Straight hair is in. And people with curly or wavy hair will pull, blow, iron, treat or do practically anything else to get straight hair. That 
can’t be good for your hair health, right? Some treatments aren’t even good for your personal health as Del over at Are You A Beauty recently reported in her piece about the Brazilian hair straightening system.
We here at the Beauty Brains thought it would be helpful for you to know the 7 most common ways to straighten your hair and the pros and cons of each.
Seven Ways to Straight Hair
1. Hairdressings & Silicone Creams. This is a classic hair product based on oily materials like petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin. Silicone creams work the same way but contain materials like dimethicone or cyclomethicone. Apply the product all over your damp hair and comb straight. The oils coat your hairs preventing them from curling up when they dry. The most famous of these types of products is VO5 Hairdressing
Evaluation: Incredibly effective on all types of hair. Non-damaging and relatively inexpensive. The downside is that your hair will feel greasy, get dirtier faster, and can look weighed down. The effect will last until you wash out the product.
2. Brushing and blow drying. As hair dries, it tends to curl up. This is a direct result of the water content and the chemical bonds existing in the hair fiber proteins. If you can hold your hair straight with a comb and blow dry it, it will hold that position. It’s a bit like using an iron to straighten the wrinkles in clothes.
Evaluation: This method is simple, moderately effective but depends heavily on the skill of the person doing it. It’s much easier for a stylist to do than for you to do it on your own hair. It is slightly damaging, will not work on extremely curly hair, and frizzes out in humid weather. It will leave your hair feeling more natural than hairdressings or styling products. So, if you don’t want to spend much money, get a good hair dryer
3. Flat Iron. If you have really curly hair and the blow-drying + combing method doesn’t work, try using a flat iron. After washing your hair, you comb it and use a flat iron to get it dry and straight. It uses the same principle to get your hair straight but it is more intense and effective on nearly all hair types. Here’s a short video showing how to straighten hair with a flat iron.
Evaluation: Flat irons will work with almost any hair type. If you know what you’re doing it can be done relatively quickly. Unfortunately, it is more damaging to your hair than a blow dryer and will frizz out when humidity is high. Once you’ve bought your flat iron
4. Styling products. If you don’t like the greasy feeling of hairdressings and don’t want to take the time required for flat ironing, then styling product straightening might be for you. These products coat the hair with polymers that rigidly hold the hair straight. Things like hairsprays, gels, mousses, and putties can all be used.
Evaluation: Styling products are effective but require some skill in applying and shaping your hair. They will hold the hair straight better than the blow drying or flat iron methods. The effect will last only until the products are washed out. The primary downside is that your hair may not look and feel natural.
5. Brazilian Hair straightening. This method is the hottest new hair styling treatment in salons. It even made it into a story in the New York Times. Your stylist applies a keratin protein formula and uses a flat iron to get your hair straight. Theoretically, the protein will crystalize on your hair and keep it in a straightened state. You are then encouraged not to wash your hair as frequently because you’ll reverse the effect.
Evaluation: This procedure works but at $150 it hardly seems worth it. If you wash your hair a few times the protein will come right off and your hair will return to it’s natural, curly state. There’s also the issue of a significant amount of Formaldehyde being included in the formula. It shouldn’t be a problem for you but I certainly wouldn’t want to be the stylist who gets exposed many times a day. This procedure works but you can get the same effect using a flat iron, styling products and less frequent hair washing.
6. Japanese straightening system. This is a more permanent way to remove the curls from your hair. At >$500 per treatment, it is the most expensive of all the methods outlined here. For the Japanese straightening system the stylist applies a special formula all over the hair. Then they use a flat iron and neutralizing solution to get the hair straight. With proper care the effect should last for 6 months.
Evaluation: The high price of this procedure has kept most people away from repeat procedures. While we haven’t been able to see the exact formula the description of how it’s applied sounds suspiciously like a hair relaxer. The fact that a neutralizing solution has to be used suggests a bond-breaking, chemical reaction. Kudos to the inventor for convincing people to spend that much money on a less harsh version of a hair relaxer. This procedure will permanently get rid of those curls but it’s expensive and incredibly damaging to your hair.
7. Relaxer. If you want straight hair there is no more effective method than getting your hair relaxed. In this procedure a caustic chemical is applied to your hair and a chemical reaction occurs. The hair is then physically straightened and a neutralizing formula is used to reform the chemical bonds in the new straight shape. You can even do this to your own hair at home using a product like Affirm relaxer
Evaluation: There’s no doubt about it that this method will permanently take the curls out of your hair. It will also be more effective and cheaper than either the Brazilian or the Japanese systems. However, it will also be the most damaging treatment you can do to your hair. Your hair will break more easily and will feel dry. Eventually, your curly hair will grow back so you’ll need to continue to relax hair if you want it straight.
We get so many questions here at the Beauty Brains demonstrating that everyone wants what they don’t have. People with straight hair want curly hair, those with curly hair want it straight. Fortunately, clever cosmetic chemists have come up with ways to give people whatever they want.
Do you want to learn more about which beauty gadgets REALLY work?
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i just want to know how i can get my hair striaght with out using a flat iron bc i really want to grow it longet but the ends die to fast for me to grow it out
I have naturally thick and wavy hair and I’ve had the Japanese process done 3 times (about once a year). Overall it’s one of the best investments I’ve made, as my hair only takes and few minutes to blow dry and always comes out smooth and shiny. My hair also feels softer and healthier in general.
Here’s a tip for those looking to save money on this process: find a Japanese salon. Since thermal reconditioning is very cheap in Japan, these salons tend to charge less than your average American place. I go to Kabuki Hair & Skin Care in San Francisco – Keiko, the owner is very nice and only charges $250 for the process.
My hair is naturally very curly, and while I do get complimented on it occasionally, I found it was just frustrating.
I do straighten my hair regularly, but I have the proper protective stuff which I use before and after straightening.
I don’t see why so many people are leaving comments saying how bad straightening is. Some people just want a change, and I say that if you want to change, just go ahead and do it.
i have extremely curly thick hair, and i’ve recently come to the point where i just leave it curly. it takes 3 hours + to straight and it’s really not worth it. even though it feels alot lighter to me, everyone else seems to like it curly. everyone has straight hair, why not be the oddball with the gorgeous curls?!
Okay so i use a flat iron EVERY day because my hair is curly/wavy on the bottom and straight on top and poofy. i cant STAND my hair. and i heard that when u use the flat iron it ruins the ends of ur hair. so what do i do? my mom just bought me that flat iron so i think im kinda stuck with it… but she also got me flat iron spray. but it smells… so idk what i should do about it… I HATE MY HAIR!
I have thick beautiful curls. And what I don’t understand is why not be happy with both? It I want my hair straight, I have a straightening iron. If want it curly, let it air dry. And it’s not about the “in” thing. It’s about feeling good about your own hair and how you feel with how it’s styled! Also. My favorite hair product would have to be Hask Placenta. It’s totally awesome.
ummmm question i have hair about 3 inches past my shoulder and i need some thing to do with my hair that requiers strighting it i I NEED ANY ONE WHO IS I white black mixed etc (OH IM BLACK) and make sure you tell me what i need for it i dont want a perm cause it broke off alot of my hair my hair use to be about 3 inches past my elbow i have my flat iron and crimper and strightnig comb all works and all of them were over 90 dollar and work very well but im just tired of wearing long hair or putting it in a pony tail of braid or twistys so thanks sooooooo much and GIVE ME IDEALS lol
i think ever girl is wonderful and no make up hair styles etc is part of there true beauty but i still like wear makeup and strighting my hair and etc i just think alot of ppl counting my self spend alot of time on things like that than more important stuff like family friends your lover etc hey thats just my oppion i know its going to be hard but try to go 1 mouth with out strighting your hair wearing your make up and etc and you will find in life that that stuff is not important to you it maybe hard it may not but just think ……………………………….. what drives you whan i say that i mean beauty should be a small part of you not every part of u just sit and think of what i just typed………………………………………………………it is soooooo hard for me to handle every thing i typed but i belive it is the truth if u want to do this challange tell other ppl about this think bout this ……..this message changed over 1000 ppl in a year that may not sound like a lot but it is alot for me u can be next i am a 14 year old girl i wrote this june 4 2002 when ever you get this it may be 2,4,6,or even 8 or more years from now if you belive in this message put it on coke music any website you want to just send it around this is a big chain message thanks for ever ones support true love brooke be happy with out make up
Straight hair is wonderful! I dont use makeup anymore cause everyone says that there’s no need with beautiful straight hair.
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I have very curly hair and it frustrates me so much! Like one of the previous posts, my hair can be absolutely gorgeous curly one day and the next day, completely horrendous! Yes, curly hair is never the same the morning after – my hair gets so messy. I would give anything to have long straight hassle free hair. I wash my hair everyday and put conditioner and just leave it to air-dry. I however can never predict how my hair will turn out. It takes me hours to straighten it and it never gets perfectly sleek
Sometimes I feel like shaving it off!
STRAIGHT HAIR IS WAY BETTER THAN CURLY!!! SO JUST GET OVER IT YOU SLUTS!
hi i have chi stratainer .i strait my hair that time it’s look very nice but the very nextday my hair is back look like curly.my friends doing there hair strait and there hair staying last hairwash.why my hair is not staying long time strait.please help me.what i have to do. thank you.
Do you want straight hair? yes. so this is what u do. dont straighten ur hair everyday first. dont straighten ur hair more than 3 times a week. dont straighten it on weekends this allows ur hair to relax. on a monday straighten ur hair. by wensday take a shower. learn to use a side braid on days to not straighten it scrunch it. so u think if i straightened my hair today its doesnt matter if i re straighten it tomorow. well thats wrong. see first ur taking ur hairs natural oils out the first time the next day ur repeating this except ur doing more harashly burning ur hair making it dry and frizzy and chances are it will not stay straight so heres the best advice i can give it. let it relax straighten it here and there but NOT constantly/
learn about ur hair, use healthy products. get a white tooth comb. and nice hair straightener and also heat protector serum. that is important. dont use any chemicals becuase its bad for ur hair. any heat thats can burn the skin is not good for ur hair. but i understand if u want straight hair therefore u must be knowlegeable about your hair. not blowing drying is good because of the heat so let it air dry. if ur hair is madly curly when ur hair is damp put it in braids for a while so its more wavy then curly and easier to manage.
omg sara is so lucky i have to spend like thirty-minutes on my hair. THAT SUCKS lol
I’ve been using a Herstyler Tattoo Flat Iron i picked up at http://www.beautydiscounters.com and it has been working great they are on sale right now to for $79. this has to bee one of the best purchase’s I have ever bought I use to get the relaxer formula done but after awhile it was to damaging so this new flat iron work great.
I think curly hair is beautiful and you should embrace it. straight hair is nice to but you can do SO much more with curls !!!
enojy them everyonee ppl with straight wish to have curly natural hair like us
dont get it chemically straightened either it just burns your hair altrogether.
The main and like only reason i straighten my hair is because its WAY easier to care for straight .. but its very time consuming to straighten is with a flat iron EVERY day … but i do use a hair protector slash softener slash shiner called olive oil .. it does not grease up your hair of anything like like .. it makes it look natural and clean and it smells good too ! and your hair is glossy smooth not greasy and straight ..l ike pin needle straight … haha … but thats my opinion .. but those of you who love your curly hair … more power to you ! ahah i just hate having to brush out all the tangles and get rid of the poof anf frizz .. sorry guys HAHAHAAAHHAAHLOL HAHAHAHAHHAHAA HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA LOL HAHAHAHASSHHAHAHAHAHAHAHWHOLEHAHAHAAHAHHHAHAHAHA
Another lovely non-damaging way to get straight hair without compromising volume is by using … Rollers! It seems counter-intuitive but large magnetic rollers will beautifully straighten hair (they’re not really magnetic, just very smooth so I’m not sure why they are called that). Purchase the largest rollers & roller pins/clips (from a beauty supply store or possibly supermarket.) Detangle and smooth sections of damp but not dripping hair and put into curlers while applying slight tension (youtube videos are good guides, it’s called a “wet set”). Pin/clip & allow to completely dry. The largeness of the curler will straighten your locks. I love doing this in my hair because it adds volume at the same time! All textures & types of hair can benefit from this technique. It seems to be extremely common for those with African American hair to do wet sets.. so that gives you an idea how well it can tame even the curliest hair.
Effectiveness: Very. Will stay until you wash it. Humidity outside may cause frizz. Non-damaging provided you are careful when manipulating the wet hair and when taking out the pins/clips from the dry hair. Use a satin pillow case if you sleep on them.
I would always try and try to get my hair straight and would always look in the mirror and stuff but now I don’t and people (mostly girls) that looks don’t matter. I always just wake up in the morning either do a pony-tail or just comb my hair and head off to school and GUESS WHAT, I am not late to school anymore. So if you are still in school it can also count to your grades, perfect-timing, and much more related to school!
I know a lot of people are saying how people with curly hair should appreciate the curls. They’re saying that most people straighten their hair because they are trying to go for an ‘in’ style, but that’s not necessarily true. When I started straightening my hair, it was because it was COMPLETELY unmanageable. It took me half an hour just to brush all of the knots out completely! I’m mixed, so my curls aren’t as tight as if I were african-american, but it was still awful. My arm ached after combing through it and when I finished, it was more like a “poof” than the curly little ringlets I had after stepping out of the shower.
Finally, I turned to a relaxer. Since I have mixed (both white and african-american) hair, my hair turns out soft and straight, also shiny and healthy-looking. Combing/brushing it is a BREEZE. I still have to straighten it after washing if I want it to look the way I want it to, but that’s not the point. The fact is that it’s more manageable than ever before, and I’m grateful for that. Being able to make it straight and look wonderful is just a bonus.
everyone here is so lucky me hair is not a pretty kind of curly…. the front goes frizzy and semi curly while the back goes full out curly and frizzy…….it takes so long to flat iron it but after i do it , it looks alot better…..i know i am not going to waste my money on other expensive techniques, even if it is worth it… and the brush-and-blowdry method does not work….THE ONLY PRODUCT THAT WILL CALM FRIZZ IS CALLED “MORROCAIN OIL”. I SWEAR BY THIS PRODUCT THAT IS WORKS you can buy it in most haair salons…and has a variety of ‘products’……any one with straight hair…be happy because when you are 13 and you have a head of frizz, thing can get tough trying to be like veryone else, most of the time i put my hair up in a messy bun….but i dont want to wear it up anymore…i want to be able to wear it down because its very long straight…but i dont have that kind of hair naturally..
I used to ‘try’ to achieve straight hair but it just didn’t work for me. It looked exactly like what it was – curly hair that was flat ironed. And my hair is so porous that as soon as I would go outside, my hair would suck the humidity out of the air and balloon out!!! Plus, I couldn’t wash my hair every day because it took so much time to straighten so it would really start to stink and the roots would be super oily! And all of that silicone crap just made the condition of my hair worse. Finally I said no more and decided to go with it. Curly hair looks amazing when it’s conditioned, below the shoulders, and styled properly. I am happy to say that I have a head full of long, thick, black curls!!!
I have really these messed up hair . These r neither straight nor curly ply help me to get rid of this problem i want straight hair without damaging them…
Love the BKT… I buy it on Ebay and its $25 – $40 for three uses, but my hair is should blade length, so its not that long.
Yes, it totally works and, yes, my hair is way more healthy than using that darned straight iron all the time. I particularly like to use an application after a hair coloring because it majorly conditions it.
One thing I’d like to add about the curling iron is that people shouldn’t be running it through their hair 10 times or whatever… That will totally fry the hair, just do it till its straight (hopefully no more than 3 or 4 timew). Then, if you go out and need super straight, shiny hair, then just use silicones.
My hair type is B to C, so it may work differently for others.
I should also add for those interested that there are now shampoos and conditioners with bkt that are made to be used everyday, that way one doesn’t have to worry about it washing out. The daily bkt conditioner is really low in, and some say they don’t have any, formaldehyde.
what the hell is wrong with WANTING TO CHANGE YOUR HAIR ONCE IN A WHILE???!!! I have very curly hair and SOMETIMES I WANT TO STRAIGHTEN IT!!!!! Not because I am insecure, or because I feel pressured to be “in”, simply because I want a CHANGE!!!! Do you criticize girls who curl their hair on their wedding day? NO, so why the double standard. Some of you need to take that judgemental stick out of your butts. No one is saying curly hair is bad, and it is not bad to want to change your hairstyle once in a while!
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My experience with the Coppola Keratin Smoothing Treatment is that it lasts for about 3-5 months as long as you use their shampoo. It is worth it for a non-permanent straightening. Not all Keratin products contain the same ingredients.
i know rite.My hair is wavy and every time i straighten it it gets frizzy.
There’s a really easy way to straighten your hair just by using a comb. I have super curly hair, and I do this all the time. First wash and condition your hair. Wrap it in a towel until it is just damp but considerably dry. Use a good quality wide tooth comb and run it through all of your hair, combing straight down from the roots. If your hair is super thick, wear it in a low ponytail for a few hours so it becomes less poofy. And, just like magic, your hair is suddenly straight and not curly. It will also be soft and natural looking, instead of stiff and stick-straight.
Ok, I have straight hair, and I loved my straight hair, and all my cousins and relatives envy me. I dont want to curl it, even though anything I put in my hair slides off (clips, hairbands, etc.). You could also try the coconut-lime smoothie which naturally straightens hair. I tried straightening my hair once with a flat iron and from that day forth I hated it because of what it did to my hair for a long time.
You’ll need
8 ounces of coconut juice from grinded coconut meat
1 fresh lemon
Method:
Mix the coconut juice and the juice of one lemon together
Refrigerate it overnight or until you notice a creamy layer on the top.
Rub it into your hair
Wrap your head in a hot towel for about an hour at the most
Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
If this is done thrice a week, your hair will gradually permanently straighten.
I personally think that there is no “in” or “out” because different types of hair styles look good on different people. So don’t fret about your hair and forget other stuff if it isn’t that bad. I’m not saying you shouldn’t at all, because some people have different opinions. So don’t tell off other people just because they straighten or curl their hair, it’s their opinion!
“everyone wants what they don’t have.”
Definitely true, I don’t know why human nature is like this. We are not contented of what we have instead we really don’t appreciate it but sometimes we appreciate it but still feel that there is a need for improvements and still feel that we lack something. I guess this attitude is rooted in our self esteem and pride. And if we don’t solve the problem of the cause (which is our self esteem) we can never solve the problem of the effect, eh.
I disagree that flat ironing is more damaging then the blow out method. Flat ironing requires less yanking and brushing and combing under heat, which means a lot less breakage. One could even put product in their hair, let it air dry, and get in out of there with a flat iron in less than 15 minutes. This is not possible with a blow out method. Try yanking on damp to wet hair as it dries and breaks more easily under heat, and then look at the floor and your hair utensils when done.
Also, BKT is way more worth it because it’s not as damaging and the thermal treatment which have made people’s hair fall out. The key to making the treatment last is hair maintenance, which you don’t know about if it’s washing out in two to three washes. For one thing, do not put shampoo on the hair, as it is supposed to be used to wash the scalp. To protect the hair from the shampoo, try applying conditioner first and then shampoo the scalp. Also, it is highly recommended to get a very neutral non sulfate shampoo, preferably all natural, and a kick as conditioner which will preserve the BKT. This can be done without buying BKT shampoos and conditioners. Personally, I use the Garnier sleek and shine conditioner with Skinfood shampoos or Sebastian. Lastly, mid to end maintenance, in example, smooth down the ends every night. I use a variety of Garnier to Organix.
I bleach, dye my hair crayola crayon Red, use BKT, and flat iron multiple times per week, and my ends look fantastic. It’s because I maintain my hair, something many people fail to realize they need to do if they are gonna start messing with their hair.
i have very curly hair..but after a while the curls sort of go away but when i wash it i look like a monster!!! i wish i had straight hair, ever since i cut my hair, its been growing curly ): i used to have such stunning long silky thin straight hair (: BUT now its broken,brittle and curly and my tips are very dry and split. I found a website that gave me alot of natural ingredients to shiny,radient,nourished hair tips!! im soo exited to start and they sound realy great too (coconut & lemon paste, hot oil treatements, milk & honey with strawberry paste) you must try them if you want realy nice beautiful hair!!
well, i don’t use irons or blow-driers to straighten my hair. i just put a tight-fitting hat on until my hair dries-it blows the fuck up if it dries uncovered. my hair stays straight for quite a while after doing this. anyways, i don’t see this method of straightening very often, and that worries me. i don’t see any obvious harmful results from this. my hair is, actually, smooth and shiny. but i don’t know enough about hair to trust myself. can anybody tell me why i shouldn’t do this?
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Thanks for tips for hairs it will surelly help me out hope you share more tips with us.
Nice tips hope You share more tips like this.
I have wavy and EXETREMELY thick hair. I’m looking for a 100% silicone hair product. Help?
Jeez, no one said curly hair was bad. I have curly hair and I like it. But I love my hair straightened! It took me years to finally experiment, and when I did, I loved it! Not everyone cares about whats in style. I just think hair straightening works for me. Take a pill.
I’ve heard the Chi makes a good straightener.
Any one know.
Regards
Meaningful Beauty Reviews
I hate my curly hair! I find that the best way to straighten hair is to find the perfect heat setting for your hair type. I literally have to burn my hair just to straighten it because it’s so curly! Thats why I use a lot of heat protectant spray, it works wonders.
My hair is always so frizzy I use a great flattening iron though along with other products like heat protectant and a special straightening shampoo. I find this is the best way to straighten hair for me. It’s really all about finding the product that works for you. My hair feels so nice once it’s straightened properly.
I like my wavy hair…if only it didn’t poof and frizz so hard. I can’t even manage it
I have very frizzy hair, but my biggest problem is that i also have very thin hair. I want to get my hair permanently straightened but at the same time i am scared that my hair will fall out and be completely damaged. Any advice?
I don’t really mind about having straight hair as such , I just want hair that doesn’t frizz whenever the wind blows.
why not try individual hair extensions that clip in to your hair. They come straight, curly, body wave also colored extensions. It’s easy and doesn’t cause any damage to your hair. There are 100% human hair individual extensions and colored extensions in which you can style as you would your own hair.
You can come here to my FB to see my straight hair after fix the curly problem, lol. I love straight hair, for sure my husband and all of my friends says that I look very sexy with straight hair!
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