How to Straighten Your Hair

Depending on your hair, sometimes straightening it seems harder than curling it. Well, if you don't know how to get that pin-straight look, keep reading this guide.

Let's start with your hair itself. Before you straighten it, you want it to be fully dried and clean. So it's definitely best to shower right before you want to straighten it. That way the dirt and oils don't make your hair unmanageable. Try using a good shampoo and conditioner. Leave-in conditioner works best for straightening since it moisturizes and won't make your hair look dull. After the hair is washed, blow dry it completely while combing it. I've noticed that blow drying your hair helps the straightening process since it makes your hair slightly straight.

The type of hair straightener you use is really up to you. You will notice some work better than others and may not be as great as your friends say. My advice: go with a ceramics hair straightener with temperature control. Rule of thumb is the thinner your hair is, the lowest temperature setting you will want to use. And vice versa with thicker hair.

Note: I also recommend using a hair heat protector. Self explanatory.

Before you go crazy with the straightener, divide your hair in separate sections. This is what always killed me: I couldn't get all my hair straightened and it was just too messy I'd give up. But this is the proper way to do it: Grab about an inch of the back of your hair (somewhere around the lobes of your ear) and make a nice layer. Pin the rest of your hair up. Make sure it's not in your way and don't worry about making it messy since you're going to straighten it either way. Split the chunk of hair into two as if you were going to make two ponytails. Smooth out one side and start straightening. If you're new at this, try to stay away from your scalp. However, once you start getting the hang of it, feel free to move in a little closer.

Once the bottom layer is finished, make another layer above it. Pin the rest of the hair up and keep repeating. Once you get to the very top part of your hair, really try to make them straight. After all, that is what will be visible.

When you're done, go over some parts for touch ups. Lightly apply hairspray or hair wax to keep that straight look. Or you can apply anything you usually use, but don't go overboard.

And you're done!