by Mikyle Threats

Created on: January 20, 2009

I have been "blessed" with naturally overly curly hair. As a multi-racial person, my main goal in life was to emulate what the media has told me was beautiful hair. That would be straight, dare I say...Caucasian hair. I tried product after product, method after method in hopes to attaining so-called perfect hair. I've been a licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist since 1992 and working on people with a variety of hair textures. In my tenture as a professional hairdresser I have picked up some tricks along the way. I hope you will find them as helpful and successful as I have.

First, the most important thing to remember is healthful hair breeds the best results. If you have over-processed or damaged hair the first thing to do is to get your hair whipped back into shape. Protein conditioners help to strengthen the hair and make it resilient. Protein cannot be used alone so don't forget to apply a moisturizing conditioner after the protein to soften your strong locks. Second, always begin with clean hair. Wash and condition your hair, towel blot, and section into 4 sections. Your sections should go from ear to ear and down the center to the nape (which is the back of your head). Apply a small amount of frizz controlling serum, such as Proclaim or John Freida frizz controlling serum to each section and clip out of the way. Take small sub-sections starting form one of the back sections.

Using a natural hair large round brush and a blow dryer - preferably a ceramic dryer, place the brush at the root of your hair and slowly blow dry each section until completely dried. Repeat this step until you entire head of hair is dry. Third, re-section your hair and flat iron as you did blowing your hair dry. Taking small sections starting at the nape and using a pre-heated ceramic flat iron, place the iron at the root of your hair, apply a lot of pressure and slowly move the flat iron down the entire length of your hair. It is very important to move the flat iron slowly and smoothly down the shaft, or length of your hair. If you move too quickly you will not get the desired results. The ceramic material along with the heat of the flat iron will seal the cuticle of your hair giving it a glassy appearance making it soft and straight.

The most key thing to remember when straightening curly hair is technique. Technique takes practice, but anyone cann accomplish the right technique to straighten any type of hair. When all else fails, rollers are another great way method of getting your locks straightened out. Shampoo and condition your hair. Apply a frizz controlling serum and a touch of mousse. Beginning at the top of your head section off your hair in medium-sized sections. Comb the section until smooth. Place a large roller at the end of the section, using pressure - roll your hair very smoothly around the roller until you reach the roots. Repeat this until entire head has been rolled into rollers. You will need to sit under a dryer until hair is completely dried. Do not leave the dryer if hair is damp. Hair must be thoroughly dry.

When hair is dry, remove rollers and use a large natural bristle round brush and a ceramic blow dryer, brush, brush, brush hair. Your hair wil begin to relax and smooth out with each stroke of the brush and the heat of the dryer. This method may be the easiest way to straighten curly hair, but it does take some time to complete from start to end. I hope that I have been able to provide some valuable information to you and "Happy hair straightening!"

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