It may be a surprise, but it looks like the time has come to dig the flat iron out from under your bathroom sink and heat things up with straight hair. It comes up every so often as a topic of discussion, but this new version is by far the best. Models are appearing on the runway with a sharp part and locks brushed straight off the shoulders and sleeked down with hairspray. Hollywood is following suit and bringing the look to the red carpet, too. You can achieve the looks at home with a few tips and products.
When preparing to straighten your hair, wash all hair products out of it first. For extra shine, John Frieda’s Colour Refreshing Gloss ($12) should be applied to hair after conditioner, left for three minutes, then rinsed.
Hair has to be completely dry before using a flat iron in order to prevent frizzing and heat damage. Before blow-drying, apply Vidal Sassoon’s Pro Series Mega Firm Hold Gel ($5) to damp hair for a smooth look. An important part of the look is the…well, the part. Getting yours in place before blow drying will help train hair to fall in the right place.
A quality ceramic flat iron is the best choice for protecting your hair. The far infrared heat produced by this style of iron does not damage hair the way that cheaper versions do. Comb through your hair carefully to get all tangles out and then split into sections no wider than the size of your flat iron’s plate. Clips can help to keep your hair sections apart as you go.
One of the most common flat iron mistakes is to use too much hair at once. This can lead to uneven heating and styling. It can also mean you are heating the sections longer in order to straighten them. This is ineffective and can damage your hair and cause hair loss problem.
For the best effect, take a small section of hair and clamp it between the plates near the roots. Gently pull the iron the length of your hair in a quick and even movement so that the iron does not rest on any part of the hair for long.
Once your hair is smooth and straight, you will want to make sure it stays that way with just a touch of Oribe’s Rough Luxury Molding Wax ($35) on your hairline and crown. This will also boost your hair’s shine.
Alternately, you may choose Shu Uemura’s Nourishing Protective Oil ($69) to add the shine and then L’Oreal’s Elnett Hairspray ($12) for the hold, or an all-in-one shine and hold product like Aussie’s Dual Personality Hi Shine + Hi Hold ($4).
Next, you can follow the stars’ example by pairing your newly sleek look with a bold lipstick to show off your adventurous style. Always prepare lips for lipstick by exfoliating and moisturizing so lips are smooth and color goes on evenly.
This look is great for a night out on the town, but it is also a great daytime look that says you mean business. When you get all those second looks, you’ll be glad that straight hair is back.
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I’ve never been good with a hot iron, believe me I’ve tried. I have straightened hair that is maintained by a stylist. Guess I’m already in. Ha!
Elizabeth
Pretty nice iron..
Ummm… I can’t relate to this straight is back.. LOL I have curly tops! 🙂
I am excited it is back in style. Haven’t taken mine out in years.
Yaaaaay! I can be in fashion again. 😀 My hair is naturally flat as rain. 🙂
It is great to hear there are flat irons now that do not damage hair. I need to get one of these as my hair is getting curlier as I age.
Such a cute flat iron!
It’s been so long since I flat-ironed my hair, so I need all the tips I can get. & I also need to get a new flatiron (minor detail, LOL).
I have really frizzy hair so would love to try this flat iron.
Love straightening my hair. Frizzy as it is, I used to spend hours with my flat iron as a teen. Now I wouldn’t have quite that much time to spend on it. But still might be time to get a new flat iron.
I love when my hair is straightened, but hate the amount of time it takes to do it right :/. This zebra print flat iron is so cute!!
I’ve been blowing my hair dry straight for years. I’ve always liked it better. I really should get an iron like that one
I love that I have curls, but also love the versatility of being able to wear it straight.
I have long hair now and the longer it gets the more curls or waves I get. I have never used a flat iron so I guess I will have to get one. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad this is not an issue for me! My hair is too short!
That iron is so cute. Now that the fall is approaching, I’ll be going straight more often.
Love the flat iron. I have a friend who is all about the pink zebra print. Going to show her this.
I rock the Afro-curly… but I heard these ceramics work great! Who knows, one day I might want to go straight for a special occasion!
All the women in my life already have straight hair. It looks like a quality flat iron, though.
I’ve always wanted to try one of those ceramic flat irons. I’ve heard good things about them. I’ve used others and I do need to watch out for trying to straighten too much hair at a time.
I have wavy hair. I love to straighten them for parties. Adds such a glow to my face. 🙂
I have an iron but haven’t used it much. I have been meaning to start doing more with my hair. I guess now is better then ever. =)
Thanks for the tips on flat ironing. I almost never use mine because I never got the right look. It seems I was using too thick of sections of hair.
Well I must be lucky or something because I have what they call, “Naturally STRAIGHT”, hair! LOL
I straighten my hair every day, as it is already straight but a bit frizzy.
I’ve done a fair bit of flat ironing. It can be super tricky with thick hair, like I have, but these tips are spot on.
That flat iron is so cute! Love the pink zebra print
I have never used a flat iron before. Thanks for the instructions on how to use one.
I know I use too large of sections when I flat iron. I think it’s because I’m impatient and want it over with.
I’m lucky where I can typically just blow-dry my hair without having to use a flatiron at all. So much better and healthier!
Great information about flat ironing. All the products mentioned in the post are fabulous.