When it comes to flat ironing your hair, the technique is just as important as the tool. While CHI flat irons are one of the most popular brands on the market, the iron will prove ineffective if not used correctly. Achieving perfectly flat ironed hair with your CHI will likely take several attempts, but it is worth the effort.

Prepare your hair by shampooing and conditioning to remove dirt and buildup. After washing, apply a heat protectant to your wet hair. This helps prevent heat damage and prolongs your style.

Blow-dry your hair until it is completely dry. You will achieve better results with your CHI if your hair is dry rather than wet.

Set your CHI to the appropriate temperature for your hair (if your iron has an adjustable temperature control). Generally, thick, coarse or curly hair will need a temperature of 350 to 400 degrees; normal hair will require 300 to 380 degrees; and a setting of under 300 degrees is proper for fine, damaged or chemically treated hair.

Comb your hair to remove any tangles. Part it into sections equivalent to or smaller than the size of your CHI’s ironing plates. Use hair clips to keep your hair separated while ironing.

Hold the flat iron in one hand and a comb in the other. Using the hand holding the comb, grab a section of hair. Starting as close to your scalp as possible, place the hair between the CHI’s ironing plates. Close the plates around the hair and gently apply pressure as you slide the iron down to the ends of the hair. Move the iron evenly and at a moderate pace. Do not leave the iron in one spot for long.

After ironing the section, immediately run the comb through the same section. Continue this process until you have achieved the desired level of straightening. This might require several passes of the iron and comb.

Follow the same technique to iron all of your hair. After you have ironed all of your hair, use a light finishing spray to hold your style.