How to Make Hair Straight with a Curling Iron

Last Updated: January 31, 2022 References

Perhaps you do not have access to a hair straightener but still want to tame your curly or wavy hair. In fact, you can use a curling iron to get the straight hair look with relative ease. You will first need to select the right curling iron and prepare your hair properly. Then, sit down and straighten your hair with the curling iron in just a few steps.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selecting Your Curling Iron

1
Search for a curling iron that has plates or a clamp. Any iron that has a rod or cone shape and looks like a wand won't effectively straighten your hair. Instead, opt for a traditional barrel-shaped iron that has plates, or a clamp, so that your hair can be pressed in between. This way, you’ll be able to use the curling iron as you would use a straightener.
2
Look for a curling iron with a larger barrel. It is much easier to straighten your hair with a curling iron that has a larger barrel, at least 1 to 2 inches in diameter. A larger barrel will allow you to run the curling iron through sections of your hair more easily and much more quickly than a curling iron with a smaller barrel.^{[1]
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- If you only have access to a curling iron with a smaller barrel, .75 to 1 inch in diameter, you can still use it to straighten your hair. But it may take more time due to the smaller barrel size.
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3
Go for a ceramic curling iron. Look for a curling iron that is made of ceramic and/or tourmaline. Ceramic irons are ideal because they help to disperse heat through your hair more evenly. Tourmaline irons are also good for controlling frizz and for locking moisture in your hair when you style it with heat.^{[2]
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- Many professional grade curling irons are made with ceramic or tourmaline. You may be able to get a more affordable curling iron that is only partly ceramic or tourmaline if you are on a budget.
4
Make sure the curling iron has a variety of heat settings. You should also check that the curling iron comes with several heat settings so you can control how much heat you are applying to your hair. This will ensure you do not burn or damage your hair when you use the curling iron.^{[4]
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- If you have fine hair or hair that is color treated, you should use a low heat setting of below 200 degrees. If you have curly, thick hair, you can use a higher heat setting of 200-300 degrees.
- Never go above 400 degrees as this can damage your hair, no matter what hair type you have.
- Make sure you pay attention to how your hair responds to the heat of the curling iron. If you notice a burning smell coming from your hair, the temperature may be too high. However, a burning smell can also indicate that your hair is dirty, wet, or even has too much product on it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing Your Hair

1
Wash and condition your hair. You should prep your hair for the curling iron by washing and conditioning it in the shower. You should use a shampoo that will give your hair moisture and does not leave residue in your hair.^{[5]
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- You should also use a small amount of conditioner on the ends of your hair so you do not put too much conditioner in your hair. Too much conditioner can make it more difficult for your hair to stay straight or hold any styles.
2
Apply heat protectant.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Apply a heat protectant gel or spray while your hair is still wet. Run the heat protectant from the root to the ends of your hair, scrunching your hair with your fingers. This will protect your hair from heat damage and prevent frizz.^{[7]
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- You may also want to apply a hair mousse to your wet hair, especially if your hair is lacking in volume and body. Run the mousse from the roots to the ends.
3
Dry your hair well with a blow dryer. You should avoid trying to straighten wet hair, as it can damage your hair and create split ends.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Your hair can also become frizzy and rough looking due to heat being applied to wet hair. Make sure you dry your hair well with a blow dryer so you are straightening hair that is prepared and ready for the curling iron.^{[9]
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- You should blow dry your hair by flipping your hair over and running the blow dryer down to the ends of your hair. Move the blow dryer around your hair, dispersing the heat throughout, until your hair is completely dry.^{[10]
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- If you have especially thick hair, you may need to part your hair into a few different sections and dry each section one at a time.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Straightening Your Hair

1
Plug in the curling iron. Turn the curling iron to the right heat setting for your hair. It may take a few minutes for the curling iron to warm up.
- You should also position yourself in front of a mirror so you can see what your hands are doing and how your hair looks as you straighten it. You may also place a hair clip on a table in front of you so it is easy to access.
2
Clip back or tie up the top layers of your hair. You should straighten your hair in stages, starting with the bottom layers first. This will ensure you do not miss any strands of hair and that your hair appears uniform when you are done straightening it. Clip back the top layers of your hair so you can access the bottom layers.^{[11]
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- Even if you have short hair, you should still clip back the top layers so you can access the bottom layers. This will allow you access each layer of your hair more easily.
3
Pull the curling iron through a section of hair. Hold a section of hair at the nape of your neck that’s no wider than 1 inch (2.5 cm). Then, open the clamp of the curling iron and place the upper part of the hair between the barrel and the clamp. Keep a firm grip. Slowly pull the curling iron downward, through your hair. Hold the clamp shut with your hand as you do this.^{[12]
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- Pull the curling iron all the way to the ends of your hair. Then, release the clamp. You should have a straightened section of hair.
- Repeat these steps for the bottom layer of your hair. Make sure you keep a firm grip on the clamp as you run the curling iron down to the ends of your hair.
4
Straighten the top layers of your hair. Once you have finished straightening the bottom layer, you should take the top layer of your hair out of the clip. Then, repeat the same steps on the top layer of hair using the curling iron.^{[13]
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- You may need to straighten the shorter hairs around your face in smaller sections to ensure you catch all of the shorter hairs. Use the curling iron to straighten out the sections around your face for a full straight look.
- Try to avoid going over the same section of hair multiple times, as this can damage your hair. Pull the curling iron through and down your hair slowly and firmly to ensure you straighten the hair the first time through. Also, place a comb beneath the curling iron as you straighten the hair.
5
Apply hairspray to hold the style in place. Once you have straightened your hair completely, you should set your look in place with hairspray. Use a hairspray that will give your hair shine and prevent frizzing.^{[14]
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- You may also run your hands through your hair lightly to give your hair volume and body. However, try not to touch your hair too often once you have straightened it, as this can make it appear messy and undo your perfect straight hair look.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you straighten your hair with a straightener?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Start with clean, dry hair misted with thermal protectant and divided into 1-inch thick sections. Run the iron through each strand from root to ends. Use firm even pressure and repeat if necessary.
Question

How do you make your hair curl?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can create curls with a curling iron or rollers. If your hair has natural wave, you can enhance it with a curl cream and a diffuser.
Question

Can you use a curling iron to straighten hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, but it's more effective if you have an iron with a large barrel (at least 2 inches). This method also tends to work better on loose curls than on very curly hair.