How To Straighten Hair Without Heat: Our Top Tips and Tricks

If you dream of having straight, sleek locks but don’t want to damage your hair with hot tools then you’ve come to the right place. With a change in hair care routine and trying out some new methods, you can find out how to straighten hair without heat.

Hot tools can be extremely damaging to your hair, especially if your hair is dry or prone to frizz and breakage. Avoiding them is a great way to ensure your hair stays strong, healthy and nourished.

Replace your shampoo and conditioner

If you aren’t already, it’s time to start using shampoos and conditioners which are formulated for straight and sleek hairstyles. These products are ultra moisturizing and will weigh down any curls and waves, and leave them with a glossy finish. The Bumble & Bumble Straight Shampoo is particularly great for thick, coarse and curly hair as it helps to reduce frizz and control unruly hair. Pair it with the Bumble & Bumble Straight Conditioner to add back shine and movement.

Use a weekly hair mask

Using hair masks on a regular basis is beneficial for all hair types, but are particularly good for those who want straighter and sleeker hair. Look for a mask which promises a smoothing effect such as the MoroccanOil Smoothing Mask. This mask uses argan butter to tame unruly hair and banish frizz, while leaving hair intensely nourished and hydrated.

Alternatively, the Aveda Smooth Infusion Smoothing Masque works in a similar way but uses shea butter to soften hair and seal in moisture. This mask is perfect for those who live in high humidity areas.

Towel dry your locks

If you want to dry your hair without using the harsh heat of a hairdryer, you will want your towel to do most of the work when it comes to removing moisture. Invest in a microfiber towel which is extra absorbent, so it will remove moisture without causing additional frizz.

When you use the towel, avoid being too vigorous, as rubbing your hair together can cause frizz. Instead, simply hold your microfiber towel around your hair, allowing it to absorb the moisture, and gentle tousle your hair without rubbing.

Thoroughly brush or comb through your wet hair

Once hair has been roughly towel-dried, it’s time to brush through hair to ensure a knot-free and straight finish. If you have really curly hair, we recommend you use a wide-tooth comb and work in sections to comb through the curls without causing any frizz.

Brush or comb through your hair every few minutes as it naturally dries to keep the direction of the hair staying straight. Pull your hair tight as you work through the sections to gently force your hair straight.

Apply a smoothing treatment

There are plenty of smoothing treatments which can be applied to hair once it is wet to protect, nourish, and control your locks. Whether you have thick, fine, curly or wavy hair, you can find a formula that works for your hair type.

If you have thick or coarse hair, look for a heavy-duty smoothing cream and balm such as the Bumble & Bumble Straight Blow Dry, which works in conjunction with the straight shampoo and conditioner to keep hair looking sleek and frizz-free. Simply work the balm through hair in sections, ensuring even distribution of the product, and then brush through.

If you have finer hair, we recommend a lightweight spray such as the Living Proof Straight Spray, which can be used on both damp and dry hair to create shiny, smooth, and straight locks without weighing it down.

Use your hairdryer on the cool setting

Your hairdryer can still come in handy even if you don’t want to use heat on your hair. Instead, use the often ignored cool setting on your dryer which will lightly dry your hair without causing damage. Point the dryer in a downwards position and brush or comb through your locks as you dry to keep your hair straight.

Drying your hair with the cool setting can take some time, so it’s best to make sure your hair as at least 70% dry before even reaching for the dryer.

Use an anti-frizz, smoothing serum

Once your hair has dried you can use an additional serum to control any flyaways or frizz, and set your straight locks in place for the day. Serums coat the hair follicles in a protective layer, giving them a glossy and sleek finish, so they are perfect for those wanting straight hair.

The Redken Frizz Dismiss Leave-In Smoothing Serum is a great choice for thick and coarse hair as it moisturizes and detangles hair while adding smoothness and shine, and minimizing frizz.

If you have thinner hair, try the RedKen Anti-Frizz Smoothing Lotion Spray which works in the same way but uses a lightweight formula to avoid weighing fine hair down.

We hope these tips and tricks help you straighten your hair without using heat. Remember: you don’t need to use damaging hot tools if you want to achieve sleeker and straighter hair. Instead, simply equip yourself with the right products and focus on your hair drying techniques to achieve the look without the heat damage.

How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat