How to Straighten Hair Without Straighteners – 10 Tips and Tricks

If you have curly hair and want to upgrade your style, we want to share some useful tips and tricks on how to straighten hair without straighteners. There are alternative ways to get straight hair without using hair dryers or flat irons.

These methods are easy to follow, and best of all, they don’t require any expensive products, so you can style your hair without heat damage or breaking the bank. In addition, this article also covers reasons why you should straighten your locks using alternative and safer methods from time to time.

Reasons to Straighten Your Hair Without Straighteners

There are alternative ways to get straight hair without using flat irons. Although nearly everyone uses a hair straightener, using heat on your hair often can result in heat damage.

Weaker Hair

One result of heat damage is weaker hair. When your hair is exposed to regular heat styling, it can become weak and fragile, and prone to breakage. Flat irons used at high temperatures tend to reduce the strength of each hair strand, which can cause the strand to break off halfway.

Similarly, if you straighten hair with a flat iron all the time, you might encounter split ends. This typically happens with the outlet layer of your strands becomes damaged by heat, resulting in splits. Therefore, you’ll have to visit a hair stylist more often and should certainly add a heat-protective spray into your hair routine.

Hair Loss

In addition, if you regularly straighten your hair with straightening irons, you could experience some hair loss. This typically happens when your hair is exposed to too much heat. Or, if you tend to keep the iron close to your scalp, you could scar the hair follicles which will cause them to weaken and eventually result in hair strands falling out.

Dry and Frizzy Hair

Another reason to straighten hair without heat is to avoid dry, frizzy hair. You typically encounter this look when your hair has been exposed to too much heat and you’re not using a hair mask often or other high-quality products to eradicate this dryness. If you already have frizzy hair, the additional heat will contribute to further frizz.

How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat

We all know that applying heat can cause hair damage over time. So we want to teach you how to get straight hair without a flat iron. Hence, listed below are ways you can achieve a sleek look without causing damage to your hair. With these simple tips, you’ll be an expert at straightening your locks without heat in no time.

1. Use a High-Quality Shampoo and Conditioner

Any expert hairstylist would agree that the process begins with the products you use in the shower. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner that’s specifically designed for straight hair. This will help to flatten the follicle, so you won’t have wavy hair once it dries naturally. Then, apply a leave-in conditioner to prepare the hair. Also, hair masks are a great way to add smoothness and inject moisture into the hair.

2. Use a Soft, Moisture-Absorbing Hair Wrap

Wrap your hair in a soft, moisture-absorbing hair wrap that’s gentle to your locks when it’s at its most vulnerable; when it’s wet. An absorbing material helps to wick moisture out without damaging the follicle or contributing to frizz. Never rub the hair wrap on your hair to keep the hair smooth.

 

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3. Use a Hair Dryer on a Cold Setting

To avoid using heat, use a blow dryer on a cold setting to prevent any damage. For this method, we don’t recommend using any hair product on damp hair, since no heat means no damage. Once it’s completely dry, you can apply a natural product, such as coconut oil, to tame any stray strands, add shine, and reduce frizz.

4. Brush Hair When It’s Wet

One of the ways to straighten hair without heat is by gently brushing your locks when it’s wet. After shampooing and conditioning locks, use a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles. Follow by gently brushing your locks with a paddle brush. Repeat this every few minutes to dry and straighten strands of hair without heat. This method might be time-consuming, but it certainly does a better job than air drying.

5. Apply Rollers to Your Hair

Another way to straighten hair without heat is by using rollers. These tools are a gentle approach to achieving a straightened, sleek look, and they can add volume to your roots, creating a lifted, voluptuous finish. Use up to six rollers for long hair and use on towel-dried hair. You don’t want your hair to be too wet otherwise it’ll take forever to dry—especially if you plan on sleeping in the rollers. Comb your hair up into the rollers and secure using bobby pins.

Moreover, rollers can add volume and movement to your hair without applying heat, and it’s one of the easiest methods for when you want a straight style the following day. In fact, they work by stretching out your hair without heat, so you don’t need to use any additional products.

6. Get Your Hair Cut

A hair stylist can help you to get straighter hair with a new cut. Sometimes your natural hair might have kinks in it due to your current haircut. For example, layers can contribute to a curl and make it difficult to achieve straightened locks without applying heat. Talk to your hair stylist about styles that are easy to maintain and work well with straight hair.

7. Use a Coconut Milk Formula

There are so many hair masks on the market, but one of the best methods is to make your own using coconut milk and lemon juice. Once combined, this formula softens and nourishes the hair follicles and creates straightened locks. Best of all, you can use this on all hair types—including curly hair.

Homemade Hair Straightener Treatment

coconut milk and lemon mask to have …https://t.co/HuYcLLqozh pic.twitter.com/UYRROKhfxK

— Юлия Ефимова (@searchertreatme) February 20, 2016

Mix lemon juice and fresh coconut milk together to create a mixture. You don’t want it to be too runny or thick—about the consistency of milk. Mix and apply to your natural hair when it’s damp, using your fingers to massage the product into your hair follicles. Leave on for up to 30 minutes and rinse off. Let your hair air dry and brush wet hair often to straighten your locks while it’s drying.

8. Combine Milk and Honey

Another popular homemade product is combining milk and honey. This formula strengthens the hair’s body via the protein in milk, while honey adds a natural sheen to the hair and smooths the cuticles.

Use one tablespoon of honey mixed with milk. Pour the product into a spray bottle, and spritz your hair when it’s damp after shampooing. You only need to leave this hair mask on for several minutes and wrap your hair around the top of your head to lock in the product, then rinse with clean water.

Although this product works for straightening your hair, we also recommend getting into a routine of using this hair mask for one of the best ways to hydrate parched locks. Let it air dry to straighten hair without heat.

9. Create a Hot Oil Hair Treatment

Another hair mask we recommend is a hot oil treatment. No matter your hair type, this treatment works for all women.

Combine caster oil and coconut oil in a pot and heat the mixture for a few seconds in the microwave until it becomes slightly warm. Apply the oil to slightly wet hair and massage it into the scalp for several minutes. Once the oil is in your hair, leave it for up 15–30 minutes. Finish off by washing your hair with cool water and using a mild shampoo. No need to use a conditioner.

This hair mask is a great way to straighten hair without heat, and it’s also one of our favourite methods for injecting moisture into the hair follicles. Furthermore, this mixture works because it controls frizz and smooths out the hair—which is exactly what you need for straightened locks.

10. Use a Bobble if You Have Curly Hair

If your hair is naturally curly, wash it using a straightening shampoo and towel dry so it’s around 70 percent dry. Then, make a low tight ponytail using a bobble and comb the ends to remove any tangles.

Depending on your hair length, you might want to use several bobbles every 5–7cm to secure it down on wet hair. (Make sure not to tighten it too much, or you could end up with unwanted kinks). Wait until your hair is dry and gently remove the bobbles one by one; your hair should be a lot more straightener than usual. Use a smoothing serum afterwards to tame any stray strands.

How to Properly Use a Hair Dryer

Alternatively, if you want a method that is quick and sure to create flawless results, opt for blow dryers to straighten your locks. Hair dryers can straighten your hair just as effectively without then having to apply additional heat on your scalp. Plus, blow dryers can add volume and body to your hair that a straightener can’t always achieve.

Prep Your Hair

Before you reach for your blow dryer, it’s important that you prepare the hair. Use a moisturizing hair shampoo and conditioner to help add some shine and nutrients to your hair. If possible, opt for a brand that specialises in straight hair, as it’ll contain beauty ingredients that flatten the hair follicle.

Once you’ve washed your hair, dry it with a towel to remove excess water. It’s important that you don’t rub the hair as doing so can make the follicles frizzy. Follow up by using a heat protectant to add a barrier between your hair and the heat. There are some amazing beauty products on the market that contain ingredients such as olive oil to pump some moisture into the follicles.

Also, note that the humidity from your shower can contribute to frizzy hair, so try to air out the bathroom or choose a room in the house that’s less humid. Finally, opt for a dryer with a nozzle. This is the most important attachment for achieving sleek, straight hair.

Drying Your Hair With a Hair Dryer

1. First, apply the dryer around three inches away from your head to remove any excess water. At this point, you’re just trying to dampen the hair before you actually blow dry. You don’t need a brush for this process but can use your fingers to gently comb through your strands. Don’t forget to point the device at a 45-degree angle to close the cuticles, reduce frizziness, and provide a smoother look.
2. Once you’ve removed excess water from your hair, reach for a round brush. The brush you use is important to creating sleek, straightened hair.
3. Attach the nozzle to the dryer and place the nozzle flat against your head. Working on small sections of hair each time, place a portion of hair around the brush and move it down slowly while the hairdryer follows. Remember that the brush’s direction will determine your hairstyle. So if you prefer rounder ends, make sure to curve the brush towards your body as you move it away from your head. Continue the process by moving onto other sections.
4. Once your entire head of hair is dry, it’s important that you lock in the straightness by using a cool setting. Doing so will also add a shine to your hair and it’ll get your results will last longer than leaving your hair hot. Repeat the process to your whole head of hair, all the while using the brush to perfect the work you’ve put in so far.
5. Use a smoothing serum that’s appropriate for your hair type to improve the style. Alternatively, opt for some hair spray to create smoother, straightened locks that look good all day.

Tricks for Keeping Straight Hair

Once you’re comfortable using the above tricks, it’s time to learn how to keep your strands from turning into curly hair. We recommend using a defrizzing treatment or argan oil once your hair is straight, to help keep the follicles closed. You might also like to wear a silk scarf over your hair when you’re sleeping to prevent any frizziness overnight.

We hope that one of these methods on how to straighten hair without straighteners will be helpful to you! Do you have any tips, methods, or recommended products for getting straight hair without applying heat? Let us know your feedback in the comments.

Additional Resources

• How to Curl Hair With Straighteners
• How to Use Hair Straighteners
• When Were Hair Straighteners Invented