How to Get Ready for Hair Straightening Season: A Guide for Natural-Haired Girls
Leaving the curls behind for the fall season.
Ask any curly girl who wears her hair both curly and straight, summer is all about flawless curls and wash and go styles, while the colder months are considered hair straightening season. Yes, it’s all about straight hairstyles from fall to winter. There are many reasons for this seasonal shift. For one, air-drying is a breeze during the summer, while during the winter, it’s a bit of a risk. No one wants to be caught outside with wet hair unless they’re asking for catching a common cold.
Since the fall and winter seasons are quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to straighten your hair without compromising the health of your natural curls. Read on to learn more about how you can get your hair ready for hair straightening season (Hint: these tips go beyond using a heat protectant!)
Hair Straightening Season: 4 Tips for Natural Haired Girls
1. Prep your hair with a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask.
First things, first. Once you start to feel the itch for straight hair, it’s time to squeeze in a deep conditioning session. We like using a deep conditioner that helps strengthen your locks before applying heat like the Nexxus New York Salon Care Humectress Moisture Restoring Masque. Not only does this formula help to provide your hair with moisture, but it also contains a Protein Complex to leave your hair nourished and protected.
2. Change your wash and care system.
Another thing you can do in preparation for hair straightening season is to change up your wash and care system. We like to do this towards the end of the summer by using a nourishing hair care system like the Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner. This duo works to help prevent damage before its done by strengthening the hair against the damaging effects of everyday styling. Wash your hair with the shampoo, then follow up with the conditioner. Keep this system on rotation for progressive nourishment after each wash.
3. Move fast when straightening on your own.
If you do your hair yourself, take a tip from the professionals. According to Bailey Pope, In-house Consulting Stylist | Creative Director TIGI Salon Unilever North America, it’s all about moving very quickly when heat styling your hair. If you stay in one area for too long, you can cause heat damage.
4. Know your heat setting.
Make sure your heat styling tools are hot enough to straighten your hair but not too hot that it will cause damage. Experiment by playing with different heat settings until you get the results you want. Also, try to do this right the first time so you don’t have to go over the same sections over and over again. It’s all about limiting the amount of heat you’re using on your hair.
For more tips on how you can protect your natural hair no matter the season, learn why you should be using a leave-in conditioner on your hair at all times.