If sleek, poker-straight hair is on your wishlist, you ought to purchase a hair straightener that’ll bring you closer to achieving the hair of your dreams. The right hair straightener can last you years, coming to your aid for a casual brunch with friends or date night with your boo—it’s worth the investment.
Besides, a flat iron goes beyond giving you straight, shiny strands; if utilized the right way, you can welcome heaps of volume to your hair, courtesy of soft waves or curls. All in all, a hair straightener is your ticket to attaining your hair goals in a single swipe!
But picking the right product is no easy task—given the abundance of variants in the market. When making the daunting decision, take into consideration the shape of the flat iron, the width of the plate, temperature controls, and price point, among other vital factors. Fret not, for we are here to help you make a choice you won’t regret.
Choose The Right Shape
Buy hair straightener online which is primarily flat, its edges may impact its versatility. A flat iron with sharp edges will give you straight hair, while one in which the plates and outer edges are more rounded can double up as a curling iron.
Examine The Plate Width
If you possess a fuller mane with thick strands, opt for a straightener with wider plates, as they can gather more hair and heat in lesser strokes. Meanwhile, if you have fine hair, choose one with narrower plates that expend less heat—plus, they are more travel-friendly! Remember to inspect the material used to create the plates more closely, such as titanium or ceramic, based on your hair type and needs.
Inspect The Temperature
While high heat translates to quicker and more effective straightening, invest in a product that offers adjustable heat settings to curtail hair damage. For fine hair, a low heat setting would do, whereas for a thick mane, you might have to play with a higher heat setting.
Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cheap straighteners don’t tend to be durable and may inflict more damage on your tresses. They unevenly apply heat and may overheat, threatening to burn your strands. A more expensive alternative will likely last longer, offer greater heat protection, and minimize damage to your tresses.
How To Pick a Straightener Based On Your Hair Type
- Fine Hair: Avoid reaching for straighteners that don’t offer multiple heat settings; finer, thin strands do not require too much heat. In addition, pick a ceramic hair straightener that smoothens your tresses, evenly distributing heat across your strands.
- Thick Hair: For a fuller, voluminous mane, opt for a straightener that offers a high heat setting to get the desired look in a shorter amount of time. A hair straightener at a low heat setting will need you to go over the same section of hair over and over again, causing greater damage. Grab a titanium straightener that heats up quickly and consistently.
- Curly Hair: Frizzy, curly hair is expectedly harder to straighten—hence, requiring wider plates that lend more grip and cover more sections in one go. Opt for a tourmaline straightener that is effective even at low temperatures.
- Damaged Hair: If your hair is severely damaged, ideally, steer clear of heated hair styling tools. However, if you’re left with no choice, pick a straightener that offers multiple heat settings with rounded edges to prevent snagging. To limit hair damage, pick a heated brush instead of a straightener. Else, opt for a titanium-plated hair straightener that relies on ionic technology to seal your hair cuticle.
A Step-By-Guide To Using a Hair Straightener
- Begin by cleansing your mane to get rid of dirt, grime, greasiness, and other impurities.
- Comb and detangle any knots, and follow it up with a heat-protectant serum to minimize damage.
- Blow dry your hair, as you mustn’t expose damp hair to a flat iron. Doing so can worsen the damage, as wet strands are weaker and more prone to breakage.
- Once your hair is dry, section your hair and begin straightening it—making your way from the roots to the ends. Repeat on all sections of your hair.
- For beach waves or soft curls, pivot the straightener 180 degrees away from your face and gently pull through to the ends of your strands. Repeat on all sections of your hair.
Conclusion
Hair styling tools are a lifelong investment. Look to purchase a hair straightener that suits your hair type and texture and doesn’t break the bank either. Bear in mind the shape, temperature, and plate width of the straightener when making a purchase, and do not forget to spritz on a heat protectant before exposing your strands to heat. The hair of your dreams is just one buy away!