13 Straightening Essentials Each Hair Type Needs for a Salon-Sleek Blowout

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(Image credit: @itsimaniwilson)

I've already written about the importance of choosing the right hot tools for your particular hair type. It's pretty crucial if you want to avoid serious damage to your strands. There's something else you'll need to keep on hand when heat styling though, too. It doesn't just come down to using the right heat setting or a wide-plated flat iron, you'll also need the right hair straightening products. I know, it sounds like a lot, but adding a simple heat protectant to your heat styling routine can do wonders for your hair—I can personally attest to it. You'll experience less dryness and damage after using a blow-dryer or flat iron—something I'm sure we could all use.

I know what works for my own particular hair type (3C curls), but I asked a few experts for advice on choosing the right products for every hair type. Celebrity hairstylist Michael Dueñas and Mila Rose Hair Care founder Micaella Mosley hit me with all their expertise. Keep scrolling for what they had to share and the best hair straightening products money can buy.

How to Choose the Right Hair Straightening Products for You

Although there are plenty of different types of straightening products out there on the market that work for various hair types, Dueñas swears by one of them in particular. "I truly believe that creams work the absolute best on all hair types," he says. "Sprays typically require a lot more product to be applied to the hair and they have more water in them to make a product have a better spray pattern. This takes away from the smoothing anti-frizz effects of the product as well. The only time I recommend using a spray is on very fine hair or product overload can be an issue."

Those with curls should take extra precautions when straightening their hair. Curls are naturally drier so choosing the right straightening product is key. "Straightening curls can be detrimental to hair strands if you are not taking proper care of them when heat tools are applied," Mosley shares. "Curly hair requires an additional dose of love and hydration which is possible by using the correct technique and products. Apt care involves setting up curls with a nice nutrient-filled hydrating shampoo along with a nourishing conditioner because curls are vulnerable and susceptible to damage that can be avoided by preparing them beforehand."

How to Choose a Heat Protectant

Mosley also has a little advice for choosing the right heat protectant. "Hair sprays are ideal for thin to medium density hair. They provide a protective barrier and won't make your hair greasy. Hair creams are thick in texture and provide exemplary hydration and protection to chunky curls. Coily hair is also the most delicate of all curl types and for that reason, it requires the most care, hydration, and protection against hot tools. Creams work best for them as they contain protective oils and nutrients."

Take a peak at their hair straightening recs for all hair types below.

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(Image credit: @babba)

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(Image credit: @jeannine.roxas)

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(Image credit: @tostos_)

Up Next: If Your Damaged Hair Is in Need of Resuscitation, Read This 

Shawna Hudson
Associate Beauty Editor

Shawna Hudson has worked in editorial for over six years, with experience covering entertainment, fashion, culture, celebrities, and her favorite topic of all, beauty. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, Mane Addicts, and more. She is currently an associate beauty editor at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.