flatironing techniques...for tex-laxed hair

[PanamasOwn]

Ok...so being texlaxed is just wonderful...I love being able to run my fingers thorugh my hair without getting my fingers stuck, the curl def. and all the other good stuff that comes along with it. But I need to get flatironing down. I havent done a full flat iron in a LONG time, so maybe I forgot some important details..I tried this weekend and could not get it to lay down, like you could tell my hair was straighter, but still poofy.

How do I control this?

How do I achieve a more silky "salon" look opposed to the "I let my homegirl do my hair" look?

And how do you get that "swing" and "bounce" at home, as they do in the salons.

Any tips would be great..

 

[IntoMyhair]

I would love to know your hair type? Also what are you using on your hair to not make your fingers get stuck?

TIA

 

[Soliel185]

I think it's a combination of product and technique.The sooner you start priming your hair to be straight, the straighter the end result will be.

I personally like John Frieda Straight Ahead Spray, and Herbal Essences Straight Out ( I could be off on the name ) mousse. I add them to towel dried hair. A few minutes after that I put some Beyond the Zone Frizz Buster in ( not the serum, it's more of a really soft gel). Next I mix a few drops of Chi Silk Infusion with some generic Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum and a Squirt of Ceramic One N Only thermal protection cream. You may find it helpful to section your hair ( I usually do 4 ) to add products, it helps distribute them better. When you finally get to flat ironing, the smaller your sections, the straighter and sleeker your results.

If you don't mind blow drying, blowdrying with a comb attachment is something I do when I'm in a hurry and it can yield sleeker results b/c your hair is already basically straight - the flat iron is just a finishing tool. Typically though I don't like the extra manipulation, so I airdry and then flat iron and my hair is still very straight.

I'm not saying you need to go out and buy all these products, but I think having some sort of primer ( like the straight ahead ) a moisturizing agent/ anti humectant to help keep your style ( beyond the zone or a cream leave in ) and a serum/heat protectant ( chi, paul mitchell generic & one n only) are the key ingredients. I don't add alot of moisturizer before straighening b/c I don't want to weigh down my hair, I'll typically DC with moisturizing con and then spray through the Aphogee Green Tea Reconstructor. Once my hair is straight I finger comb through some moisturizer, and seal that with a light coating of oil, which also helps with shine.

There are lots of threads on this subject though, so you should be able to find something that'll help you.

 

[Nightingale]

Even with the best products and flat iron (CHI), practice is what took me from "homegirl did my hair" to salon bounce, smoothness and shine. The last time I straightened I used Deep Brillance serum and my Chi. But any serum should work. I wash, towel dry my hair, and then blowdry with my hot air brush. The straighter and more detangled your hair is after drying, the smoother your results. After that I just flat iron in tiny sections until I've gone through my whole head.

Also, too mush product=sticky, tacky, stiff hair.

ETA: I forgot to mention I apply the serum to my damp hair before blowdrying and only use a small amount. After blowdrying I may add a little more to large sections, before sectioning those into smaller ones.

 

[PanamasOwn]

I would love to know your hair type? Also what are you using on your hair to not make your fingers get stuck?

TIA

well Im co-washing daily and while my hair is still damp, I use some EVOO to seal it in. I did it on accident one day and realized how great my hair was..

My natural hair was in the 3c-4a area (very dense), being tex-laxed I look like a full 3c..

When my hair was natural, my fingers would barely make it.

 

[IntoMyhair]

Thanks for the info.

 

[PanamasOwn]

bumping for more techniques