Hair trends may come and go, but straight, smooth strands are a classic look that never goes out of style. That said, getting salon-level results at home can be tricky. So we asked Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts and top styling pros for their hair straightening secrets.
Here, they explain how to straighten your hair at home perfectly with a straightener or flat iron without damaging it (including curly hair!), plus how to naturally straighten hair without heat:
How to straighten hair with a flat iron
It may seem, well, straightforward, but GH Beauty Lab scientists reveal their key techniques for smooth sailing when it comes to flat ironing your hair.
Get smart about straighteners. No research suggests that a flat iron’s materials (like titanium, ceramic, tourmaline, and copper) have different effects on hair, explains GH Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek. Instead, choose a tool that fits within your budget and hair’s needs.
Protect and smooth strands. In general, unless your hair is naturally somewhat straight, it’s best to start with a smooth blow-dry so you have to do less work with the flat iron, which saves both time and potential hair damage. Post-blow dry, apply a small amount of a heat-protective styling product all over hair and be sure it’s fully dry before flat-ironing it (if your hair is prone to frizz, opt for an anti-frizz serum).
I.D. your heat level. When it comes to heat tools, “Begin at a lower temperature and raise it as needed,” Wnek advises. Use low heat on fine hair (240ºF to 330ºF); medium heat on medium-textured, healthy strands (330ºF to 370ºF); and high heat on thick, natural hair (390ºF to 445ºF). If you have chemically treated hair, which is more susceptible to damage, go even lower.
Work from the top down. For the most uniform finish, clamp the flat iron onto a 1-inch section of hair at the roots and slowly pull the closed iron straight down to the ends. Release and repeat on the rest of hair.
