So a few weeks ago, I did this thing. I chopped off about 7-8 inches of my hair. For some people, that isn't a huge deal... but if you have curly hair, you know that 7-8 inches can easily turn into craziness. When curly hair is cut while wet and then dries, sometimes you aren't prepared for the short length it will be. I went into this after getting some inspiration from a friend that cut a lot of her hair off (albeit it isn't curly like mine) and I decided it would be something new and fun for the approaching summer. I just decided to take the leap. I did it knowing though that I likely would not wear my hair curly (at least down as I sometimes wear it pulled back after a shower if I don't have time to straighten it) for a while. That meant that I also wanted to revamp my straightening routine and I think I finally have a system down. I get asked a lot of questions when people realize how curly my hair is about how I do it so I thought this Friday Favorites could be for some of my current (though it changes frequently) hair products for straightening these curly locks.
So, here's what we're working with... Note that this is still wet. Once my hair dries, it is about 2 inches shorter than that and sticks out a lot farther from my head. That is despite what I put in it. It's just how it dries. Hence the reason I don't wear it down and curly right now.
To start, I have found the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine leave in conditioner and anti-frizz serum. I have used the serum for years but recently added the leave in conditioner. I used to use a straightening centered balm type thing but I found that it made my hair too greasy if I accidentally used too much so I have been searching for something new. I like this. It doesn't have the same weight too it so my hair doesn't lay as flat as it did with the balm I used to use, but seems to help my style stay fairly smooth for a few days. Plus, the added volume isn't really an issue. I mix the two together (more conditioner than balm) and apply to wet hair.
I still blow dry my hair first. In lieu of using a round brush (which I have and can do but I find it takes me a lot longer), I use a blowdryer with an attachment that helps straighten some as you use it. I've had it long enough that I don't think it is technically made any more. I know you can buy similar attachments, but I think if my dies at some point, I would give this a go. The bonus to mine is that it is technically a blow dryer so the attachment comes off. I don't use it if I need to straighten Kenzie's hair (like to do a ballet bun or something because it seems smoother if I straighten her hair first) as her hair is a lot thinner and her curls are more manageable so she doesn't need as much.
Then comes the "fun" part. AKA: The part when I have to start taking breaks or potentially suffer heat stroke in the bathroom because hot irons really heat up small rooms. I first section my hair. This is something a lot of people may not need, but to make sure I am straightening enough, I section. It makes it easier overall for me. I iron out small pieces at a time just to get them as straight as possible. I use basic clips to hold up my hair in sections. Then I pull a small amount out at one time to straighten before repeating the process. I also like having a styling comb in case I hit any tangles and I find that the styling comb makes my hair smoother. Sometimes I also use it when my hair is too hot to hold and I need to do another pass with the straightener. I use it to hold the piece I'm straightening at the moment so I keep the small section together.
Back when I got my hair cut, I found this online. And promptly ordered it after reading the reviews. I've also been really leery of things like this as they often don't work on my hair. It is just too thick and curly. Having a plate at the bottom of a brush doesn't work well. I also have a normal hair straightener (with ceramic plates... not ceramic coated... it makes a difference) but it is about 15 years old and I worry any time I plug it in. Haha! Also, it takes me a long time to straighten with it as I have to do even smaller sections of hair at a time. I was hoping to speed up my process some since it would need to be done more often with shorter hair. This straightening brush has ceramic plates on each individual "bristle" which is awesome.
It only takes me about 15-20 minutes now to straighten (after about 15 drying) taking my total time down to about half an hour rather than 1-2 depending on the length of my hair.
What we have also learned with the straightener is that you can go from super curly to straight. It takes a bit longer, but it works. I find that my style holds better if I blow dry first so I don't usually do this... but you can. Take my mom, for instance.
As a side note: A couple other things to remember if you want the style to last. A shower cap. Totally necessary to keep you from redoing hair more often than you would like. I even use it sometimes after a shower if the bathroom is still steamy while I do my make-up as the humidity is still not my friend. And recently, I learned about the joys of dry shampoo. I wouldn't recommend using it more than a day or two, but it can help you hold a style for a bit longer without it looking greasy. You have to be careful though because it builds up in your hair and on your scalp.
And... that's that. It's still a process, but I have finally found a way to make it a bit easier. I hope that if you are interested, this post may have helped you find a new product or two. And if you have a product you LOVE, please share. I'm always interested in new things. Happy straightening!
So, here's what we're working with... Note that this is still wet. Once my hair dries, it is about 2 inches shorter than that and sticks out a lot farther from my head. That is despite what I put in it. It's just how it dries. Hence the reason I don't wear it down and curly right now.
To start, I have found the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine leave in conditioner and anti-frizz serum. I have used the serum for years but recently added the leave in conditioner. I used to use a straightening centered balm type thing but I found that it made my hair too greasy if I accidentally used too much so I have been searching for something new. I like this. It doesn't have the same weight too it so my hair doesn't lay as flat as it did with the balm I used to use, but seems to help my style stay fairly smooth for a few days. Plus, the added volume isn't really an issue. I mix the two together (more conditioner than balm) and apply to wet hair.
I still blow dry my hair first. In lieu of using a round brush (which I have and can do but I find it takes me a lot longer), I use a blowdryer with an attachment that helps straighten some as you use it. I've had it long enough that I don't think it is technically made any more. I know you can buy similar attachments, but I think if my dies at some point, I would give this a go. The bonus to mine is that it is technically a blow dryer so the attachment comes off. I don't use it if I need to straighten Kenzie's hair (like to do a ballet bun or something because it seems smoother if I straighten her hair first) as her hair is a lot thinner and her curls are more manageable so she doesn't need as much.
Then comes the "fun" part. AKA: The part when I have to start taking breaks or potentially suffer heat stroke in the bathroom because hot irons really heat up small rooms. I first section my hair. This is something a lot of people may not need, but to make sure I am straightening enough, I section. It makes it easier overall for me. I iron out small pieces at a time just to get them as straight as possible. I use basic clips to hold up my hair in sections. Then I pull a small amount out at one time to straighten before repeating the process. I also like having a styling comb in case I hit any tangles and I find that the styling comb makes my hair smoother. Sometimes I also use it when my hair is too hot to hold and I need to do another pass with the straightener. I use it to hold the piece I'm straightening at the moment so I keep the small section together.
Back when I got my hair cut, I found this online. And promptly ordered it after reading the reviews. I've also been really leery of things like this as they often don't work on my hair. It is just too thick and curly. Having a plate at the bottom of a brush doesn't work well. I also have a normal hair straightener (with ceramic plates... not ceramic coated... it makes a difference) but it is about 15 years old and I worry any time I plug it in. Haha! Also, it takes me a long time to straighten with it as I have to do even smaller sections of hair at a time. I was hoping to speed up my process some since it would need to be done more often with shorter hair. This straightening brush has ceramic plates on each individual "bristle" which is awesome.
It only takes me about 15-20 minutes now to straighten (after about 15 drying) taking my total time down to about half an hour rather than 1-2 depending on the length of my hair.
What we have also learned with the straightener is that you can go from super curly to straight. It takes a bit longer, but it works. I find that my style holds better if I blow dry first so I don't usually do this... but you can. Take my mom, for instance.
As a side note: A couple other things to remember if you want the style to last. A shower cap. Totally necessary to keep you from redoing hair more often than you would like. I even use it sometimes after a shower if the bathroom is still steamy while I do my make-up as the humidity is still not my friend. And recently, I learned about the joys of dry shampoo. I wouldn't recommend using it more than a day or two, but it can help you hold a style for a bit longer without it looking greasy. You have to be careful though because it builds up in your hair and on your scalp.
And... that's that. It's still a process, but I have finally found a way to make it a bit easier. I hope that if you are interested, this post may have helped you find a new product or two. And if you have a product you LOVE, please share. I'm always interested in new things. Happy straightening!
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