How to make curly hair straight

I currenltly have short, slightly curley, thick hair. I'm trying to make my hair straight so that when i apply a gel/wax, my hair is spikey. Right now when I apply gel my hair curls up and flattens out, the complete opposite of what i'm trying to do. Any suggesstions on a good wax or shampoo that i should try to use? I've tried some heavy waxes, and they seem to not give me any volume or separation, but instead make my hair puffy and flat. Perhaps a light wax? The style i like best is right when i get out of the shower and i've towel dried my hair, it's just how i would like it, but give it a few minutes and it curls up and flattens.