How to straighten curly hair step-by-step
How to straighten curly hair step-by-step
Straightening curly hair doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the health of your strands. If you’ve ever ended up with dry, fried hair after a flat iron session, you’re not alone. But the good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you go from curly to straight quickly, safely, and without long-term damage. Whether you're switching up your style or just curious to see your length, here's how to do it the right way.
My Straightened Hair Used to Be EXTREMELY Dry 😩
Brittle ends, no shine, and curls that struggled to bounce back. But once I learned how to prep and protect my hair properly, everything changed.
So if your hair turns out puffy, dry, or frizzy after straightening, don’t worry—we’re going to fix that today.
The Before & After Reality
If your flat-ironed hair looks more like a dry blowout than a sleek style… this guide is for you.
You’re not doing it wrong—you’re just missing a few key steps.
Step 1: Wash Your Hair
Straightening dirty or previously styled curls? Big no-no.
Start with clean, freshly conditioned hair. This ensures your strands are hydrated and prepped to handle heat without added buildup or residue.
Tip: Don’t use a clarifying shampoo right before straightening. Use something moisturizing instead.
Step 2: Add a Leave-In Conditioner
Moisture is the name of the game. Before introducing any heat, apply a leave-in conditioner to your mid-lengths and ends. This gives your curls a hydration buffer and helps smooth the cuticle for that silky finish you’re going for.
Bonus points if your leave-in is designed for smoothing or heat styling!
Step 3: Add a Heat Protectant (The Most Important Step!) 🔥
This is where most people go wrong. If you're not using a legit heat protectant, and we mean one that’s made for serious flat iron heat, you’re exposing your curls to long-term damage.
One of our all-time favorite products for this is One Pass Press by The Doux.
It’s specifically designed for curly hair and works wonders when heat styling.
Why I Love It:
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Protects against high heat
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Smooths coarse textures
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Polishes the cuticle for a glossy finish
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Allows for true one-pass straightening (less damage, more time saved)
Seriously, this stuff is a game-changer. And Curls Monthly subscribers can now get it inside of their mailer!
Step 4: Rough Blow Dry
Don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy technique here. Just rough dry your curls until they’re 100% dry. No round brushes, no flat brushes. Just fingers and a blow dryer.
You’re just trying to stretch the hair gently so your flat iron doesn’t have to work overtime.
Step 5: Break Into Sections
Divide your hair into small, manageable sections. This lets you work through your curls more efficiently and reduces the number of times you need to go over the same piece of hair.
Smaller sections = less heat per section = healthier hair.
Step 6: Straighten!
Now it’s time to go in with the flat iron.
Thanks to your prep work, this part should only take one pass per section. That’s why the right heat protectant matters, it makes the process smoother, faster, and safer for your curls.
Again The Doux One Pass Press truly lives up to its name... HIGHLY recommend.
Final Results: Curls to Silky Straight
With this routine, you’ll get a smooth, shiny, straight look without compromising your curl pattern long-term.
Think: blowout bar results with less time and way more hair health.
🎥 Want to See It in Action?
I filmed the full transformation so you can follow along!
👉 Watch the full tutorial on YouTube right here
Whether you're curious about trying this out yourself or just love a good before-and-after, this video breaks it all down step by step.
Much love,
xoxo Barbie Delle