If you're anything like us, your straightener is your lifeline. When our hair is down, chances are we ran a straightener through it that morning. These tips are must-knows if you use a straightener, even if just on rare occasions. Save time and your hair!
First figure out what size straightener best fits your hair type.
If you have a short pixie cut you should probably only us a flat iron that's a 1/2 inch wide. Short, fine hair should use a 1 inch flat iron, shoulder length medium-thick hair should use a 1 1/4 inch flat iron and for thick hair, longer than the shoulders you should use a flat iron that's 1 1/2 inches. If your hair is very long and thick however, you could even use a flat iron that's 2 inches.
Make sure to keep the heat below 365 degrees.
Hair actually burns at the same temperature as paper, 451 degrees. For this reason, you don't want to have your straightener near that temperature. Keep your straightener below 365 degrees, and 300-325 for fine hair, to make sure you aren't burning it.
A heat protectant spray is a must before straightening your hair.
Straightening your hair can cause damage and breakage due to the extreme heat. By putting a heat protectant product on your hair while it's damp, it'll create a layer between your hair and the flat iron for protection.
You can create volume in your hair with your straightener.
Sometimes straightening your hair can just make it way too flat. To create a little volume, flat iron your hair towards the ceiling when you get to the crown.
Crimping is as easy as one, two, three.
This simple trick allows you to crimp your hair in three easy steps. Simply braid your hair into a few tight braids, flat iron the braids, then pull the braids out for the perfect crimp. If you want loose beach waves, braid your hair into one loose braid and straighten it.
Rid your hair of any unwanted cowlicks.
Ugh, cowlicks are the worst. They tend to stick up and stay there forever. To solve this problem, use a thermal brush at the roots of your hair when straightening. It will help flatten out the cowlick and prevent it from sticking up.
Using a thermal brush also creates a ton of volume.
And who doesn't love volume?!
You can also use a straightener to curl your hair.
By simply twisting your hair around the straightener, you'll create loose curls in no time. You'll love the relaxed waves look.
Or you can go for those beachy waves.
For even looser waves, you can go for the beachy look. Starting near the roots, clamp the flat iron and twist under towards your chin. Hold in place for a few seconds and unclamp. Move down to the next small section, clamp the flat iron and twist up in the opposite direction. Repeat this pattern all the way down the strand.
Listen for the sizzle.
If you see steam or hearing a sizzling sound, stop. The steam comes from straightening your hair while it's still wet, which is never a good idea. If you know your hair is dry and it's still sizzling and steaming, chances are it's caused by the products you're using. When you put products on dry hair and straighten it, there's no where for that product to go. Clamping down on the hair essentially fuses the product to the hair. Unless specified on the bottle, always put product on wet or damp hair.
Create tension first.
Going over the same section of hair a few times may not be necessary. Create tension first by pulling the strand, then straighten the piece. This will help the process immensely.
Pick the right finishing product.
When you have finished straightening your hair, all you need is a finishing product to keep the frizz and curls away. The best thing to use is a light hold hairspray. First, wait for your hair to cool down and then spritz a comb with the hairspray and run it through your hair. This will provide even coverage and protection.
Always, always, always section.
Just randomly straightening tuffs of hair will take forever. Save yourself time and effort by first sectioning off your hair. You can create just two sections, one on the right and one on the left, or if you have thicker hair you can divide it into four sections.
Put a holster in your bathroom for easy storage.
This straightener holster can hold your straightener while you're sectioning off your hair or once you're done. It'll get rid of the tangled mess of cords and help you not knock your straightener off the counter.
Keep you skin protected.
Accidentally clamping your ears with the straightener is the absolute worst! These handy ear covers will keep your ears protected while straightening, because let's be honest, we've all burned ourselves a time or two.
Store your flat iron tight when traveling.
Traveling with a hot flat iron is the worst. To keep the heat contained, make a case for your straightener out of a pot holder.
Always keep your flat iron clean.
The blades of a flat iron are bound to get some build up. Between shampoos and products, they've experienced it all. To clean off the blades, use a wash cloth and some rubbing alcohol. Make sure the straightener is off and completely cooled down!
It doubles as an iron.
If you're in a rush and need to iron out a collar real quick, just grab your straightener! It can double as an iron to get any unwanted wrinkles out.
Make sure to use a wide tooth comb.
Using a brush on your wet hair can cause breakage and frizz. No one wants that. A comb will prevent this from happening.
Give your hair a rest!
Don't straighten your hair every single day. The constant heat can be damaging and like yourself sometimes, your hair needs a break.