Straightening hair without a flat iron

Violet Fields · ‎03-10-2010

My hair is wavy mostly underneath in the back and straighter on the top of that and it looks a little messy if it's not constantly combed, so I'm trying to straighten it out. The hairdresser said it's damaged from dying the roots (my hair is light blonde and the roots get real dark) and also maybe from well water, so I am using restructuring shampoo and conditioner. I bought Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener and put it in while the hair is still wet after taking a shower. Then I blow it dry but not completely dry because I don't want to damage the hair further. Well, it really doesn't straighten very much but it does make my hair glossy and soft anyway.

Does anyone know either how to get the Aveda to work right or what else I could do without damaging my hair? Thanks in advance!

Witchy Woman · ‎03-15-2010

You might want to consider a salon smoothing treatment with a product made by Pravana or others (names escape me at the moment).

I just went in yesterday for my every 3-4 month smoothing treatment. The products are NOT like Brazilian blow out systems -- no formaldehyde - and hair can be colored the same day.

I've been doing this for over a year and love the results. My very curly/fine/color-treated hair had just gotten unmanageable in the humid months. It was beautiful and lush when I was younger, but lately it just looked messy and unkempt to me. So, I did a bit of research and found hair straightening/smoothing has come a long way since my youth.

My hair actually seems stronger and thicker than when I let the curls control it.

Now, I wash it, let it air dry a bit and use my Spin Brush. The finish is smooth and beautiful and holds up great in humidity. I call it my Jennifer Anniston hair! Now, if I could just find a way to get her figure ${#emotions_dlg.laugh}$

RespectLife · ‎02-27-2012

This is what works so well for me:

I use WEN...not asking you to do so...just saying since I switched to WEN and use the styling creme...my straightening results have been fantastic. No frizzies! NO flat irons.

I purchased (based on a recommendation here) the Sedu Revolution 4000i Hair dryer (kinda $$ but SO worth it)

I now only have to blow dry w/ a paddle brush (round brushes hate me and I hate them right back). This dryer works so fast without extreme heat! Has the ions etc. I have fairly long hair down my back. I used to dread washing/styling so much.

My hair is now straight, full, soft, silky and smooth and NO hot tool or flat iron is needed at all. I have a beautiful straight look w/ very little effort. I have those curlies underneath like you. More like squiggles!

The WEN styling creme is a must for me to protect my hair and keep it smooth...but this hair dryer....!! I'm telling ya...it is the best I have ever, EVER used.

Kind1too · ‎11-20-2012

When you dye your hair you have to dye your roots. When you stop dyeing your hair all together, after it grows out, it will all be the same color. The tips of your hair were once at the root too. Do you darken or lighten?

Violet Fields · ‎03-10-2010

On 3/5/2015 Kind1too said:
When you dye your hair you have to dye your roots. When you stop dyeing your hair all together, after it grows out, it will all be the same color. The tips of your hair were once at the root too. Do you darken or lighten?

I (actually my husband does it) lighten the roots and use Naturtint permanent hair dye in one of the blonde shades usually. My skin is really sensitive so I use the more "natural" dyes. The color would probably be real yuck if I stopped dying it and let it grow out. The roots are brown with some gray starting to mix in around the hairline. My hair was always blonde but lately the roots are getting dark, so does that mean the actual color is changing to brown or preparing to change to gray/white?

Violet Fields · ‎03-10-2010

On 3/5/2015 RespectLife said:
This is what works so well for me:

I use WEN...not asking you to do so...just saying since I switched to WEN and use the styling creme...my straightening results have been fantastic. No frizzies! NO flat irons.

I purchased (based on a recommendation here) the Sedu Revolution 4000i Hair dryer (kinda $$ but SO worth it)

I now only have to blow dry w/ a paddle brush (round brushes hate me and I hate them right back). This dryer works so fast without extreme heat! Has the ions etc. I have fairly long hair down my back. I used to dread washing/styling so much.

My hair is now straight, full, soft, silky and smooth and NO hot tool or flat iron is needed at all. I have a beautiful straight look w/ very little effort. I have those curlies underneath like you. More like squiggles!

The WEN styling creme is a must for me to protect my hair and keep it smooth...but this hair dryer....!! I'm telling ya...it is the best I have ever, EVER used.

I never used WEN but your results sound so good I'll look up the styling cream! I'll check into the hair dryer also. The underneath curlies are a real pain! Thanks for your reply.

Harpa · ‎03-10-2010

Don't you have to pull the brush rather taut as you blow dry in order to straighten hair? I am assuming you are using a brush similar to Chaz's round brushes?

Violet Fields · ‎03-10-2010

On 3/5/2015 Harpa said:
Don't you have to pull the brush rather taut as you blow dry in order to straighten hair? I am assuming you are using a brush similar to Chaz's round brushes?

Yeah, I am pulling it taught and the brush I use is a small round brush. I think the brush is ceramic. I'm not blowing it dry until it's completely dry though because I'm afraid it will dry it out, but I wonder if you have to get it totally dry.

CatsyCline · ‎07-24-2013

On 3/5/2015 Violet Fields said:
On 3/5/2015 Harpa said:
Don't you have to pull the brush rather taut as you blow dry in order to straighten hair? I am assuming you are using a brush similar to Chaz's round brushes?

Yeah, I am pulling it taught and the brush I use is a small round brush. I think the brush is ceramic. I'm not blowing it dry until it's completely dry though because I'm afraid it will dry it out, but I wonder if you have to get it totally dry.

Yes, you need to get all the moisture out of the hair when you blow dry it. if there is any moisture left in the cuticle it will create frizz or poof. you have to dry in small sections.
first dry the crown (which you say the top layer is straighter) and bangs. then clip that section up out of the way. The crucial sections are the wavy areas you say are underneath. take the time to dry in sections. you will know when your hair is really dry - it will have a sheen and a bounce to it.