Difference between revisions of "Straighten Thick Hair"

[[Category: Straight Hair]]

#Wash and condition your hair. Straightening works best when you start with clean, well-nourished hair. Wash with a gentle shampoo to avoid stripping your hair before you use heat on it and make it more prone to damage. To ensure that your hair is properly hydrated, follow up with a straightening conditioner. They typically contain moisturizing ingredients, such as argan oil, coconut water, and macadamia oil, that help smooth your hair.<ref name="rf1">http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/hair-care-problems-and-solutions/_/the-best-way-to-straighten-curly-frizzy-hair</ref>

#Towel dry your hair. When you’re done washing and conditioning your hair, use a towel to dry it until it’s only damp. Partially drying your hair before you blow dry means less time that you’ll have to use the heat on it, which is important when you’re going to be using a straightening iron.<ref name="rf1" />

#Apply a heat protectant. Heat can be very damaging to hair, so it’s important to protect your locks before you blow dry and straighten them. A heat protectant product coats the hair so it doesn’t burn as easily and dry out. You can find heat protectant sprays and lotions, but creams typically work best for thick hair.<ref name="rf2">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/flat-iron-tips_n_1316212.html</ref>

#Blow dry with a round brush. Thick hair usually requires a little extra work to straighten, so it helps to blow dry it first. For the smoothest hair, though, use a round bristle brush as you dry your locks. Work the brush through your hair to pull it as straight as possible so you won’t need the straightening iron to do as much work. Make sure your hair is completely dry before reaching for the straightening iron.<ref name="rf1" />

#Get the size right. Straightening or flat irons come with plates in a variety of sizes. Typically, the thicker that your hair is, the larger the plates you should use. For thick, coarse hair, your straightening iron should have 1- to 2-inch plates. That will allow you to cover a larger surface area in less time.<ref name="rf3">http://www.folica.com/hair-101/buying-guides/flat-iron-guide/</ref>

#Choose one with variable heat settings. Some straightening irons only come with low, medium, and high heat settings. However, it’s best to choose an iron that allows you to choose a precise temperature. That’s because you want to use the lowest amount of heat possible to straighten your hair, so it helps to be able to select a specific temperature setting.<ref name="rf4">http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/flat-iron-tips/p72602/page3</ref>

#Select the plate material carefully. The plates in a straightening iron can be made of several different types of material, and some do more damage to your hair than others. The best option for straightening thick hair are plates made of ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline because they heat more evenly so they don’t damage the hair as much. They also release negative ions that can help make your hair smoother and shinier.<ref name="rf5">http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/flat-iron-tips/p72612/page4</ref>

#Heat the iron. A straightening iron typically requires several minutes before it heats up to the right temperature. Plug your iron in, and adjust the heat settings according the instructions. Most irons will alert you when they’ve reached the proper temperature by either beeping or lighting up in a certain spot.<ref name="rf6">http://stylecaster.com/beauty/straightening-your-hair/</ref>

#Divide your hair in sections. When you’re straightening your hair, it’s best to work in small sections so you can be sure to smooth all of it. That’s especially true with thick hair, which tends to be more difficult to straighten. Start by dividing your hair in half and clipping the top section to your head. Divide the lower half into sections that are approximately 1- to 2-inches wide, depending on the size of your iron’s plates.<ref name="rf1" />

#Move the iron in a fluid motion. Starting approximately a half inch below the roots of your hair, quickly glide the straightening iron over each section of hair. Keep your pace steady, so the iron doesn’t linger in any one spot longer than another.<ref name="rf7">http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/flat-iron-tips/p72652/page8</ref>

#Get closer to the roots at the crown. For the sections of hair at the crown of your head, you need to adjust your straightening movements. Lift the sections away from your scalp so you can get the straightening iron as close to your roots as possible, and pull the iron outward from your head to get the smoothest finish.<ref name="rf7" />

#Apply a shine product. To finish off your straight style, you should apply a silicone-based shine product after you straighten your hair. For thick, coarse hair, a serum works best. Apply two to three drops to your palm, and work it between your hands. Lightly smooth it over the length of your hair to coat the strands so they catch the light.<ref name="rf1" />