Hair Straightening 101

I have a confession to make. I am pretty bad at doing my own hair. Partially it's due to the fact that I don't have the time or energy to do my hair in the morning before work, and partially I don't know too much beyond the basics (i.e. braiding, ponytails, buns, etc.). But, I do like to experiment when I DO have the time. By request, this is how I straighten my hair on days I am not being lazy. As a note, straightening should not be done every day, as it can dry out and damage your hair. I recommend if you are going to straighten even a couple times a week is to apply a heat protection/anti-frizz hair product before blow drying and/or straightening. Two good ones I have used are Frizz-Ease and Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum. As a nice bonus, the Garnier one smells like apples!

Materials:
-hair straightener (I have a small barreled, skinny one that I also use for curling!)
-comb
-brush
-hair clip (claw clip)
-finishing gloss spray (I recommend Garnier Brilliantine Shine Strong gloss, which can be found at most drug stores)

Before being straightened

 1. Part your hair down the middle. As if you were going to put your hair up in a half ponytail, take your thumbs and draw them just above the ears from the front of your head where your hairline starts to the back of your head where they meet in the middle. Take all of the hair and twist it up and clip it to the top of your head, so it's out of the way.

2. Brush out the bottom half of your hair, and part it in half. Starting from the front of your hair, take a small section of hair and straighten from as close to the root you can possibly get, slowly drawing the straightener down from root to tip. A good rule of thumb is to continuously draw the plate down, not stopping. If you stop, you will get a crimp in your hair, which would be counter-productive!

Continue to straighten from the front all the way around to the back. By having your hair divided in half, this process goes much easier, and it's easier to reach without making your arms tired!

3. Take the clip out, and let your hair down. Now, you are going to section your hair off again, but this time a little higher. Take your thumbs again and draw them just in line with your eyebrows from the front of your head where your hairline starts to the back of your head where they meet in the middle. Take all of the hair and twist it up and clip it to the top of your head, so it's out of the way.

4. Brush out the bottom half of your hair, and part it in half. Starting from the front of your hair, take a small section of hair and straighten from as close to the root you can possibly get, slowly drawing the straightener down from root to tip, just as before.

5. Take the clip out, and let your hair down. Brush out your hair, and part it in half. Starting from the front of your hair, take a small section of hair and straighten from as close to the root you can possibly get, slowly drawing the straightener down from root to tip, just as before.

6. Once you have finished straightening, spray 3-5 sprays of a glossing spray into your hands.  Gently apply by finger combing through hair from root to tip. Doing it this way makes sure to coat all of hair, and not just have it concentrated in one area.

After straightening

P.S. As a bonus, if you are in a big hurry and need to take that hot flat iron with you, don't forget to check out my related post on a DIY flat iron cover, so you can throw that bad boy in your bag and go!