FLAT IRONING TIPS

[soslychic]

Can anyone give me any tips on how to flat iron? What kind of sections do you divide
your hair into? How long does it take? What should the temperature be? Do you go over
each section once? Are you supposed to make a quick pass or do you leave it on for a
little while as you're going down. Any info (or a link) would be appreciated because I am
totally clueless right now and I don't even own a flat iron yet, but I'm planning on buying
one. Before I do and burn my hair off though, I need to know a little info

 

[myco]

I try to only do it when my hair is clean and conditioned. I don't like spray on heat-protectants because they always seem to work like spritz on my hair. Creams or serums work better for me.
I do my hair in four sections: the back, the 2 sides, and the front (bangs and crown).
I start in the back with sections that are about 3 inches wide. Each section is maybe a 1/4 of an inch thick if that thick. The thinner the sections, the easier it is to straighten and the fewer times you will have to pass over the same section. I usually go over each section twice. I like to make sure I close the plates really tightly and I keep it moving all the way down to the ends. I don't let it sit on any section for very long.

I have the slim Jilbere flat iron, and I usually set it around 5.

I'm supposed to be working, so if I think of more, I'll edit this post.

 

[Tebby1017]

Very good question...I don't know how to flat iron either.

Tebby

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

[ QUOTE ]
I try to only do it when my hair is clean and conditioned. I don't like spray on heat-protectants because they always seem to work like spritz on my hair. Creams or serums work better for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this. I also part my hair into small sections starting at the back. I usually pass the iron over my hair no more than 2 times for each parted section. I just use a light oil to protect my hair.

I find that if you put a little pressure on the irons while they are passing over your hair it comes out a lot straighter. Do not let it sit. Glide the iron quickly over your hair and this can be repeated depending on the straightness desired and the thickness of your hair.

Make sure you do a temperature test to help find the correct temperature for your hair. My iron has variable temps up to 410 degrees. Some have a 1-20 dial. Start at about a medium setting and work your way up if you need something higher. I find that my hair takes about 370 degrees. I am a medium texture 4a.

Apply the oil in sections before you iron or you can do this before you dry your hair. I like to apply my oil while wet. Don't use too much because you won't have as much body and swing if over applied. I also use Keracare silken seal sparingly to give my that extra silky look.

I find that hair gets staighter if the hair is blowdried first. But be care because you dont' want to damage your hair by blowdrying impromperly. To blowdry apply all products to your hair and sit under a hood dryer until about 90-95% dry or let it airdry. When your hair gets to this point on a medium settting blowdry your hair the rest over the way but not overly dry(this will cause breakage).
It also helps if you use a comb in the blowdry process.

After all this is done you should have straight silky hair!

HTH

 

[soslychic]

Thanks dontspeak and myco! I think I have a pretty good idea now. Ready to go purchase that iron!!

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Let us know how everything works out!

 

[jaibee]

dontspeak what kind of flat iron do you use?

 

[SweetNic_JA]

what kind of creamy heat-protectant would u suggest?

thanx!

 

[Country gal]

Curl wax is a must. I use curl wax on my hair and it gives it a nice shine. I also section my hair into small sections. I only apply heat to the hair once. I have a ceramic flat iron and really notice a difference.

 

[myco]

Does curl wax have any hold to it? I want my curls to last, but I don't want any stiffness. How is it as a heat protectant?

Can I use it for a rollerset if I get under the drier or will it just be too sticky?

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

[ QUOTE ]
dontspeak what kind of flat iron do you use?

[/ QUOTE ]

I use a UNIL ceramic flat iron. It has variable temperatures up to 410 degrees. I love it! And it heats up in about 15-30 seconds. Wow!

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

[ QUOTE ]
what kind of creamy heat-protectant would u suggest?

thanx!

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't use any heat protectant beside oil. Others tend to weihg your hair down and make it feel stiff. I you hair is well conditioned it should be fine without one.

 

[jaibee]

one more question, where did you get that flat iron from and how much is it? I use the gold n hot flat iron now but i want a smaller one so i can get my roots better. thanks!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dontspeak what kind of flat iron do you use?

[/ QUOTE ]

I use a UNIL ceramic flat iron. It has variable temperatures up to 410 degrees. I love it! And it heats up in about 15-30 seconds. Wow!

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Try Ebay if you don't have reservations. You can get them for $60-80 or less. And the smaller ones do get to the roots better.

Also try this place: www.metrobeauty.com T
They are a little more expensive there though.

I think that some professional hair salons sell them too. Including Ulta.

HTH

 

[Brownie]

[ QUOTE ]
one more question, where did you get that flat iron from and how much is it? I use the gold n hot flat iron now but i want a smaller one so i can get my roots better. thanks!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dontspeak what kind of flat iron do you use?

[/ QUOTE ]

I use a UNIL ceramic flat iron. It has variable temperatures up to 410 degrees. I love it! And it heats up in about 15-30 seconds. Wow!

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

I checked out these flat irons. the one everyone usually gets at Sally's---Ceramic Hot tools runs about $30-40 and it heats up to about 170 degrees. The Unil ceramic flat iron heats up to about 400 degrees

and the cost is about $100.

 

[caress]

[ QUOTE ]
what kind of creamy heat-protectant would u suggest?

thanx!

[/ QUOTE ]

I like L'Oreal Nature's Therapy Heat Control Leave-In Protection Creme. You can get it at Sally Beauty Supply.

 

[Country gal]

I use dudley's curl wax which really give it a nice shine. It does not weigh down my hair. It does allow it to stay in place a little longer. My hair dresser has me hooked on it. I wouldn't advice using it for roller sets. You can apply it once your hair has dried from the roller sets.

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

I may have to add that Dudleys curl wax to my wish list. Sbaker how much do you use and do you put it on wet or dry hair?

 

[Spagirl]

Thanks for the tips ladies. I just purchased the Chi last week and I want to put it through the test to make sure it fits my needs. Otherwise, I'll be utilizing my receipt for a return and will find contentment with my Jilbere (for > a $100 less).

 

[MissMarie23]

bump

 

[patience]

bump

 

[Faith]

What I did this past weekend which turned out GREAT for me...for the first time was to:
1. braid hair into 16 sections till it was dry
2. Apply wildgrowth hair oil to each section
3. Flatiron...with a flick of the wrist..like how you would press.
My hair was even straighter than when I used to relax. And the elasta qp recovery and wildgrowth oil made my hair VERY VERY soft. Still is...4 days later. may hair has never felt this good without the use of scurl.
I used a 250W flatiron on heat setting 12 (out of 25). I passed over it 2-3x (most were only 2x). It's a 1" flatiron.