10 Tips to Perfectly Straight Hair | Beauty Care slideshows | Well Being center

Get a Trim

We feel like we say this all the time - but the easiest way to ensure that your locks stay frizz and split-end free is to have regular trims, at least once every six to eight weeks. This'll get rid of the frizzy bits of hair and means that when you do use straightening irons, hair will remain straight instead of curling up or going a bit frizzy at the ends. You don't need to get a lot taken off - just 1 or 2cm every six to eight weeks is usually plenty. Ask your stylist to remove all split ends and for a straight, sleek look, get a blunt cut rather than a layered look.

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Photo courtesy of Christian Pichler by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/30839999@N06/3460102305/
Teaser : Photo courtesy of dollen by Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/dollen/333671263/

Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask

The building blocks of straight hair are a smoothing shampoo, conditioner and hair mask. Use a 15mm blob of shampoo and massage it into the roots, then repeat as needed. You only need about the same amount of conditioner, too - apply it from the ears down and leave to sit for at least 60 seconds. Wash out and then at least once a week, apply a smoothing hair mask. Massage into hair, cover your head with a hot warm towel and then leave to sit for 10-15 minutes before washing out for the softest, silkiest hair ever!

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Comb Hair While Wet

It sounds silly, but it's a simple trick - combing your hair whilst wet is an easy yet quick way to "set" it into a style. For example, if you have a fringe and leave it to dry naturally without combing it through, you'll end up with wayward locks pointing in every direction. Combing hair through when wet, gently, using a wide-toothed comb and leaving it to dry naturally means that (if your hair is already fairly straight naturally) it'll dry pretty much straight - meaning that you'll only need to spend a minute or two with the straightening irons.

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Choose Smoothing Products

Smoothing products are probably the easiest and simplest way to get straight, sleek hair with very little effort. Choose the right products and they'll also lock in your style - meaning that you don't have to use the straighteners more than one day in a row. There are a number of straightening sprays on the market that will keep your hair smooth and straight once styled until your next shampoo, whilst also minimizing frizz. Spritz them onto hair whilst still damp, then leave to dry or blow dry before using the straightening irons. You can also use on dry hair but keep in mind that doing this can singe locks, so be careful!

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Use Straightening Irons Carefully

To get straight, sleek locks, you obviously need to use straightening irons - but you should use them carefully! Divide hair around the back of the ears and clip the top section up. Using a brush to secure your hair, straighten hair from the roots to tips, being careful not to clamp down too hard, working quickly. Don't keep the straighteners on the hair for any longer than is necessary. You might also need to further divide the hair if you have a lot of it! Keep working until you've straightened all of the hair, then apply a smoothing product whilst the hair is still warm.

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Go For an Ionic Blow Dryer

You might ask yourself whether an ionic blow dryer is really worth the extra 10 or 20 dollars - but it really, really is. "Ionic" basically means that the hairdryer contains ceramic smoothing particles that can reduce frizz and really help to tame locks - plus, if you invest in a decent dryer it'll last for years. If you prefer, you can get the same effect by using ionic heat defence sprays and a cheaper dryer. Whichever dryer you choose, always use heat defence products and blow dry hair only by about 80%, using a large barrelled brush for body and lift.

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Eliminate Hair Stress

To keep hair straight and sleek, you'll need to eliminate hair stress - which means that you need to be kind to your hair! When straightening or blow-drying, try not to pull on hair too much as this'll make it a little frizzy. Limit your use of heated products, where possible, and don't put your hair up too often - elastic bands, hair grips and hair slides can all cause hair stress and can even make your hair fall out. Don't be tempted to pull out wayward hair, either, and try not to use bleach to lighten hair unless you're really determined to go lighter - it can really dehydrate hair which makes it a nightmare to straighten.

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Perfect Your Blow Dry Technique

You might have been blowdrying your hair the same way for years and years - so why not perfect your blow dry technique today to keep your hair smooth and sleek? Check video sharing sites for tips, depending on how you want your hair to look and always blast dry hair by at least 70% before attempting to style it. Use a barrel brush for volume, keeping the brush angled at the roots, then straight and slightly angled at the ends to tuck in hair. Remember to angle the brush, especially if you have layers - volume always makes straight hair look much chicer.

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Photo courtesy of Katie Brady by Wikimedia Commons : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Handheld_blowdryer.jpg

Lock in Moisture With Hair Oil

Once you've straightened or blow-dried hair, make sure that you use a moisturizing hair serum or hair oil to lock moisture in and to keep it smooth and straight. Apply it very sparingly by rubbing a few drops between your hands, then applying to the ends of your hair whilst the hair is still warm. It'll not only add shine to hair but will also highlight how straight it is - plus, it'll help to keep the style in place all night. It'll also nourish any frazzled or frizzy bits and combat any damage from the straightening irons.

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Wrap it Up With a Hair Wrap

Finally, our favorite way to keep hair straight and sleek overnight so that you can wake up with perfectly "done" hair in the morning is to wrap it up before you go to bed with a hair wrap. You can buy hair wraps from major stores, but you can also fashion one from a long length of silk. Simply arrange it at the front of the head, pull the ends underneath your hair at the back of your head and tie into place. You can also wind hair in with the silk to keep it extra sleek - like a long, silky plait! The next morning, simply remove the hair wrap and brush - viola, smooth, straight hair with zero effort!