The Secret to Lustrous Straight Hair: Best Hair Straightener Serums Plus Tips for Getting Straight Hair(2021)

Somehow off late, the flat iron has become an essential item in every woman’s hair care tool kit. One of the easiest ways of getting super sleek and straight hair is a blowout, which from a professional salon could be a dream come true, but is just as easy and accessible if you do it yourself, from the comfort of your home and will stay well till the next wash.

Begin by cleansing your hair with shampoo and then conditioning it. After wash, towel-dry it as much as you can, as this would cut down on your drying time. Before you begin the blowout, apply a straightening gel/balm by coating your ends, working your way up to the shaft. Now divide your hair into two separate sections at the top and bottom, while pulling the top half into a bun and securing it with a clip or a band.

Now with a paddle brush that helps smooth hair, use the nozzle of your blow dryer to direct the heat to the chosen hair section. Begin by drying the bottom part first, pull it taut with the brush and then run the heating tool with the brush, down to the length of the hair. Make sure the nozzle is always pointed downward. Repeat the steps in the top section of the hair. Also when you're towel drying your hair, instead of a towel, you’d use a cotton tee, as it is gentler on the hair cuticles and help reduce the frizz.

A flat iron, a hair straightener or Hair Tong is one styling tool that can help you get your hair in the desired shape. But to ensure that you achieve the objective and to retain the effect, it is important that you follow some key steps. For instance, if you use the flat iron regularly then use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner as well and opt for a ceramic plate straightener, to avoid generating more frizz, lessen the heat damage and give you better results. Next, be sure, to begin with, the back of your head first and slowly work your way to the front. It is recommended that the heat styler be at an optimum temperature and not fully hot, is clean and well maintained.

Comb or brush your hair before you begin the ironing process and if your hair is curly, it is better to comb in intervals as well to get your hair straight better and make it last longer. When you divide your hair into a different section, go inch by inch at a time, be patient and you’ll be happy with the results!

Permanent hair straightening is a chemical process where depending on which method you choose, your natural hair can be altered to be shaped straight without any curls. Since such treatment lasts for months or more or till new growth starts sprouting, the process is known to be permanent. Permanent hair straightening includes keratin treatments, perm straightening and thermal straightening as well and can be done either at home or at a salon. When it comes to the different methods of hair straightening, a perm entails a chemical process that changes the hair follicles permanently, sometimes creating curls in hair that doesn’t naturally have it or make the hair straight. Perms usually take a few hours and costs vary according to the length of your hair and the salon services involved.

If you plan to explore an at-home straightening process, then there are chemical kits available at pharmacies or beauty stores which claim to achieve similar results like the ones done in a salon, however, unless you are absolutely sure that you’d be able to do it well, avoid investing in it! Brazilian blowouts, keratin hair treatments or semi-permanent hair straightening all include treating your hair to achieve a straight texture that can last anywhere between 3-5 months and involve multiple salon appointments to see it to completion, while the thermal hair straightening process also called an Acid Perm is more or less the same as a traditional straight perm and takes roughly 5-6 hours and can last as long as 6 months.

The Mom Co.’s Natural Protein Hair Serum is a paraben-free and mineral-free product that’s free of chemicals. It is certified in Australia for being an authentic natural hair product enriched with Moroccan Argan oil, pea, wheat and oat proteins. Its triple-action technology protects, repairs and smoothens the hair from all kinds of chemical and environmental damage, reduced split ends, restoring softness and silkiness to your hair. Enhanced with Marula Oil with an increased level of Vitamin C and Oleic Acid, it moisturizes and protects the hair from excessive dryness, adds volume and creates a protective shield around it to guard against further damage or breakage. Priced at Rs.473, Mom Co.’s Natural Protein Hair Serum strengthens the hair structure owing to the presence of rich hydrolyzed proteins. Buy yours from The Moms Co.

The Streak Pro Vita Gloss Hair Serum comes with an ultimate frizz-free formula that results in satin-smooth hair and is enriched with Vitamin E to improve the rough and damaged hair strands and make them healthy and shiny. Its frizz-free formula seals the silky smoothness into the hair cuticles instantly, working on the dryness and detangling each strand. With a lovely fruity fragrance, the Streak Pro Vita Gloss Hair Serum makes for an added glossy texture. The Streak Pro Vita Gloss Hair Serum is priced at Rs.170. Buy yours from Boip.

L'oreal Professionnel Liss includes Reflexium which covers the hair with a light coating that’s water-soluble, making your hair look voluminous without any added heaviness, fights off dryness and makes your hair more manageable. Enriched with Primrose Oil, L'oreal Professionnel Liss Hair Serum smoothens each hair strand, making it shine, conditions it to keep it soft and frizz-free, is subtly fragrant and ideal for thick and uncontrolled hair strands. The L'oreal Professionnel Liss Hair Serum is priced at Rs.650. Buy yours from Nykaa.

Infused with Keratin Protein and Moroccan Argan Oil that results in smoother, shinier and easy to maintain hair, the Keratine Hair Serum has been specially formulated for Indian Hair and is perfect for a glossy finish. With the ability to refine different hair textures, the Keratine Hair Serum is free from alcohol, parabens and sulfate. It is enriched with antioxidants, multivitamins and other necessary natural products that moisturize, soften and restore shine to your hair. Packed with nutrients and vitamins A, E and C, the Keratin Hair Serum conditions your hair, taming the frizz and results in softer, shinier and more manageable strands. Priced at Rs.390, the Keratine Hair Serum is perfect for intensely damaged, chemically affected and colour-treated hair. Buy yours from Amazon.

Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Serum not only smoothens the hair and eliminates the frizz but also keeps the heat styled strands healthy and shielded from any further heat damage. Enriched with aloe vera, vitamin E, sunscreen and silicone, Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Serum creates a shield between the heat styling tools and your hair, leaving it hydrated without making it greasy and giving it volume, helping you style your hair with a smooth and straightened look. The Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Serum is priced at Rs.1,140 for 178ml. Buy yours from Care Thy.

Biolage Matrix Smoothproof Avocado Hair Serum is a 6-in-1 quick-fix solution that has been inspired by nature. Ideal for rough, dull, tangled and frizzy hair, its deep soothing formula provides humidity control, water-resistance and anti-frizz smoothness even at 97% humidity levels. Made with a fusion of natural elements like Grape Seed Oil, Avocado and Frizz controlling polymers, the Biolage Matrix Smoothproof Hair Serum works wonders for your hair with its non-sticky and light texture that doesn’t weigh your hair down. Free of parabens and ideal for colour-treated hair, the Biolage Matrix Smoothproof Hair Serum is priced at Rs.295 and can be used on both damp and dry hair, perfect for daily use. Buy yours from Nykaa.

Sulfate-Free and perfect for all types of hair textures, the Organic R/S Root Stimulator Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum has been formulated for straight and smooth hair, providing heat protection, and acting as a barrier between the soft texture of your hair and the heat damage caused by heat styling tools. Infused with coconut oil and the essence of Olive Oil, the Organic R/S Root Stimulator Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum enables hydration and adds shine to your hair leaving it silky smooth. Priced at Rs.1,810, the Organic R/S Root Stimulator Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum saves any further hair damage, sealing the hair cuticles from heat damage and reduce any existent harm to your hair. It is extremely lightweight and subtly fragrant. Buy yours from Amazon.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum is one of the best heat protectant serums in the market and much preferred these days as a thermal protecting spray. Ideal for protection from heat styling tools, this serum is incredibly effective on most hair types and has been formulated with the goodness of flowers and apples and has a fruity fragrance. Inclusive of BIS alkoxy PG-amodimethicone and Dimethiconol that protect your hair from further damage, the thermal protective Frizz Ease hair serum from John Frieda comes in a convenient and robust packaging that makes your hair silky smooth, and shiny without looking oily and damages it from any UV exposure, environmental allergens or heat damage. Priced between Rs. 400-450, the John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum with Thermal Protection keeps the hairstyles for long and comes with a leak-proof and sturdy pump with a light fragrance. Buy yours from Desertcart.in.

Appropriate for all hair types, the Giovanni Straight Fast Straightening Elixir enables smooth curls and relaxed hair that protect each hair strand from further damage while being exposed to heat styling tools, shielding your hair with a fast straightening gel formula that makes way for flawless and shiny hair texture in no time! Ideal for frizzy hair, the Giovanni Straight Fast Straightening Elixir contains certified organic ingredients like rosa canina fruit extracts, eschscholzia californica leaf extracts, bergamot extracts, nettle extracts and rosemary extracts that not only straightens your hair temporarily (till the next wash) but also soothes each hair strand for a great looking hairstyle. Priced at Rs.695, the Giovanni Straight Fast Straightening Elixir is a smoothening hair gel, lightweight and free from parabens, sulfate, mineral oils, artificial colours, PEG, animal ingredients and phthalates with over 94% natural ingredients and has been manufactured in America. Buy yours from Nykaa.

TRESemme Keratin Infusing Smoothing Serum is perfect for styling your hair silky smooth, eliminating frizz and sealing each hair strand for shine and a polished look. With a clear texture, lightweight and non-sticky formula, TRESemme Keratin Infusing Smoothing Serum is easy on the application and gets absorbed quickly into the hair. Formulated with keratin and marula oil, its 5-in-1 formula leaves your hair more manageable and sleek, creating a glossy professional hairstyle. Buy yours from Amazon.

When it comes to personal grooming, hair’s always been an essential aspect of one’s personality and a representative of beauty and style. However, having healthy hair’s mostly a dream, thanks to the pollution levels and the constant use of styling tools or chemical damage our hair incurs regularly. Here are some tips to help you achieve healthy hair.