What to look for when choosing a hair straightener
The quality of styling will depend on the characteristics of the straightener. Here are the main ones:
- Plate material. Not only the quality of styling, but also the health of the hair will depend on it. Accordingly, the more expensive the iron, the higher quality material it is made of. However, there are also cheaper ones with a more gentle effect. The best materials are considered to be ceramic, tourmaline and titanium plates. They heat up evenly and do not burn or electrify hair. There are also metal and Teflon coatings.
- Heating temperature. The maximum temperature to which a curling iron can be heated is considered to be 230 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature can be adjusted depending on the type and structure of the hair to avoid burning it.
- Plate size. Depending on the type of hair, it varies (from 1.5 to 4.0 cm). The wider the plate, the thicker and more unruly the hair should be. If you choose a wide plate for weak hair, it will be damaged. The standard size for normal short hair is considered to be a plate width of 2.5 cm and a length of 9 cm.
- Distance between plates. It is not recommended to purchase straighteners that have a gap (this is the distance that appears when the blades are compressed). This is due to the fact that the hair will be straightened unevenly, therefore, you will have to use the device several times, which negatively affects the hair structure.
- Additional functionality. As the price per iron increases, the number of functions also increases. The following can be added: ionization, which does not harm the hair and allows it to remain healthy, soft, manageable;
- modeling wet hair;
- volumetric straightening.
There are models that you should never buy. These include the following:
- Irons with metal coating. Although they are cheap, they seriously damage your hair. If you care about the condition of your hair, then think carefully before purchasing.
- Lack of thermoregulation function. It doesn’t matter whether this option will be automatic or you will have to configure it yourself, it is highly not recommended to buy irons with one unregulated temperature.
- The width and length of the plate should not extend across the entire rectifier. This is due to the fact that when working with it you can get burned.
Next, we will present hair curlers from different manufacturers and select the best from different price categories.
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The best flat irons with ceramic plates
Irons with ceramic working surfaces are the most popular and inexpensive models on the hair straightening device market. They can be purchased not only by those with healthy hair, but also by those with dull, dry and brittle hair (in the latter case, an amendment is important - the use of thermal protection is mandatory).
Ceramic plates must be frequently cleaned of cosmetics. Used during installation (foam, varnish) - the main disadvantage of the devices.
ProMozer MZ-7045
Price from 600 rub.
“An inexpensive corrugated iron for daily use” is how the manufacturers characterize the model. Ceramic coating, low power (45 W), a rotating cord, the presence of power and heating indicators, and a ribbed working surface are the main advantages of the device in question.
ProMozer MZ-7045
Advantages
- ceramic plates;
- low power;
- rotating cord;
- stylish design.
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Disadvantages
- short cord (1.5 m);
- heating up to 200º.
Rozia HR-722
Price from 1000 rub.
Hair curling iron allows you to create elastic curls with minimal negative impact on the hair structure. The presence of a thermally insulated tip and ion generator is the developers’ concern for safety during operation of the device. The device can easily be purchased on Aliexpress at the most attractive price.
The effect of the curling iron is waves of varying degrees of elasticity, which emphasizes the tenderness and naturalness of the owners of the hairstyle.
Rozia HR-722
Advantages
- thermally insulated tip;
- ion generator;
- fast heating;
- wide working surface.
Flaws
- bulky device.
Gemei GM-1952
Price from 600 rub.
An iron with a narrow working surface and a non-slip body, which can not only straighten a strand of hair, but also create delicate curls. Ceramic working surfaces provide a gentle effect on the hair, cover the scales, even out the structure and add shine.
The rotating base for the network cable is the key to long service life.
Gemei GM-1952
Advantages
- non-slip body;
- rotating network cable;
- ceramic plates;
- overheat protection.
Flaws
- narrow plates (not suitable for those with thick hair).
Which hair straightener (iron) is better to choose?
When choosing a suitable hair straightener, you need to study the characteristics of various models, as well as determine the amount you are willing to spend on a curling iron.
For short and thin hair, devices with a plate size of 1.5 to 3 cm are suitable. For long hair, a plate of at least 2 cm is required. You should also pay attention to the number of temperature settings. It is not recommended to buy a curling iron with only one mode, because... Over time, you can either grow your hair or, conversely, cut it off, and temperature has a strong effect on the structure of the hair. The optimal temperatures for different hair types are as follows:
- 150 degrees Celsius – split ends, thin hair;
- 180 degrees Celsius – normal colored hair;
- 200 degrees Celsius – unruly hair, curly, coarse.
If your hair is very curly and quite manageable, then you can buy a curling iron with a ceramic coating. But for women whose hair becomes electrified, it is recommended to purchase tourmaline coating. Those who are counting on a larger budget can afford to buy a straightener with titanium coating, because... it is safer for hair and is gentle even when used daily.
For women with thin and weak hair, it is recommended to purchase a curling iron with an ionization function or “micro-fog”. This way your hair will remain in good condition even if you use the device every day. Choose your device carefully, do not spare money on quality, and then you will be able to maintain the beauty, shine and silkiness of your hair.
The best titanium coated irons
Irons with titanium coated plates receive high ratings from consumers, because the device not only allows you to create new looks and add shine to your hair, but also reduces the time required for straightening or curling hair. Distinctive features of the coating are fast heating and maintaining the set temperature.
GA.MA Elegance (P21.ELEGANCE)
Cost from 2,650 rub.
A straightener suitable for any hair type, used by experienced hairdressers. A long cord rotating around its axis simplifies the procedure, and the innovative Micro Glitt keratin technology helps preserve natural keratin in the hair, closing the scales, giving the strands smoothness.
The presence of elongated floating plates with titanium coating promotes gentle straightening or curling of hair. Affordable cost of the product with high quality and ultra-thin design - these are the distinctive features of the iron.
GA.MA Elegance (P21.ELEGANCE)
Advantages
- long cord with a swivel mechanism;
- preservation of keratin in hair;
- extended floating plates;
- ultra-thin design.
Flaws
- There is no possibility to select the temperature mode.
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Ba Byliss PRO BAB2071EPE
Price from 5,100 rub.
Durable straightener with smooth plates (manufactured using EP 5.0 technology). The cord rotating around its axis facilitates the styling process. Thanks to several exposure modes, the device can be used by people with different hair types (temperature range from 170 to 230º).
The use of modern technologies in the development of the iron ensured uninterrupted operation of the device, high speed and accuracy of heating the plates (up to half a degree). The presence of an automatic shutdown function (if the device is not used for more than 72 minutes) allows not only to extend its service life, but also to save the owner’s budget.
Ba Byliss PRO BAB2071EPE
Advantages
- durability;
- a cord rotating around its axis;
- temperature range from 170 to 230º;
- high heating speed and accuracy.
Flaws
- high cost of the device.
DEWAL 03-410 Royal
Price from 2,700 rub.
A convenient and stylish iron with a gentle hair styling mode (titanium-tourmaline coating, movable plates and a wide range of temperature conditions).
The presence of a rotating long network cable included, a digital display, a side control panel and a smooth body cover are design features that make the work of the master comfortable.
DEWAL 03-410 Royal
Advantages
- titanium-tourmaline coating of moving plates;
- possibility of temperature regulation;
- long cord;
- digital display.
Flaws
- No cons found.
What is a steam straightener?
To prevent people from confusing it with a clothes iron when purchasing a device, it is also called a straightener. Steam hair straighteners have another name - steampods.
The device has the shape of tongs with wide plates equipped with a steam generator. During operation, steam comes from the holes of the plates, which straightens the hair. Thanks to the steam, the iron is more gentle.
There are:
Styler – ideally straightens unruly strands.
Multistyler - not only gives your hair perfect smoothness, but also, due to the presence of various attachments, can curl it into small and large curls, as well as make corrugations.
The hair straightener with steam generator comes with a paper test strip to determine water hardness. If the water from your tap is too hard, it is better to purchase distilled water. Otherwise, you will not be able to avoid scale build-up in the water tank and the appliance may break down.
Nuances of choice
When purchasing a hair care device, consider the following:
- Those with thick hair need to purchase a device with wide plates; girls with thin strands will want narrow elements.
- There are fixed and floating plate mounting options. The first presses the strands tightly and straightens them better. The second fastening option moves with the curls, which protects against overheating. Consequently, the floating plate mount is more gentle on the hair, while the fixed plate mount straightens it more effectively. The choice is yours.
- The plates differ in shape: straight, which can only be used to straighten hair, and rounded, which can be used to straighten and curl curls.
- The optimal exposure temperature is 100-210 degrees. The faster the device heats up, the more convenient it is.
- Availability of various attachments.
When choosing a steam straightener, pay special attention to the material of the plates. They can be:
- Made of metal. It harms your hair.
- Made of ceramics, which is gentle on the strands.
- Made of titanium. This material is used to make plates for professional straighteners.
- From tourmaline. These plates promote better glide.
- Made of Teflon, which ensures smooth gliding and gentle straightening.
Choose the best steam hair straightener using our tips. And such a straightener will become your personal stylist, who will instantly cope with unruly strands sticking out in all directions.