Buzz
Many people are drawn to the beauty and smooth texture of straight hair. However, tools and products like flat irons, chemical relaxers, and other hair treatments can irritate or damage both hair and scalp. Fortunately, there are numerous natural methods to straighten hair using common household ingredients. While achieving perfectly straight hair solely through natural processes may be challenging, these techniques can moisturize, relax, and straighten hair without the harmful effects of chemicals or heat.
Steps
Straightening Hair with Hair Ties
Wash and condition your hair. Use a gentle shampoo and a deep moisturizing conditioner to retain hair moisture. Avoid shampoos containing surfactants or sulfates, as they can cause damage to your hair.
Gently squeeze excess water from your hair using a towel. Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously to prevent breakage and frizz. Simply press sections of your hair with the towel to remove moisture.
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. This type of comb has spaced-out teeth, making it easier to remove knots without causing breakage. Afterward, use a regular comb to smooth your hair.
Divide your hair into two sections for tying. Each section should be tied close to the nape of your neck; tying the hair high will create creases as it dries. Use hair ties to secure both sections firmly.
Add more hair ties spaced evenly along the length of your hair. Place a hair tie every 3-8 cm. Avoid tying too tightly to prevent tangles once your hair dries. You’ll end up with two sections of hair divided into smaller segments.
Wrap a silk scarf around your head. Secure the scarf with bobby pins if needed. Silk helps prevent tangling and reduces frizz as your hair dries.
- You can sleep comfortably with your hair wrapped this way or do it in the morning if you don’t need to go out for a few hours.
Finally, remove the scarf, bobby pins, and hair ties. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your hair. Avoid using a round brush as it can cause frizz and disrupt the straightening process.
Straightening Hair by Overnight Wrapping
Wash your hair and apply conditioner. The richer and more moisturizing the conditioner, the better it will reduce frizz, helping your hair stay smooth and straight for longer.
- Avoid towel-drying your hair. The friction from rubbing your hair with a towel can cause frizz and increase curliness. Keep your hair wet for the next steps.
Apply leave-in conditioner to your palms and distribute it evenly through your wet hair. This will add weight to your hair, helping it stay straight and frizz-free. If you prefer natural alternatives, you can use natural oils instead.
- Thicker oils like argan or olive oil work best for dense hair. For finer hair, lighter oils such as grapeseed or coconut oil are more suitable.
- Remember to start with a small amount, as it’s easier to add more oil than to remove excess.
Divide your hair into 4 equal sections. If you have thick hair, you may need to divide it into 6 sections for better manageability.
Use a round brush to comb through a section of your hair. Continue brushing until the hair is tangle-free and ensure the leave-in conditioner is evenly distributed.
Brush this section of hair across your head. Hold the brush with one hand while using the other to secure bobby pins every 5cm to keep the hair in place.
Continue pinning to secure the hair around your head. Depending on the length of your hair, wrap it horizontally, downward, and to the opposite side. Use additional pins to keep the hair firmly in place.
Take the next section of hair and repeat the same process. Space bobby pins approximately 5cm apart to secure the hair.
Repeat the process until all sections of hair are securely pinned. If your hair starts to dry, lightly spray water or pat a small amount of water onto your hair to keep it damp.
Leave the pins in overnight and go to sleep. If sleeping with pins feels uncomfortable, wrap a soft scarf around your head for added comfort.
- If you experience a headache, it means the pins are too tight. Experiment with different types of pins to find the most comfortable option.
Gently remove the pins in the morning. Your hair should be dry by this time, unless it’s exceptionally thick. Avoid pulling the pins out forcefully to prevent damage.
Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle and smooth your hair. Avoid round brushes as they can cause puffiness and frizz.
- If your hair is dry or thick, apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or oil. Rub the product between your palms and distribute it evenly from roots to ends.
Straightening Hair with Rollers
Wash your hair and apply conditioner. Avoid shampoos with surfactants or sulfates; opt for products designed for dry or damaged hair if possible. When shampooing and conditioning, avoid rough scrubbing to prevent breakage and frizz.
Gently squeeze excess water from your hair using a soft towel. Apply leave-in conditioner or natural oil evenly from roots to ends. Use a wide-tooth comb to smooth your hair.
Work on sections of hair about 5cm wide. Use the pointed end of a comb to divide your hair into smaller sections. Place a large roller close to the ends and roll the hair upward toward your scalp.
- Use the largest rollers you can find. Velcro or mesh rollers come in large sizes, but if you plan to sleep with them, opt for foam rollers.
Secure the rollers at least 2.5cm away from your scalp. Use bobby pins or plastic clips to hold the rollers in place. The weight of the rollers slightly pressing against your head will help straighten the hair near the roots without adding volume at the crown.
Air-dry your hair. You can use a blow dryer on a low heat setting if you’re in a hurry, but avoid high heat to prevent damage. Air-drying allows the tension from the rollers to gradually straighten your hair.
- If you plan to sleep with the rollers, wrap a soft scarf, preferably silk, around your head. This minimizes friction between your hair and the pillow, preventing frizz and keeping the rollers in place.
- Avoid sleeping with a shower cap. Plastic caps trap moisture, leaving your hair damp overnight.
Remove the rollers once your hair is completely dry. Avoid pulling them out forcefully, as this can damage your hair; gently unwind the rollers and let them slide out.
Detangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb. Avoid round brushes as they can cause puffiness and frizz. A detangling comb is the best choice for this step.
Take a small amount of coconut oil in your palms. Gently apply the oil to your hair. This helps seal the hair cuticles, leaving your hair shiny and smooth.
Straightening Hair with Coconut Milk Mask
Prepare the ingredients. Coconut milk, rich in fats, fibers, and nutrients like vitamin E, is excellent for moisturizing hair. When combined with the deep hydrating properties of pure olive oil and the acidity of lemon juice, it creates a mask that helps straighten hair. Avoid lemon juice if you have dyed hair, as it can cause color fading.
Mix 1 cup of coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of pure olive oil in a medium saucepan. In a separate bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice until the mixture is smooth.
Combine the cornstarch and lemon juice mixture with the coconut milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens. Once it reaches a consistency similar to conditioner, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Apply the mask to your hair. You can use a pastry brush or paintbrush for easier application, or simply use your fingers to spread the mask evenly. Ensure every strand is coated for the best results.
Cover your hair with a shower cap. If you don’t have a shower cap, you can use plastic wrap. Wrapping your hair helps retain heat, allowing the curls to relax and straighten gradually.
Warm your hair. If you have a blow dryer, use it on a low setting until your hair is warm. Alternatively, you can warm a damp towel in the microwave and wrap it around your hair.
Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo and warm water. Avoid shampoos with harsh surfactants or sulfates, as they can roughen the hair cuticles, reducing the mask’s moisturizing and smoothing effects. Follow up with a deep-conditioning treatment.
Brush your hair straight. Use a fine-tooth comb to detangle your hair and gently pull it straight.
- Coconut milk differs from coconut water (which is thinner) and coconut cream (which is sweeter and thicker). Make sure you purchase the correct product.
- This mask helps relax curls, but if you have tightly coiled hair, it won’t completely straighten it. However, the added moisture from the mask can protect your hair if you use heat styling tools.
Straightening Hair with Banana Mask
Prepare the ingredients. Bananas are rich in nutrients like folate, vitamin B6, and natural sugars that help retain moisture in your hair. Olive oil seals the hair cuticles, while milk provides proteins and sugars that moisturize and strengthen your hair. This mask is safe for dyed hair and promotes straightening.
Peel and mash 2-3 ripe bananas in a bowl. You can use a fork or a potato masher to achieve a smooth consistency. For an even finer texture, use a blender or food processor. Mash until the bananas are completely smooth.
Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. The mask should have a texture similar to bottled conditioner.
Apply the mask evenly to your hair. This mask is relatively thin, so it’s best to apply it over a sink or during a shower to avoid mess. Make sure to coat your hair from roots to tips.
Put on a shower cap. Alternatively, you can wrap your hair with plastic wrap or a nylon bag. Leave the mask on for about an hour.
Rinse the mask out with a mild shampoo and warm water. Ensure all traces of the mask are removed. Since the mask can be sticky, rinse thoroughly and follow up with conditioner.
Tips
- If you have naturally curly hair, achieving straight hair without heat, electric straighteners, or chemical relaxers can be challenging. Natural straightening methods are a great alternative as they focus on moisturizing your hair and scalp, though they may not be as effective as blow dryers, flat irons, or professional straightening services.
- Natural straightening is still better than using electric straighteners, which can cause hair breakage and damage.
- Few people are naturally blessed with straight hair. The easiest way to maintain the appearance of healthy, beautiful hair, regardless of curls, is to avoid frizz and keep your hair in its best condition. Weekly deep conditioning and hot oil treatments are excellent ways to maintain strong, shiny hair.
- Consult with a hairstylist about the best haircut to reduce volume and make your hair appear straighter. Everyone’s hair is different, and the right cut can significantly affect how smooth, straight, or defined your curls look.
- Thicker hair is easier to straighten. Longer hair tends to weigh itself down, making it appear straighter.
Warnings
- Hair is very delicate. While using bobby pins and rollers is safer and gentler on your hair compared to heat and chemical treatments, frequent use, especially if you pin or roll your hair too tightly, can lead to scalp irritation and hair loss.
