HOW TO STRAIGHTEN THICK 4C HAIR - By Patrice Marjorie

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This post shares how to straighten thick 4c hair.

Do you have the urge to straighten your natural hair but aren't sure where to start?

I know exactly how you feel because I've been there! In this post, I'm sharing how to straighten thick 4c hair with safe and affordable products.

Going natural is the best decision that I made for my hair. I absolutely love how versatile my is now and how strong, full, thick and long it has grown since I've minimized the use of heat.

But, there are some days that I do prefer to wear my hair straight and not curly.

After going natural, I used to avoid heat like the plague. Even when I wanted to straighten my hair, I wouldn't. I used to be so afraid to put heat on my hair out of fear of heat damage and breakage.

Luckily, I have since found a few products that allow me to straighten my hair safely while avoiding heat damage.

This post shares steps to straightening thick 4c hair using affordable products

THINKING OF STRETCHING OR STRAIGHTENING YOUR HAIR? HERE ARE 3 STYLES FOR LONG STRETCHED 4C HAIR

IS IT BAD TO STRAIGHTEN

NATURAL HAIR?

Straightening your hair is not bad.

Here are ways that you can prepare your hair before using heat to minimize damage and breakage:

Use a heat protectant
Minimize the amount of times you straighten your hair- I tend to use more heat in the winter and less in the summer, since my hair frizzes up when it is hot & humid
Keep your hot tools temperature settings at a safe temperature. Fine/thin hair: 300-375 degrees, Thick hair: 400-450 degrees (I kept my flat iron temperature setting at 375).
Deep condition prior to applying heat

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU STRAIGHTEN YOUR NATURAL HAIR

Some textures can handle heat better than others, and that's just the truth. For my hair texture, which is thick, kinky & coily, I try not to use heat more than 3-4 times a year.

I tend to stay away from heat in the summer since my hair will only just reverse to its natural state in the heat.

In the colder months, I straighten once or twice to switch up my look, trim my ends and stretch my hair.

BENEFITS OF STRETCHING YOUR NATURAL HAIR

Stretching your hair has a few benefits worth mentioning. Here are a few reasons why you may want to wear your thick 4c hair stretched from time to time:

reduces tangles
reduces breakage
reduces single strand knots
easier to style and manage

AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS TO USE TO STRAIGHTEN YOUR NATURAL HAIR

How To Straighten Thick 4C Hair

1. AFRICAN PRIDE MOISTURE DETANGLE & CONDITION PRE SHAMPOO

I used this for the first time last week as a pre-shampoo. It had been weeks since I washed my hair so I had a lot of product build up. A little goes a long way and I definitely recommend using a clarifying shampoo when washing this out because it can be a bit heavy, especially on low porosity hair like mine.

2. AS I AM SRY & ITCHY SCALP CARE SHAMPOO

I can't believe I just found this. I have dry and flaky scalp, so I was so excited to use it. It doesn't remove build up as great as a clarifying shampoo but it does make your scalp feel great.

3. OGX TEA TREE MINT SHAMPOO

This is my OG. I've used it for years and love how it makes my scalp feel. It also does a good job of removing product build up from my hair and scalp.

4. AUSSIE MIRACLE MOIST CONDITIONER

After reading reviews for this conditioner, I had to give it a try and I'm really glad I found it. I don't condition my hair without it any more. A staple in my wash day routine.

5. LOREAL DETANGLER CONDITIONER

I bought this detangler conditioner from Loreal at the same time I bought the Aussie conditioner. I couldn't decide between the two so I got both! I have an affinity towards any product that has the word "detangler" in it so I couldn't pass this one up. It works wonders for my tangle and knot prone hair. Really can't believe how well it works on my hair and how manageable my hair is after using it. It really is a "super detangler".

6. SHEA MOISTURE MANUKA HONEY & MAFURA OIL INTENSIVE HYDRATION MASQUE

I have been using this intensive hydration hair masque for years and absolutely love it. Anything with manuka honey is gold for my hair so I am constantly buying this product by the bottle!

7. THERMAL CAP

My mom gifted me a thermal cap years ago and I still use it. After applying my deep conditioner, I put on a plastic cap, warm my thermal cap in the microwave, and then wear the thermal cap with a beanie on top of it for a few hours. A lot of times, I wear it over night and wash it out in the morning.

8. MOAC DETANGLER LEAVE IN CONDITIONER

I have to thank TJ Maxx for this find! I was browsing the isles looking for a leave in conditioner and took the chance on this product. WOW!! SO GLAD I DID!!! This stuff works absolute magic on my hair with detangling. If there were one product that I would recommend, it would be this one. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

9. TRESemmé HEAT PROTECT SPRAY

I tried this heat protectant spray from TRESemme because of the great reviews and affordable price :). So far, I have no complaints!

10. ORS OLIVE OIL HEAT PROTECTION SERUM

Whenever I need a heat protectant, I know that I can count on this one. It is on the heavy/greasy side so you don't want to use too much of it. I wouldn't say it is a must have for your straight hair routine, but it definitely protects the curls. Just remember not to use too much or else it will weigh your hair down and no one wants that.

11. CHI SILK INFUSION

Chi Silk Infusion has also been a staple in my curly to straight hair routine for a while now. I love how it makes my hair feel and look smooth and shinny. A little goes a long way.

12. REVLON ONE STOP BLOW DRYER

I currently use the Revlon One Step Blow Dryer to blow dry my hair and have been using it for about 3 years now. I love how practical it is. The careful that the balls on the ends of the comps don't snag your hair as they can have a tendency to do that. I blow dry on low heat first, and then do 2-3 passes with the high heat to stretch my hair more before using flat ironing.