EXTREMELY frustrated, feigning for straight hair.

[curlytwirly06]

Okay, so I have been trying to straighten my natural hair for almost a year now. Why so long you ask? Well about 2 years ago I moved to an area that is predominantly white with no black hair salons. The closest one was a 2 hour drive away. 2 yrs. ago I decided to make the trip for a roller set and they did my hair so badly. They ripped through it and burned it. I swore to never go to them again.

I am unfortunately challenged when it comes to straightening my hair on my own. I have never before the past year attempted to roller set my hair. I have not had my hair straight in almost 6-7 years. I have been attempting roller sets for over a yr now. I stayed posted in roller setting threads and watching youtube tutorials and following them exactly. Each and every time no matter what products I use or what I change I cant get even semi- straight hair. It always comes out looking like I just took a blow dryer to my hair. Today was the day I decided enough. After taking hours to try again to put in rollers, the manipulation to my fine strands, and sweating my butt of under a dryer, I quit. I just cant do it.

Thing is I really really want to straighten my hair but it seems the only option for challenged people like me is to buy my first flat iron. I have never used one before and am TERRIFIED of giving myself heat damage. I have no idea where to start or how to use one or what type of products i'd have to use with it. Also I know that naturals are only supposed to use a certain types of flat irons so as to protect their strands. I cant see paying over 30$ (which is expensive for me right now) for something I would use maybe twice a year.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do? I feel like I have exhausted every option outside of a flat iron. I really, really want to straighten my hair. I just came out of a 6 month consecutive protective styling and want to see my length. My hair is very fine medium-low density 3a-3c.

 

[lenu80]

When I flat iron I prepoo then shampoo, use a good moisturizing conditioner but deep condition with it. Once rinsed, apply a leave in, chi serum or ic serum. Blow dry a little. Add a little bit serum then my Sedu flat iron at 400 I'm 4c, so you might go lower.
Think of a flat iron as an investment, the money paid to drive & hair will be the cost. A good flat iron makes the difference.
Right now folica is 20% off use code OKTOBERFEST or something OCTFEST20 and get a Solia $79.99 or Hai $69.95 with coupon will be $64 / $56.
I got my Sedu on sale 4 years ago $90 regular price $160 and it still works great. Watch out for black Friday sales and subscribe to their mailing list.
Solia flat iron is now on sale for $79.99 from $140. With 20% = $64 free shipping. They also have hair serum, products and tools.

 

[MiamiChic]

I am in the SAME boat with you except I have kinkier hair and have never tried a rollerset. Anyway, as lenu80 mentioned, I have looked at a flat iron as an investment. For multiple reasons:
1. Should I do everything right I should get salon results
2. My salon results should last more than a couple days
3. Less manipulation on my hair because I won’t be trying to twist my hair every night
4. Less tangles therefore easier to retain length
5. If you have a quality flat iron you should be able to only do 1-2 passes and still have great results without heat damage

VERSUS

All the cons you originally stated in your post.

In my opinion the flat iron is worth it and that’s why I am looking for a quality flat iron that’s not going to break the bank. In doing so I came across this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4nFYBuvHtg

The products she used REALLY made a difference and you can tell by watching her previous video with flat ironed hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JCYp2vjEoc&list=UUV8gpt6ucI4tqO_TbxNYfgQ
In that video you can see that her hair is not as flowy and bouncy as the other results and it clumps.
So as far as products I would recommend looking into the products she used because of her results and the ingredients aren’t bad. It is a bit pricey but they sell that line individually as well. I'm also looking for another line that will provide the same results but for a cheaper price. I will let you know if I do.

 

[bydebra]

If your hair is 3a/3c, then you should be able to get it straight with a rollerset. I did roller set tutorial on YouTube. It was back when my hair was relaxed, but it's pretty detailed (5 parts). I've used the same method on my natural hair and it worked. I'm 4a/b. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6_K4bjkVUJSu4s7P_OJjf_UapdFp8DKp


If your hair is very well moisturized and you use heat protectant on a low setting, then you shouldn't be overly worried about heat damage. Oh, and I haven't updated my YT channel in a while, sorry. Good luck.

 

[PJaye]

You may have to compromise and go for a stretched style, e.g., braid-out or twist-out.

 

[Honey Bee]

curlytwirly06, Do you have any pics of your failed rollersets? I just can't understand how you could be having so much trouble with 3a-3c hair. Pics would make the troubleshooting easier.

Oan, get you a flat iron, girl! They are not the devil. The problem is people turning the flat iron up like they're trynna heat his abode. I have 4a/b hair and I'm over a year into my transition. I never go over 370-385. Hair burns somewhere around 400 iirc.

Here are some links that helped me get over my fear of heat use:

http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/02/01/hair-repair-new-technology-really-works/

http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/04/29/how-to-protect-your-hair-from-heat-damage/

 

[BillsBackerz67]

Yep invest in quality tools and products and your hair will not suffer if they are used correctly and in moderation. I just purchased a sedu iron originally 159 for 90 bucks with a 30% discount code from folica.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

When I flat iron I prepoo then shampoo, use a good moisturizing conditioner but deep condition with it. Once rinsed, apply a leave in, chi serum or ic serum. Blow dry a little. Add a little bit serum then my Sedu flat iron at 400 I'm 4c, so you might go lower. Think of a flat iron as an investment, the money paid to drive & hair will be the cost. A good flat iron makes the difference. Right now folica is 20% off use code OKTOBERFEST or something OCTFEST20 and get a Solia $79.99 or Hai $69.95 with coupon will be $64 / $56. I got my Sedu on sale 4 years ago $90 regular price $160 and it still works great. Watch out for black Friday sales and subscribe to their mailing list. Solia flat iron is now on sale for $79.99 from $140. With 20% = $64 free shipping. They also have hair serum, products and tools.

If you order a sedu or solia there's a code for 30% on folica that I found thru Google but u don't get the serum or oil...which I didn't care about.

 

[curlytwirly06]

Thanks everyone! A lovely lady on here sold me a sedu and I am going to flat iron in the next two weeks or so. I will post pics when u do! Thanks again!

 

[bydebra]

Good luck! curlytwirly06