How do you get hair all sleek and flat?

[ThatllDoPig]

I've got long hair and don't use products etc, but want to help my 12 year old dd. She's just had her hair all shaped and layered and came back from the hairdressers very proud and gorgeous. BUT after washing it it is just a fluffy mop. She has very thick hair. I've tried some frizz ease, and it helped a bit, but still didn't look like it should. Does this always have to go on wet hair? Any other ideas? How do they get it all sleek. I have tried straightening it too, but don't really know what I'm doing.

GHDs are the best for straight sleek hair, they take about 3 mins to use and the sleekness lasts all day. But obv they are very expensive!

I don't know! I would go back and ask the hairdresser with your DD - explain that it's got to be low-maintenance, you don't want her refusing to go to school with unstraightened hair (and it will get worse as she gets older...)
Probably a good conditioner for 'sleek' hair - Pantene? and then a product of some kind.

Most hairdressers use ghd's which are in my opinion the best straightners out there! I would never be able to achieve the same kind of straightness and sleekness with any other straightners. If those aren't an option I'd say you'll probably have to try out loads of different products to see what works best.

What exactly are ghd's? I know I should know this by my age, but its a different world. I hardly ever use hairdryer!

GHDs are expensive but excellent hair straighteners.

Tigi Blow out Balm is fantastic for thick unruly hair - apply and blow dry and it really works!

my dd 12 also has thick unruly hair that she has a paddy about before school as she had hers all cut off to just below the chin in the summer.

I use boots essentials I think it is hair serum,it's their own brand & costs about £2ish so inexpensive,I put it on her hair when wet then dry it off & help her straighten it.I don't have ghds but a pair just as good as them (& yes have tested ghds & someone tested mine & said wow these are just as good).Then a bit more serum on to finish,this then lasts for a couple of days with just a teeny serum touch up in between.

I meant you might want to avoid DD at 12 thinking she has to have straightened hair at all times - not true, and not good for hair.

I know beta too much of a faff and wrecks hair if used every day.
thanks for all replies.

This stuff is amazing - seriously it's transformed my frizzy hair
www.feelunique.com/brands/moroccanoil

Argan oil is cheaper - about a tenner a bottle which last ages from Amazon. I used Moroccan oil for about 6 months but prefer the blow out balm.

It is very good though blakey!

I was going to suggest GHD's too.

I use kerastase oil on mine and dd's hair. Just smooth through when wet and dry as normal - leave hair silky soft and smooth

I also swear by GHD's. I have thick curly hair and without them my hair is a nightmare. BTW don't agree at all that they damage your hair. If anything my hair is in better condition than it would otherwise be and I have used them every day for about 10 years

Re straighteners ruining hair-If you blow dry hair or let it dry naturally and put a bit of product in the ends. Frizz ease, Moroccan oil - it's all the same old silicony crap but coats the hair so protects it. Then use the straighteners, going over no more than a couple of times you will not ruin hair. It's when people go over the same bit of hair lots of times that it ruins the condition

Will have to remember this thread... I'm similarly clueless as my hair is naturally 'sleek and flat' (and blonde , ha ) whereas DD has a glorious but unruly mane. Fortunately she's the least sophisticated 12 year old imaginable so all I have to do is plait it at the moment!

Can I ask a question about these oils though? While the lengths are frizz prone, the top is starting to get greasy and she doesn't like washing it too often so they sound like it could get skanky.

I would recommend Body Shop brazil nut define and no frizz cream on her hari after towel drying and then blow dry it. It works well on thick hair and gives a lovely shine.

GHD then Aussie serum.
I think Charles Worthington do a Brazilian blow-dry in a bottle so could do that/ take along to hairdresser and ask them to use it before a blow dry? Surely cheaper than a salon Brazilian, and less damaging than the (my) much loved straighteners

what about babyliss big hair? it does not necessarily make your hair big, but it does make it sleek and is less damaging than straighteners.

Oh I disagree - just spend the extra on straighteners!

I have this problem, I use intensive condtioner most days now. I use aveda damage remedy but you probably dont want to spend that on a 12 yo.

Is she blow drying straight with a paddle brush? and applying a straightening balm?

Youtube do some great videos showing you how to do it. I think she is old enough at 12 to do her own hair.