Pin Straight Smartness

There are just some looks that are so iconic and in a sense timeless that they become synonymous with that certain tweed jacket or enviable quilted bag. Back in the '90's our go-to-girl, Ms. Rachel Greene (aka Jennifer Aniston), evolved her shag that spawned a million "me too's" to a sleek, pin straight layered look. The moment that happened there was a stampede of a million women running to buy their very own flatiron...and the copycatting continued. Over 10 years later that polished look has stayed relevant and mainstream. Ms. Aniston still sports it and the house of Gucci and Givenchy made the modern sleek hair front and center of their autumn/fall campaigns. Of course like all things there's a right way of doing it and a wrong way. I'm still haunted with the memories of my first flat ironing experiences. Within months my hair was ravaged. The ends became prone to breakage, my hair lost its luster, felt straw-like and began to make this almost scary crinkling sound when touched. Unfortunately I was still in my beaute guru apprentice days so there was much to be learned!

Now having perfected the look, I want to share the "right way" to do it to avoid the unnecessary damage and scary side effects! Let's think of this as the Whole Foods, yoga approach to flat ironing.

Pin Straight Hair (the healthy way!)

1. After washing and gently towel drying hair, apply a heat activated milk/serum from mid-length to ends. Protecting hair from heat damage, this type of product prevents against breakage and the scrunchy feeling to keep strands healthy and strong. I recommend Kerastase Ciment Thermique.

2. Blow dry strands till they are barely damp.

3. Take a paddle brush and quickly smooth hair in 2" sections with the blow drier. This preps the hair by beginning the early straightening stages helping to cut down on the flat ironing time. Reminder: this is just a quick prep so don't focus on making it perfect.

4. Starting at the root, rest hair on the inside panel (the one closest to your scalp) of the iron and gently pull it taut or straight with your hand. Closing the iron at the root causes an unsightly kink/bump so this technique gives you pure smoothness.

5. After straigthening the 1" section of hair near the roots, gently press the iron closed inch by inch as move down the remaining length of hair. Never, ever drag the closed flat iron along the hair. This will only damage your hair shaft.

6. After your straightening is complete, mix a shine spray or serum between the palms of your hand. Then clamp 3" hair sections between the palms and almost in a clapping motion apply the shine enhancing product. This method avoids ruffing the hair cuticles and maintains the frizz-free smoothness you worked so hard to attain.

Et voila ma belle! You got the look without the burn (yes this is one of the few cases it's good to avoid that burn, baby, burn feeling we all seek at the gym)

Usage tip: Always use a flatiron with ceramic plates and make sure that the temperature does not exceed 180 F. There is absolutely no reason your iron needs to be hotter than that! I once met a women who liked her flatiron to be 450 F. When I told her that at the temperature she could literally melt her hair she started crying! Melted hair is not an iconic look so please be smart. And learning from our last post it is imperative to nourish your hair weekly with a conditioning, restorative masque. Afterall we all need a little TLC!

The result: Beautiful yet sleek, healthy yet polished straight hair.