How to choose the proper flat irons

Whenever we feel like rocking some shiny, straight hair, there’s no option besides using a flat iron – unless you were born with smooth, glossy hair! If you don’t have the straight mane genes, you will have to resort to a hair straightener, and one thing we all know about them is that they can damage hair structure. That’s why you need to be wise when choosing heating devices!

Today we are going to show you how to choose the proper flat iron for your hair, and also remind you of the cautions you must have when using it! Afterall, using only a brush and a hairdryer isn’t the best choice for women with wavy, curly and thick hair, so you have to choose a flat iron that won’t cause your locks any harm!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PROPER FLAT IRON

What aspects you must consider before buying a hair straightener^[1]O. (2019b, March 21). How to Choose the Best Hair Straightener for Your Hair | Overstock.com. Overstock.Com Tips & Ideas. … Continue reading?

1. HEAT SETTINGS

The thicker or curlier your hair is, the higher the flat iron temperature must be to straighten it. That’s why one of the first things you must look for when buying a hair straightener is the temperature it can achieve. However, you must keep in mind that if you have fine, curly hair, for example, the high level of heating will probably damage your locks! So, one more thing you could look out for is adjustable heat settings!

Look for a flat iron such as this one from the Brazilian brand, Lizze! It shows the exact temperature it is, so you can control the heat more easily!

2. SHAPE

Although the name itself makes you think that all flat irons are flat, that’s not necessarily true! You must have seen a kind of rounded hair straightener before, and the good thing is that that kind of device allows you to curl your hair as well! If you opt for a really flat iron, it won’t allow you to style your hair as easily as a rounded one would, but it will give you straighter hair!

3. MATERIAL

Flat irons can be made of different materials that are better suited for different hair types. The most popular ones are:

1. Ceramic: Perfect for fine hair, ceramic hair straighteners can achieve high temperatures without damaging the hair structure, since it has a better heat distribution. The result is smooth, frizz-free straight hair!
2. Titanium: If you have thicker hair, a titanium flat iron is the ideal one for you. It heats up faster than its ceramic counterparts and holds heat very well! Because it is metal, it can get your hair to look straighter more quickly and easily – you won’t need to iron the same piece of hair all the time! 

If you think a titanium flat iron would suit you best, we recommend this amazing one from Lizze!

4. PLATE WIDTH

How wide the iron plates are is also something you must consider! Narrow plates can be great for fine or short hair, since they apply less heat. If you have thicker or longer hair, they may not be the best option! If that is the case, look for wider plates, that can gather more hair in their surface and can heat more, meaning you won’t have to pass your flat iron several times in order to get straight hair!

5. FEATURES

Nowadays, most flat irons are not just hair straighteners: they can come with lots of different features! So, one more thing to think about when buying your hair straightening device is if it has any other functions besides straightening, such as a buit-in comb teeth, steam functions, or even if they are cordless!

Now that you know the aspects you need to consider when choosing your flat iron^[2]Williams, I. (2021, January 8). Our Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Hair Straightener. Adore Beauty. … Continue reading, there are some things you must do to use it the proper way and not cause any damage to your hair – you can read more information about it here.

1. Wash your hair before straightening it! 
2. Use a thermal protector!
3. Only pass a flat iron on dry hair!
4. Divide your hair into small sections.
5. Be careful with the temperature!
6. Don’t use the flat iron on the roots of your hair!
7. Use serums or natural oils after straightening your mane.

As you can see, there are quite a few things you should have in mind when buying and using a hair straightener! But don’t worry: it’s no big deal when you think about it as you taking care of your hair! On Metro Brazil, you can find some of the best flat irons and hair products from fantastic Brazilian brands – your hair will thank you for using them!