5 tips for straightening natural hair

downside: my afro has been super dry this winter and with a tapered cut, my protective style options are limited. upside: with zero humidity, a good blowout can last at least two weeks. thankfully, i’ve figured out how to straighten my natural hair without losing the curl pattern or looking like myra’s ‘do when gina forgot the neutralizer.

5 tips for blowout success

1.  HEAT PROTECTANT. using silicone-infused shampoos, conditioners and pomades made to protect hair from heat will bring back your curls after a quick wash.  check out this list of products from k is for kinky.

2.  don’t overdo it. this might sound obvious, but only use the amount of heat necessary to straighten your hair — using too much heat will destroy your curl pattern by melting your hair’s keratin.  assuming that kinky curls required the maximum amount of heat, i cranked the flat iron’s dial up when straightening my hair last year. big mistake. although my curls are tightly coiled, my hair is healthy and straightens really easily.  remember thick/coarse hair usually straightens between 302-338F.

3.  apply a deep conditioner. obviously, heat protectants are a must, but truly protecting your hair from heat starts long before actually applying heat.   make sure to thoroughly deep condition your hair to ensure your hair retains moisture and protein through the straightening process.

4.  minimize the heat from blow drying. keep in mind that blow drying and using a flat iron means double heat. either blow dry your hair on a low-heat setting or until it’s damp and let it air dry. i don’t straighten my hair often, but this step is crucial to my hair reverting back.

5.  a protein treatment and apple cider vinegar is your friend. if by chance your hair’s curl memory is weakened, try a protein treatment and apple cider vinegar rinse to restore your curls. visit natural hair rules for great tips on this process.

what helps to maintain your natural texture after a blow out? comment and share below!