very supple but still breaks, looks dull when wet, the curls or hairdo won't hold for long, use a protein-based conditioner more often.
- Use a moisturizing conditioner more often if your hair breaks very easily, is brittle or has a straw-like texture, is inelastic (or not at all).
- When choosing products containing protein, look for adjectives such as "fortifying", "strengthening" and "repairing" on the packaging.
Step 3. Use the right nourishing conditioner when hair is damaged
If they are not in good condition, you should use a deeply nourishing treatment once a week. Make sure you choose a moisturizing or protein-containing product based on the specific condition of your hair.
- If you are looking for a nourishing conditioner, stay away from products containing silicones. They seal the stem and give a semblance of hydration, but in the long run they dry it out.
- Instead, choose a nourishing conditioner that contains oils such as argan, jojoba and castor oils, vitamin E, shea and cocoa butter.
- Do you need to choose a protein-based nourishing conditioner? Prefer a product containing an oil such as coconut, sweet almond or avocado, panthenol, keratin, amino acids, or ceramides.
- You can also make a natural straightening mask by mixing 250ml of whole or coconut milk with 1 tablespoon of honey. Massage it into your hair and leave it on for an hour before rinsing it off.
Step 4. Do not rub wet hair with a towel
This vigorous movement causes friction, resulting in the cuticles becoming wrinkled, and not staying straight and smooth. In fact, flat and smooth cuticles equate to smoother and shinier hair. In addition, vigorous towel drying breaks the hair and causes split ends. Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Then, use a soft towel, t-shirt, or highly absorbent microfiber cloth to get more water out of your hair. First, squeeze them, then dab them down.
Step 5. Never brush your hair after washing it
When wet, cuticles swell and break much more easily than normal. Using the brush to detangle your hair after washing is quite harmful. On the other hand, you will have already noticed it by looking at all the hair that remains between the bristles; instead use a wide-toothed comb. Also, wait until your hair is damp, not wet, before using the brush to style it.
Method 2 of 3: Straighten Hair without Heat
Step 1. Use the hair dryer on a cold temperature
When you think about drying and / or ironing, you probably associate the hair dryer with heat. However, it is possible to dry the hair with a blast of cold air. Do you have normal or thin hair? After shampooing and applying conditioner, gently mist an anti-frizz, smoothing, silky spray that is free of oils or silicones (often found in products that promise shine). If your hair is thicker, rather wavy or curly, use a coin-sized dose of straightening cream or lotion.
- While drying them in the cold temperature, use tongs to work them in sections and direct the air stream downwards to keep the cuticles flat. Gently detangle them with a wide or medium tooth comb from root to tip. Grab them by the tips and keep them taut for several seconds.
- Finally, for normal or fine hair, finish with an anti-frizz or smoothing finish spray that is free of silicones or oils, or use a light hold hairspray. For thicker hair, use a pea-sized dose of finishing serum or a drop of argan oil.
- Before choosing these products, read online reviews and prefer those whose labels indicate words like "anti-frizz", "silky", "smoothing", "no heat" and "no plate".
Step 2. Comb your hair until completely dry
If you have chosen this method, you can make it more effective by combing your hair at intervals during the procedure. Wash them and apply conditioner. Then apply an anti-frizz, smoothing or silky spray, cream or lotion of your choice. Use a comb to distribute the product evenly and untangle the knots. Let them air dry, but comb them every 2-3 minutes; for best results, you may want to use a medium-toothed comb. When you comb them, start at the roots and work your way down, grabbing each strand by the tip and holding it up for several seconds to help straighten.
- Instead of a spray, serum or finishing oil, try using a boar bristle or mixed brush (nylon and boar bristles). Brush your hair from root to tip when dry. The boar bristle brush collects the natural sebum at the roots and distributes it along the lengths to give a natural shine.
- Before drying, you can skip the use of sprays and serums, as long as you brush your hair sufficiently with a natural bristle brush. Incidentally, when the bristles are weighed down by products, they don't work particularly well.
- However, if you decide to use products, you can clean the bristles and use this type of brush in combination with any other ironing method.
Step 3. Use curlers to straighten your hair
After shampooing and applying conditioner, squeeze the excess water out of your hair and pat it dry. Apply an anti-frizz, smoothing, or silky spray, lotion or cream. Make the row following the natural one: you will get two sections. Next, divide each of these strands into 2-3 more parts, depending on how thick your hair is. Roll each strand onto a curler with a diameter similar to that of a can, and secure it tightly with large pliers. Let the hair dry completely in the air, otherwise the curls or waves will return.
- Remove one curler at a time, misting each strand with an anti-frizz, silky or straightening finishing spray as you go. Afterwards, untangle them well with a wide-toothed comb.
- Alternatively, you can take out all the curlers, comb your hair and then, if it's thick, use a finishing spray or serum.
Step 4. Wrap and fix wet hair to straighten it
After preparing your hair, gather it on one side and part it naturally. With one hand, grab a section about 3 to 5 cm wide next to your temple. Use a medium-toothed comb to comb and straighten the hair towards the crown of the head; secure them with a hairpin. Then, take another strand under the first one, comb it and smooth it upwards, so that it slightly overlaps the first; fix this too. Proceed by moving down and to the back of your head. On the other side, start next to the temple, but instead of combing each strand up, you need to wrap it around the back of the head and secure it with a bobby pin on both the back and front.
- Once you are done, all the hair will be gathered creating a sort of circular pattern around the head.
- If you have unruly locks, secure them separately with a bobby pin. As for the fringe, try to tuck it into one of the sections so that when it dries you can move it in the direction you want.
- Wrap your hair with a silk scarf or microfiber cap, available in perfumery. You can wear it to go to bed or while you wait for your hair to air dry completely.
- Once your hair is dry, remove the bobby pins, comb them and secure them with a finishing spray, low-hold hairspray or serum.
Step 5. Wrap and secure just two strands of wet hair
Prepare your hair and part it naturally. Use a medium-toothed comb; start on one side of the head and grab a fairly large lock next to the temple, in the ear area. Comb it and smooth it around the head, then secure it at the nape of the neck with a bobby pin or pliers. Do the same process on the other side. Now, you will have two strands of hair on the back; grab them with your hands and cross them. Then, use the comb to bring one strand underneath at a time around and to the top of the head, making sure to smooth with the comb as you go. Secure them individually with a bobby pin or pliers.
Wrap your hair tightly in a cap; stick your finger in and remove the pliers or bobby pins. Wait for them to dry
Step 6. Create ponytails for a smooth result
Rubber bands can be used in a variety of ways to straighten hair without heat. For the first method, after preparing the hair, divide it into two parts. Use the rubber bands to create two low ponytails. Add more rubber bands about every 3 cm along each ponytail in order to secure it better. All the rubber bands, even the ones used to initially create the tails, should be soft, so when the hair dries it will not leave marks. With the second method, use a rubber band to create a fairly soft ponytail. Twist it like a string, wrap it around itself to create a bun, then secure it with another rubber band. Both methods allow you to let them dry in the air or overnight.
- You can also use a scarf or cap to keep your hair in place while you sleep.
- After brushing your hair, apply a finishing spray, serum or oil. Alternatively, give it a try with a boar bristle brush.
Method 3 of 3: Use the Hair Dryer
Step 1. Get a good hair dryer
There is no need to go around it: unfortunately the heat is harmful to the hair. The key is to minimize the damage. First of all, it is essential to use quality washing and hydration products. Secondly, it is good to choose valid styling equipment. In addition to the classic hairdryer, there are numerous models on the market. Those made of ceramic emit infrared heat that is distributed evenly, making it less harmful. Those with ions, which release negative ions to break water molecules and flatten the hair cuticles, reduce frizz and guarantee shine. Those with tourmaline emit infrared heat and release negative ions; they also close the cuticles, giving a smoother result and less frizz.
- To make the styling smooth with the hairdryer, the hair will be subjected to a lot of heat, especially if it is long, thick or quite curly. At a minimum, you should get yourself a 1300-1875 watt ceramic hair dryer with multiple heat and speed configurations, plus the cool button.
- If you plan on straightening your hair often enough, you should seriously consider investing in a ceramic ion or ceramic and tourmaline hair dryer. Read online reviews to get a better idea of what would be best for your hair and needs.
- You'll also get much better results if you buy a hair dryer with a narrow nozzle, or one that is compatible with these accessories sold separately. This allows you to direct the jet directly on the section of hair that you need to dry, which helps to create volume at the roots when you lift them with the brush. Plus, it allows you to straighten them, because the locks won't flutter everywhere.
Step 2. Memorize the basics of ironing with the hairdryer
First, always point the hair dryer down. In this way, the hair cuticle appears flat, so the hair will be more silky, smooth and shiny. Secondly, with this method, you take advantage of the tension: make sure you pull the brush firmly through the hair, so, as the nozzle of the blow dryer follows it, they are kept straight as they come into contact with the heat. Next, learn how to use the cool button. While the heat helps to make the styling, the cold air sets them. Once you have finished drying one section, fix it with a blast of cold air for a few seconds before moving on to the next.
- Also, if the bathroom is damp, style your hair in another room. As you well know, heat and humidity are sworn enemies of straight and silky hair.
- If you have stubborn stubborn tufts or tufts that go off on their own, make sure they are completely wet; hold them flat with a brush and direct a blast of hot air towards them for 5-7 seconds. Then, use the cold air for approximately 10 seconds to fix them.
Step 3. Prepare your hair
Wash them well and apply conditioner before wringing out any excess water. Then, use a towel or microfiber cloth to wipe off the excess water and pat it down. Detangle them carefully with a wide-toothed comb, making sure not to break them in the knot areas. If they're normal or thin, apply an anti-frizz, smoothing, or silky spray. If they are thicker, use a lotion, cream, or serum.
- Also, since you will be damaging them from the heat, you need to minimize the problem by using a deeply nourishing conditioner 1-2 times a week. This depends on how often you smooth them and the extent of the damage.
- In general, if the strands are finer, your hair needs more protein, so look for a nourishing conditioner that is fortifying, strengthening, repairing and so on.
- If you have thicker hair, you need more hydration, so look for an emollient and nourishing product.
- If your hair is damaged, you need a deeply nourishing, protein-based conditioner.
Step 4. Apply a thermal protector
Avoid one of the most common mistakes made during styling. In fact, you should apply a product that minimizes damage to the hair cuticles and reduces excessive dryness of the shaft caused by heat. After washing your hair and applying conditioner, you should always use a heat protector. It is available in the form of sprays, lotions, creams and serums. The most effective ones are based on silicones, but they also tend to weigh down thinner hair. Some are water based and use polymers to form a film around each strand. Then there are others based on oil, which are not recommended for fine hair or which tend to gain weight quickly. Certain formulations contain several of these ingredients.
Whichever product you choose, avoid applying too much as it builds up on your hair
Step 5. Dry your hair 80% before using a brush
As long as they have not reached this percentage of dryness, they will not maintain any styling, not even the smooth one. This allows you to avoid a lot of damage, because you start from a place where you don't need the heat at all, or hardly any. You can wrap them in a towel, let them air dry for a couple of hours, or use a hair dryer at warm or cold temperatures. If you opt for the latter method, flip your head forward and massage the roots while drying them with warm air. Then, when you bring the garment back vertically, use a wide-toothed comb to gently untangle them. Direct the jet of air downwards, set a cold or lukewarm temperature until they are 80% dry.
Step 6. Part your hair into sections
This method saves you time, helps you create volume and ensures that all of your hair will dry completely so it won't start to curl and wrinkle afterwards. Never randomly grab the strands of hair and start drying them. Start by gathering the hair on the top of your head, from ear to ear. Secure the back with pliers. Then, divide the top section into two sections along the natural line and pin them to the sides. If your hair is particularly thick, you can also divide the back into two parts.
Step 7. Dry the bangs first
Generally, the hair is shorter on the front and sides. Consequently, you need to use a smaller round brush for these areas. Start with the bangs because it dries faster, and at that point it can be very difficult to straighten it without the help of a straightener. Use the brush by rolling it under the fringe, direct the jet of air from the roots to the tips. If necessary, pin it to the side as you work on the rest of the hair.
Step 8. Next, work on the top of the garment and the sides
Now, use a smaller brush to separate a section of about 3-5 cm next to the temple. Dry it by rolling the brush up and back, away from the hairline. Make sure that enough tension builds up as you turn the brush, so your hair is taut - but not so tight that it breaks. You also need to make sure you set the hair dryer to a lukewarm temperature and point it backwards (away from your face), not forward. Then, grab the lock with the brush and run it over with the cold jet to fix it. Switch to another strand.
- Once this side is finished, melt the other side and start drying it. If your hair starts to dry, spray it with tap water.
- For longer hair sections, use a larger round brush. Just like with shampoo and conditioner, brushes are also important, especially since the hair will not be completely dry, therefore more prone to breaking.
- Stay away from brushes with metal bristles, as they tear and break the hair. Prefer ceramic or tourmaline ones, which allow you to evenly distribute the heat. Those made of nylon or a mixture of nylon and boar bristles help to smooth the hair.
Step 9. Dry the back of the hair
First, loosen about a third of the bottom of the hair you pinned to the back. Then, divide the section into two smaller parts: one on the right and one on the left. Attach them to the side. Use a larger round brush to separate a section about 5 to 8 cm wide and roll the brush up and away from the head, from roots to ends. Make sure the hair dryer is facing down, then turn it back on at a cold temperature. Continue until the section is dry. Switch to the other side. Next, untie the middle third and repeat the procedure. Finally, loosen the upper third, again working one half at a time.
Step 10. Brush and finish
If you are sure your hair is completely dry, brush it gently. Then, if you have normal or thin hair, spray a light hold moisture-wicking hairspray on the top and bottom to control frizz. If they are thicker or thicker, just use a little smoothing cream or lotion, or argan oil, to close the ends. Try not to touch them too much, as this causes friction, which creates frizz. To make styling last longer and to reduce heat usage, use a dry shampoo from time to time.
