I wear it straight after a relaxer for a week or two then wash and do a no heat style. from there it's buns, bantu knot outs and braid outs. for special ocassions, I flat iron with nexxus heat protectant. It's kind of nice to straighten so infrequently because then your length is always such a nice surprise. when my hair is at its goal length- i forsee wearing it straight for longer periods of time. got to show off that hard work =).