Dreaming of pin-straight hair for your next night out but have no idea how to work a flatiron. Don’t worry, we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
- Proper Prep:
To start, wash your hair with your favorite smoothing shampoo and conditioner to add some major moisture. Then, generously spray a heat protectant from roots to tips on damp hair in order to prevent any unwanted damage. Try Living Proof Straight($29), a heat activated, straightening, styling spray that protects your hair up to 450 degrees. When finished, blow dry with a flat brush in order to get hair as straight as possible. Only straighten completely dry hair, as wet hair is weaker and more likely to break.
- Choose the Right Flatiron:
An iron with ceramic or tourmaline plates is essential for reducing the amount of damage done to your hair because they help to diffuse heat better. Also, when buying a straightener, consider your hair length. For longer hair, choose an iron with wider plates in order to cover more surface area, and vice versa for short hair. Willing to splurge? ghd Classic Styler ($185) leaves you with silky hair in the absolute quickest time possible. For something a bit more budget friendly, try the Remington T Studio Pink Silk 2” Straightener ($29.99), which is a great bang for your buck!
- Pick Your Heat Setting:
Choose a lower heat temperature for fine hair, since the thin strands won’t need super high temperatures to straighten out. Instead, opt for an iron with varying heat settings so both fine and course hair will benefit from the iron. Allow the flatiron to heat up fully before using on hair to avoid having to re-straighten sections.
- Section Hair:
Once hair is completely dry, section hair using hair clips. My favorite are Harry Josh Pro Tools Styling Clips($15). Leave a thin layer of hair out from the clips to begin straightening. Make sure the straightener is held tensely, not overly tight, but just enough to have a good grip on the hair. Starting at the nape of your neck, clamp your preheated flatiron on about 1-2 inches of your sectioned hair, at an inch away from your head (to help preserve volume at the root). Depending on the texture of your hair, you may need to run the flatiron through your hair a second time to fully straighten. Continue this process through each section of your hair.
- Add Shine Serum:
Finish with a small amount of shine serum, such as L’Oreal EverStyle Alcohol-Free Smooth & Shine Serum ($6.99), and focus on the ends of your hair for a boost of luster without oiling up the roots.
- Make It Last:
To make this look last into your second day (or night!), spray dry shampoo at your roots when you start to notice your hair getting greasy. Massage away any residue and comb through in order to absorb excess oil. Try Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk ($20) or BlowPro Dry Shampoo ($20).See, that wasn’t so hard!
