Straight Hair

Naturally Straight Hair

Just because you have the naturally straight hair that all the other ladies covet doesn't mean your hair care routine is simple.

In fact, because straight hair is more prone to grease, debris, and moisture, it may require a bit more daily treatment.

Here are eight of our hair care suggestions for women with naturally straight hair, as well as how to achieve the lustrous locks of your dreams:

1. You Need Regular Shampoos

Straight-haired mavens, maybe more than any other texture, require consistent shampooing.

"Because curlier, thicker hair is drier, it fares best with fewer washes and benefits from the buildup of natural oils," explains Ellie Krupnick, beauty editor at the Huffington Post. "However, as soon as my fine hair becomes oily, it becomes weighed down and cries for a wash." It becomes limper as more grease is applied."

Wash your hair every other day with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to avoid drying out your strands, and once a week with a clarifying shampoo to prevent product build-up.

You should feel fresh and prepared to style.

2. Try Dry Shampoo Between Shower Sessions

Because your hair and scalp are likely to be greasy, use dry shampoo in between showering sessions or after an exercise to remove sweat, debris, and product buildup.

Hairstylist John D. told Glamour, "Use your fingers to softly pull and section the hair, and focus on spraying the root area." "When applying, keep the can six to ten inches away from the scalp. This ensures that it is distributed not just on but also around the roots."

You should be able to massage your scalp, run your fingers through your hair, and walk out the door once the dry shampoo has done its job of sucking up dirt and oil.

A word of warning: dry shampoo should not be used in place of regular shampoo.

It's fantastic in a pinch, especially for adding volume, but like any other product, it builds up on your scalp over time.

3. Create Volume

You may require a volume boost, especially if you have fine, thin hair. Use a texturizing spray to add lift, then blow dry your hair upwards from the roots.

But, as beauty editor Jada Wong warns, be cautious with the things you use.

"Naturally, volumizing treatments that promise lift and height look like an easy answer," writes Wong at Refinery29. "However, certain types of these products can be overly heavy and can just weigh down hair."

Instead, she recommends using a dry texturizing spray. "Because these sprays build thickness all around, they won't add extra weight at the root, which leads to limp strands later."

4. Be Careful With Conditioner

While women with coarse or curly hair may benefit from the added moisture, straight-haired people may overdo it when it comes to conditioner use.

This is especially true if your hair is fine or thin, and you should be extra cautious when choosing a formula, according to beauty editor Rachel Krause.

"Avoid thick, creamy products in favour of a softer approach," she recommends on StyleCaster. "The best lightweight conditioners provide exactly the correct amount of nutrients for your hair without weighting it down or causing oil production to increase."

Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair first, then use your fingers to comb upward. If you don't want to end up with a greasy mess on your hands, never apply conditioner directly to your roots or scalp.

5. Give Your Blow Dryer’s Heat Settings a Workout

No, we're not talking about turning up the heat. While heat is required for volumizing sprays to work, cool air can also aid to control breakage and frizz.

Rough dry your hair with your fingers first, then apply a little heat at the roots, explains hairstylist Mark Townsend.

"Hair activate almost all volumizers, you need to use a blow dryer with heat," Townsend told Self.

Because too much heat can cause breakage and frizz, always complete your blow dry with a blast of cool air.

The chilly air should help to establish your style and give your hair a healthy gloss.

6. Learn How to Battle Frizz

While curly-haired ladies face this issue as well, you're no stranger to frizz — especially when the weather is humid.

Carly Cardellino, beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, recommends using a little dry oil to make your hair cooperate.

Cardellino recommends brushing dry oil through straight hair with a mixed bristle brush to keep it from becoming frizzy.

"Apply a moisture-locking dry oil...from your ends to midway up your hair shaft while your hair is still wet; oil works as a barrier, preventing liquids from penetrating," she says.

7. Get the Right Brush

You'll need the proper brush at the right time to avoid breakage. A paddle brush is the instrument for straight-haired ladies.

StyleCaster's Sable Yong adds, "The flat surface makes this an ideal tool for smoothing, frizz, and static-fighting."

"Plus, because of its wide flat design, it can hold more bristles and detangle your hair faster and with fewer passes, resulting in less shedding," she says.

But keep in mind that brushing thick, straight hair with a paddle brush immediately out of the shower is not a good idea. When your hair is at its weakest, you risk tugging, tangling, or breaking it.

"Give your hair a brush before hopping in the shower to avoid snarls," says Renee Loux of Women's Health. "Apply conditioner, detangle strands with your fingers, then use a wide-toothed comb before rinsing if you like to comb in the shower."

After that, your hair will be happier, healthier, and shinier.