I’ve worn my hair straight for the last 9 weeks. I’ve straightened it about 6 times during that period. Unfortunately, my scalp can’t go much longer than a week without being washed… two weeks is pushing it.

In order to straighten my hair, I wash and deep condition my hair first. I’ve been washing my hair with Herbal Essences shampoos lately. I’ve been deep conditioning with Camille Rose Naturals’ Algae Renew Deep Conditioner and most recently their Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment.

After deep conditioning my hair, I towel dry it a bit, then apply Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I blow dry it on medium heat in 4 sections just until my hair is dry. Now for the fun part!

I use my FHI flat iron with the temperature set between 300 and 370, but closer to 300 on the temperature dial. I’ve never set it higher than the dot in between 300 and 370 degrees.

I use Fantasia IC Straightening Serum and heat protectant. I’ve been using this for years and it’s the one heat protectant I absolutely love. I part small sections at a time to flat iron and apply the heat protectant to each parted section just before I flat iron it. I do about 3 passes per section.

I know some people only do one pass, but I don’t for several reasons. Firstly, my hair isn’t straight after one pass and if I’m going through the trouble of flat ironing my hair, I want it to be silky straight. Secondly, those who have straight hair after just one pass generally use a higher temperature. To lessen the risk of burning my hair, I prefer to use a lower temperature and a couple of extra passes.

After I straighten the whole thing, I generally wrap it and let it sit in the wrap overnight just to seal in the straightness. Throughout the week, I apply Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Camille Rose Naturals Moisture Milk as needed. Towards the end of the week, I may bun my hair at night rather than wrapping it just to protect my ends.

This is MY method of straightening my hair. Is it the only way? No. It is the “correct” way? It’s the way that works well for my hair.

My curls have bounced back every time I washed my hair, so I don’t have any worries of heat damage. I did twist my hair this week to take some time off from having it straight. I actually missed my curls and now that’s it’s twisted, I miss my straight hair. Never satisfied. Such is life!

XOXO,
Rece