Top 12 Tips on How to Straighten Hair With a Flat Iron Like a Pro

How can you get perfectly straight hair every time? Here are our top tips on how to straighten hair with a flat iron like a pro.

Do you want to enjoy perfectly straight hair every time you use a flat iron? Mastering the art of straightening your hair effectively and without damage is not difficult, and following the right straightening techniques will ensure that your hair is always sleek, stylish, and shiny.

This chic and easy hairstyle is perfect not only for nights out, but even for a coffee run in the morning. So, if you want to know all the details on how to become a pro with your flat iron, keep reading.

In this article, we will give you some of our top, effective hair-straightening techniques using a flat iron, without damage, and for results that last all day long. Let’s get right into it:

Tip #1: Start with clean hair

Yes, we get it; washing your hair and drying it all the way through adds extra time to your hair straightening routine, but avoiding the temptation to straighten dirty hair will save you from a lot of damage in the long run.

Thermal hair styling usually involves exposures to high temperatures - depending on the flat iron, they may go as high as 450°F (230°C).

Applying heat to hair with a lot of build-up of oil, dirt and previously applied products means that you are essentially “baking” all this build-up into your hair while straightening. This makes your strands more vulnerable and prone to damage.

For this reason, our first tip on how to straighten hair with a flat iron is to start with freshly shampooed and conditioner hair. This will ensure that you are starting with perfectly clean hair without residual dirt, reducing damage caused by heat exposure.

Tip #2: Use a hair primer

Our next tip on how to straighten hair with a flat iron is to use a hair primer.

Adding a hair primer to your straightening routine is a great way to create a base for your hair styling. It works in the same way as make up primer is used for make up, and ensures an even and smooth surface for getting faster and better results.

It also provides deep hydration for the hair, moisturizing the strands and reducing frizz - all while protecting from heat damage and environmental factors. The primer should be applied after shampooing and conditioning the hair, and before heat styling.

The NuMe Rise and Prime hair primer can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for maximum hydration and a sleek hairstyle.

Tip #3: Make sure your hair is completely dry

Making the mistake of ironing wet hair is quite possibly one of the worst things that you can do when heat styling. So, we can’t make a list of tips on how to straighten hair with a flat iron without stressing out on this common error.

When you straighten damp or wet hair, the water turns into steam and evaporates extremely quickly out of the cortex (the layer of hair responsible for its elasticity, resistance and strength).

This causes structural damage to the hair strands, which you will see on the outside in the form of weak, dull and frizzy hair. For this reason, it’s essential to ensure that your hair is completely dry before you start straightening it.

Whether you let your hair dry naturally, or use a hair dryer, don’t skip this step if you want to enjoy healthy, sleek and shiny hair in the long run.

Tip #4: Brush your hair gently before straightening

Brushing your hair and ensuring that it has no tangles and knots is a great way to achieve a smoother and more effective heat styling process. However, avoid brushing your hair while it’s still dripping wet as this may cause a lot of damage.

When hair is filled with moisture, it is more vulnerable and fragile, and the process causes trauma to the hair follicles. For this reason, the best time to brush your hair is before it’s completely dry.

Instead of starting from top to bottom, begin mid-hair or a couple of inches from your ends - starting from the roots may cause additional damage.

Tip #5: Use a thermal heat protectant

One of the most important hair straightening techniques when using a flat iron like a pro is to use a thermal heat protectant. In fact, it is one of the must-apply products before straightening hair, and something that you should absolutely not skip in your routine.

 

A thermal heat protectant is applied right before heat styling, and it works by creating a protective barrier between your hair and your flat iron. It forms a thin film on its surface, which helps to distribute the heat more evenly, and slows down heat conduction.

If you are looking for a great thermal heat protectant, try NuMe Watch Me Werk. It uses a Caviar Extract, Vitamin A and sunflower seed oil, as well as proprietary blend of proteins to eliminate frizz and get soft and shiny hair every time.

Tip #6: Determine your hair texture

In order to straighten hair with a flat iron like the professionals, another thing to keep in mind is that your styling routine may look slightly different depending on your hair type and texture.

While it may be tempting to turn the heat up, especially if you need to leave your apartment sooner rather than later, it is important to know that the best temperature for straightening hair will depend on your hair type.

After all, you should not apply the same amount of heat to fine and fragile hair (which is more prone to damage) as you would to thick, healthy and very curly hair.

You can click here for help on how to determine your hair type, and then consult our above-mentioned article to figure out the best temperature for straightening your hair.

Tip #7: Use a flat iron with temperature control

If you are wondering how to straighten hair with a flat iron like a pro, using a flat iron with temperature control is an absolute must for avoiding unnecessary heat damage, especially if you are styling your hair frequently.

In the previous section, we mentioned hair types and how temperatures will vary according to each unique type. However, controlling the exact temperature isn’t possible if you are still using a flat iron without adjustable heat settings.

If that’s the case, do your hair a favor and invest in a hair straightener that won’t cause severe and irreversible damage in the long run. Not sure where to start? Here is how to choose a flat iron in a few simple steps.

 

Tip #8: Separate your hair into sections

If you want to straighten hair with a flat iron and get fast and effective results, don’t make the mistake of grabbing random strands of hair, especially if they are too thick - this will force you to reapply heat in order to get the desired result, causing additional hair damage.

Even though it may seem otherwise, organizing your hair into sections is actually faster than grabbing bits of hair at random as it helps you track your progress and work with thinner sections without the need to reapply heat.

Tip #9: Aim for fewer passes when straightening

You might have guessed it already: having to pass through the same strand of hair multiple times means more exposure to heat, which in turn means more heat damage. And the last thing we want is hair damage!

As a rule of thumb, aim for fewer passes when straightening your hair. This not only means organizing it into sections as we mentioned previously, but also means holding your hair tightly.

When the hair strand is completely stretched and there is some tension, you will be able to get faster and more effective results without having to re-apply heat. Ideally, aim for no more than two passes per section.

Tip #10: Use slow, controlled movements

Slow and steady wins the race, and the same applies for hair straightening. So, one of our must-know tips on how to straighten hair with a flat iron like a pro is to use slow and controlled movements as opposed to going need-for-speed with the flat iron.

Start as close to the roots as you can, and slowly pull the straightener down in a single, smooth motion without rushing the process. Avoid leaving the heat styling tool in one place for too long as this will increase the likelihood for damage.

Tip #11: Wait for your hair to cool down

Before you apply any finishing products after straightening your hair, it is important to let it cool down and set first.

If you just finished straightening your hair, it will be hot and steamy, just like a frying pan. If you don’t allow enough time for your hair to cool down first, the results which you were looking forward to won’t last as long.

Tip #12: Finish your hair styling routine with a finishing spray

Once your beautiful hairstyle has cooled down, it is time for one last step to ensure that you will be able to enjoy it for longer - the finishing spray. This product helps set styles in place and keep your hairstyle last longer.

So, if you are wondering how to straighten hair with a flat iron like a pro, keep in mind that this would be the perfect finishing touch for your styling routine. The NuMe finishing spray also adds a layer of protection from wind and humidity for the perfect soft medium hold look.

 

FAQ

How do you get perfect straight hair with a hair straightener?

To get perfect straight hair with a hair straightener, start by shampooing and conditioning your hair to remove any dirt and oil buildup. Once completely dry, add a thermal heat protectant, and start by separating it into smaller sections for faster results.

Adjust the heat, use slow and controlled movements, and top the final hairstyle with a finishing spray.

Why doesn’t my hair get straight when I iron it?

If your hair doesn’t get straight when you iron it, it could be because your hair wasn’t completely dry, or you are not using the right temperature setting for your hair type.

Make sure that each hair strand is fully dry before starting your styling routine, and look for the best heat setting for your hair type.