How to Style Straight Hair: Tips to Treat and Style Straight Hair
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 1, 2022 • 3 min read
Learn how to style straight hair, and discover different cuts and hair care tips to enhance your natural look.
Learn From the Best
3 Tips to Treat Straight Hair
Using the proper techniques and hair products for naturally straight hair helps nourish and strengthen the follicles, combatting split ends and promoting healthy growth. Follow these tips to care for straight hair:
- 1. Condition regularly: To prevent breakage and dry ends, apply a moisturizing oil to the ends of dry or wet hair. If you have long straight hair, also consider using a conditioner with hydrating ingredients, such as argon, rosemary, or coconut oil to prevent frizz and flyaways.
- 2. Use heat protectant products: If you use a curling iron, straightener, or hair dryer on a consistent basis, apply heat protectant products to prime and protect your hair from heat damage.
- 3. Wash every other day: Unlike wavy or curly hair types, straight hair requires more frequent washes. Since the hair shafts are flat, oil buildup slides down the ends of the hair more easily, resulting in greasy hair. To prevent straight hair from laying flat and looking oily, wash your hair every other day with a sulfate-free shampoo.
5 Haircuts for Naturally Straight Hair
Straight hair types can pull off sleek styles with sharp edges. Here are some of the best haircuts to highlight your naturally straight locks:
- 1. A-line bob: This blunt cut is a twist on the classic bob. Known for its gradual slope, the A-line bob is shorter in the back and longer in the front. Straight hair works well with an A-line look since the flat hair shafts show off the angled hairline.
- 2. Long bob: Also known as a lob, a long bob highlights heart-shaped faces. Unlike a traditional bob haircut, which falls around chin-length, a long bob ends just above the shoulders. This blunt bob look also works well for blowouts.
- 3. Pixie cut: For fine hair, choosing a haircut with a deep side part is a way to add volume. A short pixie cut is an edgy hairstyle that typically uses a hard part to add height to the hair look. Defined by short layers on the back of the head and longer layers on top, the pixie cut is a low-maintenance look for straight hairstyles.
- 4. Side-swept bangs: Another cut that offers various styling options for straight hair is one with side-swept bangs. This look adds shape and volume to thin hair and round faces. Side-swept bangs also work for different hair lengths, so you can incorporate these bangs into a long or mid-length hairstyle.
- 5. Undercut: If you have thick hair and prefer a short haircut, consider styling your straight hair as an undercut. This trendy style has short sides that frame a long top piece, creating a striking look. You can play with the top layer of hair, styling it slicked back with a pomade or letting it hang down naturally across your forehead.
How to Style Straight Hair
Depending on the length of your hair and face shape, you can style straight hair with different grooming techniques.
- Short hair: Use pomades and hairspray to style shorter hair. Applying these types of styling products prevents frizz and helps your style lasts throughout the day. When using a pomade on short haircuts, apply a dime-size amount to your hair to create a slick hair texture. Stylists also recommend using a lightweight moisturizer on skin fades to prevent the back of your head from becoming dry and irritated. You can use texturizing sprays and mousse to add volume to short hairstyles and incorporate dry shampoo into your hair routine to prevent oil buildup.
- Medium-length hair: If you have mid-length hair, you can style your hair up or down. Casual updos, such as low ponytails and side braids, work well with straight, medium hair. You can dress these easy hairstyles up with a colorful barrette or hair tie. For a twist on your natural hair look, add a spritz of sea salt spray and let your hair air-dry to create tousled beach waves. Finish this wavy hair look with a thin layer of hairspray.
- Long hair: To prevent tangling and split ends, use a boar-bristle brush or wide-toothed comb on damp hair. When blow-drying long straight hair, use alligator clips to divide sections of hair into manageable pieces and style with a round brush. You can try several long hairstyles, including half-up looks or updos like messy buns, high ponytails, or intricate braids. To style bangs with longer hair, use a blow-dryer and round brush, combing your hair away from your forehead.
Learn More
Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.