Welcome to HairTalk.

 

To get curvy hair straight try the following steps:

 

1.  Shampoo hair with moisturizing shampoo (since you will be using hot tools and curvy hair tends to be more dry).

2.  Use a rinse out conditioner to keep hair soft.

3.  Towel blot to remove excess moisture.

4.  Use a detangler and start at bottom of ends and detangle carefully up to the roots.  Remember that wet hair is more fragile and easier to break or damage.

5.  Apply a c*cktail of leave-in conditioner with a straightening balm.  Ken Paves makes a great straightening balm that is inexpensive ($5.99) I use it on my own hair and it works great. 

 

Or you can use a defrisant that helps to straighten like the famous Phytodefrisant (I also use that sometimes and it works but for a softer finish).

 

6.  Separate hair into 1-2 inch sections and start at the back of your head.

7.  Use a paddle brush (boar's head) to anchor the hair at the bottom of the strands.

8.  Use a blow dryer with a concentrator and direct air flow DOWN the hair shaft from the roots to the ends.  Dry each section until 100% dry.

9.  Work around the head from side to side and repeat Steps 6 - 8.

10.  When hair is 100% dry apply a shine serum to block our frizz.

 

If you want hair even straighter...lightly go over strands with straightening iron.  Don't use irons too often because they can dry our fragile strands.

 

Hairspray is optional.

 

Try this and see if it works better than gel which is not as good for straightening.

 

Good luck.