Flat Ironing At Home

Marlie has been on this I-Must-Have-Straight-Hair kick since she had her hair cut and it was blown & ironed straight by her hair stylist. In fact, Marlie has been asking daily to have her hair cut again.

As much as I want her to be happy with her naturally curly hair, I must admit it is MUCH EASIER to deal with. Her hair is silky & easy to comb through WITH A BRUSH!

So last night when Marlie had a bath, she asked me to take her newly washed & wet hair and make it beautiful again. *sigh*

I of course had to purchase items prior to be able to do this.

I got the flat iron the hair stylist recommended.

And I went to Sally's and explained to the lady that I needed a hair dryer for the purpose of blowing straight my daughter's hair... oh and she's from Africa. She recommended this hair dryer, that I'm pretty sure was used on Solid Gold.

And... I also picked up this oil/serum from the hair stylist when we were there since she used it on Marlie's hair.

That stuff is freakin' expensive! But it's my new favorite product. I love love love what it does on Marlie's hair and I even use a tiny bit of it on the ends of my hair. Plus it smells just like cotton candy. I mean, come on! Cotton Candy!!!

You ready for the result?

Marlie loves it. And I'm pretty proud of myself being able to actually accomplish it on my first try. Whew knew?!

Update: I have since learned how to get the ends to lay more nicely after flat ironing. First of all... the blow drying step is ESSENTIAL in how the hair will turn out after flat ironing. If you skip that step, the results will not be the same. (I know it makes the hair super frizzy when you blow dry it, but it will be much more straight and silky after the flat iron than without the blow dryer)

When flat ironing, you start from the scalp and work your way slowly to the ends. (not leaving the heat too long on the ends) I find if I start to curl the flat iron slightly under, as I'm reaching the ends, they come out slightly curled under and looking nicer, like this...

Salon Day

Last week I took Marlie to have her hair done for the first time at a Salon. For the past 4 years I've been the one trimming her hair. Once I suggested the idea, she couldn't wait to go. Like she was born to be pampered or something. And I kind of think she was.

I worried about her getting scared while she got her hair washed or with the hair dryer. Let's face it, even Mama doesn't own a hair dryer, so she's NEVER seen one or heard one before.

Miss Robin (Marlie's hairstylist) suggested I bring in Marlie a few days prior to the appointment to meet her and get a tour of the salon. Obviously Miss Robin had worked with kids before. She knew exactly how to make Marlie feel special.

On the day of the appointment, I brought an eager Marlie in to the salon. She was ready to be pampered!

First she got her hair washed.

Then she got her hair combed through.

Then they dried it with the hair dryer. Love her expression as she watched in the mirror.

Then it was time for the flat iron. I had never seen Marlie with straight hair before.

After she had pin-straight hair, Miss Robin gave her hair a trim. Then my little princess was finished and ready for the camera!

I bought the salon recommended flat iron and a hair dryer with comb attachment so I can recreate the look at home, or at least attempt to recreate it. Ladies and gentlemen... at the age of 35, I finally have a hair dryer. The first in my adulthood. *takes a bow*

Now if I could just figure out how to turn the darn thing on...