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The long, straight, flowing hair styles that rock today's runways may seem impossible to get without hours of wrestling with your flat iron-especially if you have naturally curly, kinky, or wavy hair. But don't despair! There's hassle-free hope in keratin-based straightening treatments that cut the frizz without damaging your hair.

Celebrities like Nicole Richie swear by keratin treatments to keep their hair relaxed, lustrous, and easy to style for months at a time. The best news? Keratin is a protein that actually heals damaged hair while protecting it from environmental toxins and the effects of humidity. Here are our five top tips on how to maximize the power of keratin to get the straight, beautiful hair you crave:

1. Get the full treatment. The treatment system, which even works on color-treated or chemically-processed hair, eliminates up to 95% of frizz and curl. Best of all, it leaves hair looking smooth, shiny, and luxurious for 3 to 6 months.

2. Steer clear of formaldehyde. Not all keratin straightening treatments are the same. Brazilian keratin treatments have generated a lot of buzz-but the secret ingredient is formaldehyde, a toxic carcinogen that you don't want to mess with. That's why our stylists use the formaldehyde-free Keratin Complex Hair Therapy system, which gives you the same look you want without the toxins you don't.

3. Hold the salt. Sodium chloride can wreak havoc on your newly straightened hair by breaking the keratin bonds. Stick to salt-free hair-care products, like j.f. lazertigue's Smoothing Straightening Shampoo, to maintain your smooth, shiny style between treatments.

[Hot tip! Shampoos for color-treated hair are uniquely suited for keratin-treated hair, as they are less stripping than other cleansers. Try Rene Furterer's Okara Protective Radiance Shampoo to protect those essential keratin bonds and keep your hair well hydrated at the same time.]

4. Nourish your hair. Straightening isn't the only advantage to keratin. It also nourishes and strengthens hair. To heal damaged hair, try the FXULITES Potent Reparative Complex from Suddzfx, which combines a keratin-repairing complex with ingredients such as honey, wheat protein, and grapefruit extract to keep hair healthy, beautiful, and moisturized.

5. Iron it out. Keratin treatments will leave your hair frizz-free-but you will still need to do some touch-ups for a truly straight look. Keep a straightening iron such as the FHI Technique G2 at the ready for a quick maintenance check before you head out the door.

Ann H. Carlson is an expert beauty writer for Beauty Collection, one of the top beauty retailers in the world (Women's Wear Daily, March 2009). Beauty Collection carries over 200 prestige beauty brands like beautycollection.com/Brands/moroccan-oil Moroccan Oil, and beautycollection.com/Brands/Keratin-Complex Keratin Complex. It showcases all beauty categories including skin care, hair care, makeup, fragrance, hair tools, and more.