Getting ready to go out to a party. I am a bit unsure about this flat iron thing. Can't tell if I look good, or if I look like I've been out in the rain all day. I am not real sure how to use it either. I don't have that long, beautiful hair-it's shoulder length now. Any suggestions/tips? TIA! Lynne

Don't flat iron from the roots to tip, it will make your hair look too flat. I would say start to iron about three inches from the roots, or a little more.

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Yes. Get a Japanese straightening done. You won't have to worry about a flat iron ever again.

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What is a Japanese straightening?
MZ

It's a process that turns curly hair to straight hair permanently. New growth will have to be processed, but the hair that is already done stays straight. I had my hair done in June ( still don't need a re-touch) and couldn't be happier with it. My hair actually looks and feels healthier than it did before I had it done.

It can be pricey, so shop around.

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bite me and get a brain!

I had the Japenese straightening done also and I would say really do your resarch before you spend all that money. I have very curly, kinky hair and when I had it done it was very straight. It was easy to work with for a few months. It only lasted 4 months when I had mine done and it has now gone back to curly hard to manage. I paid $800 for mine and almost 6 hours of work on my hair. I feel it was a total waste of time. All I wanted to have since I was little was to be able to wet my hair and go. But this was not the product for me. So just be cautios as it might not work the same on all people.

Start the process about an inch from your roots. Use and ionic flat iron...they work better and faster and leave a better result (at least for me). I use an Aveda Straightening product. If I don't use it, it doesn't look as good. I'm sure other products would do fine but you need one for specifically for straighening so that the hair is coated well (keeps shine and protects hair).

good luck! It took me awhile to master it. I take the top third of my hair (just above the ears and up) and put it in a pony on top of my head, then do the underlayers. Then I undo the top and do those. Takes me about 5 minutes. I use a control gel (Aveda) rubbed in my hands and I lightly runs my hands over my hair. Done

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you all really helped-didn't realize there were products specifically for that-that should help w/ the frizzing. And yes, my mistake was starting right @ the roots. I guess I just need an afternoon to "practice." My hair is not curly, at all, so thankfully, I can save a few bucks on the Japanese straightening (wow that's expensive!). My hair is fine, shoulder length, and cut toward the face. I just want to do the "not quite" Katie Holmes style. Not that she has even had to brush her hair, since she hooked up w/ Tom....Thanks guys-good advice.

Hashbug, I think you got ripped off. First of all, 800.00 is a crazy amount to charge for JS. I've seen it as high as 500.00, 800.00 is just nuts.

Secondly, if it had been done properly, there is no way your hair would have been curly again. Once the hair is properly processed, it's supposed to be impossible for it to re-curl. The process actually changes the structure of the hair. New growth will be curly, but in 4 months time you shouldn't have had enough new growth for it to be noticable.

I'm also not sure why it took them 6 hours to do your hair. It usually takes about 3. Mine took about 2.5.

I had my hair done 8 months ago. There is some new growth underneath at the nape of my neck that is curly, but it can't be seen. Luckily, the hair on the top of my head tends to grow in straight until it gets longer. All the hair you can see is still straight as a pin after all these months.

I think you got stuck with a crappy beautician.

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Well I also had it done a few years ago when it first hit my town and there was only one place that did it at the time. So I am pretty sure it was that they were new at it and had no idea what they were doing. I have heard such great reviews about it that I have been talking to my husband about trying it again. I have such curly hair I cannot do anything with it so I wear it in a ponytail all the time which gets old. I just want it to be easy to take care of and I was hoping if it was straight that it would be. I am going to talk to some different places and get some prices and maybe try again. Yes I know I got ripped off but at the time it was the only place that offered it here so it was pay or not get it. KWIM. I hope everyone else has much better experiences.

nancymh,
How curly was your hair. And can you was it let it air dry and it will still be straight? Thanks

hashbug

If you are going to buy a straightener, it's worth it to spend a little extra money. Buy a GHD. They are the best imo. You won't have to re-touch during the day. Go over each section once and you are set.

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Shauna

As my hair gets longer, it tends to do a bologna curl thing. It was curly, unruly, annoying and I also had it in a ponytail almost all the time.

Yep, I can let it air dry and it will be stick straight. I prefer to blow it dry and curl the ends under with a brush, I think it looks neater.


If you do decide to do it again, I hope you have better luck.

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bite me and get a brain!

Thanks for the info I am going to look into it.

hashbug

I know this doesn't help but each time I see this post, I'm reading "flirtation help" needed. I thought hmmmm, it's been so long since I've flirted, I'm no help!
Sorry linnybop.

sandy

I Googled "how to use a flat iron" and there are lots of pages that come up some with pictures.

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Nope, I'm an expert in that dept! lol...