You Can Do: Perfect Flatiron

Shiny, stick-straight hair always looks so polished, as seen here on Gwyneth Paltrow and Freida Pinto. Depending on your makeup and what you're wearing, it can look retro -- think Cher -- or totally modern. The trick is keeping your hair looking shiny and healthy in the process. Here are our tips and some inspiration for ways to keep it straight.

- Start with damp hair and prep with a product suited to your hair type. If your hair is fine, choose a mousse. If your hair is unruly, use a de-frizz gel.
- Separate into sections to make the process more manageable.
- Grasp hair very close to the roots with a brush to release any kinks. Smooth through.
- Blow dry with a round brush, pulling through tightly to create tension.
- Spray with a thermal heat protection spray, then glide flatiron over small sections. Finish by combing pieces through for body.

- A great gel or cream that addresses your specific hair concerns. Our favorite is the Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry ($28; bumbleandbumble.com), a heat-activated cream that leaves even the thickest hair soft and manageable.
- A flat iron like the CHI Classic Ceramic flat iron ($100; target.com), which has tourmaline plates and won't scorch the hair shaft.

Bing Shopping: CHI Classic Ceramic flat iron

Solution: The key is in your prep-time. For hair as sleek and pin straight as Sofia Vergara, use a mega watt blow dryer like Sultra's The Siren ($175; sultra.com) before you smooth over with a flat iron and it will cut your straightening time in half.

Solution: Spray your strands with a thermal heat styling spray. The John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat ($6; drugstore.com) blocks humidity for a lasting sleek look, while soothing aloe moisturizes and protects hair from damage.

Bing Shopping: John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat

Solution: If your hair is fine, add a bit of flip to the ends like Kristen Bell. Look for a flat iron with plates that move slightly, like ghd's Pink Orchid ($200; ghdhair.com). The floating plates and curved edges glide seamlessly over any hair texture, and are perfect for creating movement at your ends.