What does your hair fell like when straight?

[Fresh4thefuture]

I'm trying to straighten my hair right now but it feels so dry and brittle and its also puffy.

Is it just my products (Cantu Leave-in and Fantasia Frizz Buster Silky Smooth Straightening Cream) or my straightener (in-styler)?

Or does it happen to you to?

And if not what products and straightener do you use and how long does it take you to straighten?

[MixedUpCurlyChick]

This happened to me when I first went natural and I was using the HAI. I think it was for two reasons. For one, the products I was using. I hadn't done my research yet and I thought the products I was using would act as a barrier for the iron but my hair was just fried! The other thing is that I kept going over the same parts (I know, I know: big no-no!) b/c I was used to going over my hair once or twice and getting it straight.

I got frustrated when it didn't get straight, so I just went over the area (s) again. I now use the Maxiglide when I straighten my hair (which is not often). It doesn't get as hot as the other iron so my hair doesn't get as straight. However, I don't think my hair is meant to be that straight (without chemicals) so I think its a good thing. My hair no longer looks dry or brittle on the ends. I think its mostly b/c of the iron but I don't think the products helped either. I'm not familiar with those particular products though so I can't comment on their causing a problem.

I straightened my hair for Halloween and it took about 3 or 4 hrs. It is fine but very dense. Lengthwise its several inches past my shoulders when straight.

[eccentric_kurlz]

My hair feels soft after straightening. Especially a couple of days after. But I know that if I do my hair when it's humid, it's gonna be puffier than normal.
Takes me an hour and a half(at the most), and my hair brushes WL straightened.

Anyway, I think it's the products. You're using a leave in that works better for styling as is(with minimal manipulation). When straightening, you want to minimize the use of products with a lot of water and humectants (glycerin, aloe gel, etc). That is, unless you're doing a wet-set. I use lighter leave ins(like PM The Conditioner) or Giovanni Direct leave in, and use an oil or serum to smooth when straightening. Sometimes a [shea butter]pomade. Depends on how my hair's mood.

[gagirl09]

Do the oils you use act as a heat protectant while you're flat ironing? If so what type of oils do you use or do you use someting else. I asked two others and got no response

[eccentric_kurlz]

Originally Posted by gagirl09

Do the oils you use act as a heat protectant while you're flat ironing? If so what type of oils do you use or do you use someting else. I asked two others and got no response

Yup. I use Natural Oasis Herbal Styling oil and/or Kemi Oil Shea Butter Pomade.

[FallOutCurl]

I also find that my hair is soft afterwards I use shea butter and coconut oils along with curls elixer.

[afrikurl]

I have the same dilema to get your hair really straight it usually requires more heat than I'm willing to do. I don't like poofy hair. I either want an afro or a swangin wrap, not both. You may want to modify your technique I would also only use a heat protectant and a glosser/serum. There has to be tension for it to get straight and be flat. Some people use a brush others slowly move the flat iron while holding their hair taught. I've only seen the instyler inofmercial so I don't know but the women's hair appears to be blown out first. Also check out youtube.