How to Straighten Men's Hair & Make It Last All Day

Whether you want to straighten your hair for an upcoming special event or you just want to switch up your regular 'do, knowing how to straighten your hair so it lasts all day is key.

Depending on your hair type, you might find it drops back into its natural state after a few hours, which is not ideal.

But luckily, we've got a few tips and tricks to help you achieve sleek, straight locks that'll stay put until you hit the hay. We've put everything we know into a simple step-by-step guide that you can follow along with from home.

Before we get stuck in, know that you have a few different options when it comes to straightening your hair. The most common methods include using a flat iron, blow dryer, or chemical treatments.

If you're not familiar with these techniques, we'll break them down for you and recommend which one might be best suited for your hair type.

A flat iron – or straightener as most of us know it – is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get hair straight for men. These tools have plates that heat up, which you clamp down on sections of hair to smooth out any kinks or curls.

The heat from the flat iron breaks down the hydrogen bonds in your hair, temporarily changing the structure and allowing it to be straightened. Because of this, flat irons work best on just about any hair type and length.

If you have very thick or curly hair, it may take a few passes with the flat iron to fully straighten your hair, so working on small sections at a time can be helpful.

You can also adjust the heat settings on your flat iron to find what works best for your hair type, but avoid using maximum heat as it can cause damage, like split ends and dryness.

Using a heat protectant before taking the flat iron to your hair is also important, as it creates a barrier between the heat and your hair, preventing potential damage.

Using a blow dryer is another popular method for straightening hair. A bit like flat irons, blow dryers also use heat to manipulate and smooth out the hair.

This is a bit more tricky than using a flat iron, as you need to angle the blow dryer downwards while brushing your hair in a downward motion with a round brush.

If you have fluffy hair, you might want to avoid this method as it can create even more volume. In this case, a flat iron will be your best bet. But for those with thin or wavy hair , blow drying can be a great option for achieving straight locks.

Again, you'll want to use some sort of heat protectant before blow drying to protect your hair from heat damage.

If you're looking for a more permanent solution to straightening your hair, chemical straightening may be an option worth considering, but you should get this done at a salon by a professional.

Chemical straightening involves using chemicals to break down the bonds in your hair, allowing it to be reshaped into a straighter form.

There are different types of chemical straightening treatments available, so make sure to consult with your stylist to determine which one is best for your hair type.

Keep in mind that chemical straightening can be damaging to your hair, so it's important to properly care for and maintain your locks afterwards. This may include using deep conditioning treatments, avoiding heat styling tools, and using hair products specifically designed for chemically treated hair.

If you want to avoid the heat and chemicals altogether, there are several natural remedies that can help to straighten your hair. These methods may take longer to achieve results, but they can be gentler on your locks and overall health.

Egg and oil is a classic DIY straightening treatment. 

The protein in eggs can help to strengthen and smooth the hair, while the oil adds moisture and shine. You can mix one beaten egg with a tablespoon of olive or coconut oil and apply it to your dry hair. Leave it on for 30-45 minutes before rinsing out.

Other popular natural treatments include coconut milk, aloe vera gel, and honey. These ingredients can help to nourish and hydrate the hair while promoting a straighter appearance.

It's important to note that these methods may not provide the same level of straightness as heat or chemical treatments, but they can help to improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.

If we put our two pennies in, we would recommend either flat ironing or blow drying for the easiest and longest-lasting method for straightening men's hair.

Chemical treatments are not the healthiest option and can lead to damage, so we suggest avoiding these if possible. And while natural remedies can provide some straightening effects, they may not be as effective as heat styling.

With heat styling tools, such as flat irons or blow dryers, it's simple to achieve straight hair and doesn't take a whole lot of time. Just be sure to use heat protectant products before applying any heat to your hair, and be wary of the temperature to avoid damage.

They're also pretty effective for all hair types, so minimal faffing about is required.

First things first, always start with clean hair . Clean hair helps to ensure the straightening process goes smoothly and without any excess oil or product buildup interfering.

Use a good-quality shampoo to cleanse your hair and scalp, and follow up with a conditioner to keep your strands hydrated.

The products you use in this step are just as important as the tools you'll be using later on, so choose wisely. If you want to add extra volume to your hairstyle, a volumising shampoo and conditioner can help give your hair a lift.

Our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner Duo does exactly that, creating thicker and fuller strands from root to tip.

Each formulation contains strengthening proteins and nutrients, such as Vitamin B3, Wheat Protein, and Aloe Leaf, to fortify and nourish your hair.

Plus, with clinically proven ingredients that prevent male pattern hair loss by blocking DHT, our duo is the perfect choice for those looking to maintain a healthy head of hair, all while adding volume.

You won't get the same results from a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, as these typically don't have the added ingredients that specifically target volume. So be sure to start your hair routine with a shampoo and conditioner that really cares for your hair.

After washing, you'll want your hair to be completely dry before styling it. You shouldn't apply hot flat irons to wet or damp hair because this can cause damage and breakage.

Instead, let your hair air dry or use a blow dryer on a low heat setting.

If you have particularly thick hair, you'll find that sectioning your mop will ensure you get to all your hair and don't miss any sections (especially those pieces underneath).

You can use small elastic bands or hair clips to hold each section in place as you work your way through styling.

Split your hair into around four or five sections, depending on the thickness of your hair.

Switch your straightening tool on and set it to a medium heat, ensuring it's not too hot to avoid damaging your hair. We recommend 180-200 degrees Celsius for most hair types.

Before you start straightening, apply a heat protectant product to your hair. You can find these products in the form of sprays, serums, or creams.

Starting with the bottom sections, clamp your straightening tool as close to the roots of your hair as possible without burning yourself.

Slowly and smoothly glide the tool down the section of hair, making sure to keep the tool moving at a steady pace.

Repeat this process on each of the sections you divided your hair into. Make sure to take your time and not rush, as this will ensure that your hair is evenly straightened.

Once you're satisfied you've straightened all of your hair, apply a hold product to keep the style in place and prevent it from frizzing up or losing its shape.

Our Hybrid Hair styling compound works really well for this, as it provides a strong hold without weighing your hair down. It combines all the good properties of a hair clay and wax, using Icelandic Bentonite Clay for maximum hold and volume alongside Organic British Beeswax to smooth and nourish your hair.

Simply apply a small amount to your palms and work the product through your hair, focusing on the ends and any particularly unruly sections.

If you're more taken to using a blow dryer to straighten your hair, the process is just as simple and effective.

Assuming you've already washed your hair at this point, here's what you need to do:

If you have any particularly frizzy or fluffy areas, you can use a flat iron to smooth them out, too.

Flat ironing and blow drying are two of the easiest and most effective ways to straighten hair for men, and you don't have to be a professional stylist to do it. By following these simple steps and using the right products, you can achieve sleek and straight hair that’ll last throughout the day.

The most important things to remember are to protect your hair from excessive heat, keep the dryer moving while blow drying, and use a hold product to maintain your straight strands.

For more men’s hair care tips and easy styling advice, head on over to the rest of our blog. You'll find commentary from real stylists, plus more guides and inspiration to keep your locks looking their best.