Super-Straight Strands Are In: Here's How to Get Straight Hair

Remember back in the early 2000s when hair straighteners first became synonymous with cool-girl style and how to get straight hair was your biggest beauty conundrum? Us, too. You may also remember, then, that while hair straighteners were an unquestionable must-have in any hair styling arsenal, oftentimes products—ranging from heat protectants and hair serums to hair sprays and hair gels—weren’t. The result? An attempt to create super-straight hair only to be left with fried ends and flat hair. And yet, somehow, we all seemed to absolutely love it.

Fast forward to the present day, and we’re finally beginning to understand just how damaging those practices were on our hair. What’s more, we’re starting to see that straight hair is back. Thankfully, however, this time, it’s been updated so you can get straight hair without wreaking havoc on your mane. Want to rock trendy straight strands? Below, we’re breaking down how to make your hair straight the right way.

STEP 1: START IN THE SHOWER

While the styling products you use in your mane after showering are important, the products you use when cleansing and conditioning can make a big difference on your journey to straight hair. Stock your shower with the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Caring Conditioner. Designed to smooth the hair’s cuticle while deeply nourishing strands, after five minutes in the shower, you’ll be one step closer to the super-straight hair you’ve been dying to show off.

STEP 2: WATCH HOW YOU DRY YOUR HAIR

Picture this: You step out of the shower, and it’s time to reach for a towel. While a traditional terry cloth towel might be your norm, you’ll be surprised to know that microfiber towels can lead to a straighter, smoother head of hair. These towels are much gentler on wet hair and won’t disturb the cuticle, which can lead to a frizzy, dried look.

STEP 3: PREP YOUR HAIR FOR HEAT

When it comes to learning the ins and outs of how to get straight hair, heat protectant is an absolute must. This beauty staple goes the distance to protect your hair from heat, which helps your mane sport a healthy look. Before you reach for your hot tools, spritz the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray onto your strands. Formulated to reduce frizz, block humidity, and seal in shine—it provides all the essentials you need for this trendy hairstyle.

If your ends need a little extra TLC to mask any dryness, rub a drop or two of the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Frizz Finish Oil-in-Serum between your palms and rub it onto your mid-lengths and ends. The ultra-nourishing formula will help block against frizz and create a sleek shine that never looks greasy.

STEP 4: BLOW-DRY YOUR HAIR

Once your hair is protected, it’s time to blow dry it. If you want to start the straightening process during this step, use a round, boar-bristle brush to help create a smooth, blown-out base.

STEP 5: STRAIGHTEN YOUR HAIR

Ah, finally, what we’ve all been waiting for—straightening your hair. When learning how to use a flat iron, it’s important that you know to always fully dry your hair before straightening it because otherwise, you’re essentially boiling your strands between the heat plates. Yikes! Wait until hair is fully dried and then use the lowest setting on your flat iron to begin smoothing out your strands. If your current setting isn’t quite working, turn it up a notch until you see a difference. Keep in mind, you should only need to go over each strand with one pass.

Once your hair is fully straightened, take a peek in the mirror and check if any areas require a little extra nourishing boost. For these areas, you can apply a bit more serum. If you’re worried about your crown frizzing out, give your finished look a quick spritz of hair spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray, brush it through, and go on with your day.

Editor’s note: While the answer to how to make hair straight is undoubtedly using a good hair straightener, if you prefer to go 100% heat-free, there are ways to straighten hair without one. Read up on How to Straighten Hair Naturally.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HAIR STRAIGHT

Now that you’ve mastered the art of creating sleek strands, you probably want to know how to keep your hair straight. Consider these five tips to help your new style go the distance.

1. WRAP YOUR HAIR AT NIGHT

One of the easiest ways to keep your straight strands in tip-top shape is to wrap your hair at night. This technique is all about smoothing your strands around your head for a rounded finish. As a result, you’ll be able to sleep without the fear of waking up to messy strands. Not to mention, this method also helps to prevent any friction or moisture loss at night. Sound like an idea you can get behind? Head on over to our article, How to Wrap Your Hair at Night, for a step-by-step tutorial.

2. PLACE YOUR HAIR IN A SCRUNCHIE

Prefer to keep things simple? Pull your hair back into a low ponytail with an ultra-soft scrunchie. When you wake up in the morning and let your hair down, your hair should be straight and smooth to touch.

3. STAY AWAY FROM MOISTURE

The worst thing you can do is expose your straight strands to moisture. To help avoid having your hair revert to its natural texture, it’s essential to keep your hair dry at all times. So, that means covering your hair when you shower, avoiding water-based products, and keeping an umbrella handy when needed.

4. REACH FOR DRY SHAMPOO

Dry shampoo is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does this beauty staple help to refresh your strands and absorb excess oils, but you can also count on dry shampoo to reduce moisture build-up in your mane. 

5. PROTECT HAIR AGAINST HUMIDITY

Exposing hair to humidity is one of the fastest ways to make it poof up and lose its straight look. Thankfully, when the weather isn’t on your side, all hope isn’t lost. Look for a hair spray that protects against humidity to stop it from taking a toll on your tresses.

Next: How to Do the Perfect Ponytail