Question About Straightening Natural Hair

[MzLady78]

This might have been asked before, but of course the search function is not working for me.

I was browsing a member's Fotki he other day and saw that she uses a old school hot comb on her natural hair and it comes out beautifully! I had no idea she was natural from her siggy and avatar pics.

Now I've tried to flat iron my hair and it doesn't come out well at all. I don't really know the different hair types but my hair is very nappy, LOL. I have some very tight coils. Then I realized I had one of those electric hot combs from when I BC'd the first time. But I was wondering is one better than the other or does it matter? Or is it possible that I'm just using the wrong products when I flat iron? I think I used IC Straightening Serum or something like that.

I need some input because as some of my girls on here know, I'm really having to exercise a lot of self control to not relax again, I'm so frustrated with my hair right now.

 

[Sunshine_One]

I haven't used a straightening comb in my hair natural hair. When I wear straight styles I opt for a roller set/flat iron or a roller set/dominican blowout. Also, I usually get this done professionally because I don't like my "homemade" straightening results. I used to be a weekly salon girl so if I want to wear it straight I want it salon perfect.

Have you tried roller setting you hair prior to flat ironing? I ask because I think the roller set aids in smoothing the hair out and will allow you to use less heat. I personally and scared to let a hot comb touch my hair. I think the heat will be too intense and will ruin my natural texture. My hair is fine and doesn't need a lot of heat to straighten. However, there are many natural ladies on the board who press and their hair is lovely w/ no change in texture. I'm sure they will chime in.

HTH

 

[NuMe2004]

All I can say is practice, practice, practice!!!

I've been flat ironing my hair for a while and have just recently gotten so good at it that I can now get better results than most of the professional stylists I've gone to. I know we talk about irons, heat protectors, blow dryers and all that, but at the end of the day, I think learning what your hair needs and perfecting your technique is what really counts.

 

[chocolate01]

I agree with NuMe2004 it takes practice. Other than that I always blowdry first because rollersetting does not work for me. I have a maxiglide flat iron. I use Redken heat glide as a heat protecteant. I try to take my time and do smaller sections, I find my hair comes out better when I do smaller sections at a time rather than larger sections.

 

[MzLady78]

Thanks ladies.

*sigh*

I don't know why I can't get a handle on this hair stuff.

I feel I should be a pro by now but I just can't figure out what my hair likes.