A: Styling products, a round brush, and a blowdryer should be your new best friends if you want your hair straighter. Work a dollop of straightening gel (like my favorite Phytotherathrie Phytodefrisant Hair Straightening Balm $18; available at ibeauty.com and beauty.com) into lightly towel dried hair, making sure to evenly distribute it and comb it through to the ends. There are many brands out there, but I like Phytotherathrie Phytodefrisant the best because it works and it's not sticky or stiff. Use a round brush, preferably natural bristle (like from jean-pierre-creations.com), on sections of hair as you are drying. Take sections of hair from the root onto the brush and pull it straight as you aim the blowdryer on the hair (do it quickly so you don't expose the hair to too much heat). The straightening balm needs the heat of the dryer and the tension of the brush to help the hair straighten, so don't expect to just put the balm on and blowdry as usual. The more you use this method of drying your hair, the easier it will become. I style my hair like this every day and it takes only 5-10 minutes.

In terms of hair style and length, I also have wavy hair and I find that wearing it mostly all one length and medium to long in length, rather than short, helps weigh the hair down and makes it easier to control. Try a cut that is near or just past shoulder length.

Finally, talk to your hairdresser about products and styling that she suggests for you. She knows your hair and can help you work with the texture.