Flat Irons

A Guide to Finding the Best Flat Iron for You

When considering buying a new flat iron or hair straightener, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the most of your money. Spending a little extra money on a high quality flat iron now will be worth it in the future.

The single most important factor of a good flat iron are the plates. Tourmaline or ceramic plates, while more expensive, are essential to make sure your hair is not damaged. Plates made out of other, inexpensive materials are likely to damage your hair and provide undesirable results.

Second, look for temperature controls. Many flat irons are not equipped with an adjustable temperature control but rather have an “on” and an “off” setting. Adjustable temperature controls allow you to adjust the temperature to fit your specific style of hair, lessening the damage inflicted by the heat. A general rule is that fine hair requires a low temperature while thick or curly hair will call for a higher temp. Temperatures set too high for your hair type will cause damage to your hair and a temperature set too low will not style properly.

Third, the shape of a flat iron will affect the styles you can produce with the tool. A thinner hair straightener offers more versatility than a wider, thicker hair straightener and will allow you to curl, flip as well as straighten. On the other hand, if you simply intent to straighten your hair each day, a larger (2 inch) flat iron may be more beneficial.

Depending on how often you plan to use your flat iron, you may also want to consider the heating time. If you plan on using it for professional purposes or on a daily basis, you will want a one with a short heat up time. If you straighten your hair on an occasional basis, the length of time it requires to heat will be less influential in your decision. The length of cord is another convenience feature to consider. A longer cord is essential for hair straighteners which will serve a professional purpose and a nice feature when using it on a daily basis.

These factors are the most important features to consider when purchasing a flat iron and they will help determine which tool is right for you.