Straightening Natural Hair? All You Need are The Right Tools and The Right Techniques!
There’s a bit of debate out there about what “natural hair type” really means. For the purpose of this article, we are defining it as hair that has not been permanently straightened or waved and has the “average” texture and thickness.
Note that “natural” hair can be very different depending on your genetic makeup – for example, African-descent hair tends to be much coarser and springier than European-descent hair.
In this article, we take a look at styling tools and tips for natural hair types. Read on to find out more.
Getting Back to Natural After Years of Treatment:
I’ve noticed that, in recent years, there’s a growing movement towards returning to natural hair. Even the most confirmed Keratin Blow-out users are now wondering whether they can transition back to natural hair. The reason? In my honest opinion, it’s simply because
It’s super easy to return to natural hair: simply stop getting the treatments, take extra special care of your hair, and have regular trims while the chemically treated hair grows out.
If you are weaning your hair off chemical treatments, you can use a straightening iron but you need to be careful. Your hair is likely to be fragile. It’s important to use a flat iron which is compatible with keratin treatments to avoid further damage.
The Onei MK-1 Halo Flat Iron is safe for use on Keratin treated hair and can help keep you looking smooth and stylish as you transition between treated and natural hair.
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A Hair Straightener So Good it Works for Any Natural Hair Type?
So what’s the very best flat iron for natural hair when you’re transitioning back from treated to natural? In my salon, I’ve worked with pretty much every hair-type under the sun! And I’ve tried pretty much every brand of salon-quality flat iron, too. So, yes, I have a favorite!
My go-to hair straightener, which I’ve found really effective on even hard-to-straighten hair, is the Bio-Ionic One-Pass. This straightener is awesome for straightening, curling, and making waves on every natural hair type. Here’s why:
- The “one-pass” claim is actually true on almost every hair type I’ve tried it on. As long as the hair is divided carefully into half-inch sections, it only takes one go to get even really coarse natural hair beautifully straight.
- The Ionic technology is wicked for fighting off frizz, even in a really humid climate.
- It has nifty silicone strips on the plates, which really does help it slip smoothly down a section without any snagging.
- You’re in control – the variable heat settings are easy to program, reducing the risk of accidentally cranking up the temperature and burning your precious hair!
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Of course, this is one of the most popular professional flat irons on the market: it doesn’t come cheap! When they’ve got a good deal running, you can pick one up for around $140 – sometimes with free postage included. Click here to check out the current price.
Is there a Budget Flat Iron for Natural Hair?
Yes. There’s always a budget option. The most versatile and effective cheap flat iron that I’ve found is the HSI Professional Flat Iron. The word “professional” is being used quite lightly because it’s definitely not in the same league as Bio Ionic or Babyliss. However, it does have some very cool features which put it among the best in its price range. These include:
- It has tourmaline coated plates which help to prevent snagging and heat damage.
- It has variable heat controls.
- Dual voltage means you can take it anywhere.
- HSI frequently has special deals where you get a styling product and bag with your flat iron purchase.
- It is really well reviewed, is an Amazon Best Seller, and has literally thousands of 5-star ratings.
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This straightener usually retails for around $50. To see what the current price for this product is and compare it with others, click here.
Styling Tips for Natural Hair Types:
As I said earlier, there are lots of different types of natural hair and each has styling methods which work best for them. But there are a few tips and tricks which work well for every hair type. Here goes:
- Comb your hair your hair thoroughly before straightening – this will help prevent uneven results, snagging, and tearing.
- Always use a heat-protective mist before you heat style. Despite what some companies claim, ALL hair straighteners do some damage to your hair. It is, after all a 400-degree iron!
- On that note, it is always advisable to give your hair a break between heat styling (or it really might start to BREAK!). Try and restrict yourself to only straightening every two or three days.
- When you’re using a new flat iron for natural hair, start with lower temperatures and work your way up until you find a temperature which works for your hair. Then lock it in and stick with it. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up when you’re in a hurry!
- Be patient and work methodically. Divide your hair into sections and straighten section by section from the nape up. Move slowly and smoothly down each section, rather than trying to use your flat iron like a brush or comb.
- Use a light-weight setting mist when you’ve finished to keep your style looking better for longer and avoid having to do little touch-ups during the day.
Would You Like More Tips and Tools For Your Specific Hair Type?
If you’d like more targeted information on buying products and learning techniques for styling your hair types, click to navigate to any of the following articles:
- Curly Hair
- Fine Hair
- Thin Hair
- Coarse Hair
- Thick Hair
- Black Hair
Feel Free to Ask Questions, Make Suggestions, or Share Style Ideas:
We are experienced hair stylists and all-around lovers of beauty and fashion. But we don’t always know everything! If you’ve got a question, comment, or suggestion for us, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop a comment at the bottom of this page or send a private message to our contact us page.