I’m proud of my curls, but for the last two years I’ve found myself paying to have my hair pressed into submission at the hands of one of my favourite masterful stylists. With my bank account and time in mind, now that the weather’s turned cooler, I’m considering going down the flat iron route more often and I won’t be surprised to see tons of other women doing the same, as straight hair was all over the Fall 2012 runway. To help us curly beauties achieve this look, here are some stylist tips on how to make straight hair last:
Avoid Water: This doesn’t just mean carrying an umbrella in the rain – be sure to also wear a shower cap from the time you get into a hot shower until the time you go back to your room, in order to avoid the inevitable steam in your bathroom, which is a silent killer to artificially straight hair.
Use a Soft-Bristled Brush: After being flat-ironed, curly hair is at its weakest and is more prone to breakage, so opt for a soft-bristled brush. Any hair store should stock a decent, inexpensive version that will do the trick.
Sleep with a Silk Scarf: Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf keeps your locks in place overnight, and silk, unlike cotton, won’t snag and pull your hair as you sleep.
1. Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection Serum, $17, available at Sephora
Consider a High Pony: If you’re going to the gym, or running errands, put your hair into a loose, high ponytail. Keeping hair off of your neck limits the amount of moisture it attracts. Then, when you’re done your workout, briefly blow-dry your roots. Use a little bit of a heat protective product, like Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection Serum, to be on the safe side.
Limit Touch-ups: A little heat can go a long way, though too much heat can lead to a permanent loss of curls (a lesson I learned the hard way), so resist the urge to touch-up the frizzier parts too often. Instead, switch your straight, flowing look for a different hair style. I love throwing my not-quite-straight-anymore hair into a cute topknot or French braids.
2. Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Glistening Dry Shampoo & Body Powder, $20, available at eBeauty.ca
Apply Dry Shampoo: Just because your hair is getting a little greasy doesn’t mean you need to call it quits on your straight ‘do just yet, as a sprinkle of dry shampoo will guarantee you another day of straight-haired bliss. Though I don’t suffer from oily hair personally, Cake Beauty Satin Sugar Glistening Dry Shampoo & Body Powder smells like a dream, so I suggest you give it a try.
Model Photo: Joan Smalls, Balmain Fall 2012, courtesy of style.com
By: Allyssia Alleyne, Toronto
You should follow me on Twitter @AllyssiaAlleyne.
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