Using Straighteners on Mixed Race Hair

[Katymac]

DD (nearly 10) has asked if she can try straighteners on her hair - I am not about to let her lose with red hot hair tools but is there a good reason for me not to straighten her hair

It si beautiful curly - but I understand that on occasions she might want it different (I know I do)

Also she uses a leave in conditioner does hat make anydifference?

TIA
KMc

y dont u try straightening irons 1st? cos once its straightened, she's stuck wit it, and you're gonna have 2 straighten the root growth every 4 to 6 weeks... same as any perm

That's what I was intending to try - but I wantd to know if there is anything I should/shouldn't do, & whether the leave-in conditioner will effect either the straighteners or her hair?

My friend's dd (7) with mixed race hair was desperate to have it straightened. He let her do it. She was totally over it within days (middle of the summer in los angeles and she couldn't go swimming was a big factor) and luckily went right back to her totally gorgeous curly hair.
By the way, her hair looks gorgeous and he swears by daily application of grapeseed oil.

I'm mixed race and have very fine, flyaway frizzy hair.

I want to have it straightened but not sure which straightening irons/products are the best to use.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Much thanks in anticipation.

Wuxiapian,
You've got various options according to how long you want straightening to last. The best option if it's for a special occasion and you want a really groomed look is to go to a good afro hairdresser and have them blow dry it, then tong it or use straightening irons on it.

It you want to DIY on a regular basis I'd suggest investing in a good hairdryer with an afro comb attachment. Do you live near shops that sell afro hair products? After washing your hair blot it so it's damp but neither dry nor dripping wet. I would then add a good leave in conditioner (African Pride do one that's quite light) then work/comb through a good serum. I'm afraid I don't think Frizz Ease etc. cut it for mixed race hair. There is a good one called Silken Seal (can't remember manufacturer sorry but it's in white/orange packaging). Mizani is another good make for serum.

Blow dry small sections at a time working from root to tip of hair. Once you've finished you may find that's enough but if you want it bone straight spray a heat protector on the the ends and use flat or curved ceramic irons on small sections, pulling the irons down the hair section and bending themn at the last minute so you get the hair to sit so it curves slightly (if that makes sense).

The drastic option is to have it chemically relaxed. All very time consuming and means buying lots of products but hey! That's our genetic inheritance.

Thanks for the reply, Love.

I went to my friend's today and used their hair straightening iron. My hair did straighten, but remained flyaway and kinda frizzy on the ends.

Is there anything I should put on my hair AFTER using the iron to keep in tidy?

Much thanks for taking the time

Try this stuff:
www.nextag.com/organic-olive-oil-hair-product/search-html
The spray is great for making hair really shiny and the root stimulator is good for the scalp.

We do try to straighten dd's hair with tongs at home but it's nothing like the hairdresser's. Unfortunately that costs £30 and takes nearly three hours. Note this is not the permanent straightening either!

Also,
you can try using a tiny bit of moisturising hair cream on fly away bits. Optimum and Art Effex are ok. You won't need much otherwise hair will get greasy.

I've tried loads of different things on my hair, and have found the absolute best for shampoo/conditioner/serum (bit pricey though) is the kerastase range, although the L'oreal stuff you get from salons has a fantastic serum and curl cream. When using straightening irons, first blow dry thoroughly with afro attachment, and hair cream (e.g. the l'oreal salon straightening balm), then section hair, use small amounts of serum and use straightening irons, keeping tension in the hair without pulling too hard. To stop frizzy ends, angle the irons slightly so you have a bit of a curl, and make sure you got cream and straightening balm to the ends when hair was wet.
For perfect ringlets, never comb hair unless wet and with conditioner, and I use the l'oreal salon curl cream (bronze packaging) - expensive, but last for ages.

oh, and in terms of straightening irons, after spending loads and loads on cheaper versions, the only ones worth their weight in gold are GHDs - get the wide plated ones if poss, makes it much quicker.

I now end up not liking my hair when I have it done at salons, because I've finally sussed how to get it lovely all by myself