How to Get Model-Straight Hair

From the runways to the edgy fashion editorials of Vogue, Elle and the rest, pin straight hair has been the rage and continues to be.

Truth be told most of the models we see with perfectly straight locks were not born with perfect, glossy hair. They have unruly curls, frizz, split ends and all the hair woes the rest of us suffer from. The difference is that they have several tricks up their sleeves that they pick up from hair stylists and can use in their personal lives. Now we can too! With these simple steps we can step out of our houses looking like we're ready for the catwalk.

1. Make sure you invest in a salon quality flatiron. Flatirons that you buy at a retail store usually do not heat up as well or as evenly as a salon flatiron can. When your iron doesn't heat up adequately it will not only damage your hair but it will not let you achieve the perfectly glossy, straightness that you want. Salon flatirons can be bought at stores like Sally's Beauty Supply and Ulta and can cost upwards of $100 but are worth every penny. In this case, you do get what you pay for.

2. In order to achieve model straight hair, keeping your hair healthy is key. Use a conditioning shampoo and conditioner every time you wash your hair. For even more shine, select a shampoo and conditioner that helps keep the frizzies at bay. Fructis, Pantene, Aussie, and Dove amongst others all manufacture frizz taming shampoo and conditioner at great prices.

3. After washing your hair, spritz on a leave-in conditioner or special heat protectant spray before you blow dry. Comb the conditioner through with a wide toothed comb and establish where you want your part to be.

4. Blow dry until your hair is almost dry, leaving it a little bit damp. If you dry your hair all the way, it will be harder for your flatiron to really smooth out your locks and you'll end up with fly aways.

5. After blow drying, brush you hair out.

6. Section your hair and pin up the top layers so that they do not get in the way while you flat iron the bottom half of your hair.

7. Take your hair into small sections, a few inches wide, and slide the flatiron from as close to your scalp as you can all the way to the tips.

8. When sliding the flatiron down your sections of hair make sure you clasp the iron firmly and slide slowly down. If you have particularly curly or wavy hair, you may need to do this more than once per section.

9. Once you have straightened the bottom half of your hair, unpin the top half and repeat the process until your hair is pin straight and sleek.

10. Dab on a pea sized amount of frizz gel such as John Frieda's Frizz Ease and smooth it in a downwards motion over your hair. Avoid using too much because you don't want your hair to look greasy. A little of this type of product will go a long way!

11. Lightly spray your newly straightened hair with hairspray holding the can at least 12 inches from your head. You don't want to weigh your hair down or make it feel or look stiff, but just the right amount of spray will set your hair and keep it silky and straight.

12. Don't forget to turn off your flatiron!

With these 12 simple steps, you can turn your hair, regardless of whether it's curly, wavy or just plain frizzy, into smooth, sleek model straight hair. It's never been easier to achieve the look you want!