5 steps to perfectly smooth holiday hair

Sleek, straight hair__ always looks so healthy and polished, as seen here on Brazilian model and designer Camila Alves. The super shiny effect is no illusion. You can go for a straight flat-ironed style without splitting or frying your ends. I do it all the time! For one, you shouldn't be relying solely on the flat iron to achieve a shiny, straight blow-out–that's what the blow-dryer is for. The key to this look is using the right products to keep your hair, nourished, protective and healthy in the process. So if you rather rock a sleek straight mane to your next holiday party rather than a fancy updo, check out a few of my tips to achieve sleek and smooth locks without the heat damage!

Readmore ¿Qué más? Avoid flat & messy hat hair with these 6 tips

Image via Getty Images

Prep

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You want to begin by prepping your hair with a lightweight and heat-activated blow-dry styling cream that’s going to smooth and prevent frizz. Try Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry Balm ($28).

Dry

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Separate hair into sections using hair clips, like Rickycare Bone Soft Touch Sectioning Clips ($8). This will make the styling process much more manageable. Then blow dry each section using a round boar bristle brush and a mega watt blow dryer, like Sultra The Siren Styling Dryer ($175) to help you achieving sleeker results.

Protect

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Once hair is completely dry and blown-out, work a pea-size amount of a thermal protecting hair serum throughout your ends. This will help protect your strands from any heat damage that can be caused by the flat-iron. I like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum ($9).

Iron

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When choosing a flat iron, go for one that has ceramic tourmaline plates, which won’t damage your hair shaft. Stick straight hair is no longer in style, so you want to make sure that your look still has some movement by flipping the ends. Try a flat iron with floating plates and curved edges, like ghd Pink Orchid Styler ($240). Gently glide the flatiron over small sections of hair.

Finish

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Sephora.com

For a glossy effect, apply a pea-sized amount of a hair serum that includes shine-boosting ingredients like argan oil to ends. Try Josie Maran’s Argan Oil Hair Serum ($30). And viola! You got healthly-looking, silky straight hair!