Pin-straight, glossy hair never goes out of style. If you want your hair to have a sleek, almost liquid-like appearance, it's important to use the right products and drying techniques. See step 1 for instructions on how to achieve this comfortable look.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Prepping Your Hair

  1. 1
    Shampoo and condition your hair. You'll need to start with wet hair, so shampoo and condition as normal.[1] If your hair is on the dry and frizzy side, be sure to use a good moisturizing conditioner to protect it from your heat styling tools.
    • If your hair is extremely dry, you might want to do a deep conditioning treatment prior to straightening it.
    • Shampoos and conditioners with natural ingredients are easier on your hair. Consider using products that are sulfate and silicone-free to keep your hair healthy and damage-free, especially if you plan to straighten it often.
  2. 2
    Rinse your hair with cold water before getting out of the shower. This closes the hair shaft, keeping your hair from frizzing up.[2] Finishing with a cold rinse will also add extra shine when your hair dries.
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  3. 3
    Gently towel dry your hair. Don't ball it up or handle it roughly; just gently pat off the excess water.[3]
  4. 4
    Comb out your hair. Remove the towel and comb your hair using a detangling (wide-tooth) comb.[4] Don't use a brush, because brushing wet hair can cause breakage and damage to the hair.[5]
  5. 5
    Apply straightening balm or spray. Make sure to cover all areas of your hair, especially the ends. This will protect your hair from breakages and split ends.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Drying Your Hair

  1. 1
    Blow it out using a round brush. Working section by section, blow your hair dry with a hair dryer. Start at the roots and blow it out to the tips.[6]
    • If your hair dryer came with a nozzle attachment, use it. The attachment protects your hair from direct heat and helps the final result look shinier.
  2. 2
    Straighten your hair section by section using a flat iron.[7] Pin back the parts that you aren't working on. Each section you straighten should be only half as wide as the straightening iron you're using.
  3. 3
    Lightly spray your hair with a spray laminator. This product is designed to keep your hair straight for several days. You can use hairspray instead.[8]
    • Do not apply hairspray if your hair is naturally quite dry, as hairspray doesn't provide any moisture.
  4. 4
    Finished.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Dose a straightening brush work as well as a flat iron?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    In most cases it does not, because it does not grab and squeeze the hair from both sides like a flat iron does.
  • Question
    How can I straighten my hair if I have baby-fine hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use shampoo without sulfites (Lush's Godiva shampoo is super moisturizing). Then use a coconut oil conditioner and let it sit in your hair for 2-3 minutes before washing it out. Blow dry your hair and then use a leave-in conditioner. Straighten your hair in segments; if the ends start to frizz, apply a little more leave-in conditioner.
  • Question
    Is there another way that I can make my hair straight at all times?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could go to a hair salon and get a perm, I suppose. Or when you straighten your hair, avoid washing it for a few days to prevent it from getting curly again.
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Warnings

  • Avoid using too much hairspray; that can also have damaging effects.
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  • Avoid using shampoo containing silicone. While its immediate effects might give your hair a nice look, it will damage your hair over time.
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  • Turn off the flat iron when not in use. Unplug it to be sure. If you leave it on it can start a fire. Some have an automatic shut off system, but that shouldn't prevent you from being careless. As it cools, leave it on a surface that will not ignite easily.
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  • Avoid straightening your hair with a flat iron or chemical repeatedly. It can damage your hair over time. If you want more permanent straight hair, take a shower less often, every other day or so. Or take a shower without washing your hair.
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Things You'll Need

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Straightening Hair Cream
  • Detangling Spray
  • "Wide-Tooth Comb"
  • Hairspray
  • Blow Dryer
  • Straight hair drying serum
  • Flat Iron
  • Brush, preferably round
  • Clips (for sectioning hair)
  • Hair
  • Towel

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 87 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 515,822 times.
22 votes - 54%
Co-authors: 87
Updated: March 25, 2022
Views: 515,822
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