Straight hair does have a certain je ne sais quoi, especially if it is shiny and in good condition, or should I say in good condition and shiny. A lot depends on how straight it is to begin with and there are many ways of getting that straight as a die look.
I am including some of the pros and cons of each way of straightening your hair to help you decide.
If you are in the market for a hair dryer take a look at Oomphed! while you are here for reviews of different types of hairdryers for different types of hair.
Hair products and hairdressing
- Hairdressing creams may contain oily material such as petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or lanolin.
- Silicone creams are made from dimethicone and cyclomethicone.
- These are all oily products which work to coat the hair and prevent the individual hairs from curling up.
- Although it is a relatively natural and effective method, just dampen the hair and style straight with a comb, what could be easier.
- The downside is that you hair will feel greasy and attract dirt.
- If you have thick hair it will look greasy, if you have fine hair it will weigh the hair down.
- It will stay straight until you wash it, it may be ok for the occasional night out.
Ironing with a brush and blow dryer
- I am calling this method ironing, it may take some skill.
- You need to comb or brush your hair straight and blow dry at the same time.
- It may not work at all on very curly hair, it will probably more likely turn to frizz if it is humid.
- A good hair dryer with ceramic, ionic technology does help with this styling and it may look more natural than the first method using oily coatings.
Flat iron
- Even more like ironing is using a flat iron to straighten your hair.
- It can be used on any type of hair and is relatively inexepensive.
- The downside is that it is fairly damaging so using a heat protector spray is essential.
- It takes time and patience to get the right look.
Styling products
- There are various types of product to help with holding the hair straight including hairsprays, gels, mousses and putties.
- The polymer content may make the hair feel and look less natural.
- They may be drying on the hair shaft.
- It may take some skill to get a good straight look.
- The effect will last until the product is washed out.
A Brazilian
- This has to be done by a stylist, it is an expensive salon treatment.
- If the price does not put you off perhaps the formaldehyde will.
- Your stylist will apply a keratin protein product and use straightening irons.
- The protein is supposed to crystalize and keep your hair straight but it will all fall apart if you wash it.
- If you are a bit fussy about washing your hair frequently this will not work.
- You will need to find ways of keeping it fresh or it will frizz, either or!
- Although it may be worth it for some people (perhaps ok for oily hair), you can DIY using the above method with styling and irons.
A Japaneasy
- Forgive the pun, this is not really easy at all, but it is the Japanese hair straightening system and maybe for people with more money than sense.
- A stylist will apply the secret solution, use a flat iron and then a neutralizing formula to straighten the hair.
- If after care advice is followed through your hair should stay straight for 6 months.
- It is a harsh treatment for the hair and very expensive, you will be needing lots of conditioning.
Relaxer
- A relaxer is effective and it can be done at home as well as in the salon. The solution is a caustic chemical causing a chemical reaction to make the hair straight.
- The hair is then physically straightened and a neutralizer is used to reform the chemical bonds to change the curl to straight.
- This will be drying and damaging and once again a good tub of salon conditioner may be a good investment, a nice big tub at that.
It seems like a relaxer is a reverse of a perm or a permanent curling product. It appears that a lot of curly headed ladies (and gents too) may get good results from this type of treatment. With lots of good conditioning it may be the best way of getting a fairly long lasting straight style.
For less permanent straight hair polymer styling products are great.
For a special treat or first time straightening I would recommend going to a salon and to see how they do it. It may not be a good idea to DIY if these tools and products are all new to you.