If you’ve got curls, summer’s the best time to rock ’em! But sometimes, wavy-haired gals are looking for a sleeker look for a night on the town, a special occasion or just a change of pace. If you want to turn your ringlets into shiny, flat tresses without causing irreversible damage to your hair, there are a few tips you should listen to before you pick up that flat iron.

When it comes to picking out a flat iron, size matters. If you’ve got short hair, you don’t need a giant two-inch iron – all you need is a tool with small, easy-to-maneuver plates, like a half-an-inch or one-inch iron. For longer hair, larger flat irons will help you gather more hair at a time so the straightening process won’t be quite so time consuming. And don’t forget to hold the iron in your hand before you buy – anything uncomfortable or super-heavy will have you itching to put it down long before your ‘do is finished.

To protect your hair from unnecessary damage, always be sure to use plenty of conditioner in the shower before you get ready to blow dry and flat iron. And don’t use more heat than you need – cranking up the heat setting to 350+ degrees is a surefire way to end up with brittle, frizzy ends, unless you hair is kinky or coarse in texture.

Once finished, apply a shine serum and a spritz of hairspray, and you’re ready to go!