Curls typically inspire a love/hate relationship with the person they belong to. In spite of them being the bane of your existence for most of your childhood and adolescence, you love your curls, but sometimes you might need a break from them. Straight hair offers an easier morning routine and new look, but it takes time and effort that shouldn’t go to waste because of a lack of know-how. Read further about how you can maintain that sleek, straightened look with a few of these tips.
Oils and Serums
Many oils will weigh your hair down and give it that greasy, unclean look. You’ll want to keep your hair as lightweight as possible after straightening. Oils help with this, but choosing the right one for your hair type is key. This oil is highly recommended by experts and could be just what you’re looking for. Oil is a necessary step in straightening your hair if you have a dry, itchy scalp or split ends.
Always apply oils before and after you straighten your hair. Heat can dry out your hair quite a bit, and oils help soothe it. A lot of time, if your hair is already damaged from split ends before you straighten it, then it might get worse after straightening if you don’t use oils or serums. Oils tend to provide important vitamins for your hair that will help with this, as a lack of nutrients is the root cause of split ends.
Choose the Best Season
There is actually a right and wrong time for your next look, and unfortunately, that doesn’t only apply to your favorite pair of Uggs. You’re better off not straightening your hair in the summertime because, like it or not, it’s not the right season for straight hair. Humidity is at an all-time high in the summer, and it’s most likely that all that heat you applied to your luscious locks will be for nothing and will be back to their kinky curly selves in no time. Try to wait until Autumn. On the other hand, if you live in a very dry area, there’s a chance you can get away with it, but it’s still a risk.
Shampoo and Condition Often
This might seem like a no-brainer. You probably already knew that shampooing and conditioning make hair sleeker, but what you may not have known about are all the vitamins you provide your hair when you give it some love in the shower. Look for these specific vitamins when you’re picking out your next set of shampoo and conditioner, and you’ll be on your way to smoother, straighter hair:
- Hedera helix extract
- Vitamin B5
- Wheat proteins
Try using a comb when conditioning your hair to really get the conditioner to sink into your hair to get the tangles out. This will help you avoid split ends later.
Be Kind to Your Hair Before, After, and During Your Workout
Many people have the luxury of just throwing their hair in a ponytail for their workout. However, this is ill-advised for even the straightest hair, and it’s definitely not going to help keep your hair looking freshly straightened. There are a plethora of protective measures you can undergo to keep your hair safe while you work out, but a simple solution is wrapping it up in a scarf. It will absorb a lot of those pesky sweat droplets and save you from the hair crimps and split ends that come from tying it up in elastic.
Spritz up your mane with a nice moisturizing leave-in conditioner before your workout to ward off the dryness that can come from being exposed to the sun’s hot rays or rubbing your scalp. After your workout, always deeply shampoo and condition your hair from root to ends to rejuvenate it with nutrients that will keep it straight.
Use the Control Settings on Your Hair Dryer
Heat and wind will dry out hair. It’s best to always dry your hair on the lowest possible wind speed setting to make sure you avoid this. This will also keep you from getting any new tangles as you dry, so you don’t have to recomb it and possibly split some ends in the process. Always use low heat or cold air if you can because heat will also dry out your hair and cause it to frizz.
A person’s hair is a crown that should be polished and treated with care. The last thing you want to do when going for that new look is damage hair that has served you well over the years. Remember that if you’re good at your hair, it will be good for you. Use these tips to maintain your mane when you straighten, and you’ll certainly come out of it with hair that is still healthy and luscious.
