Straight Talk: A Girl's Guide to Getting Straight Hair

Are you thinking of transforming your naturally curly coif into a flowing straight ‘do'? Lucky for you, from over the counter solutions to salon remedies, there are plenty of options available. But which treatments work best on different types of curly hair, how costly are they and how permanent are the effects? Here’s the skinny on the different ways to turn ringlets into straight locks ranging from temporary fixes to long-lasting ones for every type of texture and budget.

Shower Solutions: Products That Prep

Straightening or smoothing shampoos and conditioners are a step in the right direction for getting straighter hair. No matter what type of curly hair you have, these products will help tame the frizz and prepare your curls for straightening with heated styling tools. What makes rinse-out products so effective in taming frizz are the conditioning agents, mainly silicones and polymers.These ingredients coat and seal the cuticle, blocking the humidity that causes frizz and flyaways. The conditioning formula continues to work even after the products are washed out, producing softer, shinier, more manageable hair.

In the shower shampoo and condition

Smoothing shampoos and conditioners are widely available at every price range. Nexxus Sleektress Shampoo is among the top rated smoothing shampoos, and with a price tag of $10 it is a salon quality product made affordable. Matrix Sleek Look system of smoothing products range anywhere from $12 for shampoo to $14 for conditioner and $14 and up for styling products. Herbal Essences Dangerously Pin Straight shampoos and conditioners have received rave reviews and fit everyone’s budget starting at $4 for shampoo.

Nexxus Sleektress Shampoo

Matrix Sleek Look Shampoo

Herbal Essences Dangerously Pin Straight Shampoo

A Real Blow Out

The most common technique used to temporarily turn ringlets and waves into pin-straight locks is by blow drying. What is most important for getting that salon straight look is finding the right type of brush and product for the specific texture of your hair. Boar bristle, round brushes work especially well on medium to coarse hair for a getting that perfectly straight look as well as adding volume where as a simple, paddle brush works well for fine and wavy hair.

Blown dry straight

Tourmaline Dryer by T3

Round Brush

Paddle Brush

To achieve a straight look blow drying, smooth a good straightening product like Redken Straight over damp hair and begin blow drying in small sections, working your way up from the nape of your neck. But let's face it girls, while we may have sculpted some pretty strong biceps by now from all that pulling and blowing,, we still can’t seem to perfect the technique like a salon pro. For some insider info on how to get that “just walked out of the salon” look check out these tips  from international hair guru Samy, of Samy Salons.

Redken Straight

Garnier Smoothing Milk

Rene Furterer Straightening Gel

Flat Out Ironed

Flat ironed hair

Those of us with curly hair are thanking our lucky stars for the flatiron. Silky strands are easily achievable with a flatiron which works on virtually all hair types because of the amount of direct heat that it delivers. Flatirons can reach up to 450 degrees and that is why it is important to use a product like Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother that protects against damaging heat.

”Soft, shiny and snag-free” is what users of the Sedu  flatiron say about the product. The Sedu, short for “seductive”, has ceramic plates that are infused with crushed tourmaline allowing the hair to slip right through creating a snag-free experience. The quick heating Sedu claims to reduce styling time in half by requiring only one pass through hair as opposed to several to achieve a straight, shiny look. Flatirons can be quite costly but a good investment if you want straight hair done easy. Stylists recommend using ceramic flatirons because they are less damaging than metal ones.

Sedu Flatiron

Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother

Hot Tools (metal) Flatiron

Au Naturale 

Naturally straight

The potency of henna and hot oil streatments are about as effective as straightening shampoos and conditioners used alone. While natural remedies are compatible with most hair types, anyone with chemically treated hair should always read the label out of caution. Both henna and hot oil treatments tend to be very inexpensive, each usually costs under $10.

Henna

Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Treatment

Suave Hot Oil Treatment

A More Committed Relationship

If you are ready to part with your curly mane then perhaps a more permanent solution is the way to go. But with all permanent solutions there are pros and cons. The obvious upside to these treatments is that they are long-lasting and will drastically reduce the time spent straightening hair. The downside of permanent treatments is that harsh chemicals do structurally alter and can damage the hair involved. It is strongly advised that the permanent treatments be performed by a salon professional with ample experience in chemical hair straightening.

An Evolution In Chemical Straightening . . .

Chemical Hair Relaxing

Chemically relaxed

Chemical hair straightening, also known as relaxing, is a process where wavy or curly hair's basic structure is changed into a straight texture. Harsh chemicals are applied directly to the to the hair shaft to remove or relax the curl. Though relaxers are sold over-the-counter, it is highly advised that relaxing be performed by a professional. When performed incorrectly harsh side-effects like rashes, burns and hair loss can occur and many people experience dry, brittle hair and much breakage. .

Afterwards the hair is left in a fragile state, therefore it is extremely important to take extra care of it with leave-in conditioning products like spray-in detanglers. Hayashi System 911 is a protein infused spray intended to rebuild damaged hair and prevent breakage. Ego Boost from Bead Head also contains protein and makes the hair slick and easy to comb through preventing breakage and snagging of fragile hair, especially when wet.

Thermal Reconditioning or Japanese Hair Straightening

Thermal Reconditioning, also known as Japanese Hair Straightening, is a treatment that rearranges the bonds in curly hair to make it permanently straight. Along with a deep conditioner, stylists use a chemical that relaxes the structural bonds of the hair which make it curl or frizz. Once the structural bonds are relaxed, heat is used to seal the hair’s new structural bonds making it permanently straight. The process is designed to not only leave hair stick straight but also soft and manageable. Some but not all chemically-treated hair can be relaxed through Thermal Reconditioning.

Thermal Reconditioning

Touch-ups are required for new hair growth since the process only straightens the hair that comes in contact with the relaxer and the process cannot be reversed to restore the original hair texture. The process is lengthy, lasting anywhere from four to six hours, so if you can‘t sit still for hours at a time Thermal Reconditioning may not be for you! The pricetag may be a deterant to some, averaging $500 depending on the length and thickness of the hair. Visit the official Thermal Reconditioning website to find a certified professional in your area.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment

Brazilian Keratin Treatment 

The new Brazilian beauty technique taking the U.S. by storm isn't for unsightly hair down there, it’s for an unruly head of hair. Brazilian Keratin Treatment is different from traditional straigthening procedures in that the relaxer is free of the harsh chemicals that cause damage and breakage. Instead, the main ingredient is the protein 'keratin', similar to the protein that makes up human hair and which helps rebuild and strengthen damaged hair.

Surprisingly, BKT works best on chemically treated hair – a good choice for hair that's already colored or highlighted. The keratin formula bonds to the rough edges of the cuticle, trapping moisture and hydrating the hair.

A salon professional applies the solution which is then sealed to the outer layer of the cuticle using a 450 degree flatiron. Unlike Thermal Reconditioning,, BKT takes merely two hours and costs approximately $300 per session. BKT solution may not contain traditionally hair damaging chemicals but it contains a high dosage of formaldehyde, a carcinogen that irritates the eyes and lungs so it is advised that women who are pregnant or nursing not undergo the treatment. Unlike Thermal Reconditioning where the hair is transformed at the core, the BKT treatment is applied extrenally to the surface of the hair. Therefore the effects, which last anywhere from six weeks to four months, eventually wash out and the hair gradually resumes its natural wave or curl.To find a salon in your area certified in Brazilian Keratin Treatment please visit http://www.braziliankeratin.com.

Curly girls love their curls but also enjoy a change every once in a while. The best styling or treatment option is one that's a practical and attainable lifestyle fit and an acceptable level of commitment. The sexiest hair is healthy hair so be sure to take care of this natural accessory, whether it’s curly or straight.