The process of temporary hair straightening has progressively developed over centuries. The technique existed from as far back as the 1800s with the use of hair irons and hot combs. It was more popular among women of African descent and, although, there was much controversy as to denial of racial identity, hair straightening became increasingly popular in the black community.
Prior to the 1800s, hair would be straightened using plate irons which were heated in a fire and run over the hair shaft to make it smooth. This was a very dangerous process which caused severe burns to the face and hands. There was also a period of time when a regular clothes iron was used to straighten hair. With the assistance of another person hair was laid on a flat surface and the iron passed over it until its texture was completely altered. These ancient trends were very dangerous and damaging to the hair. Thankfully, other tools were developed for straightening purposes and -before long - safer, more convenient methods were applied to temporarily alter hair texture.
Natural hair is now more popular than it has ever been in decades. The beauty about natural hair is that it is very versatile and girls love the option of switching up their look from time to time. This generation of naturals, however, is very protective of their hair and is keen on hair care. So, they are more reserved about hair straightening, which is known to potentially damage natural hair, if extreme caution is not exercised.
Organic Root Simulator (ORS)’s recent launch of their hair straightening system has many naturals breathing a sigh of relief. The system promises to safely take natural hair from curly to straight and back to curly. This may lay to rest the concerns about heat damage, the main factor deterring naturals from wholeheartedly embracing the practice of hair straightening.
Its Claims and Benefits
1. Controls Frizz – The treatment boasts the ability to control frizz. Since natural hair has a tendency to become frizzy even after being straightened, this benefit is every natural’s dream.
2. Reduces drying & styling time – The combination of products and the ingredients in them causes the hair to become easily straightened. The blow drying process quickly and significantly alters the hair texture. The flat ironing step is therefore not nearly as time consuming as it would be under normal circumstances since the hair is already partially straightened from the blow drying step.
3. Contains no Formaldehyde or Harsh Chemicals - Formaldehyde is a chemical that can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and skin. Overexposure can also lead to breathing complications and long term exposure is believed to place individuals at risk for cancer. The fact that the ORS HAIRepair Straightening & Strengthening Treatment omits this and other harmful chemicals from their system is a big plus. People are becoming more aware and more health conscious and the masses are not at all willing to trade health for beauty.
4. Allows styling versatility – The option to switch between being curly and straight offers the versatility that many naturals crave. Reservations about hair straightening mainly stem from the risk of damage from the application of heat. More naturals are open to the option if they can transition from their curly or coily texture to straight, and back to their previous texture, without the risk of heat damage. The ORS HAIRepair Strengthening and Straightening System allows for this versatility and grants the peace of mind knowing that straightening natural hair will not compromise the health of the hair.
5. Keratin enriched for strength & protection – Hair is composed of proteins of a hard, fibrous type called keratin. Keratin can become damaged if it becomes exposed to harmful chemicals or processes. Color or excess heat from styling is a known culprit and friction from brushing or pulling hair ties too tightly, can cause damage. Essentially, hair damage is the degradation of the proteins that make up the outer cuticle layer of the hair. The fact that the ORS HAIRepair boasts the ability to provide strength and protection is actually an irony. The products in the system are keratin enriched and, therefore, helps to protect, repair and strengthen the hair, instead of damaging it.
6. Excellent to seal and protect color treated hair – The fact that the system provides added protection for color-treated hair is a huge bonus. Hair chemically altered with color tends to be more brittle and more susceptible to damage, so this is amazing news for those who wear color.
How It Works
Step 1: Use Clarifying Shampoo
1. Saturate hair thoroughly with warm water.
2. Apply a clarifying Shampoo and work into a rich lather.
3. Manipulate gently to avoid excessive tangling.
4. Rinse hair.
5. Repeat as necessary to remove dirt, oil and product residue.
6. Towel blot hair. DO NOT COMB HAIR!
Note: Clarifying Shampoo may cause hair to tangle easily until Foam Activator is applied.
Step 2: Use Foam Activator
1. Using a wide tooth comb, comb product from ends to scalp to detangle hair then part hair into four even sections.
2. Beginning in the back section, apply 2-4 pumps of Foam Activator to hair from scalp to ends.
3. Comb product from ends to scalp to distribute evenly. Note: More product may be needed to coat the hair depending on the hair’s texture and density.
4. Cover hair with a plastic cap and process. Fine Hair (9) Minutes, Medium Hair (12) Minutes and Coarse Hair (15) Minutes. DO NOT USE HEAT!
Step 3: Use Seal & Smooth Leave-In Conditioner
1. Apply a nickel (2 cm) to a quarter (2.5 cm) sized amount of the Seal & Smooth Leave-In Conditioner to each of the four sections, one section at a time.
2. Slightly more or less product may be required depending on the length and density of the hair.
3. Comb product through hair from scalp to ends. DO NOT RINSE HAIR!
4. Using small manageable sections proceed to blow dry hair.
5. Set flat iron to 340̊ to 410̊.
6. In small manageable sections, flat iron hair with no more than 3 passes of the iron to each section and style hair as usual.
What’s to Love about the System
1. Easy to Use - It does not require professional use but can be used at home by naturals to achieve salon quality hair straightening. Naturals are known to engage in a lot of self-help hair projects, experimenting with coloring, cutting, installing protective styles etc. Because of the clear step by step nature of this system, it is very easy to use and the steps are very simple to understand.
2. Affordable – The system is very affordable, and can be purchased for under $15 online or at popular drug stores. This is an extremely attractive price considering that natural hair products are not exactly cheap.
3. Comprehensive - You can get this very effective system, which not only includes the straightening solution but also cleansing and conditioning products. It is great to know that the entire process can be completed using the full line of products, as opposed to having to find alternate shampoos and conditioners which may possibly alter the results, depending on the ingredients in these random products.
4. Lasts 4-6 weeks – The system lasts 4-6 weeks in the hair so there is no need to reapply the system to the hair within that period of time. The option is open to either shampoo the hair during that period and revert to your lovely head of curls or apply heat again to enjoy smooth, sleek, straightened hair.
What’s to Hate about the System
The straight truth is that if straight hair is what you desire, then this system does a great job of delivering that. The only possible down side is that it stays in your hair for 4-6 weeks, so if you really just want a one time or much abbreviated change then you may not be totally happy with this fact. The good thing, though, is that after just one wash, the hair usually reverts to its curly texture. Care must be taken to ensure that no heat is applied, whether from a blow dryer or a hot iron, during those 4-6 weeks if you want to avoid your hair looking straight again.
Overall, the system is awesome in accomplishing its claims. If you are natural and have the desire to safely and temporarily straighten your hair, the ORS Straightening and Strengthening Treatment is your genie in a bottle. It almost magically transforms your curls into a sleek, silky, straightened hair. If this is something that you are looking to do, maybe to change up your look a bit for the upcoming holidays, then this system is a suitable choice. It provides the results but also gives the peace of mind that it will not only deliver what it claims, but will keep your hair protected from damage during the process.
The beauty about this system is that it offers versatility without compromising the integrity of your texture, and for naturals who use heat, that is EVERYTHING!!!
Candie's Natural Hairnamix was birthed a few months after Jamaican native Rossette "Candie" Allen began her natural hair journey in May 2010. She gears this column toward naturals, transitioning naturals, aspiring naturals and the naturally curious, sharing experiences, expertise and experiments while celebrating emancipation from chemical slavery.
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