How to get Straighter hair w/ Flatiron

Starronda · Apr 19, 2009

I use Sabino Moisture Block on wet hair. After I blowdry I use a little Chi Silk Infusion, then flatiron on 420 with my babybliss (I only do this once or twice a month). My hair doesn't come out as straight as I would like it. :wallbash:

Can you please give me some better products/suggestions to get my hair straighter. LIke always, thanks.

Nonie · Apr 19, 2009

I am a wet-to-dry presser. I first witnessed this method in high school when a few friends taking little hair at a time would make sure it was wet and then dry it with the flat iron. (That would give the sort of press I used to get.) Then they applied grease and pressed a second time and the hair would be sleeker than I thought you could get without a relaxer until I witnessed that.

What I did the last time I pressed though is use protectants. First I conditioned with CHI Infra Treatment, and I applied it more carefully than I have every applied conditioner, making sure every strand was well coated from base to ends. After rinsing with lukewarm water, I used Curlformers to get a stretch. But I think braiding would have worked too. Once my hair dried, I was ready for the wet-to-dry press, only instead of using water as in the past, which doesn't offer any protection, I used a heat protectant spray John Frieda Heat Defeat. Taking small sections at a time, I wet them with the product and then pressed to dry. Once I had done that to all my hair, I applied John Frieda Thermal Protection serum and ran the flat iron again taking small sections at a time. I was very pleased with my results and my hair was not burned even though I used 446 degrees of heat.

ETA: I too used Babybliss Ceramic flat iron.

Maracujá · Apr 19, 2009

I was gonna suggest a higher temperature - although that is not recommended really - but I see you're already doing that. I have the Babyliss (230 pro or something like that) you're talking about and it gets my natural hair bone straight (relaxed look). Are you relaxed or natural?

hothair · Apr 19, 2009

Get one of these they get your hair silky straight right to the ends, you just "chase" quite close to it with your flatiron :yep:

I got a Babyliss one from Boots over here (I'm sure your pharmacies would carry them)

imaccami · Apr 19, 2009

My recommendation is to use tiny sections, like really really skinny sections. Another tip is to keep your hair "organized" when your flat ironing. What I mean is to keep the hair from the other sections that you're not working on out of your way.

I comb my hair and decide where my part will be, then I part my hair straight down from the end of that part to behind my ear. Then I comb all the other hair away and put it in a bun in a scrunchie on the other side of my head. I make a tiny horizontal part above my ear, put the rest of the hair in a clip and then flat iron. Be sure to get the flat iron as close to the scalp as possible.
Keep going until you reach the top of that section. Take down the rest of your hair, give it a quick comb, and make a new vertical part that ends behind your other ear. Put that hair in a bun, and flat iron the back starting by your neck.

I'm not criticizing you, but 420 sounds so hot to me. I set my Sedu to 340, I used to use it at 370 before I joined LHCF, and turned it down because of all the comments here. It comes out just as straight and just a teeny bit less shiny.

One last tip, I prefer ionic tools because they make my hair shinier, so I use an ionic blow dryer and flat iron. Also my blow dryer is 2000 watts, it gets my hair dry really quickly and also straighter so that when I flat iron my hair comes out straighter. I went to visit my sister once and forgot to bring my blow dryer so I had to use hers. She has a 1875 watt conair not ionic. It took forever to dry my hair, it wasn't as staight when I finished and my flat iron results didn't turn out as nice as they usually would.

HTH

texasqt · Apr 19, 2009

It really starts with your shampoo and conditioner so what are your products? Do they provide your hair with slip (detangles & smooths the hair strand)? Have you checked your porosity? your protein & moisture balance? Certain products help me achieve straighter hair when I flat iron such as Lacio Leave-In and Aphogee's Keratin Spray just to name a few. Something to think about. You have to prep your hair for heat styling.

And definitely use small sections if your hair is thick.

Wanderland · Apr 19, 2009

hothair said:
Get one of these they get your hair silky straight right to the ends, you just "chase" quite close to it with your flatiron I got a Babyliss one from Boots over here (I'm sure your pharmacies would carry them)

Hothair I was just going to suggest something similar. I'm discovering how to get salon flat iron results and so far I've realized.
Chi Silk infusion/GVP knock-off: You already have
Silk Elements Megasilk heat protectant: Not sure if you need I haven't used one without the other so don't know which gives the results
**Chasing the comb**: I bought a vented straightening/cutting comb from sally's. It takes some work getting used to, but my ends come out a million times better. You could probably do this with any old comb but I'm not that dexterous.
Tapping the roots: I saw this on a youtube video for flatironing, but roots come out much straighter this way, and I don't use as much heat on the length of my hair just trying to get the roots straight.

So in summary for a better flat-iron I suggest: the right products (just a little though), tapping the roots, and chasing the comb.

Btw I like to flatiron with very slightly damp hair ~95 percent dry. I'm experimenting with wetter hair though. This is especially good IMO for lots of new-growth, and end protection, so if my hair has dried completely I apply a little water to the roots (with relaxer brush) and the ends (with my fingers)

isawstars · Apr 19, 2009

imaccami said:
My recommendation is to use tiny sections, like really really skinny sections. Another tip is to keep your hair "organized" when your flat ironing. What I mean is to keep the hair from the other sections that you're not working on out of your way.

I comb my hair and decide where my part will be, then I part my hair straight down from the end of that part to behind my ear. Then I comb all the other hair away and put it in a bun in a scrunchie on the other side of my head. I make a tiny horizontal part above my ear, put the rest of the hair in a clip and then flat iron. Be sure to get the flat iron as close to the scalp as possible.
Keep going until you reach the top of that section. Take down the rest of your hair, give it a quick comb, and make a new vertical part that ends behind your other ear. Put that hair in a bun, and flat iron the back starting by your neck.

I'm not criticizing you, but 420 sounds so hot to me. I set my Sedu to 340, I used to use it at 370 before I joined LHCF, and turned it down because of all the comments here. It comes out just as straight and just a teeny bit less shiny.

One last tip, I prefer ionic tools because they make my hair shinier, so I use an ionic blow dryer and flat iron. Also my blow dryer is 2000 watts, it gets my hair dry really quickly and also straighter so that when I flat iron my hair comes out straighter. I went to visit my sister once and forgot to bring my blow dryer so I had to use hers. She has a 1875 watt conair not ionic. It took forever to dry my hair, it wasn't as staight when I finished and my flat iron results didn't turn out as nice as they usually would.

HTH

i agree! small sections make a hugeee difference

Moniquenuss · Apr 19, 2009

I know this is a nono but I use a little bit of coconut oil and it comes out shiny and smooth like in my siggy! I did it last weekend for easter.
I use a HAI Flat iron on about 340 and take really small sections starting in the back and I really take my time. I only do it maybe once every two months.
Well good luck

Soliel185 · Apr 19, 2009

It's more about technique than products IMO. Having the right products definitely helps, but you could spend all the money in the world and not get the results you want if your technique isn't working. There are lots of youtube vids of people using the "chase" method, some use a denman or round brush instead of a comb, but I think it depends on your hair type.

I use a fine tooth comb and do the "comb chase" method on small sections of air dried hair. I've used a blow dryer in the past, but I find that it's not necessary. It can help get your roots straighter, but it can also be a lot of extra heat and manipulation so it depends on your preference. Until I started doing this I could get most of my hair pretty straight, but once I was done it would still be slightly puffy and the ends always felt rough. :nono:

TheQueenBeeMaya · Apr 19, 2009

Soliel185 said:
It's more about technique than products IMO. Having the right products definitely helps, but you could spend all the money in the world and not get the results you want if your technique isn't working. There are lots of youtube vids of people using the "chase" method, some use a denman or round brush instead of a comb, but I think it depends on your hair type.

I use a fine tooth comb and do the "comb chase" method on small sections of air dried hair. I've used a blow dryer in the past, but I find that it's not necessary. It can help get your roots straighter, but it can also be a lot of extra heat and manipulation so it depends on your preference. Until I started doing this I could get most of my hair pretty straight, but once I was done it would still be slightly puffy and the ends always felt rough.

i strongly agree with the bolded. try the comb chase method, it will really get your hair straight. no one ever believes me when i say i'm natural

locabouthair · Apr 19, 2009

TheQueenBeeMaya said:
i strongly agree with the bolded. try the comb chase method, it will really get your hair straight. no one ever believes me when i say i'm natural

what exactly is the comb chase method?

Im trying to picture it. I'm guessing your using the comb to get the roots straighter??

Maracujá · Apr 19, 2009

Moniquenuss said:
I know this is a nono but I use a little bit of coconut oil and it comes out shiny and smooth like in my siggy! I did it last weekend for easter.
I use a HAI Flat iron on about 340 and take really small sections starting in the back and I really take my time. I only do it maybe once every two months.
Well good luck

I use it too, on damp hair before blow drying it. Then I flat iron.

DDTexlaxed · Apr 19, 2009

Great thread! I am going to try some suggestions here. :yep:

hothair · Apr 19, 2009

locabouthair said:
what exactly is the comb chase method?

Im trying to picture it. I'm guessing your using the comb to get the roots straighter??

Check this out from 0:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhmeu5rcfhY

Soliel185 · Apr 19, 2009

locabouthair said:
what exactly is the comb chase method?

Im trying to picture it. I'm guessing your using the comb to get the roots straighter??

When you're flat ironing you generally hold the section you're going to straighten with your fingers as you run the flat iron down the length.

When you use the chase method, you would take the comb or brush you're using, and start to run it down the length of the section (it should already been detangled) followed closely by the flat iron all the way down to the ends.

it gets the entire length straighter and sleeker IMO. It's easier to watch than to explain, so I would recommend doing a YouTube search if you need clearer instructions.

Starronda · Apr 19, 2009

I just got done watching the youtube video on the Comb Chase Technique! Thanks Hothair..Thanks for all of the wonderful advise ladies...What would I do without all of you!!!

locabouthair · Apr 20, 2009

hothair said:
Check this out from 0:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhmeu5rcfhY

Soliel185 said:
When you're flat ironing you generally hold the section you're going to straighten with your fingers as you run the flat iron down the length.

When you use the chase method, you would take the comb or brush you're using, and start to run it down the length of the section (it should already been detangled) followed closely by the flat iron all the way down to the ends.

it gets the entire length straighter and sleeker IMO. It's easier to watch than to explain, so I would recommend doing a YouTube search if you need clearer instructions.

Thanks ladies! I'm gonna try this tonight on my edges cause they looking kinda crazy right now :look:

When you do this method are you still blowdrying before you flat iron??

lilsparkle825 · Apr 20, 2009

Wanderland said:
Hothair I was just going to suggest something similar. I'm discovering how to get salon flat iron results and so far I've realized.
Chi Silk infusion/GVP knock-off: You already have
Silk Elements Megasilk heat protectant: Not sure if you need I haven't used one without the other so don't know which gives the results
**Chasing the comb**: I bought a vented straightening/cutting comb from sally's. It takes some work getting used to, but my ends come out a million times better. You could probably do this with any old comb but I'm not that dexterous.
Tapping the roots: I saw this on a youtube video for flatironing, but roots come out much straighter this way, and I don't use as much heat on the length of my hair just trying to get the roots straight.

So in summary for a better flat-iron I suggest: the right products (just a little though), tapping the roots, and chasing the comb.

I agree with everything in the summary, especially the right products. I got the best flat iron since my BC the last time I did it; following my mandatory DC I did an ACV rinse to deal with porosity/cuticle issues, not to mention I added a little protein via Aphogee 2 min to the DC. After adding my leave-in, I rollerset till I ran out of rollers, then twisted the rest; before flat ironing, I added Chi Silk Infusion and a dab of coconut oil. Ohhhh it was lovely.

Allandra · Apr 20, 2009

Have you tried doing small section with the comb chase method? It works wonders.

locabouthair · Apr 20, 2009

I must be really late. I've been on this board for four years and I've never heard of the comb chase method. I feel like I've been living under a rock or something :lol:

Is this something new?

Allandra · Apr 20, 2009

locabouthair said:
I must be really late. I've been on this board for four years and I've never heard of the comb chase method. I feel like I've been living under a rock or something Is this something new?

Nope, it's not new.

Soliel185 · Apr 20, 2009

locabouthair said:
Thanks ladies! I'm gonna try this tonight on my edges cause they looking kinda crazy right now

When you do this method are you still blowdrying before you flat iron??

That's a matter of personal preference. Usually after I've washed, conditioned and detangled my hair I am in no mood to stand around blow drying it too. I airdry overnight in a stretched style, like a bun, and then flat iron the next day. Every once in awhile I would go through my hair in sections with a blowdryer before straightening, but it's not really needed to get good results IMO.

MochaEyeCandy · Apr 20, 2009

When I flat iron my dd's hair, I make really small sections and I chase a round boar bristle brush with my flat iron. Works like a charm.

Paris Belle · Apr 20, 2009

Thanks OP for starting this thread. I attempted to flat iron my hair recently and it didn't come out so well and I was wondering the same thing.

Thanks to all the ladies for all the advice. I will add to this to my notes. Very helpful thread.

SouthernTease · Apr 20, 2009

banding see my blog

cutenss · Apr 20, 2009

I use a maxiglide, which has a built in "comb chase method", detangling pins. I put my Redken heat glide seum or CHI silk infusion, on a lid or the counter. I dab my finger into the serum, start at the last 2" of hair and apply that dab. I just run my finger 3 or 4times along the section (with only ONE dab). Then flat iron that section. I move slowly down the section, until I get to the end. I have thin hair and this doesn't way my hair down. I :love4:

Redken heat glide. I like Chi silk infusion. HTH

curlcomplexity · Apr 20, 2009

I use tiny sections. One slow smooth swipe w/ my flat iron is all I need for it to be sleek and I airdry.

I don't comb chase b/c I get breakage that way. Instead, I gently brush each small section before I flat iron.

longhairlover · Apr 20, 2009

I normally blow dry with the pic attachment, use a good leave in blow drying cream/spray, once the hair is dry I flat iron small sections with 300-400 degrees (my hair is fine with the heat) and sometimes i'll use Joice flat ironing spray it really helps in getting the hair silky and shiny, i've been flat ironing for years getting sleek results, like the other ladies said it's all on the products and definitely the technique. practice will eventually lead to perfection.

Starronda · Apr 20, 2009

cutenss said:
I use a maxiglide, which has a built in "comb chase method", detangling pins. I put my Redken heat glide seum or CHI silk infusion, on a lid or the counter. I dab my finger into the serum, start at the last 2" of hair and apply that dab. I just run my finger 3 or 4times along the section (with only ONE dab). Then flat iron that section. I move slowly down the section, until I get to the end. I have thin hair and this doesn't way my hair down. I Redken heat glide. I like Chi silk infusion. HTH

I'm in luv with Redken Heat Glide. I used it for the first time this weekend and this is now a staple..Chi silk didn't work good for me at all :nono:

. I might have to get a maxiglide. I hear good things about it. Thx

How to get Straighter hair w/ Flatiron

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