|
Hair Straightener Basics
Hair straighteners can be intimidating as there are dozens of brands and hundreds of kinds on the market. If you found this site, you are most likely considering making an investment in a professional hair straightener. You want to know which one is the best value, and the best investment. This site is designed to help you make an informed decision on purchasing a hair straightener, based on actual consumer reports, and educating you on the many different terms and technologies you’ll see when shopping for a hair straightener.
Hair Straighteners: What Do I Look For?
- Great Consumer Reports
- Good Combination of Materials and Technology
- A Good Range of Features
- Compatibility With Your Hair Type
- Good Value for the Money
- Good Manufacturer Warranty
1. Hair Straightener Consumer Reviews
It is important to see what others think about the products you are looking into buying, and that’s one of the primary purposes of this web site. Our site does not retail any hair straighteners, like many other sites that have reviews. We encourage honest and thorough reviews to be left for models of hair straighteners that people have actually used and have words of advice for those who are searching for a new iron.
Some major retailers have reviews on their sites, and may inflate the reviews on the brands that they own, which could give you an unbalanced view of the true consumer satisfaction.
2. Hair Straightener Materials and Technology
Hair Straighteners come in many different shapes and sizes and with many different materials and technologies. The primary technologies that make straighteners unique from each other are the heaters and the plates.
Hair Straightener Heaters
Coil Metal Heaters
Many lower end irons use a coil metal (usually copper) heating unit that work the same way as the heating elements in a toaster. An electrical charge is simply put through the coils and heat is transferred from the coil to the plates.
Tourmaline Ceramic Heaters
There are various types of TC heaters, some of which are referred to as PTFC heaters. The difference between these and coil metal heaters are the way it heats, the negative ion transmission, and the use of Far Infrared technology which work on multiple fronts. First, they heat evenly and fast, and secondly, the negative ions generated from the tourmaline in the element work to cancel out the frizz and neutralize the static, leaving a more polished look than what can be achieved from heat alone.
Hair Straightener Plates
The chart below is a generalized comparison of features of the plate and heater material combinations available in most flat irons on the market. There are other plates and a few other heater types but these are by far the most common and most popular.
3. Hair Straightener Features
There are many features available on hair straighteners, and no one iron has all of them, so you’ll want to make sure the iron you choose has a good variety of the features that meet your needs.
- Hair Straightener Variable Heat Settings
Allows you to control the temperature to meet your needs. Sometimes it is controlled with a dial, sometimes with a digital readout and buttons. - Hair Straightener Floating Plates
The plates rock back and forth on shock absorbers, usually made of either springs or rubber. This helps ensure the plates meet together more consistently when in use. - Long Swivel Cord
Ensures less tangles, and ease of use. - Fast Heat Recovery
The time it takes to heat up to full temperature after passing through the hair. The plates lose heat because heat is transferred to the hair. - Wet to Dry
Allows you to straighten while hair is damp. Shortens time because it cuts out the blow-drying step.
4. Hair Straighteners and Hair Type
Different hair types call for different heat requirements. Whether your hair is fragile, average, or super coarse, you should be able to find a hair straightener that can meet your needs. If your hair is on the thinner side, you will want to make sure your straightener has either a lower permanent heat setting, or has variable temperature control so you can turn it down. You may want to stay away from Teflon or aluminum plates because they are generally unevenly heated and can cause damage to your hair.
If your hair is on the coarser and thicker more curly end of the spectrum, you’ll want to be sure the heat is enough to get the job done. See the figure for temperature requirements for various hair types.
5. Good Value For The Money
Many flat irons are way overpriced for the number of features they have. This is primarily because the industry is very ego driven and brands are more valued than the actual product. Don’t be fooled into spending a huge amount of money for something that does not work as well as something that has a more reasonable price.
Don’t expect professional results from a low cost discount iron found in a drug store, unless it has excellent customer reviews and meets all the standards. Sometimes its worth the investment to get a good product if it will last you a few years, and keep your hair healthier.
6. Hair Straightener Warranties
Most hair straighteners have a one year warranty. Many brands invalidate the warranty if the product is purchased online. Keep this in mind if you are shopping around online. Make sure if you buy it online, the warranty on your hair straightener is still valid. You may have to check with the manufacturer.
When you buy a hair straightener, make sure if you need to register it for warranty validation, that you do so within the time stipulated.