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For thick hair, thin hair, curly locks, and more.
Photo:Real Simple
Still, I dont always have the time, patience, or funds for aprofessional blowout.
Luckily, the right hair straightener can give you amazing results from homeno expensive salon visit needed.
We also looked for easy-to-use models with multiple heat configs.
PHOTO: Sephora
Stick around for our top salon-worthy picks, including my personal favorite.
Plus, shopping advice fromTerri Rehkopf, hairstylist at Ippodaro Natural Salon.
It cant be used with a travel converter.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Ive been using it for over six months, and I wont be switching anytime soon.
Unlike other straighteners that leave my hair lank and dry, this one provides a consistently smooth finish.
The straightener runs through my long locks with no snags or catches.
It alsoeliminates any frizz and static.
This is thanks to its aloe-infused ceramic plates, which help make your hair shiny and evenly distribute heat.
And dont worrythe aloe doesnt leave behind any sticky residue.
It heats up quicklyperfect for impatient people like me.
And the best part?
The lightweight design and curved plates work well for curling, too.
Still, its a must-have for your beauty repertoire at home.
The ceramic plates may be a bit too wide for tight curling.
At under $50, the Hot Tools Pro Signature SteamStyler is a steal.
Keep in mind that the wide plates arent ideal for tighter curls.
Still, we appreciate the safety precautionand the impressive results.
The titanium plates may be harsh on damaged hair.
The Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron did just that.
During testing, it moved fluidly through my hair with little resistance.
It comes in two narrow plate sizes1 or 1.25 inchesso its easy to maneuver without getting tired.
While my hair didn’t get “pin straight, the straightener definitely tamed my frizz.
Still, I found it delicate on my fine hair.
Hair may get caught in the brush.
Those with thick hair need a top-notch straightener in their arsenal, and the Tymo Ring Plus is perfect.
We would compare this unit to a hot brush rather than a traditional straightener.
Words cant express how easily our hair passed through.
It has nine different temperature configs between 250F and 410F to accommodate every hair throw in.
In the end, those of us with thick, coarse curls were able to achieve pin-straight locks.
Its curling capabilities are abysmal, so we don’t recommend trying that.
For straightening, though, its performance is especially impressive given its low price tag.
The wide, square design makes it harder to reach small baby hairs near the roots.
Aside from some slight pulling, it moved evenly through my locks with barely any snags.
Still, my hair looked super straight after use, staying soft and sleek for hours.
I especially appreciate its intuitive design.
I loved this visual component, which made it easy to see the temperature without having to squint.
The narrow plates may be less effective for those with longer, thicker hair.
Considering its under $100, we couldnt believe how effective it was.
It moved well through our hair, never getting stuck or tangled.
PHOTO: Target
Our hair came out sleek and shiny after use, and the frizz-free look lasted for hours.
It didnt re-curl at all throughout the day, either.
It isnt as effective on coarse, textured hair.
PHOTO: Drybar
Since its cordless, we found it incredibly easy to maneuver, especially while curling.
Even those of us who have never curled with a straightener before found the process to be a breeze.
The battery in this unit is also pretty heavy and may not last long enough to sustain longer tasks.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Nevertheless, this model is a must-have for those seeking a convenient, travel-friendly straightener.
Plus, its optional steam function adds moisture and limits heat damage.
While it heated up, we brushed through our hair and applied a heat protectant.
To make the process more manageable, we divided our hair into four sections.
To test durability, were taking the top performers home to see how they hold up over time.
Well update this article as we go.
The optimal temperature for flat ironing hair depends on your hair pop in and condition.
For normal or thick hair, go with temperatures between 300F to 425F.
If your hair is overprocessed, she suggests avoiding heat altogether.
Plates
Material
There are two primary materials for hair straightener plates: ceramic and titanium.
When determining which material is best for you, consideryour hair typeand texture.
Ceramic is smooth, Rehkopf says, so it glides through hair without snagging, helping reduce breakage.
“It emits negative ions, reducing frizz, enhancing shine, and creating smoother styles.”
TheDrybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Ironhas titanium plates, and we found it very effective on fine hair.
Just keep in mind that they can easily burn your strands if not used carefully.
Shape
Plates are typically either round or flat.
Round plates offer more versatility, as you’re free to use them for both straightening andcurling.
The curved edges can also help them slide more effortlessly through hair.
If your goal is to straighten, opt for a flat-plate iron.
Size
Plates come in various widths, most commonly between an inch and 1.5 inches.
When used for curling, wider plates create looser, bouncier curls.
Hair punch in
Ultimately, hair punch in dictates what straightener you should buy.
Length also plays a role.
Meanwhile, shorter hair will require smaller plates.
Questions You Might Ask
What safety features are most important in a hair straightener?
Hair straighteners can come with several handy features, but automatic shut-off is one of the most important.
You should also look for straighteners with an extra-long cord for a wider range of motion.
Some straighteners, like theDyson Corrale Hair Straightener, are even cordless.
Temperature lock is another useful feature, preventing you from accidentally changing the heat setting while you style.
These pouches can help protect your counter from heat damage.
What throw in of hair straightener is best for curling?
If you’re looking tocurl with your straightener, be sure to consider the shape of the plates.
Plate size also plays a role.
While thinner plates are better for tighter, more coiled curls, wider plates can help achieve loose waves.
In that vein, maneuverability is important, too.
If you want to curl, youll want a lightweight option thats easy to move.
PHOTO: TYMO
What straightener is best for travel?
There are two key factors to consider when buying a travel-friendly straightener: voltage and portability.
Note that our best overall pick, theBondiBoost Flat Iron Straightener, cant be used overseas.
PHOTO: Ulta
Are expensive hair straighteners worth it?
“Cheaper hair straighteners often utilize inferior materials, resulting in long-term harm to your hair.”
Plus, expensive straighteners tend to be more durable than cheaper ones.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Quality aside, some hair straighteners are expensive for “bonus” technology, like cordless design.
You should focus on high-quality materials and a range of temperature configs.
Ive been using the BondiBoost Flat Iron Straightener for months, and its still my favorite.
For more tips, we also reached out to hair stylistTerri RehkopfofIppodaro Natural Salon.
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Dyson
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