How often do you straighten your hair? Every day? Two or three times a week? Many of us use a flat iron or hair straightener to achieve sleek and sexy hair. This can look seriously gorgeous – but it can also be hard on our hair. To make sure your hair is healthy, strong, and beautiful, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind.
It’s time to achieve stunning straight hair the right way. That means long-lasting style without all of that annoying hair damage. Are you ready to get started? Here are our hair straightening tips for unforgettable healthy hair.
Tip #1: Think About Your Flat Iron
Not all flat irons are created equally. Know those cheap hair straighteners you can pick up at the drugstore? The no-name brand ones that cost less than twenty bucks? Ditch them! They won’t do your hair any favors. A quality flat iron on the other hand, will give your hair the look you crave without causing a ton of heat damage. Plus, a good quality straightener can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. For the best results, choose one with ceramic plates (like the BaByliss Pro Ceramic Tools Flat Iron) so the heat is evenly distributed. It will give you healthy hair day after day!
Something else to think about? The size of your hair straightener. The thickness and length that you choose should depend entirely on your hair type. If you have short or fine hair, look for a flat iron with plates that are half an inch to one inch in thickness. For longer or thicker hair, choose a flat iron with wider plates.
Tip #2: Find The Right Heat Setting For Your Hair
Having a great hair straightener isn’t enough to give you gorgeous, healthy hair. You’ll also need to think about the temperature. Many straighteners go up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit – but that doesn’t mean you should crank it up! A straightener that is too hot is the easiest way to make your hair look frizzy and fried. For hair that looks and feels beautiful, start at a lower temperature and increase if necessary.
How will you know what the right heat setting is for your hair? Fine hair, thin hair, hair that has been damaged, and hair that has been color treated should be ironed at a lower setting. Aim to stay below 300 degrees. Normal hair can stay in the 300-350 range. If you have thick or curly hair, you’ll want to keep the temperature around 350-400 degrees.
Tip #3: Prepare Your Hair With The Right Products
The only way to have healthy hair – and super straight locks – is to make sure you are using the right products. When you’re in the shower, reach for products that add smoothness to your hair. The Smooth Sexy Hair Sulfate-Free Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner are great examples. They work to prevent frizz – which is always a good thing! That leaves you with softer, smoother hair that is less likely to become damaged during the straightening process.
It’s not just your shampoo and conditioner that you’ll need to think about. The ultimate hair straightening product you can use is a heat protectant. This protects your hair by giving it plenty of moisture. That in turn prevents dryness, frizz and breakage. To apply properly, spray your AG Hair Firewall Argan Flat Iron Spray evenly through the length of your hair. Hold the can about six inches away and remember to spray the product on dry hair. After you’ve finished straightening, be sure to use a finishing spray or some hairspray to lock in your style. With the right products on your side, your hair will be healthy, smooth, and straight.
Tip #4: Use The Right Straightening Technique
It’s all in the wrist! Okay, maybe not, but there is something to be said about proper hair straightening techniques. Have you ever tried to straighten huge chunks of hair only to find it doesn’t work all that well? Then you go over that same section again and again, desperately trying to make it straight. Guess what? That is one simple way to snag dry and damaged hair.
Focus on using the proper technique instead. You’ll want to go through and straighten your hair in mid-sized sections. They should be between 1 and 2 inches wide and less than half an inch thick. Paying attention to the size will straighten your hair faster– and prevent pesky heat damage as well. Another technique to help you achieve enviable hair? Start straightening an inch or so away from your roots. This will give you the straight style you crave, without leaving your hair looking flat and limp.
Straight hair can look chic and fashion forward or fun and flirty. However you wear it, make sure you’re always protecting your hair from damage. With these hair straightening tips at your disposal, healthy hair is in your future!
