Faking It

Straight Hair Q&A

By Abby Gardner

Every time we see Demi Moore's hair, we wonder how we can recreate it (along with the hair on all the gorgeous models to follow). Knowing we're not alone, we chatted with Hollywood's go-to stylist for all things straight, Liz Devin from Andy Lecompte Salon, about what exactly we need to do.

Straight Hair Q&A

Q: We keep hearing so much about this awesome new treatment, the Brazilian Blowout — how is it done?

A: "First, we wash the hair to open up the cuticles (without stripping the color). Then, we rough dry it, apply the solution of keratin and moisturizers, blow dry and flat iron to seal it in. Finally, we rinse and dry again for a beautiful finish."

Straight Hair Q&A

Q: How is this treatment different from others like the Japanese version everyone used to do?

A: "The Brazilian Blowout doesn't change the structure of the hair. It simply fills the cuticles. It washes out gradually and improves the health of the hair. Other straighteners can create a line of demarcation, strip the shine and lead to breakage or limp hair."

Straight Hair Q&A

Q: What should women know to ask their stylists to avoid confusion with other Brazilian and Japanese straightening techniques?

A: "The key question to ask is, 'Can I wash my hair or put clips in the same day?' If you cannot, the service being offered is changing the structure of the hair, which I don't recommend. You can also ask for Brazilian Blowout certification."

Straight Hair Q&A

Q: What about people with lots and lots of curl?

A: "If your hair is very curly, rough dry 25% of the moisture out, section the hair and use the round bristle brush as well. Start at the bottom and work your way up. And remember, just because your hair feels hot doesn't mean it's dry. Wait a few minutes after you think you're done and check again for dampness."

Straight Hair Q&A

Q: Any tips for using a flat-iron?

A: "If you are going to flat iron hair, make sure it is dry! Use a round brush first to smooth the cuticle, instead of just flat-ironing dry hair, which can cause split ends. A thermal protectant before blow-drying can also help."

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Straight Hair Q&A

Q: There are so many hair-dryers out there. How do we pick the right one?

A: "Don't use ionic hair dryers! They over-dry the hair and zap all the natural moisture out of it. Over time, this can lead to dry, brittle, frizzy hair. I recommend Elchim dryers for at-home use. They are lightweight and last forever."