Daily heat styling can damage hair of any length, especially long hair. Yet, many of today's hairstyles seem to require a bit of curling or straightening that nature didn't provide. Learn how to achieve attractive hairstyles without heat.
Setting Waves with Braids
If you want to create the loose waves, try braiding your hair. Braiding can set waves in naturally straight hair and loosen the curl pattern in naturally curly hair.
- Set the hair in braids at night. Start with clean hair that is damp but not dripping wet. Add a leave-in conditioner and a small application of gel for a conditioning hold.
- Braid the hair in two three-strand braids. Avoid making the braid too tight because tight braids can potentially cause damage. Secure the braid ends with a snag-free elastic.
- If you have straight hair, add a small curler to the hair ends to create curly ends. Curly hair will naturally curl at the ends and does not require a curler. Cover hair with a silk scarf to protect the braid set during sleep.
- In the morning, unbraid your hair and remove any end curlers. Style hair as desired and use only fingers to comb and shape hair. Combing or brushing will cause hair to frizz.
Creating Curls with Buns
Bun curls can add curls to straight hair and loosen tighter curls. Set your hair with one bun for a loose curl in straight or wavy hair. One bun can also loosen tighter curls into loose curls. Use multiple mini-buns to create a curlier look in naturally straight hair. Bun curls are also set at night.
- Begin with clean, damp and detangled hair. For one bun, gather the hair into a high ponytail and gently wind it into a traditional bun. As you wind the hair, keep it smooth and flowing together. Secure the bun with smooth, plastic hair pins.
- If you prefer multiple buns for a curlier hairstyle, divide the hair into sections. Create four to six small traditional buns all over the head. Secure each mini-bun with a plastic hair pin.
- Cover the bun or buns with a silk scarf to keep them in place during sleep.
- Take down the bun or buns in the morning. Use fingers to fluff and shape curls into the desired hairstyle.
Straightening Hair with a Wrap
You don't need a flat iron to achieve silky, shiny straight hair. Wrapping is a popular method for straightening curly hair but it can help all hair types achieve a smoother, straight look. The results of a hair wrap set can look similar to flat ironing without the damage. Tightly curled hair may require some additional form of straightening such as blow drying or roller setting before wrapping to create a sleek straight look, unless it is relaxed.
- At night, divide clean, damp hair into two sections. Apply a leave-in conditioner and setting lotion.
- You will wrap your hair around your head as if it is one large roller. Hair will be wrapped in the opposite direction from where it grows to create body.
- Use a wide-tooth comb and carefully comb the right section of hair over your head towards the left, pinning it smooth against your head with hair clips.
- After the right side is secure, pin the left section against your head. Make sure that the hair ends lay smooth. Cover hair with a silk scarf to secure the wrap set.
- Unpin hair in the morning to reveal smooth, straight hair. Style as desired.
Many different hairstyles are possible with gentle styling methods such as braid waves, bun curls and wrapping.
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