Flat Iron Buying Guide
Straight, shiny and smooth hair has always been considered a standard of beauty since ancient times. Hairstyles and hair fashions have come and gone, but the look of straight shiny hair at various lengths is timeless. However, let’s face it, not all of us are blessed with the genes to have straight and frizz-free hair all the time.
Of course, you can always pop into your favorite salon and have your hair get some much-needed pampering. But usually we don’t have the luxury of time to have our hair treated. And more importantly, using chemicals to permanently straighten hair can lead to damaging consequences.
With flat iron hair straighteners, you can achieve the ravishing and sparkling straight hair that you desire in an instant and without using harmful chemicals.
Flat iron hair straighteners have evolved through time and technology to become the convenient and easy to use tools that we have now. Now you can do the straightening by yourself right in the comfort of your own home.
In today’s hectic lifestyle, having a flat iron hair straightener in your dresser is a must if you want smooth and frizz-free locks whenever you want it.
Shopping for a hair straightener in your local beauty products store can be a hair-splitting task, though. There are literally hundreds of different hairs straightener varieties out there. Carefully picking the right type of hair straightener is very important.
Some straighteners may be too harsh and damaging to your hair while others simply don’t produce results as well as you’d like. Most straighteners cause damage to the hair in one way or another. That’s why it is not recommended to use them on a daily basis. But with proper use and with proper conditioning of the hair, you can get silky, smooth and straight hair that is strong and healthy at the same time.
This buying guide aims to provide you with everything you need to know about flat iron straighteners — whether you are planning to buy your first hair straightener or you are looking for alternative options.
What Is A Flat Iron Hair Straightener?
A Flat Iron Hair Straightener is a tool used to change the structure of the hair by applying heat. It is one of three kinds of hair irons, of which the other two are the curling iron, which makes the hair curly, and the crimping iron, which adds crimps to the hair.
Electrical hair straighteners temporarily straighten the hair while taming the frizz and giving a lustrous glow. The hair straightener works by applying heat to the hair, which breaks down the keratin in the hair follicle. The keratin (the principal protein in hair) causes the hair to curl when it dries.
Hair straighteners soften the keratin with minimal damage to the hair follicle.
History Of The Flat Iron Hair Straightener
Since all flat iron hair straighteners today use electricity, most of you may think that they are a fairly recent invention. Actually, hair straighteners have been around for quite some time. In fact, hair irons date back to the 1700s.
For hundreds of years, women have attempted to straighten their hair using various tools and implements such as specialized heated combs. Early types of hair irons, which were no different from the flat irons used on clothes, were also used before chemical treatments to straighten hair were invented.
The modern flat iron hair straightener had its beginnings in 1882, when Erica Feldman started to use heated rods to straighten and style hair. It was renowned French hairdresser Marcel Grateau who popularized the use of irons to either curl or straighten the hair.
In the 1960s, women used clothing irons to straighten their hair, often with unfavorable results.
There were several patented inventions with the purpose of straightening hair. In 1906, Isaac K. Shero created a hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are pressed together to achieve the desired result.
However, it was Scottish woman Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield who is credited with inventing the hinged, two-plated heated straightening iron in 1912. Lady Schofield is also credited with inventing heated metal hair-care tools such as hot combs. New metal hair straighteners, that slide through hair easily, were also designed.
Today, there are many different varieties of hair straighteners. Most hair straighteners these days use either ceramic or tourmaline straightening plates.
Types of Flat Iron Straighteners
There are several types of hair straighteners available in the market today. Choosing one from the many can be quite daunting. But if you know the features of each one, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, picking the right one that fits your needs will be easier.
Here are the common types of flat iron straighteners available today:
a. Ceramic Hair Straightener
This type of hair straightener uses high quality ceramic baked heating plates instead of metal plates. Ceramic is microscopically smooth, which allows the plates to slide effortlessly through the hair.
While metal plates may have minute ridges and points that could catch and snag the hair, causing damage, ceramic plates doesn’t snag the hair, reducing hair breakage. Ceramic plates also conduct heat evenly and can be thermostatically controlled, eliminating hot spots that could fry the hair.
The constant temperature also makes it easier and faster to straighten the hair. The ceramic plate heats up within 30 seconds. With just one pass or two of the hair straightener, you can achieve the straight, frizz-free hair you want. Thus, the ceramic hair straightener can help you save a lot of time.
Ceramic hair straighteners are also versatile. They don’t just straighten; they can also help you style your hair in a number of ways. Usually, ceramic hair straighteners are available with wide heating plates (two inches or more).
But there are smaller hair straighteners available that allow you to get creative with your hairstyle. For example, you can use a one-inch wide ceramic hair straightener to create gentle waves and curls in your hair.
Ceramic hair straighteners are one of the most popular types of hair straighteners today. Many top salons use them instead of the old-fashioned metal ones. The advantage of the ceramic hair straightener is that it is safe, easy to us, heats up fast and straightens the hair quickly.
Ceramic also helps protect the hair by emitting gentle infrared heat that locks in moisture and prolongs hair color.
Most ceramic hair straighteners come with a simple, light, comfortable and ergonomic design, making them easy to use even on your own. If you have frizzy and curly hair and you frequently have the need to straighten it, the ceramic is the best choice for you.
Prices of ceramic hair straighteners can range from $20 to several hundreds of dollars for advanced models with additional bells and whistles.
b. Tourmaline Hair Straightener
This type of hair straightener uses tourmaline, a semi-precious mineral also known as complex aluminum borosilicate.
Tourmaline is used in this particular type of flat iron hair straightener because of its unique property when heated. It creates pyroelectricity, one end becomes positively charged and other becomes negatively charged. This property allows tourmaline hair straighteners to emit negatively charged ions that help smoothen the hair by sealing the cuticles. This also helps the hair retain moisture. The result is smoother, shinier and healthier hair.
Tourmaline plates are also smoother than ceramic, lessening friction when sliding it through the hair. Thus, using a tourmaline hair straightener can help condition the hair and prevent damage from frequent use.
Aside from producing better results, tourmaline also eliminates the need for more hair styling products to achieve the smooth, shiny and frizz-free look. Tourmaline, being a source of negative ions and far infrared rays, is also claimed to help improve circulation, relieve stress, and increase mental alertness.
The tourmaline crystal is usually crushed or ground then used in several ways in hair straightening tools. Some ceramic hair straighteners have tourmaline ‘infused’ in the ceramic plates while others have a thin coat of tourmaline over the plates.
Tourmaline hair straighteners are recommended if you have really curly or frizzy hair. They are readily available from your local drugstore to high-end beauty products stores. They usually cost around $20 for basic models to over $200 for models with advanced features.
c. Jade Hair Straightener
This type of hair straightener uses the semi-precious stone jade. The jade is typically infused within the ceramic plate of the straightener and helps radiate the heat that is necessary to soften and smoothen the hair. Just like ceramic and tourmaline, jade maintains an even temperature throughout each use. The jade straightening iron heats up to the desired temperature in less than 15 seconds.
Temperatures can range from 60 to 190 degrees Celsius and are completely adjustable. There are different temperature settings for all types of hair. The low setting is recommended for regularly dyed, bleached, damaged or fine hair. The middle range setting is best for normal hair and regular use.
Meanwhile, thick, coarse and extremely frizzy hair can be tamed using the jade hair straightener’s maximum setting. Jade hair straighteners also come with ergonomic designs for easier, more convenient and faster use.
d. Steam Hair Straightener
This hair straightener variety uses heat and steam to straighten hair. Most hair straightening irons are designed for use on dry hair (usually blow dried before the hair iron is applied). But the steam hair straightener can be used on damp hair.
Steam hair straighteners are usually made with ceramic hot plates but come with vent channels on the sides of the plates that extract moisture from the damp hair and turn it into steam that softens the hair and seals the hair cuticle.
There are many advantages of using steam hair straighteners. The main advantage is being able to use it on damp, towel dried hair. This eliminates the need for blow driers that can further damage the hair. Not using blow driers can also save time.
Also, steam hair straighteners can soften thick or coarse hair easier due to the steam. The effect is similar to pressing fabric using a steam iron.
Like other types of hair straighteners, steam hair irons are also available in different sizes and designs. Those with wider plates are best for longer hair while the narrower plates are best used on shorter hair.
Steam hair straighteners also come with temperature control. This allows you to adjust the heat according to the individual types of hair. The maximum heat settings are recommended for thick, coarse and frizzy hair. The lower heat settings are best for thin and fine hair.
Some steam hair irons even come with small teeth on the edges or on the plates, which combs the hair before it touches the hot plate. This feature is helpful in taming and styling curlier hair.
Some steam hair straighteners come with built-in water tanks that hold water in case the user wants to straighten dry hair. There are many varieties of steam hair straighteners available.
You should choose one based on your hair’s type, length, cut and style.
The steam hair straightener is a versatile tool and can be used for different hair types and styles. But the steam hair iron is not recommended if you have extremely curly hair or hair that is prone to frizz under humid conditions because the steam may cause more frizz.
The steam hair straightener is best for people with hair that is already fairly straight to begin with. Steam hair straighteners are available at beauty supply stores at prices that range from $30 to $100.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Hair Straightener
- Price – For many people, the price is probably the most important factor to consider. With hair straighteners, the more money you spend, the better product you will get. A good, well-built and reliable hair straightener should last for a long time. So, it may be wiser consider buying a more expensive hair straightener as a one-time investment that will serve you for several years to come. Nevertheless, there are many affordable but still good hair straighteners from brands such as Remington and Vidal Sassoon that can cost you anywhere from $40 to $50.
- Weight – Choose a hair straightener that is light and comfortable. If you have long hair or thick and curly hair, you wouldn’t want to get sore arms using the hair straightener for extended periods of time. When choosing hair straightener, pick the lightest and most comfortable one.
- Fit – For regular hair types, the recommended plate width is about 1.5 inches. If you have longer hair or extra curly hair, then it is best to get something wider.
- Plate type – Among the different types of hair straighteners, ceramic is still one of the most popular and proven effective and efficient. Many salons swear by ceramic hair straighteners as they claim it produces the best results. Tourmaline also produces excellent results due to its negatively charged ion technology.
- Heating time – For women who lead busy lifestyles, time is of the essence. To save time, choose a hair straightener that heats up quickly. One of the hair straightener models that are the fastest to heat up is the GHD straightener. It can heat up to 210 degrees F in 7 seconds. Most ceramic hair straighteners heat up fairly quickly.
Useful Reminders When Using Hair Straighteners
Hair straighteners, if used correctly, can be a great tool to style your hair. But all hair straighteners use heat that can always cause damage to the hair if used incorrectly or if the hair is not conditioned properly. So always use a heat-protection product such as a conditioner to prevent excessive damage to the hair. Never use an electric hair straightener on wet hair as this can result to electrocution.
It is best to straighten dry hair although some models of hairs straighteners such as steam hair irons do work on damp hair. Avoid using a hair straightener daily. Always clean your hair flat iron after a few uses. Fuzz and product can build up on the plates reducing their efficiency. The build up can also transfer to your hair causing damage. There are models that have removable plates for easy washing.
Conclusion
Flat iron hair straighteners help make your hair straight, smooth, shiny and free from frizz. They are available in several types, each with their own set of benefits. When choosing a hair straightener, make sure you pick one that straightens hair effectively within 20 minutes.
The best hair straighteners produce results that last for approximately nine to twelve hours. A good hair straightener should glide smoothly through the hair without getting tangled. It should be light, comfortable to hold and easy to handle.
Most people prefer the tong-style hair straighteners for easy handling. The hair straightener you should choose must have a fast heat-up time too. Always make sure to buy from a reputable retailer and choose a product that has a warranty. So the next time you head for the beauty supply section, we hope these tips will help you select a good flat iron hair straightener model.
