How to Straighten Hair Naturally

Whether you’re working with curly, coily, or wavy strands, learning how to straighten hair usually means forging a close relationship with your flat iron. While the results can certainly be worth it, using heat tools on your mane consistently can take a toll on your strands. Fortunately, ironing your mane isn’t the only way to get straight strands—there are ways to flatten hair without heat, too. While these approaches may be slightly more time-consuming than running over your tresses with a super-heated iron, the payoff—sleek, shiny, and healthy-feeling hair—is well worth it.

If you’re ready to retire your flat iron (or at least give it a nice long break), keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain how to straighten hair without heat and share tips on keeping your strands silky, smooth, and frizz-free.

Can You Straighten Hair Without a Straightener?

Right now, you’re probably skeptically wondering, “How do you straighten hair without heat?” We get it: Most of the time, flat ironing is presented as the only way to achieve sleek, straight strands. But that’s not actually the case. There are plenty of methods for making your hair flatter, sleeker, and smoother without the use of hot tools. As is often the case with haircare, the best approach largely depends on your hair type and texture.

For example, if frizz is standing in the way between you and straight strands, swapping out your existing haircare products for options designed to smooth the hair may be beneficial. Those with wavy or curly hair may find better results wrapping their hair before they hit the sheets. And nearly anyone can score straighter hair with the help of a blow dryer set on the cold setting. It’s all about finding the technique that works best for you.

How To Straighten Hair Without Heat

As mentioned, there are several approaches you can take to flatten hair without heat. Here are seven of our favorite methods.

1. Wrap your hair at night

One of the easiest ways to straighten hair without heat is to wrap your hair at night. This technique involves brushing your hair to remove tangles, then wrapping it tightly around your head and covering it with a silk scarf to help ensure a smooth, sleek finish come sunrise. It’s easy to do and effective, particularly for those with wavy hair. Head on over to our article, How to Wrap Your Hair at Night, to learn how to wrap your hair before hitting the sheets.

Editor’s note: This method works best for those with wavy or slightly curly hair. For those who need to know how to straighten curly hair without heat, you’ll need to use other methods to achieve straight strands.

2. Wet-wrap your hair

Wet wrapping is another effective method for straightening the hair naturally, and unlike dry wrapping, works well for those with curlier hair. The technique involves applying a styling aid to your hair while it’s damp, then wrapping it up and letting it dry.

To start, wash and condition your hair as usual. After squeezing out any excess moisture, work a leave-in conditioner and a setting lotion throughout your hair. Using a wide-tooth comb, part your hair as you usually would and wrap your hair. Make sure to secure your strands with bobby pins to hold the wrap in place. Once complete, cover your hair with a silk scarf and allow your hair to dry overnight (or for several hours). When your hair is fully try, you can unwrap your scarf and take out the pins—you should be greeted by straighter, smoother-looking strands.

3. Blow-dry with cool air

If you’re looking to quickly score straight hair, heatless blowdrying may be worth a try. This, as you may be able to guess, involves blow drying your hair with your blow dryer set on the cool (rather than warm or hot) setting. This simple trick is a great way to eliminate the risk of heat damage and will go a long way in the overall health of your hair.

To start, you’ll want to make sure that your hair is detangled to help prevent any unnecessary breakage. Once you’ve removed any knots or tangles, work a blow-dry primer, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, throughout your mane. The nourishing formula helps smooth the hair, boosts shine, and offers enhanced style memory without weighing your hair down. Allow your hair to air dry about halfway through before reaching for a blow dryer. Then, divide your hair into two sections and clip the top half out of the way. Split the bottom half into two further sections and clip one side out of the way. Using a boar bristle brush, start blow-drying your hair on the cool setting from the roots to the ends. Repeat on each section of hair until your mane is completely dry—and straight. If needed, rake a leave-in serum, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In, throughout your hair to keep frizz and flyaways at bay.

Editor’s note: Because it uses cool air, this hair-drying method will likely take a bit longer than your standard blowout. Factor in a few extra minutes before trying this hack out on a busy morning.

4. Opt for large rollers

When you’re pondering how to straighten hair naturally, hair rollers are probably the last thing on your mind. But chosen properly, this common beauty tool can help you achieve super-sleek strands with zero heat needed. The key is to use really large rollers, so your hair isn’t wrapped around them a bunch of times (that repeated wrapping is what causes hair to curl).

To start, shampoo and condition your hair as usual. Then, detangle your tresses and work the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave In Conditioner throughout your mid-lengths and ends. Next, create a one-inch section in your hair, place a large roller at the end of the section, and roll it up toward your roots. Ideally, the roller should be large enough that your hair only wraps around it once or twice. Once you’ve rolled it to the crown of yoru head, secure the roller in place with the clip it comes with. Repeat until you have a head full of rollers. Leave them overnight—or until your hair is completely dry—and unravel in the morning to reveal straight, smooth strands.

5. Try the banding method

Banding is a popular natural hair technique typically used for stretching tight coils and preventing shrinkage—but with a few tweaks, it can be used to straighten your hair without heat, too.

To start, you’ll want to part your hair vertically down the middle and clip one side out of the way. Split the remaining hair into three even sections and clip them into place, so they’re not in the way.

Starting with one section, place a hair elastic at the root. Continue to wrap hair elastics down your hair shaft, spacing them out as you work your way down (almost as if you were creating a tight bubble braid). Repeat the same process on the rest of the sections. Leave the elastics in your hair overnight, and in the morning, gently comb through with a wide-tooth comb to be left with straight, elongated strands.

6. Style hair in a twist hair bun

If your hair is somewhere between straight and wavy, simply wrapping it into a twisted bun can be a great way to flatten your natural wave pattern and achieve sleek hair without heat.

Starting with damp (not dripping) hair, create a ponytail at the base of your neck. Twist the pony around itself once or twice, then wrap the lengths around the base of your pony to create a tight low bun. Secure it in place with a silk or satin scrunchie—this will help prevent elastic creases in your hair—and let your mane dry fully. Once it’s dry, unwrap your bun and brush through your hair to reveal straighter, smoother-looking hair.

7. Use smoothing hair care products

If your hair is already somewhat straight but tends to get frizzy or slightly wavy throughout the day, consider updating your haircare routine. Using products designed to help combat frizz and smooth the hair can help keep frizziness at bay and promote smoother, sleeker-looking tresses.

To start, we suggest swapping out your go-to shampoo and conditioner for a smoothing duo, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz Defy Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz Defy Conditioner. When used together, the marula oil-infused system nourishes the hair and provides up to 24 hours of protection against frizz.

For an ultra-sleek, manageable main, consider pairing the duo with a hydrating leave-in treatment. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave In Conditioner for Dry Hair is a great pick, as it helps tame frizz, boosts shine, reduces static, and helps seal the hair cuticle for an smooth, glossy finish.

Whether you’re working with curly, coily, or wavy strands, achieving straight locks usually means spending some time with a flat iron. While the results can certainly be worth it, using heat tools on your mane consistently can take a toll on your strands. So, what’s a girl to do? Well, what if we told you that you could score natural straight hair without heat? That’s right, long gone are the days of your heat styling tools being the sole source of smooth, straight strands. All you need are the right tips and tricks to help bring your straight hair dreams to life. Want in? Keep reading learn how to straighten hair naturally with seven different heat-free techniques.

HOW CAN I STRAIGHTEN MY HAIR AT HOME WITHOUT A STRAIGHTENER?

Ah, it’s time to answer the age-old question: Can you straighten your hair without a flat iron? Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually easier than you would think. Depending on the hair texture that you’re working with, there is a myriad of ways you can transform your strands. From tweaking your wash day routine to getting creative with your hairstyling accessories, the possibilities are numerous for getting straight hair. Speaking of which…

7 WAYS TO NATURALLY STRAIGHTEN HAIR

Ready to learn how to straighten hair naturally? Here are seven ways to make it happen.

1. WRAP YOUR HAIR AT NIGHT

For those working with wavy textures, one of the easiest ways to score straight hair is to wrap your hair at night. Since this method is all about keeping your strands nice and snug around your head, you can totally smooth out your texture in no time. Sounds like an idea you can get behind? Head on over to our article, How to Wrap Your Hair at Night, for a step-by-step tutorial.

Editor’s note: Keep in mind, this method only works if you have a slight curl or wavy texture to your hair. For those with tighter curl patterns, you’ll need to use other methods to achieve straight strands.

2. WET WRAP YOUR HAIR

By now, you’re likely familiar with the trend of wrapping your hair, but you may not be as knowledgeable about the art of wet-wrapping. Typically used by African-Americans, wet-wrapping is all about using a leave-in conditioner and medium-hold setting lotion on your hair to help smooth it and add body.

To start, apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner and setting lotion to your hair. Using a wide-tooth comb, part your hair as you usually would and wrap your hair. Make sure to secure your strands with bobby pins. Once complete, cover hair with a silk scarf and allow your hair to dry overnight. In the morning, remove your scarf and comb through your strands to enjoy straight hair.

3. BLOW-DRY WITH COOL AIR

Have you mastered how to give yourself an at-home blowout? If so, you can achieve straight hair by using the cold air setting on your blow dryer. This simple trick is a great way to eliminate the risk of heat damage and will go a long way in the overall health of your hair.

To start, you’ll want to make sure that your hair is detangled to prevent any breakage. Allow your hair to air dry about halfway through before reaching for a blow dryer. Then, divide your hair into two sections and clip the top half out of the way. Split the bottom half into two further sections and clip one side out of the way. Using a boar bristle brush, start blow-drying your hair on the cool setting from the roots to ends. Repeat on the rest of your mane until dry. Top it off with one to two pumps of the L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Frizz Finish Oil-in-Serum, working the serum evenly through your strands.  

Editor’s note: This method may take a bit longer than using heat, but after trying it, you may never go back to your traditional blowout.

4. OPT FOR LARGE ROLLERS

Hair rollers may be the last thing on your mind to straighten your strands, but you’d be surprised by how great they work to get the job done. The key is to use really large rollers, so your hair isn’t wrapped around them a bunch of times. To start, apply a leave-in conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris EverStrong Break Proof Lotion. Next, create a one-inch section in your hair, place the large roller at the end of the section and roll up toward your roots. Secure the roller in place with the clip it comes with. Repeat until you have a head full of rollers. Leave them in overnight and unravel in the morning. Voila!

5. TRY THE BANDING METHOD

Calling all natural hair girls! It’s time to transform your textured strands into straight locks. And thanks to the banding method, the process is oh so easy. Sure, you may think that this method is only for stretching your hair, but you can totally use it to straighten your hair, too. To start, you’ll want to part your hair vertically down the middle and clip one side out of the way. Split the remaining hair into three even sections and clip them into place, so they’re not in the way.

Starting with one section, place a hair elastic at the root. Continue to wrap hair elastics down your hair shaft, spacing them out as you work your way down. Repeat on the rest of your sections. Leave the elastics in your hair overnight, and in the morning, gently comb through with a wide-tooth comb to be left with straight, elongated strands. 

6. STYLE HAIR IN A TWIST HAIR BUN

For individuals with slightly straight and looser wave patterns, the twist hair bun method may be just what you need. An excellent technique for those who are pressed for time, you can work your way to straight hair with minimal effort. Start by creating a ponytail with your damp strands and secure with a hair elastic. Starting at the base of your ponytail, twist from the top to the ends. Next, wrap the length of the ponytail around its base to form a bun and secure it with a hair elastic. Let your hair air dry then brush out to reveal straight locks.

7. USE SMOOTHING HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Last but certainly not least, the right hair care products can give you the straight hair you’ve been dreaming of. If you’re already working with straight hair, then you know that frizz and flyaways can ruin your look. So, it’s essential to use a hair care line that goes the distance to keep your strands in shape.

Consider adding the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Smoothing Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Smoothing Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Frizz Taming Serum to your routine. When used together, this line works to soften, tame rough hair texture, and reduce frizz for a salon-quality finish. You can also pair these products with one of the other natural straight hair techniques we’ve shared to help smooth and polish your strands.

To use, massage the shampoo onto wet hair, suds up, and rinse with lukewarm water. Next, apply the conditioner and let it sit for one to three minutes. Once time is up, rinse out. Follow up with one to two pumps of the hair serum, applying it evenly through your hair, then style as desired. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR STRAIGHT HAIR

Once you’ve achieved natural straight hair, it’s essential to take proper measures to maintain your locks. Like it or not, merely hopping into bed without protecting your hair can ruin your straight strands. Play it safe by swapping out your cotton pillowcases for a silk or satin alternative that won’t disrupt your tresses while you snooze.

For those with naturally curly, wavy, or coily textures, consider dry wrapping your hair at night to allow your straight hair to go the distance. 

HOW OFTEN CAN I NATURALLY STRAIGHTEN MY HAIR?

Since you’ve put your hot tools on ice, you can naturally straighten your hair whenever your please. While some of these techniques can be a bit time consuming, it’s definitely a better alternative for your hair if you want to sport strand strands frequently.

Next: How to Get Shiny Hair

How To Maintain Straight Hair

Once you learn how to straighten hair without heat, it’s essential to take proper measures to maintain your locks. Like it or not, merely hopping into bed without protecting your hair can ruin your straight strands. Play it safe by swapping out your cotton pillowcases for a silk or satin alternative that won’t disrupt your tresses while you snooze.

For those with naturally curly, wavy, or coily textures, consider dry wrapping your hair at night to allow your straight hair to go the distance. And if your hair gets wet—like from sweat or rain—hit it with the cool setting on your blow dryer to help smooth any errant waves or curls and keep your style looking sleek.

Next Up: 16 of the Best Haircuts for Wavy Hair

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris