When it comes to straightening your hair only you know when you've achieved that feel and look that is perfect for you. Here I help you try and achieve this.
This short set of guidelines has been developed over years of working in a salon in the UK. Be sure to follow the steps carefully and try not to skip any steps or take short cuts. It's your hair and as the saying goes... "you're worth it"... I hope you find it useful!
Do check out the links at the bottom of the article if you need help choosing your own straighteners. It is very easy to get swamped with information when trying to choose whats best for you so finding a website with clear, concise and reliable information is really useful.
Pre Straightening
1. Use shampoo and conditioner: Before straightening the hair, it should be clean and conditioned. Finding a suitable shampoo for each hair type is important, as is finding a suitable conditioner. You may be used to using a 'leave-in' type of conditioner that can be applied after washing the hair. Alternatively, you may opt for a standard wash out version. Whats important is that the cleaner the hair before straightening, the shinier and healthier looking the final result will be.
2. Ensure the hair is dry: After washing and conditioning it, it should be thoroughly dried in order to maximise the iron's straightening potential. Leaving the hair to naturally dry over a period of time is acceptable, although blow-drying the hair is faster and more effective.
3. Ensure the hair is knot free: Once the hair has been dried, it should be thoroughly brushed. The smoother the hair is before working on it, the better the result achieved, so the hair should be totally knot free. Some may wish to use a de-tangling spray to aid this process.
4. Use heat-protecting products: Finally, before beginning to straighten the hair, heat-protecting products should be applied. Because the hair undergoes substantial heat exposure, strands are likely to become brittle and damaged, therefore resulting in split ends and dehydration. If hair is in poor condition it will look rough in texture and will not lay flat and could well create an undesired finished. Using serums or heat sprays will protect the hair from unnecessary damage and will aid the result of healthy looking, well straightened hair.
During The Straightening Process
5. Use the right equipment: Although working on healthy dry hair significantly improves the final results of straight hair, using the right equipment is just as important. A pair of straightening irons should be used that are both commendable and safe. Find an iron that is right for you, and care for the iron once you have purchased it i.e. clean it with a damp cloth between straightening sessions (ensure it has thoroughly cooled down before cleaning) to remove residue product left on the plates. A website with tips on choosing the right equipment is given at the end of this guide.
6. Select an appropriate temperature: Different hair types will require different temperatures; the thinner someone's hair is, the lower the temperature required to create straight hair. A suitable temperature should be used to avoid damage to the hair, and equally, to straighten the hair in the most efficient way.
7. Split the hair into sections: In order to create a 100% straightened head of hair, all hair must be targeted. The most efficient way of ensuring this is done is to split the hair into manageable sections. The smaller the section of hair worked on, the faster it will be straightened.
8. Use the irons slowly and firmly: Once the irons have been clamped onto a section of hair, they should be pulled slowly down the section, away from the root. The slower the irons are moved, the more contact they will have with the hair, therefore heating it more efficiently, to create a sleeker straighter look. The hair should not be clamped too hard (in case hairs break or get pulled out) or straightened too much, for it will cause damage.
This short set of guidelines has been developed over years of working in a salon in the UK. Be sure to follow the steps carefully and try not to skip any steps or take short cuts. It's your hair and as the saying goes... "you're worth it"... I hope you find it useful!
Do check out the links at the bottom of the article if you need help choosing your own straighteners. It is very easy to get swamped with information when trying to choose whats best for you so finding a website with clear, concise and reliable information is really useful.
Pre Straightening
1. Use shampoo and conditioner: Before straightening the hair, it should be clean and conditioned. Finding a suitable shampoo for each hair type is important, as is finding a suitable conditioner. You may be used to using a 'leave-in' type of conditioner that can be applied after washing the hair. Alternatively, you may opt for a standard wash out version. Whats important is that the cleaner the hair before straightening, the shinier and healthier looking the final result will be.
2. Ensure the hair is dry: After washing and conditioning it, it should be thoroughly dried in order to maximise the iron's straightening potential. Leaving the hair to naturally dry over a period of time is acceptable, although blow-drying the hair is faster and more effective.
3. Ensure the hair is knot free: Once the hair has been dried, it should be thoroughly brushed. The smoother the hair is before working on it, the better the result achieved, so the hair should be totally knot free. Some may wish to use a de-tangling spray to aid this process.
4. Use heat-protecting products: Finally, before beginning to straighten the hair, heat-protecting products should be applied. Because the hair undergoes substantial heat exposure, strands are likely to become brittle and damaged, therefore resulting in split ends and dehydration. If hair is in poor condition it will look rough in texture and will not lay flat and could well create an undesired finished. Using serums or heat sprays will protect the hair from unnecessary damage and will aid the result of healthy looking, well straightened hair.
During The Straightening Process
5. Use the right equipment: Although working on healthy dry hair significantly improves the final results of straight hair, using the right equipment is just as important. A pair of straightening irons should be used that are both commendable and safe. Find an iron that is right for you, and care for the iron once you have purchased it i.e. clean it with a damp cloth between straightening sessions (ensure it has thoroughly cooled down before cleaning) to remove residue product left on the plates. A website with tips on choosing the right equipment is given at the end of this guide.
6. Select an appropriate temperature: Different hair types will require different temperatures; the thinner someone's hair is, the lower the temperature required to create straight hair. A suitable temperature should be used to avoid damage to the hair, and equally, to straighten the hair in the most efficient way.
7. Split the hair into sections: In order to create a 100% straightened head of hair, all hair must be targeted. The most efficient way of ensuring this is done is to split the hair into manageable sections. The smaller the section of hair worked on, the faster it will be straightened.
8. Use the irons slowly and firmly: Once the irons have been clamped onto a section of hair, they should be pulled slowly down the section, away from the root. The slower the irons are moved, the more contact they will have with the hair, therefore heating it more efficiently, to create a sleeker straighter look. The hair should not be clamped too hard (in case hairs break or get pulled out) or straightened too much, for it will cause damage.
Thanks for sharing useful information. i would like to fallow you..
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