best way to straighten?

kbaby · 08-18-2005, 04:01 PM

I want to trim my ends, but am having a hard time getting my hair straight enough to trim accurately. I usually con wash with Suave Tropical Coconut, blow dry, and then use my ceramic iron and a little Wild Growth Oil to flat iron. But my hair NEVER gets fully straight! I straightened earlier this week and had the iron on 400 and my hair was still puffy on the ends!!! The last time I trimmed, back in June, I had it done professionally, so I know it was done correctly and I know my hair was super straight when she trimmed, so I don't think it's puffy because my ends are raggedy. I need help!!

msjoker · 08-18-2005, 04:06 PM

Do you use a comb attchment when you blowdry? I use one and it gets my hair really straight.

kbaby · 08-18-2005, 04:09 PM

Yes...I have this Gold 'N' Hot blow dryer w/a comb attachment. It's the one that you actually hold like you're combing your hair. I usually alternate between high and low when I'm drying. It's just so strange, my hair is thicker than when I was relaxed, but still pretty fine, I can't understand why it's so hard to get my hair straight.

susu · 08-18-2005, 05:48 PM

I just attempted to straighten my hair for the first time in months (not including a visit to a salon last month). Had the same problem - really big, frizzy, super-dry hair and the ends seemed especially fragile and scraggly (even though I had a trim 6 wks ago). Granted, I didn't start straightening til my hair had already dried a little (1 1/2 or 2 hrs after showering), and I gave up after about 20 min. I was straightening w/ a blow dryer and paddle brush (that's how my stylist did it and what she recommended), but I think I"m going to go back to my comb attachment next time - I think you have more control that way.

Anyway... when my hair was about 80% dry (but nowhere near straight), I stopped blowdrying, brushed some Tigi Control Freak through my hair, and braided it into about 12 braids. I'm planning on taking the braids out tomorrow morn (should be much smoother and more manageable then) and flat ironing it then. This approach feels less time consuming, less frustrating and a little easier on the hair than blow drying til straight (but I could just be rationalizing my laziness - I always get tired midway through blowdrying). I'll let you know how it turns out.

kbaby · 08-20-2005, 08:16 AM

That sounds like a good idea, susu. I'm anxious to know how it turns out!

LadyLibra1982 · 08-22-2005, 05:46 PM

i usually will band my hair and let it get 75-80% dry before blowdrying. (some find it easier to twist or braid and then blowdry.) my blowdrier looks like a big round bristle brush and it works pretty well.

it does not, however, get my hair bone-straight. nor does it make my hair lay down like it's relaxed. but it gets it straight enough that i can trim it or have it braided without someone ripping out my hair. sometimes blowdrying and then flat ironing will get your hair straighter... just make sure you're using a good heat protectanct! :wink

kbaby · 08-22-2005, 08:49 PM

Oooh, I never thought about banding, I'll definitely try that. What kind of heat protectant do you use?

LadyLibra1982 · 08-23-2005, 08:46 AM

for blow-drying i use African Supreme Hair, Scalp and Skin Moisturizing Oil. it has no mineral oil or petroleum in it which is why i love it. the down side is it kinda smells like carrots.

but i get it at Wal-Mart.

personally i am a BIG fan of ThermaSilk's products.

i use to use the leave-in detangling spray as my setting lotion because it gives great hold without the stiff feeling. and of course it's made to work with heat to style your hair and protect it at the same time.

foxycus02 · 08-24-2005, 09:27 AM

If you want to have smooth straight hair put the blow dryer to the side and pull out some rollers. Take your time roller set your hair so the hair bakes on smooth and straight. Sit under a hooded dryer and make sure your hair is completely dry before you unroll. Finish w flat iron. Voila!

LadyLibra1982 · 08-25-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxycus02

If you want to have smooth straight hair put the blow dryer to the side and pull out some rollers. Take your time roller set your hair so the hair bakes on smooth and straight. Sit under a hooded dryer and make sure your hair is completely dry before you unroll. Finish w flat iron. Voila!

geez, i forgot all about that... i used to do rollersets all the time! thanks for the tip!

kbaby · 08-25-2005, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the tip LadyLibra. I'll look out for both of those protectants. All I've used so far is Wild Growth. It makes my hair shiny but I doubt it's protected!

What kind of rollers does everyone use to straighten? I've tried those big plastic rollers, the kind you use with metal clips, but I can't get them to stay in my head. I have 3 or 4 different sizes, and none of them work. When I was transitioning, I used bendy (for lack of a better word) rollers...oh, and perm rods. I think they are too small to make my hair straight.

LadyLibra1982 · 08-27-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbaby

What kind of rollers does everyone use to straighten?

my sis got some of those magnetic rollers for her birthday... not sure where they're from but she LOVES them. my hair is still a bit too short but i can't wait to try them out. natural or not, everyone is telling me good things about them.

kbaby · 08-28-2005, 10:31 AM

LadyLibra, does your sister use the part of the rollers that clamp on top? I always thought those would leave dents...