by Erin Yarrobino

Created on: April 26, 2009   Last Updated: April 27, 2009

Whether you have naturally straight hair, or are trying to coax your curly/wavy hair to behave, there are certain steps you must take to achieve the look. Just as with any other hairstyle, you must know the right tools and tricks to use. You could get the perfect salon blowout without leaving your home, even if it does require you to set aside some time.

The first thing you have to do is notice the shampoo and conditioner you are using. Does it say straightening/smoothing? You will need this, because washing your hair the right way is the best way to begin.

Before beginning to dry your hair, apply a straightening treatment. Every brand of hair care products has at least one of these products. Use a wide-tooth comb to make sure the product is evenly distributed. Squeeze any excess water out before you do this so that the product could penetrate the hair shaft more.

After this, blow dry your hair with the proper brush. The best brush to use is a narrow round brush. This kind of brush allows you to work with less hair at a time, which is very important for getting a straight look. It is also important to remember to blow dry hair in different sections to avoid frizz and fly aways. Point the hair dryer nozzle downwards, so hair becomes more sleek. It is still best to dry your hair on a higher heat setting, because heat is a great thing for getting the super-straight look. When hair is completely dry, blow dry again, but on the coolest setting. This is a good way to set the style, and also a good way to add a lot of shine.

Once hair is dry, apply either an anti-frizz product or a shine serum product. Either one will help tame any frizziness caused by blow drying on a higher heat setting. Make sure you apply it evenly, and give it a couple of seconds to settle in before moving on to the next step.

Using a flatiron is always a good idea. Just as when you blow dried your hair, take two-inch sections of hair and run the flat iron through it. Flat irons are great to use because it helps you to get a sleeker, more shiny finish. More hairs are able to stay in place.

Even on a day with a lot of humidity, you could still keep your straight look. In the shower, it would help to use warm water instead of hot water. This also keeps the hair follicles smooth. At the end of your shower, get a cool water rinse going through your shaft. This helps to maintain shine, and keeps hair more manageable.

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