The Most Important Features Of A Hair Straightener
by carnaval on Jul.29, 2010, under Fashion Shoes
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a hair styling iron and it’s important to be aware of the benefits of each. There are so many options available that it can be overwhelming to find the best one for you. Not all styling irons are the same, and inexpensive does not necessarily mean best value. The top four features to consider are plate types, heat settings, size of plates and warranty.
The most common types of plates on a hair straightener are metal, glass, ceramic, titanium and a tourmaline ceramic blend. Straighteners made with metal and glass plates are typically the least expensive. Unfortunately, however, they are often painted, which can result in chipping and damaged hair. Hair straighteners with metal and glass plates tend to take longer to heat and don’t always heat evenly, leading to dry, damaged, frizzy hair.
The next level of hair straighteners usually come with ceramic plates. They are just a bit more expensive, but certainly still very affordable. This type of material will heat more evenly than the metal and glass paints and they are less likely to result in chipping or heat damage. Straighteners with Titanium plates are much smoother and will heat evenly throughout to provdie even and efficient straightening. This is important for even straightening and styling and efficient results.
The highest priced hair straighteners are made from a tourmaline and ceramic blend. These straighteners are also the highest quality and leave the hair smoother and straighter than the other varieties.
Tourmaline ceramic plates that heat quickly and evenly. It’s made from a crushed semi-precious stone that creates extreme pressure when heated. This will allow each strand to “flatten” as the straightener passes over it. This quality ceramic eliminates “hot spots,” or sections of the plate that are hotter than others. It’s important to maintain even heat to straighten the hair efficiently and to avoid frizz.
Adjustable heat is another valuable quality to consider. In most cases, 370 degrees Fahrenheit will provde the best results for average hair types. If your hair is unusually thick and curly, it may require more heat, though. By the same token, if you have thin or fine hair, it’s likely that you will be able to use a lower temperature setting. When hair straighteners offer adjustable temperature, it’s easy to choose one that works best for you.
Despite having a super-hot iron, each time it touches your cool hair it will lose some of its heat. This is natural and to be expected and does not signify a low quality straightener. The significant factor is that it quickly and evenly reheats to the set temperature. This is to ensure that it will heat and straighten your hair evenly.
When deciding which hair styling product is the best fit for you, remember to consider the size of the plates. The most common flat iron size is 1” plates. There are also 1/2” 1 ½” and 2” styles available. Small sizes work best for curling or flipping as well as straightening shorter hair. The larger sizes can be beneficial when straightening longer hair.
Hair straightener warranties typically range from one to three years. Some warranties are offered by the retailer, while some come from the manufacturer. Before purchasing an iron, make sure you know the details of the warranty including how long it is and what it covers.
The most common and most valuable hair styling tool available today is the hair straightener. Because of the wide range of prices and quality available, every person who wants straight, smooth, sleekly styled hair can find the best straightener to meet those needs.
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