Many people love the look and feel of soft, straight hair. Unfortunately, many straightening tools and products, such as hair irons, chemical straighteners, and many other hair products can irritate, or even damage, the hair and scalp. Fortunately, there are many options for straightening your hair naturally, using many of the products you already have at home. While you probably won't achieve perfectly straight hair using only natural processes, the following techniques will help moisturize, relax, and straighten your hair without the damaging side effects of chemicals or heat.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Straightening Your Hair With a Hair Tie
Step 1. Wash and use conditioner on your hair
Use a mild shampoo and weight loss conditioner to lock the moisture in your hair. Avoid shampoos with surfactants or sulfates, as these can damage your hair.
Step 2. Squeeze excess moisture from hair using a towel
DO NOT rub your hair as this can cause breakage and tangling. Simply press the hair section with a towel to remove excess water.
Step 3. Use a tangle-free comb to comb the hair
This type of comb has fewer teeth so they will detangle your hair without getting caught. Follow with a fine-toothed comb to further smooth the hair.
Step 4. Divide the hair into two pigtails
The pigtail should start near the nape of your neck; The higher the ponytail will cause more curl in the hair as it dries. Tie with an elastic hair tie.
Step 5. Tie an elastic hair tie in intervals along the ponytail
Every 2-3 inches, tie an elastic hair tie around each pigtail. Don't tie it too tightly or you'll create lumps in your hair as it dries. You should end up with what looks like a “striped” pigtail.
Step 6. Wrap the silk scarf around your head
Secure it with a few bobby pins. Silk will help keep your hair from tangling as it dries and will also help reduce frizz.
You can sleep comfortably in this style, or do this early in the morning if you're not going anywhere for a few hours
Step 7. Remove the scarf, pins and hair tie
Combing with a wide-toothed comb. Avoid using a bristle brush, it may encourage curling.
Method 2 of 5: Straightening Hair By Wrapping Overnight
Step 1. Wash and use conditioner on your hair
The heavier, or more moisturizing, the conditioner you use, the more it will weigh down your curls and help your hair hang longer and straighter.
Don't rub your hair with a towel. The friction from rubbing your hair with a towel will tangle it and encourage curling. Keep your hair drenched for the next step
Step 2. Apply the conditioner without rinsing between your palms and apply it evenly on your wet hair
This will add extra weight to hold the curls down and prevent tangles. If you choose to avoid commercial conditioners, consider using natural oils.
- Thick hair will benefit from a thick oil, such as argan or olive oil. Thin and fine hair will do better with a lighter oil, such as grapeseed oil, or coconut oil.
- Remember to start with a little oil: in hair math, it's always easier to add than to subtract.
Step 3. Separate your hair into four sections, evenly distributed all over your scalp
If your hair is very thick, you may need to divide your hair into six sections.
Step 4. Use a natural round bristle brush to brush a section of hair
Brush this section so that it is free of tangles, ensuring that the oil without rinsing is evenly distributed.
Step 5. Brush this section down and all over your scalp
Holding in one hand your comb, use the other to gently insert bobby pins every 5 cm to lock sections of hair against your scalp.
Step 6. Continue to lock sections of hair all over your scalp
Depending on the length of your hair, each section may wrap along sections on the sides, bottom, and opposite directions of your scalp. Use as many hair clips as needed to keep the section locked.
Step 7. Take the next section of hair and repeat the same process
Lock the hair to the scalp by placing the hair clips every 5 cm.
Step 8. Repeat until all sections of hair have locked onto the scalp
If your hair starts to dry out, use more water with a spray bottle, or by splashing water on your hair with your hands.
Step 9. Leave the hair clip on overnight and go to bed
If you find it uncomfortable to sleep with a hair clip, try wrapping a light towel around your head to cushion your scalp.
If you have a headache, you may have placed the hair clips too tightly against your scalp. You may want to try with other brands to find the one that is most comfortable against your head
Step 10. Gently remove the hair clips in the morning
Unless your hair is very thick, almost all hair will be dry. Don't pull too vigorously or you may damage your hair.
Step 11. Use a wide-toothed comb to comb through your hair, removing any small tangles
Avoid using a brush, as it will increase volume and curl.
If your hair is very dry or thick, you may want to apply a second coat of leave-in conditioner or oil to your hair, rub the product between your palms and gently work it evenly throughout your hair, from roots to tips
Method 3 of 5: Straightening Your Hair With Hair Rollers
Step 1. Shampoo and use conditioner on your hair
Avoid shampoos with surfactants or sulfates; if you can, use a product designed for dry, damaged hair. While using shampoo and conditioner, avoid rubbing your hair together as this can cause breakage and tangles.
Step 2. Use a towel to gently press the excess water out of your hair
Use a leave-in conditioner or natural oil on wet hair, distributing it evenly from root to tip. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.
Step 3. Work in two-inch sections
Use the tail of the comb to separate sections of hair. Place a large roller over the hair near the ends and tie the ends up over the rollers. Roll the hair towards the scalp.
Use the biggest roller you can find. Velcro rollers and mesh rollers often come in very large sizes. Even if you plan to sleep rolled up overnight, you may prefer to use a soft foam roller
Step 4. Secure the roller at least an inch from the scalp
Use hair clips or plastic clips to secure the rollers. The weight of the roller that hangs lightly from your head will help to straighten the hair at the base of the skin, which will prevent too much shape on your crown.
Step 5. Let your hair air dry
You can blow dry your hair if you're in a hurry, but use a low setting to help prevent breakage. Air drying the hair will allow the tension of the rollers to gradually pull the hair straighter.
- If you plan to sleep rolled up overnight, wrap your head in a soft scarf, ideally silk. This will prevent friction between your hair and the pillow, which will cause frizz and possibly dislodge the curlers.
- Don't go to bed with your hair covered with a head covering while showering. The shower headgear is made of plastic and is designed to prevent moisture from entering or escaping. This will prevent your hair from drying overnight.
Step 6. Remove the rollers when hair is completely dry
Do not pull the rollers from your hair, as this can cause damage; Gently unroll them and let them fall out of your hair.
Step 7. Comb with a wide-toothed comb
Avoid using a bristle brush, as this can cause your hair to become frizzy or bouncy. A tangle-free comb is a good choice for this step.
Step 8. Rub some coconut oil between your palms
Rub coconut oil all over your hair. This will help seal the hair cuticle and keep it smooth and shiny.
Method 4 of 5: Straightening Your Hair With a Coconut Milk Mask
Step 1. Gather your materials
Coconut milk is high in fat, fiber and nutrients like vitamin E which makes it perfect for moisturizing hair. Combined with the moisturizing superpowers of extra virgin olive oil and the acidity of lemon juice, this mask will help relax hair. People with artificially colored hair should avoid using lemon juice on their hair, as it will cause the color to fade faster.
Step 2. Whisk together 1 cup coconut milk and 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan
In a separate bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice until it forms a smooth pulp.
Step 3. Whisk the porridge into the coconut milk mixture
Over medium heat, whisk the mixture continuously until it thickens. Once it reaches the consistency of packaged conditioner, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Step 4. Distribute the mask throughout the hair
You can use a cake brush or drawing brush to make application easier, or just use your fingers to work the mask evenly throughout your hair. Make sure your hair is completely covered with the mask for best results.
Step 5. Cover your hair with a hair cap while showering
If you don't have a shower cap ready to use, you can also wrap your hair in plastic wrap. Wrapping your hair will help retain heat, which will help in loosening the curls.
Step 6. Use heat
If you have a hairdryer, use it on a low setting until your hair is warm. Alternatively, you can warm a wet towel in the microwave and wrap the warm towel around your hair.
Step 7. Wash with a mild shampoo and warm water
Avoid shampoos that have a lot of surfactants or sulfates, as they will roughen the cuticle surface of your hair and strip away the moisture and softening action of the mask. Follow with a deep conditioner.
Step 8. Straight comb
Gradually use a fine comb to completely remove tangles and gently straighten your hair.
- Coconut milk is different from coconut water (which is thinner) and coconut cream (which is sweetened and thickened). Make sure to buy the right stuff!
- This mask will loosen and loosen the curls, but if you have very curly hair the mask may not fully straighten your hair. However, the extra moisture provided by the mask will also help protect your hair if you use hot equipment.
Method 5 of 5: Straighten Your Hair With a Banana Mask
Step 1. Gather your materials
Bananas are full of hair-friendly nutrients like folate and vitamin B6, and their sugar content helps keep moisture locked in the hair. Olive oil helps seal the hair cuticle, while milk has proteins and sugars that also help straighten and moisturize hair. This color safe mask will moisturize and help relax your hair.
Step 2. Peel and mash 2-3 ripe bananas in a medium bowl
You can use a fork or a potato mash to mash the bananas. For a smoother mixture, use a blender or food processor. Mash until there are no more banana pieces left.
Step 3. Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of honey
Stir evenly. The mask should be more or less the same consistency as the packaged conditioner.
Step 4. Distribute the mask evenly throughout dry hair
This mask is a little runny, so it's probably best to work over the sink or even in the shower to avoid a mess. Make sure to apply the mask all the way down to the ends of your hair.
Step 5. Cover your hair with a hair cap while showering
You can also wrap your hair in plastic wrap or even a shopping bag. Let the mask sit for an hour.
Step 6. Wash with shampoo and warm water
Completely rinse your hair! This mask is quite sticky, so make sure your hair is rinsed completely. Follow with conditioner.
Tips
- If you have naturally very curly hair, it can be very difficult to fully straighten it without using heat, electric straighteners, or chemical straighteners. Straightening hair naturally is a good alternative, as it focuses on increasing the moisture levels of the hair and scalp, but is rarely as effective as using a blowdryer, hair iron, or professional straightening service.
- Few people naturally have very straight hair. The easiest way to give your hair beautiful, healthy hair, apart from the curls, is to avoid tangles and keep your hair in good condition. Weekly use of deep conditioners and hot oil treatments is a great way to maintain healthy, shiny locks of hair.
- Talk to your stylist about the most effective hairstyles for weight loss, and suggest a straighter style. All hair is different, and the right haircut can dramatically affect how your hair hangs, moves, and curls.
- The heavier your hair, the easier it will be to straighten. Longer styles mean it's harder to weight your hair down and keep it straighter.
