Kristina Lepore's hair makeover before and after

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

When Kristina Lepore, 25, O's associate fashion market editor, flatirons her curly hair, she aims for smooth, shiny results. What she gets instead: mostly limp hair, a few resistant kinks, and fried-looking ends. Yikes! Bumble and Bumble hairstylist Roz Murray showed Kristina a better way.
Straightening hair - step 1

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

Step 1
Work a silicone-based styling cream or serum through damp hair, starting an inch from the roots. Blow-dry your hair until it's about 75 percent dry. (If your hair is coarse or kinky, stop at about 50 percent.) use only your fingers, and tug your hair down from the root to straighten it.
Straightening hair - step 2

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

Step 2
Clip up the top half of your hair, parting it horizontally from ear to ear. Divide the bottom layer into four sections and, using a two-inch round brush, dry each one completely. Pull the brush slowly through your hair from underneath, and direct the nozzle of the dryer downward.

The best round brush: A combination of nylon and boar bristles creates the perfect amount of tension and smooths the hair as you dry it. Try Spornette Medium Porcupine Round Brush, $13; Spornette.com.
Straightening hair - step 3

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

Step 3
Repart hair, pulling it back from just above the temples on each side, and secure that section with a clip. Dry the remaining hair, again dividing into four sections. Twirl the ends around the brush and hold the dryer there for an extra couple of seconds.
Straightening hair - step 4

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

Step 4
Let down all your hair. Separate the remaining damp section into two sections, one in front of the other. With the round brush, pull each half up and back, directing the nozzle of the dryer behind you, to create a little lift around your face.
Straightening hair - step 5

Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D

Step 5
For extra smoothing, divide your hair the same way you did to blow-dry it, and run a one-inch flatiron through each section. One slow pass with the iron will be enough (too many make hair look fried). For the silkiest results, run a comb through each section just before the iron.

Next: Your biggest hair problems—solved!