Straight hair is a style that never goes out of fashion. For a lot of people it is convenient and easy to manage especially in the winter months. However, traditional styling methods that use heat are extremely damaging to hair, especially for people who have naturally dry or curly hair. Consistent use of heat styling methods and tools over time will result in split ends and a straw like appearance. It could also damage the hair follicles and prevent further growth.

There are ways to protect your hair when using heat styling methods such as heat protection serums, however these only often minimal protection and damage will still occur overtime.

The best way to protect your hair is to not use heat at all, and this can actually be done. Here are 6 easy ways of how to straighten your hair without heat.

1. Brush hair straight

One of the easiest and safest methods of how to straighten your hair without heat is to simply brush the hair straight. To use this method you will need to begin with wet hair, so starting after your normal hair wash is a good idea. Brush your hair out and remove all the tangles. Continue to brush the hair as you let it air dry. For particularly curly hair, it is a good idea to section the hair and gently pull each section straight as you brush. Continue using this technique until your hair is completely dry.

2. Pull and wrap method

This method of how to straighten your hair without heat is similar to the brushing method with a little less effort. Again, begin this method with wet hair. Brush your hair out thoroughly and remove any knots and tangles. Once you have done this, you will need a fine comb to divide your hair down the centre. The parting needs to be as equal as possible. When you have your two sections, you need to take the left section and comb it around the front of your head, underneath the right section, ending at the back. Make sure it is pulled as tight as you can get it and secure it with bobby pins. Next, complete the same procedure again with the right side. Once it is completely secure leave it to air dry. If you plan on leaving it overnight, wrap your hair in a scarf or even wear a shower cap to prevent frizz.

3. Hair elastics

If you have relatively short hair then this method of how to straighten your hair without heat will likely work the best for you. Gather your hair into one ponytail, or split into two if you have thick hair. Fasten it loosely at the nape of the neck with a hair elastic. Move an inch down the ponytail and add another hair elastic. Repeat this process until you reach the ends. You need to make sure that the elastics are loose so that you don’t end up with kink in your hair. Leave the elastics in overnight and remove in the morning. You should end up with beautifully straight hair, without losing any volume at the roots.

4. Hair bun twist method

If your hair is already fairly straight and you’re just looking to get rid of those stubborn waves, then this method will work well for you. This is another method that will work well after you’ve washed your hair, however you will need to let it dry slightly so that it’s just a bit damp rather than completely wet. Gather your hair into a high ponytail, making sure to smooth out the sides. Don’t secure the ponytail, but instead begin twisting from the top right down to the ends as tight as you possibly can. After this wrap the twisted length into a bun on the top of your head and secure with a hair elastic. Let your hair dry thoroughly. You’ll get the best results if you leave the bun in overnight. Once your hair is completely dry, remove the hair elastic and gently unwind and then brush it all out.

5. Natural straightening mask

If you are looking for a technique that lasts a little longer, then preparing a natural straightening mask is definitely the right wat to go. There are quite a few recipes for this but here are the two best ones.

Milk and honey mask

You can use any kind of milk for this mask. However, most people will choose to use coconut milk or almond milk for a nice fragrance. Begin with measuring out 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix both of these ingredients together thoroughly and then begin to massage it into your scalp. Make sure you cover all of your hair from root to tip. Let the mixture soak into your hair for at least one hour and then wash out using your regular shampoo and conditioner. If you don’t have any honey to hand you can use egg as a substitute and just increase the amount of milk. So instead of using 1 cup of milk, use 2 cups and mix with 1 egg. Because this mixture will be slightly runnier you might want to cover your hair with a plastic cover to prevent the mixture from dripping onto your clothes.

Lemon juice and coconut milk mask

For this mask you will need 1 cup of coconut milk. 6 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of corn-starch. This process will be slightly lengthier than the milk and honey mask however the effects should last longer. Combine all of the ingredients in a pan and warm on a low heat, stirring until smooth. Allow the mixture to completely cool and then apply directly to hair. Let the mixture sit for one to two hours and then wash out. You should repeat this mask twice a week for 2 months in order to achieve long term results.

Do you have any other ideas for how to straighten your hair without heat? Or, have you tried any of these methods before? Let us know in the comments section.