Forget baking your makeup, it's all about baking your hair. When it comes to hair straighteners, it's all too easy to overuse them, (as in every damn day) and it's not long before this starts to take its toll on your hair. Of course, there's absolutely no way we can banish straighteners and/or tongs altogether but it's all about using the right products in conjunction with the perfect technique. Using a heat protectant spray is absolutely key and making sure your appliance is set at the correct temperature is also essential for maintaining your hair's optimum health. Apparently, "baking" your hair is the way forward and Mark Fugate explained why this is the technique you should be following in a recent interview with Marie Claire. Mark chatted about baking involves using a heat protector first before using the appliance at a lower heat. Another important factor is that you need to allow for more time for a curl on the iron/tongs. Redken Thermal Protecting Spray The London-based stylist said:

"Baking is applying a heat protector, using a hot tool at a lower heat, and spending extra time letting a curl heat up around the iron correctly," explains Fugate. "It establishes even heat distribution".

He says that the best temperature to set your hair straightener and/or tongs at is 380 degrees as this is an agreeable heat. Depending on the length of your hair and how long it takes for your hair to hold a curl, the expert recommends using the heated appliance for 30 seconds to a minute on each section of hair. Mark also warned of the dangers of "microwaving", i.e, when your appliance is set to a ridiculously high temperature and your hair becomes "sizzled". Not only that, the quick heat up and the subsequent cool down process means the curl doesn't set properly so basically, you're damaging your hair for no reason at all. When hair is "baked", you should get the desired result and you're taking care of your locks in the process. Ideal. If your hair has been "microwaved" in recent times, applying a hydration masque will restore and replenish moisture. One step further to Disney Princess hair... Kerastase Nutritive Créme Magistrale