Do you straighten your hair everyday?

[tinkerbell2005]

What are the best products and procedure? Mine always comes out like crap!

[TriSigmaNC]

I do now!!!! My husband got me this for Christmas and it is amazing. The only thing I use before is Frizz Ease conditioning spray.
I have very thick and textured hair too.
http://www.mdlinks.net/eshop/images.php?subdir=images.&ASIN=B0009V1YS2&size=large&locale=us&tail=B0009V1YS2.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Aug2002Bride]

I do as well at least during the week....I use some of the Frizz Ease serum and then I just put it all up in a pony tail and take sections out at a time and blow dry with the really big round brush...then i clip together the sections that have been straightened until my original pony tail is gone! So much work!!! I wish I had naturally straight hair!

Ive noticed recently that I get more compliments on my hair when it hasnt been washed that morning than when I put all this work into it! :rolleyes:

[Katy]

Ive noticed recently that I get more compliments on my hair when it hasnt been washed that morning than when I put all this work into it! :rolleyes:I know in my case this rings true because my hair is flatter still than the day I first do it. Which is why I like to break it down into a two-day process - day one: wash, blow dry straight and sleep on it; day two: flat iron - otherwise, I'm still too puffy for my tastes.

I just might have to try that pony tail trick. It seems WAY more controlable than my higgly-piggly way.

Also, I hear those Chi irons are awesome! I just upgraded from a cheap ol' piece of crap Conair, to a tourmaline plated Remington and it makes SO much difference just in how smooth it runs over the hair. My next upgrade will most likely be a Chi or Sedu, since I hear they're SO much better than the cheaper ones out there.

[Camdynlyn]

I have found that when I straighten my hair, if I DO NOT blow dry it and let it air dry (think Diana Ross in the Supremes hair) it straightens sooo much better and is not near as frizzy. Just my advice. I also like to leave my straight for about 2-3 days (I still bathe just not wash my hair) because it's so much freaking work. I maybe straighten mine once a month because it's way to much work. It takes an entire night.

[greenbunny]

I use Bumble and Bumble Straight, then blowdry, then flat iron. I'd love a Chi one day, but right now I just have a regular ceramic iron I got at Sally for about $50.

The key is that I shower at night, then sleep on the straightened hair. It makes it so flat and soft. In the morning, I just touch up the ends where they curl out from laying on them.

[Daisy]

I straighten my hair everyday. I use Phyto Anti-frizz on my wet hair, then I dry it with a big round brush and ionic hair dryer, then I use a large barrel curling iron for touch up areas, and then I use this pomade like stuff on my dry hair (I forget the name, I just bought it at my salon - it's yellow and smells great).

I can't use a flat iron everyday, my hair just get too dry and dead. I also can't wait until my hair is more air-dried, it'll do the opposite of what Camdynlyn described - my hair will be more frizzy and flat. And I need to wash my hair everyday, it'll just get to oily and greasy if I don't.

[quest]

My sister gave me a Chi as a gift a little over a year ago and OMG! I love it! The only product I use is any kind/brand of straightening balm beforehand...but I need to find something better, that Chi wreaks havoc on my hair!

I only straighten my hair MAYBE once a week, and that's if I have a reason. That's just because I'm lazy and have a toddler :) That being said, drying my hair just takes too long so I usually like to straighten 'second-day hair'. And I've recently realized I can get away with straightening the straightened second-day hair on the 3rd day :o

[BoricuaMorena]

I don't do it everyday but when I do I use Biosilk and a little bit of Aussie mousse with leave in conditioner

[J&T2005]

I use Kerastase mousse and my wonderful Fhi straightener! I, and here I'll toot my own horn, have incredibly mindful hair, so if I straighten all of my hair on Monday, then I only need to straighten sections of it on Tuesday. (and I wash my hair every night, as I can't stand my hair to smell like smoke or work).

[tinkerbell2005]

Has anyone tried the Tourmaline Ionic Wet or Dry iron from Sephora? Here's the description:

Tourmaline Professional Ionic Wet or Dry Iron
What makes T3 Tourmaline irons so unique?
Priceless, ultra-expensive Tourmaline jewels are infused into the plate and the heater. Tourmaline makes T3 irons the fastest heating, most ionic and most infrared. For the healthiest and fastest styling; true curling and straightening; and results that last longer. T3 Tourmaline is the future of styling.

Benefits include:
-Plate width size is 1 3/4” ceramic, tourmaline infused plates
-With just one run through, the T3 iron dries AND straightens drenched, wet hair.
-Tourmaline ions eliminate static electricity and seal the cuticle layer for a smooth, shiny, and silky finish.
-T3 Tourmaline uses infrared heat, penetrating heat into the hair shaft to lock in moisture and lock in hair color.

Special features:
-Iron heats in seconds! Adjustable temperature heat control, 410° maximum.
-Vents on the surface of the paddles allow for steam to channel through and evaporate excess water quickly.
-Steaming sound from the iron while in use is simply water hitting extreme heat.
-LED light to indicate that the iron is ready for use. (A steady red light will show as it climbs to reach the desired temperature. A blinking red flash will mean that it has attained its optimum level)
-T3 black pouch functions as a heat-resistant pad to rest iron while in use, a convenient way to store the iron for travel, and can be used to clean the plates while iron is slightly warm.
-Professional 9 ft. cord
-360° swivel cord.

[bellaprincess]

My sister gave me a Chi as a gift a little over a year ago and OMG! I love it! The only product I use is any kind/brand of straightening balm beforehand...but I need to find something better, that Chi wreaks havoc on my hair!


My Sedu is also destroying my hair. I use it on the lowest setting since my hair just gets a bit wavy and it doesn't take much heat to make it stick straight. I have been looking into different flat iron/heat protectors for my hair. Does anyone have a favorite one?

[skyblu]

I always wear my hair straight, but I don't straighten every day, just when I wash it. My hair and scalp are incredibly dry, so in the winter, I can only wash it about twice a week! I know it sounds gross, but my hair has *zero* natural "grease", so it stays very clean looking, and not straightening it every day keeps it healthier.

I use a Hot Tools iron but I don't blow dry. I'll wash my hair at night, then let it air dry all night (BF has taken to calling me Don King the morning after I wash my hair), and in the morning, I use the iron.

The only products I use are an Aussie leave-in spray protectant and Biosilk.

[fuzzy]

I found that KMS Flat Out Spray was really awesome.

Yes! Actually, I use KMS Flat Out Relaxing Balm. It's the only product I can use and skip the straightening iron part. And, because it coats your hair in silicone, it works in wet weather.

[am_81]

I always wear my hair straight, but I don't straighten every day, just when I wash it. My hair and scalp are incredibly dry, so in the winter, I can only wash it about twice a week! I know it sounds gross, but my hair has *zero* natural "grease", so it stays very clean looking, and not straightening it every day keeps it healthier.

This is my hair too. I just washed it last night for the first time since the last Sunday. The weather here has been esepcially dry the last few weeks and that is definitely helping.

Anyway. I normally wash my hair and just let it air-dry, providing I've washed my hair early enough in the evening (or at any time on a weekend). If I'm rushed I'll break out the blowdryer, but I try to use it sparingly. Thats really what damages my hair the most, so I hate using it. After its dry I use a little Biosilk and go to town with my Chi. Then I'll add a little teeny tiny amount of this John Frieda product I have (forget what its called) and I'm ready to go. After that inital day, I only have to run the straight iron through my hair a couple times and any waves that developed from sleeping on it are gone. When I had long hair (down to my waist) I'd only wear my hair straight half of the week, but ever since I got it cut (just below the shoulders) I wear it straight every day.

[nettreefrog]

My DD's hair was straightened a few days ago, and she'd love it if I could straighten it daily --but that takes hours! Once straight it requires some upkeep --and cannot be near any moisture whatsoever.

I have straightened my hair a few times in the past --but now that I am pregnant, I have opted against using the ceramic iron because it stated that it could cause birth defects. I also like to wash my hair daily--and find that after I put a leave in conditioner in it, pull it back into a pony tail (while wet), within a number of hours it is somewhat wavy.

[Kanga]

Ditto on the CHI iron. The majority of hairstylists prefer to use CHI's. The CHI turbo is the one that has a temp adjustment. The regular one gets just as hot as the turbo, you just can't turn it down. Also, if you use it regularly (more than 2x per week) you HAVE TO put something on your hair to protect it from the heat. I like Sleek Look's straightening spray, or Redken HotSets, but you can use any. Just SOMETHING to protect it from all that heat.

ETA -

Tinkerbell - That sounds way to good to be true. It is extremely damaging to put anykind of direct heat on even slightly damp hair (curling iron, straightening iron, etc) We were docked huge points in cosmetology school for doing this.

[KGif]

I must second (or third? Or tenth??) the praises of the CHI iron. Yes -- it's expensive but SO SO worth it. I previously used a straightening iron that I bought a t Target for about $25. Then I heard raves aboutthe CHI and spent the $100+ on it ans WOW. It was like night and day. I wish I had before and after photos to post.

Like other posters I only wash and straighten my hair every few days. Then I touch up with the iron as needed.

I would STRONGLY sugfgest getting some kind of heat protector product to put on your hair pre-iron use. I didn't use any for a long time and I can definitely tell. The CHI iron and other like it can do some damage when used daily over a long period of time.

[Kinetic]

I also got the CHI iron for Christmas. The first time that I used it, I was totally amazed. What took forever with the Conair iron, now takes a fraction of the time. I use a hair serum, and straighten it. I usually will not wash my hair the next day after straightening it. I heard that no matter what, hair flattened with the CHI iron will not curl until you wash it again. But, I had put my hair up in a sloppy bun to sleep in, and it unfortunately, it did get all kinky. I just have to be careful to put it in a ponytail to sleep in, and not a bun, and it will stay straight.
I am sure that if you straighten every day, your hair will get damaged. The CHI iron is extremely hot, so I try to get 2-3 days out of one ironing session.

I have straightened my hair a few times in the past --but now that I am pregnant, I have opted against using the ceramic iron because it stated that it could cause birth defects.
Also, I can't see how using an iron on something thats dead (your hair) can cause birth defects?:confused:

[dollface]

I use a pure ceramic iron and FF Glossing Cream. I usually wash my hair at night and then straighten it in the morning (only twice a week). If you are starightening your hair more then once a week - make sure you are using a *pure* cermaic iron - it has ceramic coils AND pure ceramic plates. If you pay under $125 for a ceramic iron, then it's most likely just ceramic coated plates, or just ceramic plates (and not ceramic coils).

[tbell]

I use a Sedu and I absolutely love it. My hair used to be really curly when I was younger but has now morphed into a horrible, frizzy mess (plus, it's super thick) when I don't straighten it.

http://www.folica.com/images/products/4143-A8561_l.jpg

I also got the T3 Tourmaline hair dryer for Christmas and I swear, it has taken at least 20 minutes off of my drying time. I almost don't need a flat iron at all, which is huge for me!!

http://www.folica.com/images/products/4911-A8615_l.jpg

[greenbunny]

If you pay under $125 for a ceramic iron, then it's most likely just ceramic coated plates, or just ceramic plates (and not ceramic coils).

Do you know offhand what brands have that? I'd assume the Chi and Sedu mentioned here. Are there any others?

[Esq.]

I am curious too. I have a superstar, which works really well. I got it on the recomendation of my hairdresser, who hates to straighten my hair, but does it anyway :)

http://buy.overstock.com/images/products/L929422.jpg

[dollface]

Has anyone tried the Tourmaline Ionic Wet or Dry iron from Sephora? Here's the description:

I bought a T3 a few months back and the damn thing stopped working after the 3rd time. When I took it back to the pro store I purchased it from - they said they rec'd a lot of complaints about T3 products and were going to stop carrying them.

As for suggestions for a pure ceramic iron....the Sedu is actually a ceramic & tourmaline iron (which is what the T3 is) - from what I have seen and heard though - they do not have ceramic coils. If an iron has ceramic coils - it will boast it and post it in the desciption. Any ceramic plates can straighten your hair beautifully, make it looks shiny - but in the long run you are doing so much damage to your hair!

Here is a blurb about pure ceramic plates & coils:
Ceramic Heat

* Moist ceramic heat comes from pure ceramic coils.
* Ceramic will maintain even temperature all the time.
* Anion - Ceramic will produce negative ions.
* Seals the cuticle.
* Repels humidity.
* Locks in hair color.
* Ceramic heat will ensure the penetration of the silk molecules to the hair.
* Traditional copper coil can cause more damage and dry the hair.

That being said - the most affordable ceramic coil and plate iron is the CHI. If you hair is anywhere past your chin you need to use at least a 2" iron. You can usually find them online for about $125-$150.

[tinkerbell2005]

I bought the Sephora T3 one today. I'll let everyone know how it works. My hair is very thick and it is such a pain to straighten. I feel like it looks frizzy no matter what I do unless I completely straighten it.

[greenbunny]

Thanks so much, dollface. Luckily I have a birthday coming up. :)