5 ways to naturally straighten your curly or wavy hair

Curly and wavy hair is gorgeous, but there are days when you just crave that sleek, straight, swishy look. While heat styling tools like straighteners and blow dryers can give you instant results, they also bring along split ends, dryness, and frizz if you use them too often. The good news? You can coax your hair into a straighter, smoother look without frying it. The trick is to be patient, consistent, and willing to embrace natural methods.

Here are five tried-and-tested ways to naturally straighten your curly or wavy hair – no heat, no chemical relaxers, just gentle hacks that will keep your strands healthy and happy.

Milk is a natural hair softener because it’s rich in proteins that strengthen and smooth the cuticle. Honey, on the other hand, is a humectant, meaning it draws in moisture and makes hair more manageable. Together, they make a perfect DIY hair straightening mask.

How to do it:

Mix 1 cup of whole milk with 2 tablespoons of honey.

Apply the mixture evenly to your hair from roots to ends.

Gently comb through with a wide-tooth comb to distribute it.

Leave it on for 1–2 hours (yes, this needs time).

Rinse off with a mild shampoo and let your hair air-dry.

The result? Softer, more relaxed hair that’s easier to style straight. Pro tip: Use this mask once a week for cumulative results.

This one’s a classic that hairstylists swear by, especially for those with wavy hair. It works by holding your hair in a stretched, wrapped position overnight so it dries straight.

How to do it:

Start with slightly damp (not wet) hair.

Part your hair down the middle.

Take one side and wrap it flat across your head, securing it with bobby pins.

Repeat with the other side, wrapping in the opposite direction.

Cover your head with a silk scarf or bonnet to avoid frizz.

Sleep on it and unwrap in the morning.

You’ll wake up to smoother, straighter hair without even touching a straightener.

Aloe vera is a hair care hero, its enzymes help smooth the hair shaft while also nourishing the scalp. It’s lightweight enough to use as a leave-in treatment, especially for calming frizz in wavy or loose curls.

How to do it:

Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the leaf (or use a store-bought pure version).

Mix 4 tablespoons of aloe gel with 2 tablespoons of warm coconut oil.

Apply evenly through your hair and scalp.

Leave it on for 30–40 minutes before washing it out.

With regular use, you’ll notice your hair looks naturally straighter and shinier. Aloe’s smoothening effect works best if you comb your hair straight while it’s still damp after rinsing.

Rice water isn’t just a K-beauty favourite; it’s also an ancient hair treatment from Japan and China. It contains amino acids and vitamins that strengthen strands and make them smoother, which in turn helps them fall straighter.

How to do it:

Rinse 1 cup of rice to remove impurities.

Soak it in 2–3 cups of water for 30 minutes, swirling occasionally.

Strain the water into a clean container.

After shampooing, pour the rice water over your hair and massage it in.

Leave it for 15–20 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Not only does rice water add a beautiful sheen, but it also helps weigh down flyaways so your hair looks straighter naturally.

If you want straighter hair but don’t want the heat damage, your hairdryer still has a setting you can use, cold air. It’s not as quick as a hot blowout, but it’s much gentler.

How to do it:

Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair.

Apply a lightweight smoothing serum or leave-in conditioner.

Using a paddle brush, pull small sections of hair taut while directing cold air from the dryer down the hair shaft.

Continue until your hair is fully dry.

This method takes a bit longer, but the cool air helps seal the cuticle, giving you smoother, straighter locks without the frizz.

Extra tips:

Always detangle hair gently when wet using a wide-tooth comb.

Swap your cotton pillowcase for silk to reduce overnight frizz.

Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a rich conditioner to keep hair hydrated.

Avoid tying your hair too tightly while it’s drying – it can create unwanted bends.

Naturally straightening curly or wavy hair isn’t about getting pin-straight locks overnight – it’s about softening, relaxing, and smoothing your natural texture over time. The key is consistency. Pick one or two of these methods and stick to them, and over a few weeks, you’ll see your hair fall straighter with less effort.

Plus, the bonus? You’ll be treating your strands with nourishing, natural ingredients instead of stripping them with heat or chemicals. Your hair will thank you and so will your future self when you still have thick, healthy strands years down the line.