The Basics
Grow your hair long. It's science -- the heavier your hair is, the more it will straighten out under its own weight. So if you want naturally straighter hair (not straight, straighter), grow it out. Shorter hair has more of a tendency to curl up. That being said, don't avoid the salon and ignore your regular haircuts. Still go in every 2 or 3 months, but only get the ends trimmed. This will actually support growth (cutting off the dead ends) and help your hair grow faster.
Invest in a good blow dryer. The only reason those salons that only do blow-drying (seriously?) exist is because very few of us own a good blow dryer. It may seem silly, but "ionic" may not just be a marketing ploy. If you see it on the box, buy it. It may prevent further hair damage. "Ionic" supposedly means that instead of the water molecule evaporating (like it normally does under the heat), the ionic blow dryers simply break it down, leaving the moisture in your hair. They also do the drying quicker, saving you time. If you blow dry often, they're worth the extra cost.
Nail down your blow-drying technique. You may think there's one way to blow dry your hair: point the blow dryer and go. But there's actually more to it to that and it's important that you do it correctly. There are two things you should get down pat: Use the nozzle on the end -- it's there to direct the heat exactly where you want it to go. That will help your hair cuticles lay smoother and flatter, so your hair will have a shinier finish. Section your hair to get it straighter, getting a faster result. Use a large round brush of you want more volume at the scalp area. If you prefer less volume, use a paddle brush or a Denman brush.
As You Straighten
Shampoo your hair and blow-dry. Use your shampoo, conditioner, and straightening serum and follow your normal routine of lathering up. Bust out that nice hair dryer you just bought, the round brush, and get to work, starting from the nape of your neck. You can now choose to either blow dry your hair or to straighten it with a flat iron, or both. If blow drying, take a wide brush and straighten your hair as your hair stylist would do. Watch out not to turn the blow dryer on maximum heat and not to keep it too close to your hair. Try using a smoothing shampoo and conditioner, which are designed to be used with a thermal straightener. You can also use a thermal protectant leave-in conditioner after your shampoo, which usually comes as a cream or spray. Apply the product to your hair from root to tip.
Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. This step may not be necessary if your hair responds well to blow-dryers and brushing. But if you have rather curly hair and tangles are common, give it an extra comb-through. Always be gentle on your scalp. When you're brushing or combing, take extra care in not pulling or tugging on your follicles.
Straighten your hair a small section at a time. You may think you're saving time in the long run, but when you take large sections, you just wind up going over them again. Keep your sections to about 1" (2.5 cm) wide to get a more uniform, straightened-for-longer look. And you won't be exposing the strands to heat over and over -- just the one time. If you have fine hair, keep the hair straightener on low; but thick and coarse hair can tolerate the medium and high settings. If you're curious, grab a tissue and test the flat iron on it. If it scorches, it's obviously too hot for you. And though it should go without saying, always, always, always use a heat protectant on your hair to defend your strands against the heat. Spritz each section of hair with thermal protectant before you start straightening.
Apply product. You've invested in a good hairdryer and a good flat iron, so it's high time to invest in some good products. Get a hairspray you know you like and some anti-frizz spray or gel that contains silicone. That's right, silicone. It's found in many hair care products. It minimizes frizz because it's water-resistant, and so it prevents humidity from entering the hair shaft and swelling it. Using a shampoo, conditioner, and styling serum all containing silicone will not only control frizz but also help with detangling and shine.
Finished.
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