How to Use a Flat Iron

Using a flat iron to get straight beautiful hair can seem daunting, but is very easy once you get the hang of it. If you're straightening really long hair it can be time consuming, but looks really good once you're finished. Even if you have very curly hair, you too can have the stick straight look.

Picking the right flat iron is important to get the best results. Purchase a ceramic flat iron at a beauty supply store. Ceramic works the best because it won't burn your hair like the metal flat irons.

In order for a flat iron to work well for you, you need to have the right hair products. There are lines of straightening products in shampoos, conditioners, gels, serums and silkening sprays. You'll want to purchase these for a professional look.

There are some shampoos and conditioners you can use that helps straighten your hair. Using these types of products before straightening your hair makes it easier to straighten your hair. Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Daily Shampoo is a great product for women who have really thick hair. Follow up with the Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Daily Treatment for a super sleek look. A less expensive straightening shampoo that works just as well comes from Avon. Their line of Advance Techniques products has a Straight and Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner that smooths and straightens hair.

Purchase a hair straightening product to use to help protect your hair from drying out while blow drying and straightening. Paul Mitchell has a lightweight gel that gives sleek definition and a glossy finish. It's called Paul Mitchell flexible style Slick Works. A less expensive product comes from Beyond the Zone, called "Straight Shot." Use a straightening gel similar to one of these in your hair before you blow dry.

After you've dried your hair, you'll want to use a straightening serum to your hair before using the flat iron on it. Chi is a great product that smells great and is lightweight and conditions your skin while you use it for your hair. Hask Pure Shine Frizz Remedy is also good, but less expensive. Be careful how much of these serums you use. Start with very little; less than a dime size, rub your hands together and lightly run your hands through your hair. Too much of these products and you'll look like you haven't washed your hair in a month.

Now you are finally ready to flat iron. Pull your hair up as if you are going to put it in a ponytail. Pull down a thin layer of hair and clip the rest of the hair up. Take a one to two inch section of hair and comb it. Next, put the hair in the flat iron closest to the root and pull the iron down the hair shaft slowly. You may see some steam coming from the iron; this is normal. You may also need to iron the same section two or three times before moving on to the next section of hair.

Depending on your hair thickness will determine how long you spend ironing. Thin hair can take ten to fifteen minutes. Long and thick hair can take up to an hour.

When you've straightened your first layer, let out the ponytail and pull down another layer of hair. Pull the rest of your hair into a ponytail and clip it. Flat iron this new section the same as you did the first and continue on straightening the rest of your hair until you are finished.

Once you have finished straightening your hair, you can finish the sleek look with a shine or silkening spray. Two of the best products that you want to try are: Avon's Advance Techniques Mirror Shine Spray and Got2b's 24 hour Root 2 Tip Hair Silkener. You don't need both of these products at the same time. One product alone will make your hair touchably soft and shiny like the girls' hair in the commercials. Just be sure to spray about a foot away from your head and comb through. If you spray it too close, you will have major oily spots.

Now that you are finished, spray your entire head of locks with hairspray. You now have a look that will make heads turn your way and will make you feel great about yourself.