How to use and how to choose a hair straightener: curling or straightening strands using the device

We do not advertise equipment, we test it and make a rating. We haven't ignored hair straightening irons. With the support of professional hairdressers and based on customer reviews, we present a rating of the best hair straighteners of 2021.

When choosing a hair straightener, girls often ask: are ceramic or titanium plates better? What is the best flat iron for curls or damaged hair?

Hair straighteners allow you to create beautiful hairstyles every day without the help of professional hairdressers. These devices work like this: the plates of the iron grab a strand of hair and, under the influence of high temperature, remove excess moisture from it, as a result of which the curls are straightened. Some models of such stylers are equipped with additional options that provide hair care and protection from heat. The straightener comes with attachments for different styling options.

We have previously written about:

• TOP 13 Best hair dryers

How to choose a good hair straightener

Criteria:

• Surface material of working plates : the coating can be metal, ceramic, tourmaline (ion-ceramic), Teflon, titanium and marble. Marble and tourmaline models have the most gentle effect on hair. It is generally not recommended to use metal straightening irons for styling; they do not protect curls from heat in any way.
• Temperature regime . A good straightening iron should have several modes; this is the only way to choose the optimal styling temperature, taking into account the individual characteristics of the hair.
• Width of plates . The wider the plate, the more convenient it is to work with wide strands and dense hair. Narrow plates (1.5-3 cm) are better suited for thin curls, wide ones (from 3 cm) - for complex styling and “heavy” hair;
• Gap between plates . When the plates of the iron are closed, there may be a gap between them. If it is more than 2 mm, the attachments will not fit well to the hair, which means they will not cope with their functions - it is better to immediately refuse to purchase such models.
• Additional options . Irons from different manufacturers can be equipped with: attachments for creating “corrugated” or “wave” curls,
• combs and brushes,
• rotating cord,
• cold blowing,
• functions of hair ionization and conditioner supply,
• options for hot humidification, temperature memory, etc.

Plate material

The surface can be:

• Metal
• Ceramics
• Tourmaline (ceramic-tourmaline)
• Teflon
• Titanium
• Two-component (ceramics + marble)

What does the material of the iron plates affect?

Firstly, on ease of use and quality of the result. Secondly, for the health of your hair.

The minimum requirements for the material are quite simple:

• Uniform heating of the plates. If the plates are unevenly heated (for example, the temperature is higher in the center and lower at the edges), then the hair can either simply be burned or not straightened
• Good glide. Everything is clear with this - if the material is not slippery, then you will have a hard time ironing

The plate material may have additional beneficial properties. Today, however, only tourmaline plates can boast of this. The fact is that tourmaline plates contain the semi-precious mineral “tourmaline”, which translated from Sinhala means “multi-colored magic stone”. Tourmaline, when heated, releases negatively charged particles and transfers them to the hair. And, I must say, this affects the health of the hair in the most excellent way - the hair becomes more manageable, shiny and vibrant, less electrified.

Plates made from some materials scratch very easily. This affects not only the appearance of the iron, but also the glide - the more scratches, the worse the iron will glide through the hair. Therefore, such materials are used only by professionals. Of course, you can use them at home, but then you will have to handle the iron very carefully.

Let's look at the pros and cons of each material.

I will consider two-component plates separately. Such irons have not one plate on each surface, but two. The first plate is made of ceramic, the second is made of marble. The ceramic plate heats the hair, while the marble plate immediately cools it down. I must say that this is not only convenient, but also good for the hair - it retains heat for less time and is less damaged due to this.

Which material is better for plates?

If your budget is limited, then choose a hair straightener with ceramic plates. If the budget allows, then it is better to take it with tourmaline or two-piece plates. Titanium and Teflon plates are worth taking only if you have been using the iron for more than one year.

It’s better to forget about irons with metal plates - you’ll ruin your hair in no time.

Which rectifiers should not be taken?

The anti-rating of hair straighteners included:

• curling irons with metal plates . They do not have additional hair protection options, so they simply burn the curls. The plates are not smooth and can pull out individual hairs;
• Teflon coated irons . Teflon is gradually erased from the working surfaces of the device, and using curling irons without a protective coating is very dangerous for hair;
• irons without thermostat . Hair needs individual selection of styling temperature. Without thermoregulation, straightening occurs with maximum heating and burning of curls;
• models in which the plates protrude beyond the body. With such an iron it is easy to get a serious burn during the styling process.

Gap between plates

The gap is the distance between the plates when they are compressed. There may or may not be a gap.

What does it affect?

On the consequences for hair. If there is no gap, then the heat will be evenly distributed throughout the hair strand. If there is a gap, then the hair caught in the gap will be heated less and will have to be smoothed additionally.

Which gap is better?

The ideal option is when there is no gap at all - when compressed, the plates fit very tightly to each other along the entire length of the iron. But sometimes there are irons with a gap, and for them a gap of 1 millimeter is allowed for rigidly fixed plates and up to 2 millimeters for floating ones. At the same time, with floating plates, under strong compression, the gap should disappear.

The best straighteners with tourmaline plates

1

GA.MA CP1 Nova Digital 4D Therapy Ozone

Rating:5.0

• with display
• coating: tourmaline ceramic
• maximum heating temperature 230 °C
• power-on indication
• additional functions: ionization

Average price: RUB 5,990

The innovative model of the GA.MA CP1 straightener not only helps to style wavy hair, but also actively heals it at the molecular level. This reliable iron has the widest functionality among those listed in the rating. The device is equipped with ionization and ozonation options. The tourmaline coating of the plates provides a gentle effect on the hair and removes excess static electricity from it. The plates are floating (movable), thanks to this the hair strands are heated more evenly, straightening is faster and better.

Peculiarities:

• digital display and thermostat allow you to fully control the styling process;
• the outer edges of the plates are covered with silicone tips to protect hands from possible burns during operation;
• long cord (3 m), rotates 360°;
• Stylish and bright design, body in a pleasant blue color.

2

Rowenta SF 3132

Rating:4.9

• coating: tourmaline
• maximum heating temperature 230 °C
• power-on indication
• additional functions: ionization

Average price: RUB 1,990

The design of the SF 3132 straightener is thought out to the smallest detail: the plates are floating, due to which they easily adapt to the thickness of the hair strands, effectively straightening them. The coating of tourmaline and keratin plates protects hair from the negative effects of high temperatures. The degree of heating is regulated by a thermostat, with its help it is easy to choose the appropriate mode for any hair. The ionization option will protect your curls from drying out.

Peculiarities:

• heating the device to the desired temperature in 30-60 seconds, there is a heating level indicator;
• wide plates work well with curly, wavy and very long hair;
• the cord is much shorter than that of the leader in the rating (1.8 m), the design provides for 360° rotation.

3

REDMOND RCI-2320

Rating:4.8

• with display
• coating: tourmaline
• power: 60 W
• maximum heating temperature 200 °C
• power-on indication

Average price: 2,000 rub.

The REDMOND RCI-2320 iron works gently and quickly, has a compact size and is suitable for daily use. The plates are floating, with tourmaline coating. They perfectly grip hair strands, easily sliding through them during the straightening process. The styler has 4 temperature settings for different hair types.

Peculiarities:

• heating is instantaneous, it takes some time to cool down, there is an indication of the degree of heating;
• double shutdown system: if the device overheats or if it has been turned on for 60 minutes;
• 2-meter cord, rotating 360°, does not break;
• beautiful pearl color body;
• There is a special ring for hanging.

4

Polaris PHS 2590KT

Rating:4.8

• coating: tourmaline ceramic
• power: 40 W
• maximum heating temperature 220 °C
• power-on indication, ready-to-work indication

Average price: RUB 1,780

The convenient and compact Polaris PHS 2590KT straightener with floating plates does an excellent job of styling all types of hair. The plates are coated with ceramic tourmaline, which provides easy glide and protects hair from drying out. The styler has two functions: curling and straightening. There are 5 operating modes, push-button control, there is a built-in LED indication of the degree of heating. The housing is covered with “Soft Touch” (rubberized), thanks to which the styler does not slip out of your hands.

Peculiarities

• there is a clamp for the pliers in the closed position, which prevents the possibility of burns during operation;
• built-in auto-shutdown option when overheating;
• the cord is not the longest, only 1.75 m + the option of 360° rotation is provided;
• The device has a special loop for hanging.

Shape and type of plate fastening

The shape of the plates can be with straight or rounded corners.

According to the type of fastening, the plates are either rigidly fixed or floating.

What does it affect?

The shape of the plates determines whether you can curl your hair if necessary.

The type of plate fastening affects the ease of use of the iron. Rigidly fixed plates are built into the body and the more you squeeze the handles of the iron, the more the plates are compressed. Floating plates are attached to the body with springs or rubber and can rise and fall when moving along a strand of hair.

Which shape and type of fastening is better?

If you prefer straight hair, then plates with right angles are your choice. If you like to curl the ends of your hair, then opt for plates with rounded corners.

Floating plates are better, but you won’t see them very often yet. If you find an iron with floating plates, then this will be a great choice.