Hi Ladies!
On the last Wednesday of each month, the lovely Wes of HoneyBrownSugar.com will be standing in for me- sort of like a Substitute Teacher! We hope that this endeavor will diversify both sites, and provide readers with a variety of reliable and reader-friendly articles. Besides being gorgeous, this curly icon has been providing much needed hair product reviews, advice, and styling techniques since February of last year. Not only is she a hair guru, she branches out and helps you maintain your sexy from head to toe! Her kind spirit shines through in her writing style, and her recurring posts such as Friday’s Dessert, and Tuesday’s Trouble, illustrates her creativity! Thanks Wes for all you do! Now, onto today’s lesson:
Straight Hair Can Be Healthy Too!!
Written for Curly Nikki by Wes of Honeybrownsugar.com
If you’re familiar with my blog, Honey Brown Sugar, then you know that I’ve been doing a LOT with my hair lately. From new products to new styles, I needed a break. A much NEEDED break. I know I said I wasn’t going to straighten my hair as often as I used to, but this is the only way I can give my hair a break (for about two weeks).
Although I had pledged to stay far away from my beloved flat iron, I reneged on that promise. My initial thought was to roller set my hair but I was heading out for the night and time was of the essence. So, with little time and plenty of knowledge I decided to flat iron my hair in the most healthiest way possible.
1. I washed with Mizani’s Thermasmooth shampoo, then detangled and conditioned with Elasta QP’s DPR-11 Remoisturizing conditioner (I think this may have been a little to heavy for my straight hair. Works best when my hair is in its naturally curly state).
2. After rinsing, I then applied just a dime-sized amount of Mizani’s Thermastrength Style serum and blow dried in small sections (using Mizani’s Thermasmooth Smooth Guard Smoothing serum, about a pea sized amount for each section), starting at the back.
3. After blow drying each section, I checked for even-ness and clipped some ends. My recent trip to Devachan had my ends a little uneven (their procedure involves trimming the ends of each and every curl, one at a time)- I did a little clean up there and then grabbed my trusty Megastar flat iron (thanks to the great people at Misikko!).
4. I flat iron in the same manner as blow drying; I begin at the back and proceed upwards, working in small sections. I usually use the highest heat setting but this time I opted for 350 degrees (instead of 420).
I usually use the entire Thermasmooth system from Mizani but I just decided to do things a little differently this time. I know that times are tough right now (Mizani products are a little on the pricey side)- if you’re looking for a substitute I highly recommend FHI’s Heat Hot Sauce. The most important part of flat ironing/straightening your hair is to always use a heat protectant! A deep conditioner isn’t always necessary however, it should be done on a consistent basis if you’re a repeat flat iron-er.
Hope this helps curlies!!
lol @ down to detention!
Welcome Wes. New blog to stalk :). You know by starting up with a heat conversation, you were up for some controversy but very well handled.
Thanks guys for all of the love!! It is GREATLY appreciated. Just to clear up any miscommunication, I (similar to Nikki) can only write based on what works for me. I am by no means a professional!
I straighten my hair on 350 b/c that works for me; 280 has no effect on my mane. That's not to say that 280 won't work for the next chica though. However, please also know that heat will NOT touch these locks for at least another two weeks! It's a give & take sort of thing. Keep in mind that I simply use my blog (and now this one 😉 to share MY experiences. Take from it what you may!
BTW- I've never tried the Chi Silk Infusion, so I cannot compare it against the FHI Hot Sauce, however, I do like the ingredients in the HS though.
[Ellie]]
Agreeing w/ Ebz.
Ppl calm down, she said straightening the healthiest way possible that she knows not the healthy way.
If I was a substitute teacher I send a few of you down to Detention..
gorgeous lady & hair 🙂
Hey Ebz, I agree with you too. I’ve been natural for about 6 years now, but mainly wore my hair straight until December 2008, and it was really healthy during my straight hair days. And just like Nik’s sister Syl, her hair is definitely proof that straight hair can be healthy.
Umm, Ebz, she did say it. “I decided to flat iron my hair in the most healthiest way possible”
Wow, some people are SUPER sensitive. She never said she’s straightening the “healthy way”, she said that straight hair can be healthy too. Which it can, if you take the proper precautions. On the other hand you do run the risk of heat damage.
Great job Wes. Your hair looks fantastic both curly and straight. Please disregard all the negative comments and super sensitive bloggers. SMH
BEAUTIFUL HAIR!! Can’t wait till my hair reaches that length.
Wow! you are so gorgeous! I’ve tried several times to press my hair whether I go to the professional or do it on my own. Each time I end up with sections of hair that won’t revert back. Nothing was done wrong. I just think certain curlies can’t use high heat and I am one of them. I love the second pic where your hair is not fully straightened. That’s hot.
Thanks for this post ladies! It’s always good to have as many options as possible for your natural hair. I’ve heard great things about FHI’s heat hot sauce if you plan to flat iron
I’m sorry, but this is silly. Straightening the “healthy” way? Please!
Wow 350 degrees is really high! Is that Fahrenheit or Celsius?
I don’t think I agree with using the highest heat possible. The advice is usually to use the lowest heat possible.
gorgeous as usual…
I love your blog! I’ve been thinking about straightening my hair for spring break so this is just in time. Pretty Hair.
Beautiful girl and hair! I have not straightened since my last chop (2 years ago) but this makes it oh so tempting!
Super smooth! What other flat irons would you recommend for type 4 hair?
It’s Wes!!! You’re hair looks superb! Nice job.
Prettysunshyne
Wes, have you ever used the Chi silk infusion? If so, how does it compare to the FHI hot sauce?
Beautiful hair!
this is a cool idea. i look forward to the cross posting on your sites, ladies!
I haven’t straightened my hair since 2003 and I’m not really interested in straightening it again BUT if someone ever puts a gun to my head it’s good to know that there are so many good tutorials on how to heat-straighten without damage. So thanks for this.
where have you been all my life!?!?!? this entry was great =]
Very pretty. It look professionally done.