Beyoncé is straight and sleek

First, if you are going to be applying heat of up to 230 degrees to your hair, protect it. You certainly would not put anything like that kind of heat on your skin and think it would be okay; in fact you'd be in hospital so play nice with your hair and treat it with the Kevin Murphy heat protection products. Build up the protection by using the Protection Wash, Leave-in Protection Conditioner and then Straight Defence Balm.

The woman with curves that turn boys from the hood to quivering puppies with five shake of her jelly launched her new fragrance Heat in New York yesterday sporting long, sleek locks. Gone were the wild curls he whirls around her head on stage in the heat of performance to be replaced with glossy, honey lengths and side-sweeping fringe. All you single ladies can bet he certainly didn't straighten it herself but you can accomplish this level of sleekness with the right products.

To take curly hair to straight you do require the highest level of heat and plates that smooth the hair as they work. GHDs are still touted as the best but lots of straighteners now have the same capabilities and flashy plates - Nicky Clarke's Desired Salon Professional Hair Straightener and the Lee Stafford Poker Straight Superhero Straightener can both manage even Afro-textured hair.