- 1). Prepare hair by washing with a relaxing shampoo and moisturizing with a relaxing conditioner. This removes grease, dirt and product build-up in hair that could prevent the flat iron from styling properly and hydrates to counter damage acquired through heat styling, according to Misikko. Follow the shampoo and conditioner instructions for the best results.
- 2). Work heat protecting straightening balm into hair starting at the tips and working towards the roots. Applying heat protecting helps prevent damage during blow drying and flat ironing.
- 3). Allow hair to air dry until partially damp, then blow dry until hair is free of water. My Hairstyling Tools recommends brushing hair with a paddle brush while drying in a downward motion to detangle hair. Start at the bottom layer of hair and work your way upward, drying 2-inch sections at a time.
- 4). Set your flat iron on a high setting. Coarse hair requires a temperature between 380 degrees and 410 degrees for proper straightening, according to Folica.
- 5). Divide hair into sections no larger than the width of the plates of the flat iron and spray each section with heat protecting spray before flat ironing. Sequentially press each section of hair between the plates of the heated flat iron and gently pull the iron through the hair, starting near the scalp and working towards the tip.
- 6). Spray shine-enhancing finishing spray all over straightened style.
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