First time Flat-ironer

[SohoHair]

Okay so I've read a lot of posts about what you ladies put in your hair before flat ironing, but I have some questions about ACTUALLY flat-ironing... I mean I've never ever done it before. I went out today and bought a FHI 207RVI, which has just the most beautiful red plates ever . i pre-poo'd with Evoo, washed and deep conditioned today, put in a leave in and i'm now airdrying in a ponytail. I was hoping to flat iron tommrorrow morning and i'm hoping against hope for beautiful, silky bouncing shiny hair, but i have NOOOOOO idea how to do it. Do I need to apply a lot of pressure to the plates? How many times do i need flat iron each section? What temperature do I set it to? (My FHI goes from 140 - 4something ) And are my dreams of beautiful looking hair tommorrow just a dream? I haven't used direct heat on my hair in a few months so it's way heallthier than it's been for some time, so I'm really pulling for bounin' swangin' hair tommorrow! All help is much appreciated!!

 

[sweetascocoa]

i want to know too

 

[caligirl]

A also have an FHI. First I blowdry my hair with a denman d3 brush. This is half the battle. Then I set my FHI to 370 and I iron pieces starting at the nape and work my way up. I go thru each piece with the denman brush first to get it smooth and straight, then I hold the ends out taut and move the FHI down the section 2 times.

 

[sweetascocoa]

thanks! im a natural and i just bought a D3 yesterday!! so ill use this instead of those rat tail combs

 

[MizaniMami]

I posted this on another thread I hope this helps:

First, I usually part my hair in four sections. Spray a heat protectant spray ( V05 Miracle Mist) on the hair. Blowdry on cool (without a comb). Until it is 95% dry. Then I put on the comb, blow it on high heat with the comb, and comb it kind of straight.

Then I apply a little more (sparingly) of my heat protection spray to each section. I usually start from the back since that is the most time consuming. I part a row (from one section, since I am doing this a section at a time) apply an extremey small dab of serum, then flat iron. I repeat this until I am done with each section. After I'm finished I spray my hair with a little bit of sine spray, wrap my hair with my silk scarf and I'm good to go.
I know this is long but,I hope this helps you.

 

[SohoHair]

Thanks so much for all the help ladies!! It seems everyone is blowdrying before the flatiron, I actually don't have a blowdrier right no, just a hooded drier since i am trying to cut down on direct heat so that's not really an option for me... can I get my 4a relaxed hair really nice and straight without blowdrying first? Also is about 300 a good temp for flat ironing? I've seen that number in a couple of post and it seems to be the consensus, but does the temp vary if it's relaxed vs. natural? airdried vs. blowdried? Sorry for all the questions but I'm really just trying to do this right!

 

[sweetascocoa]

i believe some ladies air dry in braids before flat ironing

 

[beyondcute]

When I flat iron I wash, deep condition, add a leave in and then air dry. Then after its dry I add a heat protectant (usually a small amount of keracare silken seal), section off small sections and then flat iron on low. I dont press down too hard and I dont blow dry before (the flat iron is enough heat damage for the day). I say start off on a low heat settign because if you turn up a ceramic iron too high youll fry your hair and burn it off.

 

[QUINN]

When I flat iron I wash, deep condition, add a leave in and then air dry. Then after its dry I add a heat protectant (usually a small amount of keracare silken seal), section off small sections and then flat iron on low. I dont press down too hard and I dont blow dry before (the flat iron is enough heat damage for the day). I say start off on a low heat settign because if you turn up a ceramic iron too high youll fry your hair and burn it off.

ITA w/ beyondcute. I do this if I airdry and flat iron in the exact order beyondcute posted. This seems to give me the best results. I usually blowdry with a comb attachment though. HHG. HTH.

ETA: beyondcute you are rockin' the heck outta those braids, Ma.

 

[sweetascocoa]

can i use the heat protectant/serum before airdrying instead if after. just wondering if it will make a difference

 

[HoneyDew]

can i use the heat protectant/serum before airdrying instead if after. just wondering if it will make a difference

I do and it makes a difference for my hair. I seem to be able to get it straighter because it dries softer.

I don't airdry that often, but when I do, I still put my serum on while my hair is wet.

The couple of time that I applied te serums while dry did not turn out as well for me.

 

[sweetascocoa]

ok. ill try that. good news. i just got my miniglide and MAXIGLIDE!!! and the shampoo and conditioner which ill never use. first ill try it on my mothers hair. she's relaxed and i might use the john frieda frizz ease serum on her hair. i havent received my biosilk silk therapy, redken heat glide and other heat protectants i ordered so ill wait for those before trying the maxiglide on my hair. woohoo!!

 

[Divine Inspiration]

subscribing...this will come in handy soon

 

[isawstars]

I just want to add two things:

1) make sure your hair is completely dry. if you hear any sizzling, stop in your tracks!

2) If it doesn't come out as well as you expect it to, don't get discouraged because it takes practice. It took me 3-5 times to truly master it and become consistent. --Oh and patience. It used to take me an hour to flat iron my hair but now it only takes me 30 minutes, maybe 45 minutes if I'm in the need to a touch up.