How to Blow Dry Curly Hair Straight

Co-authored by Steven Waldman

Last Updated: August 5, 2021 References

Every once in a while, it's fun to mix up your hair style by straightening it out. If you are afraid of the damage direct heat can cause or don't have time for a straight iron, you can achieve straight hair simply by blow drying. Try one of these ways to create your new look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing and Rough Drying Your Hair

1
Wash your hair thoroughly. Make sure to rid your hair of any dirt, oil, or leftover product residue. Apply conditioner to your hair, paying special attention to your roots and ends. Then comb your hair gently with a wide-toothed comb to spread the conditioner evenly throughout your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing your hair clean with warm water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Steven Waldman
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 27 July 2021.}
2
Comb your hair gently from tip to root with a wide-toothed comb. Using a wide-toothed comb will apply less stress to your hair, which is important because wet hair is very weak and breaks easily.

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3
Dry your hair a little to get rid of excess water in your hair. Continue to be gentle as you run your fingers through your hair from root to tip, and squeeze portions of your hair to wring out water. Further absorb water by using a clean, dry towel to gently pat your scalp and squeeze your hair. You may need more than one towel if your hair is long or very thick.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Steven Waldman
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 27 July 2021.}
4
Apply the products that will help protect your hair from the heat and achieve the style you want. Reading the directions for your specific product will ensure proper application. However, typically when you apply your hair product, you will apply it to the roots of your hair, and then spread it along the length of your hair and to your ends.
- If you’re going for a classic straight look, you’ll apply a thermal protectant and a leave-in straightening treatment.
- If you want added volume, start by applying mousse. Apply it throughout your hair from roots to tips. Apply the volumizing spray to the roots of your hair only. Then apply the argan oil to the length of your hair that extends from the chin down. Argan oil is a very lightweight oil that will protect your hair from the heat.^{[3]
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  Research source} The amount of product you use may differ depending on the length and thickness of your hair.
5
Rough dry your hair. Rough drying your hair means instead of using your brush, you’ll use your hands along with your blow dryer to dry your hair. Start by placing your fingers against your scalp, finger-comb your hair upwards to create volume or downwards for a sleek straight hair, and follow with your blow dryer pointed at a 45-degree angle.^{[4]
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Research source} Blow dry until your hair is about 80% dry.
6
Section your hair evenly into one-inch sections. If you want to ensure added volume to your look, these sections should be no wider than the width of the brush or taller than the depth of the brush.
- Starting with your hair in the back, you’ll want to section your hair into one-inch sections using a rattail comb.
- Create a horizontal part near your ears to separate a portion of your hair right above the nape of your neck from the rest. Secure the top portion of hair to the top of your head with a rubber band or large hair clip.
- You can either divide the entire lower section of hair into one-inch parts using your rattail comb and hair clips before you begin blow drying, or you can divide your hair into one-inch parts as you blow dry.
- Section your hair by working your way up and around your head. You can either section all of your hair at once, or save time and hair clips by simply sectioning and blow drying your hair as you go along.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Achieving a Classic Straight Look

1
Straighten your hair using your brush and blow dryer with a nozzle. You’ll need a flat paddle brush and a wide and narrow nozzle for your blow dryer. The nozzle will direct a concentrated blast of heat towards your hair. Which hands you use to hold the blow dryer and brush will likely be determined by what feels right to you, and whether you’re left-handed or right-handed. It is best to hold your brush vertical and your blow dryer horizontal to achieve a “modern wave.^{[5]
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Research source}
2
Create tension with your brush. Creating tension will help you achieve a smooth blowout. Place your brush at the root of your hair, grip the handle of the brush, and turn it slightly to get a firm, but not painful or hair-breaking, grip on your hair. Slide the brush through your hair from root to tip at a downward angle. As you get towards the end of your hair, you can angle in whatever direction you would like for your ends to go.
3
Work your way up and around your head. Once you finish blow drying the back section, move on to the section above it. Use the same method to straighten this new section of hair. Continue to divide and straighten one-inch sections until each larger section is straight.
4
Complete your look. Once you’ve straightened all of your hair, apply a finishing serum to put any loose strands in their place and shine your hair. Then style as desired. You can choose whether you’d like to show off your new look by wearing your hair down or pulled back. You can also now part your hair how you like, either on the side or down the middle. Other style suggestions: slick your hair straight back, pin a portion in the front, or pull your hair into a ponytail.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Achieving Straight Hair with Added Volume

1
Straighten your hair section by section using a brush and your blow dryer with a nozzle. To create a straight look with added volume you’ll need a round brush that has a mix of nylon and boar bristles. You’ll also need to make sure your blow dryer has a wide and narrow nozzle to direct the heat towards your hair. Hold your blow dryer and brush in whichever hands feel most comfortable. This is usually dictated by whether you are left-handed or right-handed. Hold your brush vertical and your blow dryer horizontal for a more modern curl.
- Starting with the hair at the back of your head, position the brush at the roots and twist the brush to wrap your hair around the brush once. This creates the tension you’ll need for a smooth blow out. To get the volume you want, pull the brush upwards and back along the length of your hair, and allow the blow dryer to follow the brush.
- Once you finish the back section, part a thick section of your hair above it. Divide the hair into sections and blow dry it straight following the same method as before. Continue to work your way up and around your head, making sure to brush in an upwards motion to create volume and curl.
2
Focus your volumizing efforts towards the crown of your head. Your hair’s volume will be most notable at the top of your head, so you’ll want to maximize your efforts there. By working your way up and around your head, you should be left with a U-shaped section of hair. Grip the roots of your hair with your brush to create tension and guide both your brush and blow dryer in an upwards motion.
3
Blast the top sections of your straightened hair with cool air. Once you’ve straightened all of your hair, roll the top sections of your hair in your brush and blow dry it with cool air. Cooling the hair helps to preserve the volume and curl.
4
Style your hair as desired. You're ready to show off your new style. Now that your hair is dry and has the volume you want, you can choose whether you’d like to part your hair on the side or down the middle. It's best to wear your hair down to preserve your volume.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should I put on my hair before blow drying?

Steven Waldman
Professional Hair Stylist
Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts.

Steven Waldman

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Try massaging a smoothing cream through your strands. Using your fingers, stretch sections of your hair straight while you dry your hair from roots to ends. Once your hair is about 75% dry, switch to a natural-bristle paddle brush to finish with polish.
Question

How do I maintain my hair after blow drying?

Steven Waldman
Professional Hair Stylist
Steven Waldman is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Director of Technical Training at Hair Cuttery. Steven uses his creative insight and extensive experience to drive educational programming and motivates facilitators and learners to communicate effectively, create and execute strategies to maximize potential, and achieve success. He uses unexpected sources such as art genres, architecture, and cooking to inspire shape, color, and cuts.

Steven Waldman

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Apply a lightweight, anti-frizz product along the top of your hair, like argan oil.
Question

Does this work with African-American hair?

Community Answer

Yes, it should work the same.

Warnings

Too much heat can over-dry and fry your hair and make it harder to work with or achieve the style you want.

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Never let the blow dryer sit on a section of hair. Keep the blow dryer constantly moving in order to avoid burning your hair.

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Don’t part your hair while it’s still wet. Blow drying it with the part in place will force you to have to wear it that way and you’ll lose volume.^{[6]
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