Types and types of hair straighteners/straighteners
There are many products on the market today to create the perfect hairstyle, so finding a hair straightener is not difficult. However, choosing the right model for your hair type can sometimes be difficult among the large number of options. So, what should you pay attention to?
A hair straightener can have different types of plates, which will affect both the quality of the hairstyle and the health of the curls. The plates can be made of the following materials:
- metal;
- ceramics;
- Teflon;
- tourmaline;
- marble;
- titanium;
- jade;
- silver;
- tungsten.
Hair iron with metal plates is the least preferred option, since the metal heats unevenly, which negatively affects the structure of the hair. However, this option is the cheapest, and therefore enjoys some popularity. But still, you shouldn’t skimp on your health.
Hair straightener with ceramic plates is currently the most popular type. Ceramics heats up evenly and has a long service life, but when using the device together with care products it gets dirty very quickly. Solving this problem is simple; you just need to wipe the plates with a damp cloth after using the iron.
Teflon, have perfect glide and cosmetics do not stick to them. However, such a coating tends to wear off over time, which is not always visible in a timely manner, and then such a hair straightener will harm the hair.
tourmaline, has perfect glide, and charged ions released from the semi-precious stone when exposed to heat protect the strands from electrification.
Ceramic plates coated marble, have a gentle effect on curls, thanks to the optimal combination of heating ceramics and cooling with marble.
Hair straightener with titanium plates is notable for its uniform heating; this type of iron is used by professionals. However, with frequent use of such a device, the hair overheats, and the plates themselves quickly become scratched.
Plates coated jadeite, have a gentle effect on curls. But this option is notable for the fact that it can be used even on damp hair.
Hair straightener with coated plates silver ions, revitalizes curls and creates a more lasting result, but such a device is not cheap at all.
Titanium coating The plates are characterized by ideal uniform heating. After styling with this hair straightener, the hairstyle remains flawless for a long time, even without the use of cosmetics.
Temperature conditions
It's no secret that high temperatures harm your hair. Although the main difference between the effect of a hair dryer and a straightening iron on hair is the ability of the latter to not tear off, but rather stick to the loose particles, you need to approach the choice of the optimal temperature wisely.
There are several types of hair straighteners depending on temperature conditions:
- without temperature control;
- mechanical adjustment;
- electronic temperature control without memory;
- electronic temperature control with memory.
Hair straightener without adjustment temperature is the least preferable, since when used, the hair is more exposed to harmful thermal effects.
Mechanical or manual temperature adjustment is good because it does not require any adjustments from one use to another, but in this case it is physically impossible to change the temperature regime by several degrees.
Must have for hair electronic scoreboard, where you can set the required temperature with an accuracy of one degree. Some models of such devices are endowed with the ability to remember previous modes for more convenient use.
When choosing the temperature setting of the iron, you need to use the rule: the thinner and shorter the hair, the lower the temperature, and, conversely, the thicker and longer it is, the higher it is.
Hair straightener manufacturers
There are many brands on the market for modern hair straightening devices. Some manufacturers produce devices exclusively for beauty and health, while others are popular throughout the household appliances market. Of course, the price for units of the first and second groups will vary, but the quality does not always directly depend on the brand.
On the domestic market you can find rectifiers of the following brands:
- GA.MA;
- Moser;
- Remington;
- Babyliss;
- Rowenta;
- Philips;
- CeraStyle;
- Brown;
- HAIRWAY;
- Vitek;
- Maxwell;
- Scarlett;
- Domotec;
- Sanusy;
- Vigor.
The first three of the brands presented are classified as professional, and therefore have a higher price, but consumer reviews for them are overwhelmingly positive. Philips and Braun irons are considered good semi-professional models.
Other properties of rectifiers
Hair straighteners also differ in the width of the plates: you can find options from 1.5 to 8 cm wide. The width of the iron should be chosen depending on the type of hair and the intended actions with it.
In general, for thin and short curls it is better to choose narrow plates, while for long and thick curls, devices with wide plates are better suited.
If you need to straighten your bangs with an iron, it is better to use a small device. When the unit is needed not only for straightening, but also for curling curls, then you need to choose narrow plates rounded at the edges, otherwise, it is better to give preference to the option with right angles.
Some models may have additional attachments, for example, the “corrugated” attachment that was popular several years ago or others.
Depending on the type and cost of the device, the plates in it can be floating or rigidly fixed. The first option is the most preferable, as it prevents pinching of the hair, however, such irons are much more expensive and therefore are not popular.
You should also pay attention to the gap between the plates. Ideally, the distance should be absent or at least no more than 1 mm, otherwise such an iron will be ineffective.
Some manufacturers offer other useful features for their irons, for example, a long rotating cord, the ability to ionize, a built-in comb, the ability to treat hair with cosmetics, a thermal bag for storing the device, and so on.
When choosing a hair straightener, you need to pay attention not only to the price factor, but also to the characteristics that affect the health of your curls. At the same time, it is not necessary to choose a professional device, because many irons for everyday use at home can boast of good characteristics.
