Everything You Need to Know About Straightening Curly Hair

Everything You Need to Know About Straightening Curly Hair

We love voluminous, bouncy natural curls, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up! Whether you’re getting ready for a big event or just want to switch up your look, sleek, straight hair can be a fun way to go. To get that shiny, straight finish on curly hair, you’ll need the right products, tools, and techniques.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to straightening curly hair while keeping it healthy and making the look last longer.

Start With a Clean Slate

Before you reach for the flat iron, start with clean hair. Washing removes product buildup, sweat, and oils that can weigh down your hair or cause it to fry under heat. Use a shampoo and conditioner that smooth your hair and prep it for heat styling. Check out our blog talking about hair detox.

Prepping for Straightening

Once your hair is clean, it’s time to get it prepped for heat.

• Leave-In Conditioner: After washing, apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner while your hair is still damp. This locks in moisture, reduces breakage, and protects your strands during styling. Comb the product through your hair with a wide-tooth comb for even distribution.

Here are our two best picks for leave in conditioner: 

Milk Shake Leave In Conditioner

SuddzFX ColorFix Leave in Conditioner

Blow-Dry for a Smoother Finish

Blow-drying your hair before using a flat iron is key to reducing damage and creating a sleek finish. Here’s how to blow-dry curly hair super smooth:

• Focus on the Roots First: Start by using a high-quality round brush and apply lots of tension at the roots. Blow-dry your roots first to ensure they are completely dry, as damp roots can cause frizz and won’t hold the straightened style as long.

• Use Tension: As you blow-dry, pull the brush through your hair with firm tension. This tension helps smooth the hair and preps it for straightening. Always keep the blow-dryer nozzle angled downward to avoid roughing up the hair cuticle and causing frizz.

• Move to the Ends: Once your roots are dry, use the brush to pull the mid-lengths and ends smooth. Continue applying tension as you dry, focusing on one small section at a time. For best results, use a nozzle attachment on your blow-dryer to direct the heat more precisely.

Pro tip: Use a boar bristle brush to gain better tension, while retaining a smooth and shiny result.

Apply Heat Protectant

Before you start straightening, spray your hair with heat protectant. This creates a barrier between your strands and the heat, helping reduce damage and keeping your hair healthier in the long run. Apply it evenly throughout your hair or section by section if you have thicker hair. One of the best heat protectants esepecially for curly hair is the Color Wow Dream Coat. Check out Chris Appleoton using the Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair. Watch it here. This can be used to define curls, or to prep your blowdry! 

Straightening Time

Now that your hair is dry and prepped, it’s time to straighten:

• Section Your Hair: Clip up the top two-thirds of your hair, leaving the bottom section at the nape of your neck down. Working in sections ensures even straightening and less damage. Aligator clips are perfect for sectiooning curly hair. 

• Small Sections Are Key: Work with one-inch sections of hair at a time. Pull the section tight with one hand and glide the flat iron down the strand with the other, starting near the roots. If needed, repeat the process a few times until each section is sleek and smooth.

• Tension Is Your Friend: Just like with blow-drying, apply tension as you flat iron each section for a smoother, longer-lasting finish. Itll be an arm workout, but make sure you feel that tension

Touch-Ups

Once all your hair is straight, run your fingers through and check for missed spots. Straighten any sections that need a touch-up until you’re satisfied with your sleek new look.

Finishing Touches

Congrats, you’ve made it through the hard part! Now, seal the style with a few finishing touches:

• Add Shine: Rub a small amount of styling crème between your fingers and work it through your ends to add shine and tame any flyaways.

• Seal with Hairspray: Finish with a light mist of hairspray to lock in the style. Avoid using too much, as you want your hair to look sleek and smooth, not stiff.

For a full tutorial check out this amazing tutorial by Trulee Rodney here.

Tips for Making Your Style Last

To keep your sleek style looking fresh for days:

• Avoid Hair Ties: Freshly straightened hair is more prone to kinks, so avoid tying it up immediately after straightening.

• Dry Shampoo Is Your Best Friend: On day two or three, use dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil and keep your style looking fresh.

• Give Your Hair Breaks: Even if you use heat protectant, regular heat styling can dry out your hair. Give your hair breaks between straightening sessions and use regular moisturizing treatments to keep it healthy.

Summary

Straightening curly hair can be fun, and with the right techniques, you’ll have salon-worthy results every time. Blow-drying with tension before using a flat iron helps reduce damage and ensures a longer-lasting finish. Always use heat protectant, and take care of your hair with regular trims and moisturizing treatments. Now, go rock that sleek, shiny style!