While hot tools like curling irons serve their purpose when it comes to hairstyling, the best hair straightener can pull double duty, offering more than just a straight, sleek look, but also flyaway-free waves and curls with the flick of a wrist. While there are lots of options when it comes to buying a straightener, not all of them may be a fit for the needs of your hair. That’s where we come in. We’ve spoken to professional hair stylists to figure out what you need to know when choosing the best flatiron for your hair.
The Difference Between Titanium and Ceramic
Titanium and ceramic are the most common types of straighteners, and experts suggest understanding the difference between the two before investing. “Titanium straighteners get hotter faster, which means fewer passes through the hair,” celebrity hair stylist Gabrielle Corney tells SELF. “Ceramic plates won’t give you the same results as titanium iron since the plates don’t get as hot, but this type is best for those at home who don’t have much experience with using hairstyling irons.”
When deciding between titanium and ceramic styling tools, consider your hair type. Celebrity hair stylist Nate Rosenkranz says that while ceramic flatirons tend to be a more popular choice for shoppers because of their uniform heating abilities, those with thick hair types may find the intensive heat of a titanium flatiron better equipped for a pin-straight style. For those with damaged or medium to fine hair that requires less heat to straighten, experts recommend ceramic straighteners.
“Ceramic heat is very evenly dispersed and functions better on lower temperatures, which is important for those with fine or more delicate hair,” Rosenkranz tells SELF. “Titanium heats faster and to higher temperatures, which helps cut down on styling time, especially on thick or textured hair.”
How to Use Your Hair Straightener
First, spray a heat protectant on your hair to help keep heat damage at bay. “You should use a good heat protectant before even blow drying your hair prior to straightening,” hair stylist Lucy Garcia Planck explains. She advises blow drying damp hair in four or more sections with a round brush (or let your hair air dry throughout the day and add a little styling cream). Then, smooth the ends through with a styling iron.
Although it may be tempting to crank your flatiron up to its highest setting for optimal smoothness, it’s not great for hair health. Many stylists actually recommend starting on the lowest heat setting possible to still effectively straighten the hair, then increasing as needed. “If you really feel like you must use a flatiron every day, you can, but it’s extremely important to be sure to lower the heat setting for quick and easy touch-ups, especially on second-day hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko.
To avoid crease marks, use a flatiron with rounded edges or one that has plates that offer a bit of wiggle room, so that heat and pressure distribute evenly across each section of hair.
The Best Hair Straighteners and Flatirons
To figure out which flatirons are actually worth the frizz-free fuss, we asked more than a dozen hair stylists to tell us some of the best hair straighteners for every hair type. Below are some of the best flatiron and hair-straightener brush options from best-selling brands like Dyson, Chi, Ghd, Babyliss, T3, and more, that pro stylists love to use on themselves, and their clients.
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