To get quality and effective results when using a straightener, you need to know what features to look out for in a hair straightener. You should also keep your hair type and style in mind, as it will influence which will be the best one for you. The information below will help you make the right choice before committing to buy.

Types of Plate

Is it ceramic tourmaline, nano-silver plates or titanium-infused ceramic plates? These elements all have different performances. Here is a quick breakdown.

• Ceramic Tourmaline – this material is cheap and effective, and it heats up pretty fast. Tourmaline minerals are capable of producing negative ions which help reduce static when styling and also lock moisture inside the hair strand. You get shiny, smooth and healthier hair after the straightening process.
• Titanium Infused Plates – titanium metal strengthens the plate and increases its lifespan. Titanium plates are good for gliding hair as they are smooth and slippery; there will be no instances of tugging and snagging of your hair when using these plates.

Your Hair Type

It is important to know small details your hair type and length, as these Straighteners are specific to certain hair length during the styling process.

Wider plates are good for longer and thicker hair with curls, as they evenly distribute heat to avoid burn-spots, so look for a plate width of 1 ½ inch and above. Thinner plates (Usually 1 inch) are best for styling fine and normal hair of any length. Look at the plates, if they are wider, they will work faster to straighten your hair than shorter plates. Look out for the plate width in the review section and also the straightener specification to make a good choice.

Temperature Settings

Most Straighteners come with metal-ceramic heaters that speed up the general heating time, saving both energy and time per styling process. Check out the minimum and maximum temperature setting when making a choice, also know your hair thickness.

For people with thick hair, choose Straighteners with a maximum temperature setting of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures, the straightener works well in styling your hair as they need more heat.

Any straightener with a minimum setting below 200 degrees Fahrenheit is a no-buy. It will do a shoddy job even when styling normal and fine hair which requires a temperature setting of 370 degrees and above.

Most hair Straighteners come with recent technology like the C-Sensors which automatically calibrate your preferred temperature setting. Also, the infra-red Straighteners help heats the hair strands resulting in a short straightening period. Check out this YouTube Video for more information.

Swivel Cord Rotation and Length

Most hair straightening brands come with a 360 degrees swivel cord; the only difference arises from the length of the swivel cord. Always go for lengths of 2 ½ meters or more as you get maximum maneuverability at these lengths, giving you more styling options without limiting the movement.

Now, the 360 degrees cord aids in the rotation, it reduces cord breakages by twisting and turning, making the swivel cord better for styling and also increases the straightener’s lifespan.

Do You Have Dry Hair?

If yes, then you’ll be happy to know that there are wet-to-dry hair Straighteners that use steam technology and also the negative ion technology to drive and preserve moisture in your hair. The results are great; you get shiny, silky and smooth hair to the envy of your colleagues. Plus they help prevent scalp and hair damage even with repeated passes.

Size

Yes, the size of the hair straightener matters during the straightening process as the size is directly proportional to the weight. Pick a size that is lightweight so that you don’t get hand-fatigued during the straightening process.

This feature works well for those with long hair since it takes a considerable amount of time to fully straighten your hair well. Also, check the dimensions of the hair straightener brand, if it’s too long, it becomes a problem when fitting into your palms, making the straightening process tedious. The grip is an important factor to consider since it determines the comfort and ease of use of the product.

Safety

Safety is paramount when styling, especially for people who style their hair late and rush out forgetting to switch off the straightener in the process. The heater may cause an increase in your monthly electricity bill, or even worse, a fire. Always go for hair Straighteners with an automatic shut-off feature which I highlighted in the review section.

Other Features to Consider

Here are some other features you can find on a hair straightener.

• Combs – some Straighteners come with built-in combs that aid in straightening curly locks. If your hair has those stubborn curls that just won’t go away, purchase straighteners with built-in combs.
• Cordless flat irons – these work on batteries, though they don’t last. We won’t advise you to get one of these since you have to foot the costs of replacing the batteries often.
• LCD Display – you get the correct styling temperature on a digital LCD which helps you when setting the temperature.

Interchangeable Plates

The concept of interchangeable plates helps you convert your flat iron plates to crimping and wave irons. We recommend this concept to people who are fond of styling their hair differently on a weekly or daily basis. We like this idea since it is a cost-effective decision. Go for it.

Should I Use Hair Protection Spray Before Straightening?

We recommend using hair protection spray before straightening because of two major reasons. One, it helps reduce the overall damage to your hair by heat. The hair protection spray ensures that there are no smells of burnt hairs as you make repeated passes. Two, most hair protection sprays come with ingredients like PVP/DMPA acrylates and also Hydrolyzed wheat proteins which help strengthen your hair structure making it healthy and stronger to withstand the heat. 

The Final Straight

If you’re looking for a good, cheap straightener, the HSI Professional Glider Flat Iron which is a 3-in-1 straightener equipped with micro-sensors. This feature helps prevent hair damage during the straightening process and also as a 3-in-1 product; you can straighten, flip and curl your hair making it a cost-effective decision for the price. Also, try out the MicroPure Hair Straightener Brush. It’s great for people with scalp and dry hair issues.