These days my hair is chin length when curly and brushes my shoulders when straight. Here's what it looks like long and curly: http://twitpic.com/3lrtif
::Rummages through bathroom::
I use a 1" FHI Heatº Platform, which is a ceramic tourmaline iron with nano tech, at 450º. I'm told that 'ceramic' is the most important adjective in that string, but find that what's mattered more for me is being able to get the edge of the plate right at the base of the strand so that there's no kink before it starts to look smooth. This is important for internal layers, too, because otherwise I look like I should be playing bass for Winger. I find it helps to brush through my hair in the shower (fights the curl pattern) and blow it out over a round brush rather than letting it air dry. I've had increased success with a few different heat products, but most noticeably CHI #44 Iron Guard, which I spray on after blowing out, and finish with Redken #18 hairspray. All told this takes me about 20-25 minutes.
One really useful trick I was taught by a stylist: immediately after straightening/ blowing out a section of hair, turn the blow dryer backwards on it to cool it down, such that the intake is against hair against brush bristles. CRAZY I KNOW. But. HOT--> malleable --> hair does it's own thing if you don't show it what to do. COLD--> firm --> hair will stay where you put it. It also makes it shiny.
As for shampoo/ conditioner, I like the Pureology SuperSmooth System, but it's not cheap and not all that important to getting it straight--more just to get it healthy since I cannot seem to DECIDE ON A COLOR and go back and forth between single and multiple processes.
...I just realized how much time and energy and money I have invested IN MY HAIR.
no subject
These days my hair is chin length when curly and brushes my shoulders when straight. Here's what it looks like long and curly: http://twitpic.com/3lrtif
::Rummages through bathroom::
I use a 1" FHI Heatº Platform, which is a ceramic tourmaline iron with nano tech, at 450º. I'm told that 'ceramic' is the most important adjective in that string, but find that what's mattered more for me is being able to get the edge of the plate right at the base of the strand so that there's no kink before it starts to look smooth. This is important for internal layers, too, because otherwise I look like I should be playing bass for Winger. I find it helps to brush through my hair in the shower (fights the curl pattern) and blow it out over a round brush rather than letting it air dry. I've had increased success with a few different heat products, but most noticeably CHI #44 Iron Guard, which I spray on after blowing out, and finish with Redken #18 hairspray. All told this takes me about 20-25 minutes.
One really useful trick I was taught by a stylist: immediately after straightening/ blowing out a section of hair, turn the blow dryer backwards on it to cool it down, such that the intake is against hair against brush bristles. CRAZY I KNOW. But. HOT--> malleable --> hair does it's own thing if you don't show it what to do. COLD--> firm --> hair will stay where you put it. It also makes it shiny.
As for shampoo/ conditioner, I like the Pureology SuperSmooth System, but it's not cheap and not all that important to getting it straight--more just to get it healthy since I cannot seem to DECIDE ON A COLOR and go back and forth between single and multiple processes.
...I just realized how much time and energy and money I have invested IN MY HAIR.
I NEED A DRINK.