PLAY IT STRAIGHT

The runways prove that the poker straight, sleek look that dominated the 2000s is back. Here are the expert tips and must-try products to help you recreate this popular Y2K hairstyle.

- VANESSA CHIA

Worn pin straight and parted in the middle to frame the face, flat-ironed locks were spotted on many Y2K icons like pop singer Avril Lavigne and reality TV personality Paris Hilton. While textured tresses have been all the rage in the past decade, long and straight hair is now back with a vengeance. Just take a look at the 2022 fashion runways of Chanel, Balmain and Versace. For further cues, look to new-gen tastemakers such as singer Dua Lipa, model Gigi Hadid, and Jennie Kim of Blackpink all of whom are sporting stick-straight strands.

As it might not be the easiest look to achieve with our hot and humid weather, we asked three hair experts for tips on how to tame frizz and flyaways for a smooth and straight finish.

1. APPLY HEAT WITH THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

According to Goh Ziv Tien, education manager at Shiseido Professional, heat styling is always needed to change the natural movement of wavy and frizzy hair”.

But that’s not to say you should give your styling products a miss. Most retexturising styling products have heat protective properties, which Goh says will enhance the smoothing effect of your straightening iron or hairdryer”.