Straighten Me Out II

Hair ironing can damage hair if done willy-nilly, so here are some of things I do to minimize crispy hair. 

To prep: 

First I apply a product to protect the hair from heat damage. Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula has been well-reviewed.

I don't like sprays (uncontrolled, makes me sneeze). I like lotions such as Beauty Without Cruelty Leave-In Conditioner.

I mix that with a little Giovanni Frizz Be Gone, which saved me when my iron died while on Tatooine (curse you, foreign voltage!)

The hair should be dry before ironing. 

I try to air-dry my hair for as long as possible; if it is still wet, then I messily dry with a blow dryer (no concentration is needed. I usually read during this step).

I would recommend drying with the cool setting. While it takes a little longer, the hair is spared any further heat damage.

Since I fear frying my hair, I iron usually only once a week for Shabbos.

Once I had a very busy simcha/dating week and I ironed three times, and I was in terror my ends would split. I made sure to really apply the thermal protection formulas to the ends of the hair, as well as using some deep conditioning in the shower.

When possible, I showered at night and ironed in the morning, allowing my hair to thoroughly air-dry. 

It makes a big difference in terms of damage to use as little heat styling as possible - I really noticed the difference in my hair. It was sleek rather than crispy. 

To iron: 

Part hair down the middle. Being armed with hair clips, divide the hair into various sections, clipping up the upper layers of hair.

With a trusty flat iron comb or brush such as the Jilbere Vented Straightening/Cutting Comb or CHI Air Expert Hairstyling Tourmaline Ceramic Straightening Brush (totally overpriced, but worth it) in one hand, clamp and hold steady the hair, ensuring no snags or knots. Then, with the hair iron in the other, slowly yet steadily run the hair through it.

The heat setting depends on hair type. Although, if one keeps on ironing the same spot of hair over and over, rather put it on a higher setting and only iron it once. That is less damaging to the hair.

After my hair thoroughly dries, ironing takes less than ten minutes. And I am no longer fashvitzed! 

I mostly keep my hair in a high pony. I love the sleek ponytail look.