How to Style Straight Hair

Co-authored by Steven Waldman

Last Updated: February 2, 2023 References

Don't settle for flat, lifeless, pin-straight hair! Selecting the right haircut and revising your hair washing routine can add volume, bounce, and life to your straight locks. Properly blow-drying, curling, and straightening your hair will allow you to achieve any do. Master the art of adding volume with a blow-dryer; conquer the craft of curling your seemingly un-curl-able hair; learn to transform your straight locks into sleek tresses with a flatiron. With this skill set, you can create a number of hairstyles, from tousled hair to smart up-dos.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Selecting the Right Haircut

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Opt for a pixie cut. A pixie cut can provide short straight hair with a lot of volume and movement. To achieve a voluminous pixie, keep the sides cropped, the top long, and add lots of layers throughout your short locks. The pixie is a versatile haircut. You can wear it slightly tousled, slicked backed, or with edgy spikes.^{[1]
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Try a bob. The classic bob and its modern variations are chic, timeless, and flattering. These haircuts are easy to style and maintain. By opting for a short to shoulder length haircut, you will reduce the weight of your hair, increasing your ability to add volume to your locks.
- The severeness of the blunt bob creates the illusion of fullness and volume.
- When teased, the stacked bob adds movement and volume to fine, limp hair.
- A lob, or long bob, is ideal for fine, thin hair—it allows you to maintain some length while getting rid of stringy ends.^{[2]
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Cut your long hair bluntly. As straight hair grows, the ends can appear stringy and unkept. To avoid this ragged look, opt for a long, blunt cut. A blunt cut will allow you to maintain your hair’s length while creating the illusion of full, thick hair.^{[3]
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- If you prefer a less severe look, ask your stylist to add a few face-framing layers.
- Too many layers will cause fine, straight hair to look thin and stringy.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair

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Shampoo your hair less frequently. Shampoo strips your scalp of its natural, nourishing oils. When you over shampoo your hair, it becomes dry and lifeless. Those with fine straight hair will need to shampoo their hair more frequently than those with thick straight hair.
- Fine straight hair becomes oily quick. Apply shampoo 3 to 4 times a week. Use a volumizing shampoo that does not contain any heavy conditioners.^{[4]
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- Thick straight hair benefits from the presence of your scalp’s natural oils. Apply shampoo directly to your scalp 2 to 3 times per week.^{[5]
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  Research source}Purchase a product with natural oils, such as keratin and argan oils.^{[6]
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2
Condition your hair according to your hair type. In addition to hydrating your locks, conditioners produce a glossier, healthier mane that is less prone to breakage and damage. The number of times you need to apply conditioner to your hair each week depends upon your hair type.^{[7]
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- If you have fine straight hair, over-conditioning will weigh down your locks and make it difficult to style your tresses. Apply conditioner sparingly after each time you shampoo. Do not apply any conditioner to your scalp, but from the middle of the hair shaft down to the ends.^{[8]
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- If you have thick straight hair, the hydrating qualities of conditioners will benefit your locks. Apply a generous amount of conditioner after each shampoo. Do not apply any conditioner to your scalp, but from the middle of the hair shaft down to the ends.^{[9]
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- Consider conditioning first and shampooing second. Reversing the order of your hair washing routine will transform oily, limp hair into bouncy, vibrant locks. First, nourish it with a rich conditioner. Then, apply shampoo to remove any excess oils and residue.^{[10]
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3
Use dry shampoo between washes. Dry shampoo is ideal for the individual with naturally oily hair. Applying this product in between shampoos will absorb the oils produced by your scalp. Dry shampoo will transform your lifeless tresses into luscious locks in minutes.^{[11]
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- Begin with dry hair.
- Spray the dry shampoo onto your roots.
- Massage the product into your scalp with your fingertips.
- Brush through your hair to evenly distribute the product.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Drying, Curling, and Straightening Your Hair

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Blow-dry your hair for additional volume. An excellent blow-dryer and a high-quality round brush are the keys to voluminous hair.
- Wrap a towel around your hair and squeeze the excess water from your locks.^{[12]
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- Unless you use a microfiber towel, avoid rubbing your wet hair. Doing so with a regular towel leads to frizz and split ends.
- If you have long, thick hair, apply a tennis ball sized amount of volumizing mousse to roots. If your hair is thinner or shorter, use a smaller handful.
- Dry your hair on a medium heat until it is slightly damp.
- Section off the top layer of your hair a secure it with a clip on the crown of your head.
- Section by section, pull your hair over a round brush and simultaneously run your blow-dryer down the length of your hair. Do not immediately remove the brush once the hair is dry. Allowing it rest while your hair cools will preserve your the shape and volume of your tresses. You can also run your hair dryer over the curls with the setting on cool to preserve the shape.
- Repeat this process with the top layer of your hair.^{[13]
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2
Dedicate time to curling your hair. When curled, pin-straight hair tends to fall flat in a matter of minutes. With patience, time, and attention to detail, you can overcome your hair’s inability to hold a curl.
- When you intend to curl your hair, do not apply conditioner in the shower.
3
For fine hair, set your curling iron to 300°. For thicker hair, set your curling iron to 350°.
- Apply a coin-sized amount of volumizing mousse to roots of your damp hair. Find one that doubles as a heat protectant. Otherwise, spritz your hair with heat protectant spray before straightening.
- Blow-dry your hair for additional volume.
- Divide your hair into 2 to 4 layers. Secure the top layers with clips, leaving the bottom layer down.
- Take a 1 to 2 inch section of hair and coat it lightly with hairspray.
- Wrap the section around the barrel, pulling it tight to distribute heat throughout the hair.
- After five seconds, lift the clip and slide the barrel out without releasing the curl. Use a metal duck clip to secure the curl to your head.
- Repeat until all of your hair is curled.
- Once you have curled all of your hair, remove all of the duck clips and shake out your hair.
- Spray your hair with a light texturizer instead of hairspray.^{[14]
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4
Use a straightener to achieve a sleek look. Straighteners aren’t just for people with curly or wavy hair—using them on your straight hair will create sleek, chic, glossy locks.^{[15]
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- Set your straightener to an appropriate temperature for your hair type:
  - If you have fine hair, set your straightener between 250° to 300.°
  - If your hair is moderately thick, set your straightener between 300° to 350°
  - If you have thick hair, set your straightener between 350° to 400°.^{[16]
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- Apply a heat protectant before straightening your hair. Heat protectants coat the follicle and seal in moisture. They prevent an array of damage, such as split ends and fried hair.^{[17]
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- Divide your hair into 5 to 7 sections. Secure the top layers with clips, leaving the bottom section unclipped.
- Divide the bottom section into 1 to 2 inch subsections of hair.
- To maintain volume, place the flatiron ½ inch below the roots of the first subsection. Quickly glide the straightener down the hair shaft. If you have thick hair, place a fine-toothed comb below the flat iron as you straighten your hair to achieve a sleek look.
- Repeat this process until you reach the top section.
- Divide the top section into 1 to 2 inch subsections of hair.
- Place the flatiron as close to the roots as possible and swiftly glide the straightener down the hair shaft.
- Repeat until you have completed straightening the top section.
- Spray your sleek hair with a shine boosting spray.^{[18]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Experimenting with Different Hair Styles

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Tease your hair for additional volume. Teasing your pin-straight locks will transform your flat hair into bouncy locks.^{[19]
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- Part your hair in the center or to the side.
- Use a comb to create two layers of hair on top of your head: a top layer and an underneath later.
- Secure the top layer with a duck clip.
- With a tailed comb, begin teasing the underneath layer 2 inches from your roots. After each downward stroke, fully remove the comb from your hair. Gradually increase your distance from the roots until you have created the amount of volume you desire.
- Unclip the top section and gently brush it over the teased underneath layer.
- Spray your teased tresses with hairspray to secure the look.^{[20]
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2
Add texture to your straight hair. Achieving the perfectly textured do is extra challenging when you have straight hair. Attempt to add texture to your pin-straight locks through one or more methods:
- For a beachy look, curl the middle section of your hair only.
- To produce a wavy look, first plait your hair into one or more even braids. Slowly run your straightener down the length of each braid. Remove the elastic band, undo your plait, and observe your subtle waves.
- To achieve waves without the heat, braid your hair while damp and apply a sea salt spray.
- For a perfectly tousled look, spray your hair with dry shampoo and scrunch your locks.^{[21]
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3
Wear your hair down and natural. One of the benefits of straight hair is that it requires very little maintenance and effort to style. Leave your tools and products in the drawer or under the sink. Simply run a brush through your hair and wear it down for the day.
4
Wear your hair up. Up-dos are appropriate for every occasion. Put your hair in a simple ponytail or a classic chignon. Tease your hair and pull it back into a half-ponytail. Experiment with different braids—try a fishtail braid, a crown braid, or a series of small side braids.^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

My hair is naturally straight and it won’t curl no matter what I try. What can I do?

Community Answer

One option would be getting a permanent, meaning a chemical treatment that will keep your hair always curly, but be warned that it stays that way for a long, long time and thins your hair. You can also try researching techniques for using curling irons in case you're doing it incorrectly.
Question

My hair is straight. Every time I leave it loose, it stays flat. Are there any tips to make my hair bouncy without curling or using hair products like hairspray?

Community Answer

Try blow drying it. Also, using lots of products weighs down your hair, making it flat. Sleeping with your hair wet may help it be bouncy and shiny in the morning!
Question

What styles can you do?

Cucumberry

Community Answer

You could do a ponytail, pigtail, sock buns, messy buns, braids, half up half downs etc.