How to make hair not look puffy without making it look wet and being sticky?

Okay so I'm growing out my hair. It is at 2 1/2 inches. I'm growing it out to about 4 inches. Its at the start of that puffy awkward stage.





My hair is puffy. I blow dry it and Iron it but the hair is still puffy. Is there any way to make it not puffy without having to make it look wet and sticky.How to make hair not look puffy without making it look wet and being sticky?
Try a leave in conditioner or a heat protectant when putting heat to it. That should help!