Best Flat Iron 2023 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

Oh I am guessing …

Your flat iron needs replaced, and so now you are in the market for a brand new flat iron for your hair.

If you are a regular flat iron user, you will want to think very carefully about your decision. Know what to look for before you shop. Not every person and not all hair types are the same.

So you will need to know what is best for your hair, it’s condition, and your styling uses before buying your next flat iron.

In this article, we will help you understand a little bit more about the differences between flat irons and hair types so that you will be able to choose one of the best flat irons for your hair.

You’ve been looking online, so you already have probably found hundreds of products to choose from. You might not really have given much thought to the differences among brands.

Are you considering making your decision based on other things than quality?

It is not uncommon for budget conscious people to allow for price to be the deciding factor between brands. Who doesn’t want to save money? But is important to consider value besides just price. Are you sacrificing quality to save a few dollars? You may have saved money, but it is very possible and risky to purchase based on price. You get what you pay for in most cases. So if you replace your flat iron with a low cost model, you might soon be in the market for another flat iron, and reading this article again.

Best Flat Irons 2023

After researching online and spending hours in testing these Flat Irons, I have shortlisted the top 10 Flat Irons which you can buy right now.

Flat Iron Model

Plate Width

Material

Heat Settings

HSI Professional Ceramic

1-inch

Ceramic Tourmaline

240°F to 400°F

Remington S8510

1-inch

Ceramic

Up to 400°F

BaBylissPRO Porcelain

1-1/2 inch

Ceramic

Up to 450°F

ghd Classic

1-inch

Contoured Ceramic

Up to 400°F

Sedu

1-inch

Ceramic

140°F to 450°F

Karmin G3

1-inch

Ceramic

Up to 450°F

CHI Original Pro

1-inch

Ceramic Tourmaline

Up to 400°F

RUSK Engineering CTC

1-1/4 inch

Ceramic titanium

Up to 450°F

MHD Professional

1-1/4 inch

Negative Ionic

Up to 446°F

TYME

1-inch

Titanium

Up to 400°F

When looking for a hair straightener, you’ll want to look for a number of things: Usability, a tool that is very effective, something that gets hot very quickly, and something that can be used for a variety of hairstyles. Thankfully, the HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener has all of these!

It is perfectly suitable for a variety of hairstyles. Whether you want to straighten your hair, curl your hair, or flip your hair, it can handle that style. Part of it is the heating technology that it uses, which heats up the ceramic and tourmaline plates until they are hot enough to give you whatever hairstyle you can imagine! Best of all, it heats very quickly, so you can get through your morning routine much faster!

It’s also very usable, with a power cord that rotates, so you aren’t constantly readjusting it while styling your hair. It’s also narrow enough to use on small bits of hair, such as your bangs, while also being perfect for large portions of hair. Do you travel? Because it’s a great tool to take on the road!

Pros
  • Can straighten, curl, and flip your hair with one tool.
  • Heats to high temperatures very quickly.
  • Comes with a sample of Argan oil, as well as a travel case.
  • Cord rotates, so it can be used without repositioning.
  • Narrow enough for use on bangs, as well.
  • Perfectly sized for travel!
Cons
  • Might not be as long lasting as other products.
Remington S8510 – Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener

Frizz is a big problem, especially for those who straighten their hair. But now, with the Remington S8510 Anti Frizz Therapy Straightener, you don’t have to worry about frizz anymore!

Remington S8510

Like a lot of other modern day straighteners, this product uses ceramic plates that are heated to straighten your hair. But, while other straighteners leave your hair unhealthy, burnt, and frizzy, the Remington S8510 uses ceramic plates that are treated with special conditioners, so that you can be sure that your hair comes out as healthy and frizz-free as possible!

It also offers a range of heating options that you can choose for yourself. This temperature range goes from 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so that you can customize your straightening experience. It also boasts a turbo boost button, so that you can crank it up to the maximum heat level with one touch. Best of all, it heats quickly, taking as little as thirty seconds.

There are other perks, as well. For those concerned with safety, or who often forget to turn their straighteners off, there’s an automatic sixty minute shutoff. There is also a swivel cord, for greater maneuverability.

Pros
  • Fast heating time: Takes as little as thirty seconds!
  • Temperature control, which ranges from 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Sixty minute auto shutoff for extra safety.
  • Turbo boost button that raises it to the highest heat setting.
  • Swivel power cord.
Cons
  • Can possibly leave hair feeling a bit dry.
BaBylissPRO Porcelain – Best Babyliss Flat Iron

One of the tools most commonly used by professional hair stylists are BaByliss hair straighteners. They’re some of the best straighteners on the market today. That’s why the BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron is a good choice for those looking for a new hair straightener.

BaBylissPRO Porcelain

It boasts many of the features that people look for. It has extra wide plates so that it can tackle even thick, coarse hair. It does this by using not only ceramic in their plates, but porcelain, as well. That’s one of the reasons that the BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron stands out! It can also heat these plates up to a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, for easy styling. If you are having a hard time finding straighteners that can work on your hair because of its texture or thickness, try this one!

But, there are some downsides. When purchasing a BaByliss product, you should always be on the lookout for fakes. There are fraudulent products out there! There have also been a few reports of straighteners dying suddenly, and one customer reporting burnt hair. Always make sure your product is legitimate!

Pros
  • Extra wide plates ensure a smooth finish for even coarse hair.
  • Heats up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Uses porcelain and ceramic plates for smoother hair.
  • Produced by BaByliss, a trusted name in hair care.
Cons
  • There are knockoffs, so take care when purchasing!
  • Some buyers reported short product life.
  • One buyer reported hair being burned.
ghd Classic 1-inch Styler – Best Flat Iron for Black Hair

When looking for a hair straightener that works and that can travel with you, a great option is the ghd Classic 1-inch Styler. This straightener, produced by the well-trusted company ghd, is a favorite of professional hairstylers everywhere!

ghd Classic 1-inch Styler

It has a lot of wonderful features that you are sure to love. The ceramic plates heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so that your style is sure to hold. And you can choose between straightening, curling, or flipping your hair! The cord is nine feet long, for easier movement. And, if you travel, your straightener has universal voltage; it will work anywhere in the world! If you’re worried about safety, it has a thirty minute sleep mode to put your mind at ease!

There are some cautions, however. Knockoffs of popular brands, including ghd, are common on the internet. These products tend to have more malfunctions and aren’t as high quality as those actually made by ghd. These lead to reports of short life for your straightener, sleep mode not working, and even hair being burned. Before buying, ensure that your product is actually made by ghd!

Pros
  • Can be used for straightening, curling, and/or flipping your hair.
  • Can be used for all hair types and lengths.
  • Doesn’t snag.
  • Universal voltage, which makes it perfect for traveling.
  • Goes into sleep mode after thirty minutes without use, for safety.
  • Very long nine foot cord for extra maneuverability and easy use!
Cons
  • There are knockoffs, so take care when purchasing!
  • There are reports of hair being burned by knockoffs.
Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic

For those who want a sleek, frizz- and static-free hair style, you’ll want to choose the Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic 1″ Styling Iron. It’s one of the more unique hair straighteners on the market. It fights your static and frizz through its revolutionary use of black tourmaline gemstone infused onto the ceramic plates themselves, so that you can be sure your next hairstyle really is a gem! The plates are an inch wide, perfect for all types of hair. And, for those who prefer to be safe rather than sorry, it comes with a two year warranty!

Sedu Revolution

This product, however, comes with a few cautions. There are fraudulent products using this brand name on the internet, and these products tend to have a lot of safety hazards. For instance, one customer reported her cord actually popping open once plugged in, exposing the wiring. If fraudulent, your warranty will not be honored, either. Take caution!

Real Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic also have a problem with some of their plates dying at times.

Pros
  • Ceramic plates are infused with black tourmaline gemstone for a reduction in frizz and static.
  • One inch wide plates are perfect for all types of hair.
  • Comes with a two year warranty.
Cons
  • There have been reports of plates going out, normally one at a time.
  • There are fraudulent products out there, so be cautious.
Karmin G3 Salon – Best Professional Flat Iron

When looking for a hair straightener that can really do it all, you should definitely check out the Karmin G3 Salon Professional Ceramic Flat Iron. This flat iron certainly works wonders, and can replace most of the tools in your hair styling kit. It can curl, straighten, and flip your hair. It can also add body and volume to your hair. To ensure that it does this without leaving your hair frizzy and staticky, black tourmaline is infused into the plates. To make it more convenient, heating these plates is done in a snap. After just thirty seconds, you’re ready to style!

Karmin G3 Salon

For those who like freebies, this product also comes with a free heat mat and a carrying case, which is a great steal with a $$$ value!

There are some cautions when using the Karmin G3 Salon Professional, however. It might not do as well in very thick or very wavy hair. Even more distressing, there have been reports of wiring or overheating in products, as well as a few customers that reported burnt hair.

Pros
  • Can curl, straighten, or flip your hair, as well as add body and volume.
  • Plates are infused with black tourmaline for better results.
  • Comes with a free heat mat and a free case.
  • Heats in as little as thirty seconds.
Cons
  • Can be hard to use on very thick or very wavy hair.
  • Possibly some wiring or overheating issues.
  • A few purchasers reported burned hair.
CHI Original Pro 1” – Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron

One of the most trusted brands in hair straightening is CHI. It’s used in both homes and in professional salons. It’s no wonder that the CHI Original Pro 1” Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener produces such a wonderful, sleek style! It has a lot of capabilities, as well. It can flip, curl, wave, or straighten your hair with just the one tool!

CHI Original Pro

The plates are tourmaline ceramic, which ensures silkier hair, and they heat up quickly. A swivel cord guarantees freedom of movement. For those that worry, there’s a two-year limited warranty available.

You should take caution when buying a CHI Original Pro 1” Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron online, however. There are a lot of fraudulent products that claim to be CHI manufactured, but aren’t. These are normally poor quality, and don’t last as long, nor do they product the same quality. Be careful!

Real CHI Original Pro 1” Ceramic Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straighteners have a few problems, as well, though they are minor. There is only one heat setting to choose from, and the plates aren’t solid ceramic, but just plated with the ceramic.

Pros
  • Can be used to create straight, curly, flipped, or wavy hair.
  • Uses tourmaline ceramic for silkier hair.
  • Quick heat up.
  • Swivel cord, for better maneuverability.
  • Limited two year warranty.
Cons
  • Buyer beware: There are knockoffs on the internet! Ensure yours is real before purchase.
  • Only one heat setting available.
  • Only ceramic coated, not pure ceramic.
RUSK Engineering CTC Technology

With the RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron, you are looking at a great deal of upsides. It’s a bit larger than other straighteners, with its plates measuring one and a quarter (1 1/4”) inches instead of the typical one. That makes it a good choice for those with thicker, harder to style hair. It also uses titanium infused ceramic plates, which will leave your hair not only straight, but sleek and glossy, as well.

RUSK Engineering CTC Technology

The sol-gel technology will certainly aid in that, too! For those who need to take their hair styling tools on the road, never fear: The RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron is light enough to travel with you!

There are, however, a few downsides to using the RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron. The first is that some consumers have reported a short product life, with the straightener lasting less than a year. There have also been reports of receiving previously used products, with the packaging tampered with and the warranty information missing. This is common in knockoffs, so ensure that you’re purchasing a legitimate RUSK straightener, and that you’re buying it new!

Pros
  • A bit larger at one and a quarter (1 1/4”) inches; good for thicker hair.
  • Uses titanium infused ceramic plates for sleeker results.
  • Plates use sol-gel technology.
  • Lightweight enough to travel with!
Cons
  • Some consumers report short product life.
  • Be careful: There have been reported cases of non-functioning equipment.
MHD Professional Flat Iron – Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair

The MHD Professional Flat Iron Hair Straightener is a professional quality hair styling tool that you can own yourself!

This iron does a bit of everything. Not only can it straighten, but it can curl and wave your hair just as well. It does this by using three different heat settings, so you can choose what’s best for you.

MHD Professional Flat Iron

To ensure that your hair is its most gorgeous, ion technology is used to create shiny, healthy hair! For those who are forgetful, there is a sleep mode that turns the straightener off after thirty minutes.

There aren’t a lot of downsides to the MHD Professional Flat Iron Hair Straightener, and most of them are only rarely experienced. The most common complaint is that the hairstyles created with the MHD Professional Flat Iron Hair Straightener don’t hold very well at times, and can disappear relatively quickly. There can also be a humming sound emitted when this straightening iron is heated. The rarest complaint, but the most important, is that some customers have found their products to have a short life, dying before they’re intended to.

Pros
  • Is salon-grade, and creates a beautiful finish!
  • Can be used to not only straighten, but to curl and wave hair, as well.
  • Three heat settings.
  • Releases ions for healthier and more beautiful hair.
  • Goes into sleep mode after thirty minutes without use.
Cons
  • There are some reports of a humming sound when heating.
  • A few customers have reported short product life.
  • Style may not hold for long in some hair.
TYME Iron – Best Titanium Flat Iron

The TYME Iron is one of the more difficult straighteners to use, but can work for you. It has the capability to both curl and straighten your hair, and uses gold plated titanium plates. When on, it heats up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a free online video session with a virtual hairstylist, so that you can better learn how to use your new TYME Iron.

TYME Iron

This straightener has more problems than most others, and can be a lot to handle for someone who wants something they can use right out of the box. For instance, it is very difficult to use, and you have to practice before you can really use it steadfastly. Most consumers also agree that the hairstyles don’t last very long, and that the curls are gone very quickly. Even the straightening it does is problematic, producing frizz. There is also only one heat setting, occasionally resulting in burnt or damaged hair.

It’s a mixed conclusion but, if you’re alright with the problems, then the TYME Iron is right for you.

Pros
  • Comes with gold plated titanium plates.
  • Heats up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Comes with a free video session with a virtual stylist.
Cons
  • Very difficult to use, and requires practice to create curls.
  • Hairstyles don’t stay for long, and curls fall flat.
  • Straightener produces frizz.
  • Only one heat setting.
  • There have been cases of burnt or damaged hair.

Who Uses Flat Irons?

Flat irons are popular hair care products that have become very popular in the last few decades. Super straight hair has been in fashion for ladies for about two decades now. And flat irons have become very popular tools in helping to achieve poker straight locks. They can be used to straighten, smooth, and reduce excess volume in all types of hair. They are also used for many types of styling techniques seen both at home and in the salon.

What are Flat Irons?

Flat irons are electronic hair styling tools that use heat to straighten segments of hair. They are made with two handles attached by a springed hinge. The handles are usually plastic and stay cool to the touch during use. The ends of each handle will have a heat plate on either side.

The plates can be made from a variety of materials which will affect the performance of the flat iron. The plates also vary in. You will find the quality and craftsmanship of the plates and the design will vary with the price.

Plates Size Chart

Plate Size

Hair Length

Hair Texture

1” to 1.25”

Short & Medium

Normal

1” to 1.5”

Medium

Normal

1.25” to 2”

Medium & Long

Normal

1.5” to 2”

Medium

Coarse, thick or curly

1.5” to 3”

Long

Thick or curly

How are Flat Irons Used for Styling?

While flat irons are used for straightening, they can also be used for making waves and curls. You can use them to make fun patterns and crimps. They are great for making bangs and short pieces behave. If you have an edgy cut or hairstyle, you can show off your cut by keeping it razor sharp.

Flat irons are an essential for many people who struggle with frizzy hair. They can drastically reduce the frizz and create a sleek look. They are also great for people with natural curls that are difficult to manage. People with naturally curly hair are all too familiar with the struggle of keeping frizz, static, and volume under control. A flat iron is a must have for you.

Also Read: Silver Hair Dye

How much Should I Spend on A Flat Iron?

Some things that might influence your decision are discounts, coupons, or sales. Or maybe you are going to buy from a certain store because you have a credit card with that company. Maybe you have found the coolest shade of neon green that matches perfectly with all your other green accessories. Or maybe you want a certain brand because you are happy with other products in that line. There are many things that run through a person’s head when making a decision.

You will find a wide price range for flat irons. There are some bargain brands available that can cost as low as twenty dollar, and some luxury brands that cost several hundred dollars. Why such a wide range of price? The low end bargain brand flat irons are made with lower cost materials such as cheap metals, or glass plates.

Some bargain brand flat irons will feature a ceramic coating, which is often very thin and can quickly become worn down with repeated and frequent use. So we don’t recommend to purchase these, unless you use your flat iron infrequently, or unless you have hair that behaves well.

If you are using your iron daily, or if you are a stylist. You will want to invest some money into a quality flat iron to get the results you desire.

What Specific Features do I Want in My Flat Iron?

Hair Type

Size Plate

Temperature Setting

Thick and Curly

Narrow

380° F (195° C)

Wavy

Narrow

360° F (180° C)

Medium-bodied

Wide

360° F (180° C)

Thin

Narrow

360° F (180° C)

Prone to damage

Wide

320° F (160° C)

In addition to picking a flat iron with a good quality plate material, you will want to look closely at the plate design. Most cheaper flat irons will have immovable plates that are fixed in place. For better control and better performance, choose a flat iron with movable plates on both sides. The movable plates work better because they are able to clamped together more tightly. They will work much more efficiently than fixed plates.

As we suggested, spend some extra money on better material plates. Cheap metals and glass have some drawbacks. They often are too hot, too cold, or create varied temperatures across the surface of the plates. If you’re plates are getting too hot, they can damage the hair very quickly. If the plates are too cold or uneven temperatures, you will not get consistent results.

Look closely at the materials. Is the entire plate made of ceramic? Or is it simply ceramic coating? Ceramic is great material for consistent heat. Make sure you choose the full ceramic plate rather than a ceramic coated metal.

A new innovation in the production of plates is tourmaline. Tourmaline is from crystal. It is ground into a dust that is a powder that is used to coat the plates of the flat iron. The tourmaline coating produces ions that are negatively charged. Here’s a bit of science behind why this works so well. By producing a negative electric charge, the flat iron will work well at a lower heat. It also reduces evaporation which locks moisture into the hair.

Tourmaline coated plates are much more efficient. You will be able to get the desired look quickly in just one or two passes. Another flat iron plate material that works with ionic technology is titanium. Titanium is found in mostly higher end models. So be prepared to spend a bit more money for titanium technology.

If you are a salon stylist, you will find the investment to be worth the price. You will be able to style much more quickly and efficiently with these highly effective flat irons. You can style on lower heat, reducing damage.

Many of the moderately priced and more expensive flat iron options will offer different heat settings. Try to make sure the model that you purchase includes low, middle, and high heat settings. This is especially important for people with thin hair or hair that is easily damaged. You will want a low setting to reduce damage, but you may need a higher setting for certain styles.

I also recommend that you pay attention to the length of the cord. If you are spending a great deal of money on this product, don’t be caught off guard after your purchase when you find out you haven’t got a long enough cord reach to style in front of your mirror. Get as long of a cord as you possibly can to ensure ultimate freedom and workability. Many models have been designed with short cords for safety benefits.

So as you decide to purchase a longer cord, always be conscious of safety. Keep the cord unplugged, away from water, and out of the reach of children and pets.

One recent product that has come on the market is a styler that boast straightening your hair while it’s wet. I would recommend to stay away from these types of products. No matter what the advertiser states, or how well the product works, it does not change the fact that it is never a good idea to flat iron wet hair. So skip this one. And only use flat irons on dry hair.

flat irons on dry hair

Recommendation: Best Flat Iron Hair Straightener Brands

CHI

One of the hottest brands on the market is the Chi. It has been one of the top performing and top selling flat irons among stylists since the original Chi flat iron was released on the market. What makes the Chi truly unique are the ceramic plates. Chi uses a grade of flat iron material that meets the standards of the NASA space program.

BaBybliss

BaBybliss is a world leader in hair care products among stylists. BaBybliss is a pioneer in titanium flat iron plate technology. BaBybliss also carries an assortment of high performing flat iron models with tourmaline coated plates. They also have a ceramic line. Stylist love the BaBybliss line for its versatility and efficiency.

Gurin

Gurin flat irons features tourmaline ceramic plates that work well for many hair types. It is a favorite among stylists because it heats quickly and produces great results very quickly. The 1.25 inch plate is a good compromise for stylists, as it is wide enough for long hair, yet narrow enough to work on short pieces and bangs. The handle has an ergonomically designed handle with a comfort grip that allows stylists to work more efficiently and accurately.

MHD

MHD is a good mid priced brand with comparable technology to more expensive brands. It is a professional grade styling tool. MHD flat irons are made in a variety of models to meet your needs and price range. MHD makes a high quality ceramic model. They also make a high grade tourmaline ionic flat iron with movable plates. The tourmaline models have very high heat options, and heat very quickly, making them a favorite among stylists.

Remington

Remington carries a budget line of flat irons that perform well at a low cost. Remington uses a variety of technologies in their products that are uniques. One model boasts keratin infusion, and another offers silk protein technology. Customers have been satisfied with the performance of the high quality ceramic coated plates. If you are on a budget, I would recommend any of Remington’s products, with the exception of Remington’s Wet-to-straight. Wet hair should never be flat ironed!

GHD

On the opposite end of the budget spectrum is the luxury GHD brand flat irons. This award winning platinum technology is top of the line, and top of the price range. It is a professional grade product with lasting performance. This high performing line of flat irons has the very best materials on the market. It is the best you can get if you can afford to spend a couple hundred dollars. You will find this investment to be worth it’s price in durability and performance. Stylists are pleased with the quality and the performance of luxurious platinum plates.

What Type of Flat Iron is Best for My Thick Curly Hair?

Thick Curly Hair

If your hair is coarse, thick, and curly, you are in need of a flat iron most of the time. On days where you can’t get your curls to behave, your best bet is using a flat iron to tame your wild mane. So if this is you, you definitely are going to need a decent flat iron. Here are some key features you will want to keep in mind for choosing a flat iron for your course thick curly hair.

You are going to want to make sure you invest in one of the pricier quality flat irons with either ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium plates. Also check that the plates are movable and not fixed plates for the best most efficient performance. Make sure your flat iron is able to reach a high temperature range. Ideally, you will want a flat iron that is able to reach the 380 to 420 degree range.

Keep in mind that while the heat is necessary for this type of hair, the heat also puts your hair at risk for damage. A good high heat flat iron should be able to give you the results you want in very little time. You shouldn’t keep your hair in the plates for very long at all to reduce damage to the hair. Ionic technology that is present in tourmaline and titanium plated flat irons will help with reducing damage.

You may be able to get by with using a lower temperature setting for ionic type flat irons. This will drastically reduce the potential for heat damage. The negatively charged ions emitted from the ionic plates will also help your hair to retain as much moisture as possible, reducing dryness, frizz, and static.

Too much heat on coarse hair can really dry the hair out, which is a problem if you already have dry hair. So get a high efficiency iron with movable plates. High heat is good, if only for a moment. Get a flat iron that you can use to iron your hair in one or two passes.

The length of your hair will help you also to determine the appropriate width of the plate that you should be using. For short hair that is no longer than shoulder length, you will want a smaller width. Most flat irons with a width of one, to one and a half inches will be best for shorter hair. If you have longer hair that falls at the shoulders or longer, you might wish to consider a two-inch plate iron.

What Is the Best Type of Flat Iron for My Wavy Hair?

My Wavy Hair

You will definitely also be pleased with the results of the more expensive tourmaline, and titanium plates. Again, the ionic technology is going to be better for any type of hair due to the efficiency at a lower heat setting. So for wavy hair, you might also consider buying a flat iron with multiple heat settings. This way you can use the lowest heat that gives you the intended results, while minimizing the damaging effects of high heat. Ionic flat irons will also retain the moisture in wavy hair, and you will be quite happy with the results. You will be able to flat iron your wavy hair quickly, and efficiently with ionic tourmaline or titanium plates.

For wavy hair you might be able to get by with a lower cost option. There are some flat irons that will do an adequate job on wavy hair with metal, glass or ceramic coated plates. I suggest if you are going to opt for a lower cost option, that you go online and do some homework on various brands. You will find the most honest reports from those who have tried the flat irons for themselves. By searching for and reading customer feedback, you will find all sorts of information out about a particular brand or model.

You will be able to find out how the flat irons have performed directly from the people who have purchased them. You will also find out information about their durability, any malfunctions, and any bad experiences. I don’t have to tell you to stay away from purchasing a flat iron with high numbers of negative reviews. You will know from your search exactly what you are buying.

I do still recommend that you choose moveable plates over fixed plates for your wavy hair. Fixed plates work, but it just seems to take a bit more time, effort, and multiple passes to get your hair to the desired even smooth texture. So this is really a personal preference as to what is more important to you. If you are willing to spend a bit more time on your daily routine to save money, then a you might choose a lower cost brand.

Another thing to consider is how often you will really be using the flat iron. I have wavy hair personally that only requires me to use my flat iron from time to time. My model is fairly inexpensive, and has served me well for occasional use. I would probably spend more money if I used the flat iron daily. Mine is a wide width flat iron with two inch plates which I find works pretty well for my longer hair. For shorter wavy hair, that falls above the shoulders, you will want a one inch plate or one and a half inch plate.

You will not need a super high temperature for wavy hair. I think you can get decent results on wavy hair with a flat iron that heats to a range of 360 to 380 degrees. If you are not like me, and you do use your flat iron daily, or frequently, I would suggest you get ceramic coated plates at minimum.

Since this ceramic does tend to wear down quickly, you may need more frequent replacement if you are flat ironing frequently. I suggest if you can afford to invest in ceramic plates, rather than ceramic coated plates, then go ahead and do so. You will find that ceramic plates last a long time, and they also have a more even heat distribution. You will get more even results with the ceramic, and reduce your styling time.

What Is the Best Type of Flat Iron for My Thin Fine Hair?

What width of plate should you get for thin fine hair? Again, this will depend on the length. Follow the same general rule for all hair types. Hair shorter than shoulder lengths will require a narrow plate of one to one and a half inches. For longer hair you can get up to a two inch plate. I cannot stress this enough for thin hair. Do not flat iron your hair with excessively high heat. You don’t need it for fine hair. And you will seriously risk damage and drying to fine hair by using excessively high heat.

If your hair is thin or fine, you are going to need to be extra careful when using a flat iron. You really want to avoid high heat on fine and thin hair, because it is so easily damaged. So you might be thinking a lower cost option with glass or metal plates will suffice for thin and fine hair. While that may be partially and circumstantially true in some instances, still you might consider the benefits of a better high heat iron, with an adjustable setting.

Choosing-the-Right-Flat-Iron-for-Fine-Hair

For this reason, I do not necessarily recommend the high heat temps that you can achieve with titanium plates. Only buy a titanium plate flat iron for thin fine hair if it has a low setting. You really need to keep the temperature below 360 degrees for fine hair. You also need to make as few passes as possible for your desired style. Work quickly, and keep the plates moving on fine hair. If you can find an ionic technology tourmaline or titanium style iron with low settings, then this may be a good choice for you. You will enjoy the benefits of added moisture retention, but only if you can run it at it’s lowest setting for fine hair types.

Thin hair might also work alright with fixed plates, because the plates can still get fairly close together on thinner hair. That being said, don’t count out movable plates, because the movable plates will allow more control for styling. Moveable plates are always a good investment for someone who uses the tool for styling in other ways than simple straightening.

How Do I Use a Flat Iron to Straighten My Hair?

Straighten My Hair

I highly recommend you use your flat iron on dry hair. Although there are several products on the market that claim to work on wet hair, the truth is, you should never ever flat iron wet hair. I would like to repeat this point for emphasis. Do not under any circumstance ever attempt to flat iron wet hair! You have two options of course for drying your hair. The best would be air drying, but we know that’s not always practical.

If you are using your blow dryer before using a flat iron, I highly recommend that you purchase a heat protectant. Blow drying followed by flat ironing is a lot or abuse to for your hair to take on a daily basis. Your stylist can recommend a product for sure. Keep in mind, that many stylists earn commissions from their product sales, so it is very highly possible that you will be recommended a product based on economic motivation rather than sound advice.

This is another area where a little bit of homework on your part can help you make your decision. Go online and see what others are saying about heat protectants. Also try to find heat protectant information that is specific to your hair type. Once you choose your heat protectant, you will apply this on your wet hair.

Blow dry your hair completely before ever touching it with a flat iron. Now don’t just go at it carelessly. Section your hair with clips or ties if at all possible. Work in small sections, and keep hair separated once you have made one or two passes. By sectioning hair, you will ensure that you don’t miss any pieces. And you will also save time by not repeating work on sections you have already straightened.

Once your hair is sectioned, select your heat setting based on your particular hair type. Don’t crank it up to high to get the job done faster. That’s not necessary. Settings over 420 degrees are only used for certain salon treatments. They are never needed to achieve straightening, so turn down the heat.

Begin by taking one inch sections of the hair. Holding the flat iron open, place root of the section between the plates and bring them together. Once you have clamped your hair, keep it moving. Don’t sit on one spot for very long at all. You won’t need to hold the flat iron in place if you have a decent flat iron. Just keep it moving.

Starting at the root, move the flat iron down your hair to the tip. Don’t work backwards ever, as it can damage the hair causing flyaways and split ends. If you not happy with the results, you might give the section another pass a bit more slowly. But this should be about all you need to straighten your hair with the right flat iron.

Now if you start to hear a sizzle, or see steam coming from the iron, then you need to remove the heat from your hair. Do not pass this strand again without letting it cool off, or you risk too much heat, and might damage your hair.

Once you are ready to move on to the next strand, section off the piece you have completed. Work right to left, or left to right if you prefer, all the way around in one inch sections until all your hair is straight.

To give your style holding power, finish of your look with a great finishing product. You might already have a favorite, or you can purchase a new product based on your stylist recommendations or research. Go for a product that reduces flyaways and frizz. You might also like to try a shine serum, or similar shine product for an ultra sleek look that stays in place all day long.

How Can I Use a Flat Iron for Curls?

Flat Iron for Curls

You might be asking just how on earth can you make curls with a flat iron? That doesn’t seem right. But it’s so true. And you can actually make some really great natural looking curls with a flat iron with this great technique. For tighter curls, a one inch flat iron is best. However if you have a wide width flat iron for longer hair, you can still get some nice looking curls that are a bit looser.

You will want to also have some hairspray to hold your curls in place. I recommend that you choose a hair spray that is especially designed to hold curls. Avoid stiff extra hold type sprays that will make your curls too stiff. For a bouncier curl, choose a hair spray that boasts volume and softness. But also make sure it’s a long lasting spray. Ask your stylist for help with this, or research curl sprays online.

Begin by sectioning off your hair at the top. For this look you will want to start with one inch sections at the bottom or base of your scalp. Make sure your hair is combed out, tangle free, and dry. You can use a small amount of oil sheen on each strand for workability. You can set your iron on a relatively lower setting, and always add heat if you find it is not enough to set the curl. But be careful not to use extremely high settings, because you will be holding the iron in place for a bit of time. If your hair feels warm, that should be hot enough to set the curl.

Start at the root of the hair. Working with a half inch section, clamp the hair an inch or so away from the root. You will be working down your hair in a constant movement. You will basically want to keep the iron in a rotating motion by moving your wrist in a circular manner. As you turn the flat iron hair will begin go wrap around the flat iron. Keep moving down the hair shaft in a slow manner.

Do not go too slow. If your hair begins to sizzle or steam you need to reduce the heat. You also might want to move a bit faster. Once you get to the tips of your hair, you can generally speed up your motion. You will not need to keep much heat on your tips for very long to curl the ends. If you don’t get results on the first pass, you can try again, but I would recommend giving your hair a few moments to cool down between passes.

Once you get the results you want, move on to the next section. I recommend starting at the base of the hairline. Do the sides near the ears next. Save the top and bangs areas for the end. You might want to apply your hairspray to each section as you go along after you have curled it. Then finish off with a spray to set your entire look when you are finished.

Pro Tips For Flat Irons

I am a professional stylist who works on all hair types? What types of flat irons will be a best for my clients. When working with clients, you are dealing with every type of hair in creation. You are going to want to invest in a good flat iron that is versatile for every hair type, and every hair length. So what features will be the best all in one compromise for all hair types?

I recommend first and foremost you consider quality and durability. As a stylist, you are going to be using your flat iron all day long! So don’t even consider buying a metal, glass, or ceramic coated metal type of flat iron. You probably have learned a lot about the flatirons in your training. But if you have been practicing many years, you may not have learned about the new innovations in ionic flat iron technology if your schooling was many years ago.

At a minimum, you will need to get ceramic plates. If you do go with ceramic plates, make sure it performs at its best by looking for these key features. Make sure you have multiple heat settings. Make sure your ceramic plates will heat to at least 380 degrees on high for your clients with curls and thick hair. Make sure you have a low setting that will stay under 360 degrees for those clients on the opposite end with very fine hair.

Make sure the ceramic plates heat evenly for best efficiency. Make sure also that your flat iron has a fair amount of power to supply quick heat recovery. This simply means how quickly the flat iron will regain temperature between passes. You will experience loss of heat between passes. But you want to work quickly as a professional, so make sure that your flat iron is able to quickly get back up to the correct temperature so you can continue to work without taking long breaks. You are going to struggle with achieving desired styling results if you lose too much heat between passes.

If you work closely with other stylists, I suggest you look to your colleagues for advice. They can tell you what’s working and what’s not working from their styling experience. You can also go online to look at reviews from other stylists. Most stylists will suggest to use an ionic technology flat iron with tourmaline, or titanium plates. They will tell you that these are the best for speed, desired results, and efficiency. Again, these are really good because the added moisturizing benefits of negative ions will help you to minimize damage to your client’s hair.

Always make sure you have multiple setting choices for best results across all hair types. As a professional with integrity, your customer satisfaction is always top priority. So invest in a decent flat iron and keep your clients coming back. Also keep in mind when working as a stylist, you will want to make sure your flat iron is going to be able to endure sanitation procedures between clients. You have already learned about how to sanitize your styling tools in your training. Make sure the flat iron that you are using is able to withstand being cleaned with chemicals, or other sanitation methods.

Stylists should always invest in electronic tools that have a very long cord. You are moving around constantly, so give yourself some slack in your cord length to work with as much freedom of movement as possible.

Which Flat Iron Is the Very Best?

I think for most hair types you are going to get the best results with a tourmaline plate flat iron. I have chosen this because it works efficiently for coarse hair, but is not too hot for thin hair. Tourmaline is going to give you the even heat distributions you need for consistent styling. It’s going to give you fast heat recovery between passes.

The negatively charged ions admitted from your flat iron will lock in that moisture for extra smoothness. You can get a quick efficient style for all types of hair with the tourmaline. The added expense of the crushed crystal coating will be worth the investment based on performance. Tourmaline flat irons are usually made with great quality and precision. They will last a long time, and perform consistently over the years.

Now if you are going to make the investment in the higher priced tourmaline flat iron, make sure you check that it has all the features you want, such as multiple heat settings and a long enough cord. Do your homework ahead of time, and you won’t be disappointed with the performance of your tourmaline flat iron. It will be a lasting investment for years to come, and is one of the best flat irons for your hair.

We hope you have gained insight from this article to help you choose the best flat iron for your hair. Once you get your brand new flat iron you will be ready to start styling! There are so many techniques for styling with a flat iron. So have some fun and try them all!

You can take good care of your hair with the tips we have mentioned. You can look your very best! And you can get your hair styled quickly with a good flat iron. So happy shopping. Happy styling! We hope you enjoy all the fun you will have styling your hair by buying one of the best flat irons for your hair.

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