This is the last of my holiday hair tutorials, and one I’ve been planning on showing for a while. Did you know you can use a straighter to achieve looks other than stick-straight hair? I know, craziness! I show you how below:
Any questions? Let me know.
Elle says:
Thank you, Heather! I use a straightening iron on my wavy hair every day but I hate the witchy straight look it leaves. This is so helpful. I would love to know what kind of flat iron you use. I have a massive collection under my sink and I’m still looking for a really good one.
Tara. says:
You have such gorgeous hair! Love all the hair videos.
Have you tried an InStyler yet? If not, it’s a must! It makes your hair even softer and you can do that cool curl thing with it, too. Just if you even wanted to try something different. :o)
Caitlin says:
I want to be sleek and bouncy every day! Loving the hair tutorials! Such a fan of your blog- happy holidays to you and your beautiful family!
Kate says:
Yes yes yes! I learned this trick when I had longer hair (my hair’s naturally curly) and it was one of the greatest things I ever figured out how to do because it gave my hair bounce without having to be crazy curls all over everywhere.
Now that my hair’s short (just at my shoulders, and uber-layered) actually am a big proponent of doing it in the opposite direction and giving myself sassy flip-out layers when I feel I need the extra “oompf!” It always looks like I put way more effort into my hair than I actually did, and on the days I wake up with just enough time to straighten before school, I need that.
Rebecca says:
One of the guys working at the mall islands stopped me and did something very similar to my hair. I have problems doing it myself though. I always wonder if I go in really early if they would just do my whole head of hair instead of just a couple of strands?
Kate says:
I always do my hair this way! I have naturally curly hair but typically it’s not nice curly. I also leave it to dry and so half of it is curly, half of it wavy and I look rather homeless if I dont see to it. I love how using this technique your hair turns out alot smoother and you can get seemingly random ‘messy’ curls which turn out to look effortlessly chic. Your hair is gorgeous Heather! And so long! I always say I’m going to grow mine and then I get bored and cut it into a bob. I lack commitment.
Amy K says:
I’m definitely going to try it your way, because my thick wavy hair ends up limp and blah when I use a flat iron. Do you have a particular temperature setting that you recommend?
Heather says:
It really takes some fiddling around to figure out what temperature setting to use. Since you have thick wavy hair, I would suggest going with the highest temperature setting. Just make sure you use a shampoo or conditioner that helps with heat styling so your hair is protected!
amber says:
My sound isn’t working, but even without it, great video, haha.
I’ve never used this technique to give my hair bounce when I wear it straight, but it’s genius!
I do curl my hair quite often with the flat iron in a similar way (maybe you mention this in the video, I don’t know, I can’t hear it lol). It’s basically the same technique but with a bit heavier touch–you wrap the iron all the way around and glide it down your hair. Look up curling with a flat iron if you’re interested! I don’t recommend doing it very often, as I imagine it wouldn’t be the best for the health of your hair. But I love the nice soft waves I end up getting with my flat iron way more than with the curling iron.
Jinny says:
I have to second the comment about the InStyler — I love mine!
Jen says:
I just wanted to say that your hair is GORGEOUS and I am so jealous! lol
Mine is super thick and takes way too long to use a straightener on it every day. It’s also naturally curly (but some parts curl better than others) since I had kids, so I try to keep it shoulder length and go with the natural curl. It would be nice to be able to do something different once in awhile, though!
Dana says:
What kind of straightener do you have?!
Heather says:
I am using a Rusk in this video, but I also have a ceramic straightener from Conair that I use a lot and I love it. Rusk = VERY expensive (mine was a gift) Conair = VERY affordable!
Glenda says:
I have thick curly hair, so I definitely use my flat iron to get it pin straight and I love it. You have gorgeous hair!
Jess says:
I have EXTREMELY thick hair, and I live in Florida so I get that humidity friz thing sometimes too. I have never tried a straightener on my own, but have been dying to get one, knowing it would help.
A few questions..
What kind do you use?
Any products used along with the straight iron?
What kind of shampoo/conditioner do you suggest? (does it matter?)
Thanks for the video!
Lisa says:
You’re so cute! I love all your hair videos.
AmazingGreis says:
This works, it really works and I am proof. Now if you could just move in with me and do my hair EVERY day that would help!!
Thanks again for doing my hair in Vegas and making me look so fabulous1
BecZhang says:
I love all of your tips. I can’t wait to try this. I am looking forward to being sleek and bouncy.
Heather Schroeder says:
You do the EXACT same thing I do! (except sectioning my hair off, I have such fine hair I just brush it and then run the straightener through) I didn’t know that people could actually straighten their hair wrong until my sophomore year of college when my roommate tried to straighten hers…oh what a frizzy mess!
chatty cricket says:
yoooou are the wiiiind beneath my (hair) wings!
Elizabeth says:
Looks great! I plan on straightening my extremely curly hair Christmas Day, so I’m going to try out your wrist action trick. Thanks!!
Lisa says:
I love your hair “shows”- HILARIOUS. But u do have great hair!! Mine was um, lets say ruined after having my daughter. Looked amazing when I was prego- and then it just looked (& still looks kinda faded & yucky) I dont think it will ever be the same, but I am working on it. So I have an odd question- has anyone ever told you that you resemble Mary Louise Parker? I LOVE her and she is so awesome in Weeds- and everything else she does. And I think u kinda look like her. Odd, I know……
Heather says:
I’ve never heard that one! But she’s beautiful, so that you!!!
Marianne says:
Thank you for the tips. I use a straightener several times a week, but after watching your video, I got much better results with my hair. Not touching my hair until after it cooled off helped a lot. I realized I’d been using the straightener and then immediately combing my fingers through, basically undoing it all. I did my hair today your way right before I had to go to work, and several hours later, it still looks good! Thanks again!
MelissaG says:
My favorite thing to use with a flat-iron is this http://www.aquage.com/AquageProducts/Thermalizing/BeyondShine.aspx (not paid to post this I promise, I actually rarely have it in my house now because I don’t work in a salon any more and the beauty supply store here doesn’t carry it). This is THE best spray I’ve ever used for straightening. If anyone finds it in their area give it a try. I actually do use it for making “pin” straight hair but it’s very light and could be used for this technique too.
Heather….do you ever do the curling iron thing where you wrap the hair around the outside? I rarely have time for this sort of thing but LOVE the look. So wavy and pretty.
My mom bought the InStyler before she chopped her hair and I tried it and hated it….I don’t think it gets hot enough for my hair maybe? Glad to hear it works for some, I was wondering.