How to Keep Your Hair Straightened

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: August 4, 2025 References

You've no problem straightening your hair; getting that part down was easy. You look in the mirror, see that your hair passes the test, and walk out the door. But when the night is over, you walk back in and all of a sudden instead of you it's a frizz monster in the mirror looking back at you. What happened?

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

The Basics

1
Grow your hair long. It's science -- the heavier your hair is, the more it will straighten out under its own weight. So if you want naturally straighter hair (not straight, straighter), grow it out. Shorter hair has more of a tendency to curl up.^{[1]
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- That being said, don't avoid the salon and ignore your regular haircuts. Still go in every 2 or 3 months, but only get the ends trimmed. This will actually support growth (cutting off the dead ends) and help your hair grow faster.
2
Invest in a good blow dryer. The only reason those salons that only do blow-drying (seriously?) exist is because very few of us own a good blow dryer. It may seem silly, but "ionic" may not just be a marketing ploy. If you see it on the box, buy it. It may prevent further hair damage.
- "Ionic" supposedly means that instead of the water molecule evaporating (like it normally does under the heat), the ionic blow dryers simply break it down, leaving the moisture in your hair. They also do the drying quicker, saving you time. If you blow dry often, they're worth the extra cost.^{[2]
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3
Nail down your blow-drying technique. You may think there's one way to blow dry your hair: point the blow dryer and go. But there's actually more to it to that and it's important that you do it correctly. There are two things you should get down pat:^{[3]
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- Use the nozzle on the end -- it's there to direct the heat exactly where you want it to go. That will help your hair cuticles lay smoother and flatter, so your hair will have a shinier finish.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  
  Expert Interview}
- Section your hair to get it straighter, getting a faster result.
- Use a large round brush of you want more volume at the scalp area. If you prefer less volume, use a paddle brush or a Denman brush.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

As You Straighten

1
Shampoo your hair and blow-dry. Use your shampoo, conditioner, and straightening serum and follow your normal routine of lathering up. Bust out that nice hair dryer you just bought, the round brush, and get to work, starting from the nape of your neck.
- You can now choose to either blow dry your hair or to straighten it with a flat iron, or both. If blow drying, take a wide brush and straighten your hair as your hair stylist would do. Watch out not to turn the blow dryer on maximum heat and not to keep it too close to your hair.^{[5]
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- Try using a smoothing shampoo and conditioner, which are designed to be used with a thermal straightener.^{[6]
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  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  
  Expert Interview}
- You can also use a thermal protectant leave-in conditioner after your shampoo, which usually comes as a cream or spray. Apply the product to your hair from root to tip.^{[7]
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  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  
  Expert Interview}
2
Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. This step may not be necessary if your hair responds well to blow-dryers and brushing. But if you have rather curly hair and tangles are common, give it an extra comb-through.
- Always be gentle on your scalp. When you're brushing or combing, take extra care in not pulling or tugging on your follicles.
3
Straighten your hair a small section at a time. You may think you're saving time in the long run, but when you take large sections, you just wind up going over them again.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview} Keep your sections to about 1" (2.5 cm) wide to get a more uniform, straightened-for-longer look. And you won't be exposing the strands to heat over and over -- just the one time.^{[9]
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- If you have fine hair, keep the hair straightener on low; but thick and coarse hair can tolerate the medium and high settings. If you're curious, grab a tissue and test the flat iron on it. If it scorches, it's obviously too hot for you. And though it should go without saying, always, always, always use a heat protectant on your hair to defend your strands against the heat.^{[2]
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- Spritz each section of hair with thermal protectant before you start straightening.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  
  Expert Interview}
4
Apply product. You've invested in a good hairdryer and a good flat iron, so it's high time to invest in some good products. Get a hairspray you know you like and some anti-frizz spray or gel that contains silicone.
- That's right, silicone. It's found in many hair care products. It minimizes frizz because it's water-resistant, and so it prevents humidity from entering the hair shaft and swelling it. Using a shampoo, conditioner, and styling serum all containing silicone will not only control frizz but also help with detangling and shine.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you keep your hair straight for a long time?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Always work with smaller hair sections, whether you're drying it or straightening it. If the sections are too big, you risk not smoothing it enough with the blow dryer or missing the outside parts when straightening them.

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Question

What product helps keeping the hair straight?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

That depends on the hair density. If your hair has a medium density or texture, you may want to apply a serum to seal it. If you have fine hair, though, you don't need to apply it.

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Question

How do I keep my hair straight after straightening it overnight?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

The best way to maintain your hair straight throughout the night and the day is to start with a good prep work. Believe it or not, but it starts with the shampoo and the conditioner. Focus on using products that provide more protection to your hair. If possible, to a treatment to layer your hair and guard it against humidity to keep it straighten.

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Tips

Cover your hair before you go to bed, or you'll be right back where you started. Use a scarf or a sleep cap.

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Straighten small pieces of hair. Taking large chunks will just get you poorer results.

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Warnings

Flat ironing and blow drying can lead to hair damage. Try to give your hair a day off at least once a week.

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Keep hairspray away from fire.

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Things You'll Need

Straightener
Hair products
Comb
Hairdryer
Brush

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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

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How to Keep Your Hair Straightened

Steps

The Basics

As You Straighten

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

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