Ironing long hair can transform its look, giving it a sleek, straight, or styled appearance. However, it requires the right tools, preparation, and technique to achieve the desired results without causing damage to the hair. In this article, we will explore the step – by – step process of ironing long hair for women.
Tools You Will Need
Quality Hair Straightener
Plate Material: Look for a hair straightener with ceramic or tourmaline plates. Ceramic plates heat evenly, preventing hot spots that can damage the hair. Tourmaline plates emit negative ions, which help to smooth the hair cuticle and reduce frizz. For example, a straightener with ceramic – coated plates can provide consistent heat distribution, ensuring that each section of the long hair is straightened uniformly.
Heat Settings: Choose a straightener with adjustable heat settings. Fine or damaged hair requires lower heat, usually around 300 – 320°F. Normal or thick hair can handle higher heat, up to 350 – 400°F. This allows you to customize the heat based on your hair type, reducing the risk of over – heating and damaging the long strands.
Heat Protectant Spray
Function: A heat protectant spray is essential. It forms a protective layer on the hair shaft, reducing the impact of the high heat from the straightener. The spray helps to prevent moisture loss and keeps the hair from becoming dry and brittle.
Application: Hold the heat protectant spray about 6 – 8 inches away from your dry hair. Spray evenly throughout the hair, making sure to cover all the strands from roots to tips. Pay extra attention to the mid – lengths and ends, as these are often the most damaged parts of long hair.
Comb
Detangling: Use a wide – toothed comb to detangle your long hair before you start ironing. Start from the ends and work your way up gently to avoid pulling or breaking the hair. This ensures that the straightener can glide smoothly through the hair.
Sectioning: During the ironing process, a comb is also used to section the hair. This helps to manage the long hair and ensures that each section is straightened evenly. You can use a tail – comb for more precise sectioning.
Hair Clips
Holding Sections: Hair clips are used to hold the sections of hair that are not being ironed. This keeps the hair organized and out of the way. You can use butterfly clips or alligator clips. For long hair, it’s best to have several clips on hand to keep the different sections separated.
Preparing Your Hair
Clean and Dry Hair
Washing: Start by washing your long hair with a good – quality shampoo and conditioner. If your hair is dry or damaged, choose a moisturizing conditioner. Rinse thoroughly to remove all product buildup. However, make sure your hair is completely dry before ironing. Wet or damp hair can cause steam when it comes in contact with the hot straightener, which can lead to hair damage.
Drying: You can let your hair air – dry naturally or use a blow – dryer on a low – heat setting. When using a blow – dryer, direct the air flow down the length of the hair to smooth the cuticle. This will make the ironing process more effective.
Detangling and Sectioning
Detangling: As mentioned earlier, use the wide – toothed comb to detangle your hair. If you encounter stubborn knots, be patient and work them out gently. You can also apply a small amount of leave – in conditioner to make the combing process easier.
Sectioning: Divide your long hair into several sections. Start by creating a part down the middle of your head from the front to the back. Then, divide each side into top, middle, and bottom sections. Clip each section separately. This makes the ironing process more manageable, especially for very long hair.
Ironing the Hair
Starting with the Bottom Sections
Taking Small Sub – sections: Begin with the bottom section of hair on one side. Take a small sub – section of hair, about 1 – 2 inches wide. The width of the sub – section depends on the thickness of your hair. If your hair is very thick, you may need to take even smaller sections.
Positioning the Straightener: Open the straightener and place the sub – section of hair between the plates, close to the roots. Make sure the hair is evenly distributed between the plates. For long hair, it’s important to start from the roots to ensure that the entire length is straightened.
Ironing Technique: Slowly glide the straightener down the length of the hair towards the ends. Do this in one smooth motion. Avoid stopping and starting as this can create kinks in the hair. For best results, keep the straightener at a consistent speed and angle.
Working Through the Sections
Moving Up the Head: After straightening one sub – section in the bottom section, move on to the next sub – section. Once you have completed all the sub – sections in the bottom section, move on to the middle and then the top section. Repeat the same process for each sub – section, making sure to cover all the hair in that section.
Blending the Sections: As you move from one section to another, make sure to blend the straightened hair. You can do this by slightly overlapping the straightened sections. This ensures that there are no visible lines or differences in texture between the sections.
Ironing the Sides and Back
Sides: For the hair on the sides of your head, follow the same process as for the other sections. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Pay attention to the direction of the hair growth. You may need to adjust the angle of the straightener slightly to follow the natural curve of the hair on the sides.
Back: When straightening the back of your hair, it can be a bit more challenging due to limited visibility. You may need to use a mirror or ask for someone’s help. Divide the back hair into sections and straighten them one by one, starting from the bottom and moving towards the top.
Styling and Finishing Touches
Adding Volume (Optional)
Root Lifting: If you want to add volume to your long, straightened hair, you can use a volumizing spray at the roots before ironing. After straightening, you can also use a round brush and a blow – dryer to lift the roots. Hold the round brush under the section of hair at the roots and blow – dry upwards. This will create lift and volume.
Back – combing: Another way to add volume is by back – combing the hair at the crown. Use a fine – toothed comb and gently comb the hair towards the roots in a back – and – forth motion. This will create a layer of volume. However, be careful not to over – do it as it can make the hair look messy.
Using Styling Products
Hairspray: To set the straightened hair in place, use a light – hold or medium – hold hairspray. Hold the hairspray about 8 – 10 inches away from your head and spray evenly over the hair. This will help to keep the hair straight and prevent frizz throughout the day.
Serum or Oil: If your hair tends to be dry or frizzy, you can apply a small amount of hair serum or oil to the ends of the hair.
This will add shine and keep the hair looking healthy. Rub a pea – sized amount of serum or oil between your palms and then gently run your hands through the ends of the hair.
Final Check
Evenness and Smoothness: Once you have finished ironing and styling your long hair, do a final check. Use your fingers to run through the hair and feel for any uneven or kinky parts. If you find any, you can use the straightener to quickly go over those sections again.
Overall Look: Look at your hair in the mirror from different angles. Make sure the style looks the way you want it to. Check for any flyaways or loose strands and tuck them in or smooth them down with a small amount of hairspray or serum.
Conclusion
Ironing long hair can be a time – consuming but rewarding process. By using the right tools, properly preparing your hair, and following the correct ironing and styling techniques, you can achieve beautiful, straight, and styled long hair. Remember to always take care of your hair by using heat protectants and conditioning products to keep it healthy and strong. With practice, you’ll be able to master the art of ironing long hair and create a variety of looks for different occasions.
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