We’ve all been on our own hair journey. From the early attempts back in middle school (which often came to an abrupt halt when discovered by our parents), to edgy hairstyles in high school, to actually trying to look pretty as we grew up. It’s been an adventure, and we can bet that during that time, you’ve tested more products than you can possibly count.
Hair dyes, brushes, conditioners, shampoos, masks — been there, done that. Then there are curling irons, rollers, and finally, hair straighteners. If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, you probably dream of a sleek, perfectly straight hairstyle. But how do you achieve that without absolutely ruining your hair? That’s right — you need a good hair straightener.
Got a new hairstyle in mind? Want to finally achieve that smooth-as-silk look? We’ve got you covered — and will help make sure this next step in your hair journey is a great one. In this guide, we will talk about the best hair straighteners & all the things you need to know about them.
We’re not going to send you in blind! Before we show you our favorite hair straighteners, let’s have a quick look at the most important things for you to consider while shopping.
- Things to Consider When Shopping for a Hair Straightener
- Top 9 Best Hair Straighteners 2024
- 1. Best Overall Hair Straightener HSI Professional Glider
- 2. Best Brush Hair Straightener MiroPure Enhanced Hair Straightener Brush
- 3. Best Hair Straightener For Short Hair INFINITIPRO Tourmaline Flat Iron
- 4. Best Hair Drying Straightener Brush Revlon One-Step Hot Air Brush
- 5. Best Budget Hair Straightener Remington S5500 Flat Iron
- 6. Best Premium Hair Straightener BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Flat Iron
- 7. Best Mini Hair Straightener AmoVee Mini Flat Iron
- 8. Best 2-in-1 Hair Straightener Furiden Hair Straightener and Curler
- 9. Best Titanium Hair Straightener Kipozi Titanium Flat Iron
- Guide to Buying the Best Hair Straightener
- You, Your Hair, & A Happily Ever After
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Hair Straightener
Hair Type
This one is huge. Is your hair frizzy? Have you dyed it recently? Do you have damaged, split ends? That’s not all there is to it. Do you have thick, natural curls, or is your hair rather fine? All of these factors affect the type of hair straightener you want to choose. We talk about this more in our full buying guide.
To give you a quick summary:
- For damaged hair, look into a flat iron with ceramic and/or tourmaline plates. A straightening brush is also a good alternative.
- For thick and/or curly hair, pick up a titanium-plated flat iron.
- If your mane is long, then only shop for flat irons with at least 2″ in width.
- For semi-long and medium-length hair, anywhere between 1 ½” and 2″ is okay.
- Flat irons below 1 ½” in width are suited for shorter cuts, from chin-length bobs to pixies. You can, of course, use them with long hair — it’s just a bit more work.
- If you want to style bangs or really short hair, you need a mini flat iron, such as AmoVee Mini Flat Iron.
Temperature
This largely depends on your hair type, too. In general, try to look for a hair straightener that has multiple heat settings. Your hair may vary from day-to-day; various things such as dye jobs or even going too long without a trim may call for a gentler heat setting. Check out our full guide to temperatures vs hair types below.
Straightener Type
When you think of a hair straightener, you probably imagine a flat iron — a set of tongs that press your hair. However, straightening hair brushes exist now too, and there’s always the old “hairdryer and a round brush” method that works for many hairstyles.
In general, a flat iron has the most success when it comes to straightening all types of hair. Some of them can also double as curling irons. Straightening brushes are gentler and can be good if your hair needs delicate treatment. If you want to know more, make sure you check out our hair straightener types section.
We hope that you now feel equipped with the knowledge you need to get yourself a brand new hair straightener. To save you time on researching & money on buying the wrong thing, we’ve compiled a list of 9 of the best hair straighteners on the market. Check it out below!
Top 9 Best Hair Straighteners 2024
1. Best Overall Hair Straightener HSI Professional Glider
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron
Hair Types
This flat iron is suited for lots of different types of hair. It’s capable of turning even a super-curly mane into a perfectly sleek & straight hairstyle in 20 minutes. You can use it with both thick and fine hair, normal hair & damaged hair.
HSI sports 1″ plates, which means it’s good for really short hair and even bangs, but it will work with long cuts, too. The downside? Longer hair will take you a while to style, as 1″ is rather thin for a flat iron.
Temperatures
This is one of the factors where this hair straightener truly shines. The heat settings are VERY adjustable. You can pick anywhere between 140-450°F. You most likely won’t even need such a wide range, but it’s good to know that it’s there if you want it.
HSI also has built-in microsensors that prevent heat damage even further. Lastly, the mix of tourmaline and ceramic plates goes a long way in protecting your hair from too much heat & damage.
Extra Considerations
Instead of just a hair straightener, you receive a decently-sized styling set. You’ll get a velvet bag to store the flat iron in, a glove to keep you safe from heat, and even a travel-sized argan oil hair treatment, which is great for the health of your hair. And speaking of travel, this straightener is dual voltage, so you can still use it when you travel abroad.
With a wide range of temperatures, a round shape which makes it a decent curling iron, and a powerful range of styling capabilities, this flat iron impressed us through and through.
Pros
- Impressive range of temperatures (140-450°F)
- It can deal with even super-thick and curly hair
- Salon-level of styling
- Dual voltage (110v-220v)
- Gentle styling thanks to the tourmaline plates and heat sensors
Cons
- 1" in width makes styling long hair take a long time
2. Best Brush Hair Straightener MiroPure Enhanced Hair Straightener Brush
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Straightening brush
Hair Types
Some straightening brushes just don’t cut it when it comes to curly & thick hair, but not this one. From full-on curls to gentle waves, with enough time, you can straighten just about anything.
In addition to dealing with the impossible & taming the untamable, it’s great for damaged hair.
The heat distribution here is close to outstanding. You won’t have to treat your hair multiple times, because all along the length of the brush, the heat will remain the same.
The high density of the comb makes it suited for even ultra-fine hair. No matter your hair type, you’ll be capable of achieving a really smooth look with this product.
Temperatures
While the range of temperatures is not as impressive as in the HSI Professional Glider, it’s perfectly acceptable. You can choose between 300-450°F. This covers the most popular temperatures used in hair straighteners.
The design allows you to get quite close to the scalp without hurting yourself, so you don’t really have to worry about having an uneven hair texture.
Extra Considerations
Straightening brushes all have their perks and downsides, but this one has more of the former. It’s astoundingly powerful for a brush, super-gentle, and easy to use — so much so that you can gift this to a pre-teen and let them explore hairstyling from an early age.
It could definitely be easier to clean. Prepare to spend a little time doing that. We also like that it works with wet hair (which flat irons do not), but you’ll achieve a faster and better effect if you dry your locks first.
Pros
- Suited for all hair types
- Gentle on damaged hair
- High range of temperatures
- Easy to use
- Surprisingly effective
Cons
- Somewhat difficult to clean
- Styling wet hair is a long process
3. Best Hair Straightener For Short Hair INFINITIPRO Tourmaline Flat Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron
Hair Types
The use of tourmaline means that you can use this iron on just about any type of hair without risking damage. The straightening effect here is fairly gentle but effective — just be prepared to run the plates over your hair more than once if your hair is super curly.
We especially recommend this straightener for fine hair, hair that has recently been dyed or bleached, and damaged hair. Most of all, this is the best hair straightener for short hair. 1″ plates ensure that you’ll be able to straighten even shorter strands. However, if you’ve got really long hair, you may find the process a little tedious with an iron this small.
Using this flat iron promises a silky-smooth finish. Your hair will look healthy & will be delightful to run your fingers through.
Temperatures
For a tourmaline flat iron, this hair straightener has an impressive maximum heat setting of 455 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes these rather effective even on tightly coiled and curled hair that other tourmaline plates might not be able to deal with.
The plates are ceramic-coated, which further adds to the security of this flat iron. There’s a downside: if the ceramic coating wears off, you’ll likely want to replace these.
Extra Considerations
For a gentle flat iron, it really packs a lot of punch. The heat settings are impressive, as you can choose from up to 30 different levels. The design promotes a no-frizz kind of look, so even if your hair is naturally somewhat straight, you’ll see satisfactory results. Most of all, it’s delicate and not big at all, so you can use it close to the scalp without worry.
Pros
- Delicate styling on all hair types
- 1" plates are suitable for short cuts
- No pulling, snagging, or damage
- Quick 15-second heat-up
Cons
- The ceramic coating may wear off in time
- Styling longer hair will be somewhat slow
4. Best Hair Drying Straightener Brush Revlon One-Step Hot Air Brush
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Styling hot air brush
Hair Types
This is a styling/straightening brush, so it works well with almost any hair type. It certainly won’t damage hair that is fine, weak, and frizzy — on the contrary, it should smoothen it out and give it a new life.
If you have very thick, curly hair (type 3 & 4) you may struggle with achieving a perfect smoothness using this brush. On the other hand, if your hair is prone to tangling, you might find that this brush is exactly what it needs to stay smooth.
Temperatures
As far as heat settings go, this brush is not that impressive. It only boasts two heat settings and a cooling option (great for styling). However, the use of ceramic in the comb and the plate protects your hair from all types of damage & makes it nice and smooth.
One awesome thing about this brush is that it doubles as a hairdryer. Yeah, that’s right! Use it on damp hair and style it as it dries — cut down the time on styling by over half. Don’t be afraid to bring this brush close to your scalp
Extra Considerations
If you don’t want to have multiple devices for different hairstyles, it’s good to combine them all in one. This brush allows for that. You can straighten your hair, curl it, give yourself salon-worthy waves, and more — all of this without damaging your locks. You won’t straighten your hair as you would with a flat iron, but a natural wave is entirely possible. You’ll also love the volume-boosting qualities of this brush.
Pros
- Lots of styling options
- Gentle hair treatment
- Frizz reduction
- Volumizing qualities
Cons
- Not ideal for super-thick hair
- You won't straighten your hair to make it completely flat
5. Best Budget Hair Straightener Remington S5500 Flat Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron
Hair Types
This hair straightener sports a mix of titanium and ceramic. This means it offers some protection, but also a really quick & strong heat up.
Despite being a budget pick, Remington does a good job with thick hair without damaging the finer strands. You can use it to go from curls to totally straight in a short amount of time. While it’s fairly delicate, you should still be extra careful on damaged hair. At the very least, use some sort of a hair protectant.
Keep in mind that this iron is fairly thin, measuring at just an inch in width. Perfect for shorter cuts and bangs, decent for long hair if you’ve got enough patience.
Temperatures
Remington has digital controls and an LCD panel that displays the current heat setting. The temperature ranges are okay, from 310°F to 410°F. It’s all you’ll really need, but if you want something with a wider range, check out Kipozi Titanium Flat Iron.
Extra Considerations
For such an affordable pick, Remington has a lot to offer. The high-heat setting is good enough to help you style even thick hair. It heats up quickly, in just about 30-seconds, and allows you to do more than just straighten your hair out — you can also curl it, as this is a rounded iron. It’s versatile and all-around decent for the price.
Pros
- High value for the money
- Titanium plates offer even heat distribution & quick heat-up
- Suitable for short hair
- Strong enough for type 4 hair
Cons
- Styling longer hair takes a while
- If your hair is damaged, you will need to use a heat protectant
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron
Hair Types
BaByliss is a brand well-known for their hair products, so it’s no wonder that this hair straightener is really good at dealing with thick hair. If you find that your hair takes half an hour to simply blowdry, this is the straightener for you. The titanium plates are highly conductive and provide fantastic heat that deals with even tight coils & curls.
Like the other flat irons with titanium plates, you may want to stay away if your hair is damaged. Try out a tourmaline hair iron instead, such as the INFINITIPRO Tourmaline Flat Iron.
These come in either a 1 ¼” plate size or 1 ¾”, which means you can use them with all lengths of hair.
Temperatures
The highest temperature you can achieve with this iron is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. There aren’t many situations in which you’ll need to go all the way up on the temp, but if you ever do, it’s good to have the option.
The heat-up times on BaByliss are more than adequate. It takes less than 15 seconds for this flat iron to be ready to go.
Extra Considerations
We’ll be honest — this is not a cheap hair straightener. You can definitely get one much cheaper. But for the durability & effectiveness it provides, it’s worth the extra expense. Especially if your hair is “problematic” — as in, other flat irons didn’t do the job — we recommend BaByliss for its amazing strength and reliability.
Pros
- Capable of dealing with even coarse, thick hair
- Wide range of temperatures up to 450 degrees F
- 15-second heat-up
- Versatile plate sizing
Cons
- Quite pricey
- Not for super-damaged hair
7. Best Mini Hair Straightener AmoVee Mini Flat Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Mini flat iron
Hair Types
This is a small flat iron, but it packs a big punch. It’ll deal with thick, coarse hair up to type 4C without issues. It might do a slightly better job with hair that is on the wavy/lightly curly side, though. If your hair is really thick, you’ll spend a longer amount of time styling it.
There’s no gap in the plates, so you don’t have to worry about painful hair snagging. The plates are made out of ceramic & tourmaline and are perfect for fine hair.
As the plate width is travel-sized, this flat iron is small. You can get it in a 1.4″ width size, but the length is shorter than that of regular flat irons.
Temperatures
For a product so small, the temp ranges are rather impressive. Secure & gentle tourmaline and ceramic heat up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit. The downside? Just one heat setting, so if that is too high for you, we don’t recommend buying this mini straightener.
Extra Considerations
Sometimes you just want something to take with you on the go. Or perhaps you only need some touch-ups, you’ve got bangs or a rather demanding hairstyle that needs a lot of maneuverability. Whichever one it is, it’s good to own a small flat iron that can really get in there and do the job.
Pros
- High heat setting for such a small product
- Very affordable
- Easy to maneuver
- Perfect for bobs, pixie cuts, bangs
Cons
- Just one heat setting
- Not recommended for styling full-length hair
8. Best 2-in-1 Hair Straightener Furiden Hair Straightener and Curler
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron & hair curler
Hair Types
While this is suited for most hair types, it works best on normal hair. This means that for super-thick hair, you’ll need to go over the strands a few times to achieve a desirable effect.
The plates are made out of a mix of tourmaline and ceramic. Use this curling/straightening iron on fine hair if you need to. They’re gentle enough to be used every day, but of course, follow proper hair care if you do.
This entire flat iron is very rounded. This allows for both straightening and curling your hair. You can achieve a beautiful beach wave look with these.
Temperatures
There are 20 heat settings in this product, ranging from 265 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Such a temperature range is suitable for almost every single hair type.
Extra Considerations
Much like the Revlon One-Step Hot Air Brush, this hair straightener/curler combo is versatile. This is a 2-in-1 that will answer most of your styling needs in just one product. While thick hair will take a long time to style, normal hair is very easy to manage.
Pros
- Efficient hair straightening
- Beautiful curls & beach waves
- Wide temperature ranges
- 15-second heat-up
Cons
- Difficult to use on thick hair
- Mid-range pricing
9. Best Titanium Hair Straightener Kipozi Titanium Flat Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Flat iron
Hair Types
This flat iron will straighten just about any type of hair, even type 4C, with ease. The titanium plates make it distribute heat evenly as well as generate the highest possible amount of warmth. Styling should be quick, with a head full of hair going from tight coils to perfectly straight in around 15 minutes.
We don’t recommend using titanium plates for very damaged hair, however. While this hair straightener has a number of safety measures in place, it’s still not the best choice if your hair needs some gentle care.
As far as the size goes, Kipozi’s flat iron is rather wide, measuring at 1.75″ in plate width. This contributes to quick straightening even on long hairstyles. However, you shouldn’t attempt to use it on short cuts or bangs, as it’s too wide for that. You need a smaller iron, such as the INFINITIPRO Tourmaline Flat Iron.
Temperatures
The temperature ranges here are really rather impressive! Ranging from 170°F to 450°F, this flat iron allows you to adapt the heat to what your hair needs the most.
Extra Considerations
Titanium plate flat irons are always in a league of their own, but this one shines amongst all the other good contenders. It’ll deal with just about any type of hair really, really quickly. It has an LCD screen that makes it easy to see what temperature setting you’re currently using.
The heat distribution is more-than-satisfactory, as expected of a titanium plate. Lastly, it has a dual voltage (110v – 220v), so you can take it on a trip. Keep in mind that some countries still require an adapter.
Pros
- Powerful straightening capabilities
- Even heat distribution
- Suitable for thick, coiled hair
- Wide plates are perfect for longer hairstyles
- Dual voltage (110v-220v)
Cons
- Titanium plates are not ideal for damaged hair
- The width is not suitable for short hair
Guide to Buying the Best Hair Straightener
We’ve touched upon this at the beginning of our guide, but there’s way more to taming your locks than you may think. What flat iron to use for curly hair? What about wavy hair, or damaged hair? Can you straighten bleached hair? So many questions, so few answers… Not anymore!
In our buying guide, we will cover everything you need to know to buy the best hair straightener out there, so let’s get right to it!
Qualities to Consider
At first glance, you may think that every flat iron looks exactly the same. That might even be true for some models. But just as you wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, don’t be swayed by pretty pictures and look at the facts. There are some factors you need to consider when you shop for a new flat iron, and we’re going to talk about all of them.
Type of Hair Straightener
As you may have seen in our list of reviews, there are more types of hair straighteners than the popular flat iron kind. Straightening brushes are a thing, and then you can also follow the good ol’ “hairdryer and a brush” method. What’s best for you?
Flat irons
Definitely the most popular option of all, flat irons feature two heated metal plates that straighten your hair. The plates can be made from different materials, although regardless of the material, they often have a bit of ceramic technology that evens out the heat distribution. Pressing your hair with these heated plates relaxes the hydrogen bonds in the strands, smoothing them out.
These have the greatest success in straightening your hair out, even if it’s very curly. You can also use them for the opposite, such as styling your hair into gentle waves.
Straightening Brushes
You probably didn’t have one of these growing up, but they’re taking the market by storm. These heated brushes utilize hot bristles and plates that you simply glide through your hair. This will straighten your hair without damaging it.
They’re a good pick if your hair is fine, frizzy, or damaged. They do not, however, offer the same degree of success as a flat iron.
Hairdryers
You definitely have a hairdryer at home, but have you tried to style your hair with it? It’s definitely possible — when your hairstylist does it, it looks beautiful, right? It’s not all as easy as it seems, though, and a hairdryer alone won’t straighten your hair.
You can use a hairdryer to straighten wavy or frizzy hair if you use the right type of brush, such as a round brush. This method definitely offers a lot of freedom in terms of what you want your hairdo to look like. It does take a fair bit of work, however, and going from super curly to ultra-straight is really hard to do.
Type of Plates
The plates in a hair straightener are made from various materials. Why is it important which kind of material you pick? It’s simple: different materials are better for different kinds of hair.
Titanium Irons
Titanium hair straighteners tend to be a little tougher on the wallet, but they’re super-good for coarse, curly hair. If you’ve got a mane that can’t be tamed, titanium is the way to go.
These plates heat up your flat iron evenly and quickly, which results in better heat distribution. That, in turn, makes them more effective even on hair that was never anywhere close to straight in the first place.
While they can smooth out even the most stubborn locks, they’re not too good for you if your hair is damaged. As the temperatures in a titanium iron can reach really high, it’s easy to harm your hair if it’s not very strong.
Tourmaline Irons
You may see these referred to as “ionic plates” or “ionic irons” — all of those names refer to the same thing. Tourmaline plates are your go-to saviors if your hair is in a bad shape. We’ve all heard the spiel that straightening your hair can damage it, but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, tourmaline plates might produce the opposite effect.
Hair straighteners equipped with tourmaline plates produce more negative than positive ions, which means less static. This reduces the frizz in your hair, helps solve the issue of split ends, and seals the hair shaft. You may not need to trim your hair as often if you use tourmaline irons.
The downside? They’re not as strong as titanium, so if your hair is really curly, you’re not going to love the result.
Ceramic Irons
Consider ceramic somewhat of a mix between titanium and tourmaline. Ceramic hair straighteners are easy to find, not too pricey, and effective enough on most hair types. Whether you’ve got near-straight hair or strong curls, you can probably take a knack at straightening it with these plates.
The catch? A jack of all trades is a master of none. You won’t see the kind of effectiveness here as you do with titanium plates, and ceramic is not quite as gentle as tourmaline if your hair is really damaged. However, for most of us ceramic will more than suffice.
Pro Tip: Watch Out for Ceramic-Coated Plates!
Some hair straighteners have plates that aren’t really ceramic. They’re just ceramic-coated. Using one is not the end of the world per se, but they’re not awesome either. Why? Because over time, the ceramic will wear off, and what’s underneath is not going to be anywhere near as good. The iron will distribute heat unevenly, leaving you with less-than-desirable hair.
Ceramic-coated plates are okay in budget models. In these cases, you should expect to spend less, but be prepared to replace your hair straightener when the time comes.
Heat Settings
So now that you know titanium = high heat and tourmaline = lower heat & less damage, how does that translate into temperatures?
Not all hair types require the highest temps and most-effective straightening. This is why it’s good to pick up a hair straightener that offers adjustable heat settings. Cheap irons may only offer one, and that’s good enough if you don’t plan to use them every day. However, for daily styling, it’s better to invest a bit more and enjoy a product that won’t hurt your hairstyle.
The general rule of thumb is that you should always style on the lowest possible heat setting. You can always turn up the heat if needed, but you can’t go back if you burn your ends off. Because of this, look into hair straighteners that have good heat distribution & several heat settings.
Plate Size & Shape
This only really applies to flat irons, so if you’re looking for a straightening brush, you can skip past this section.
So, flat irons. They all look pretty much the same, right? Wrong! The plates have two different shapes and that plays into how you can use the hair straightener.
- If the plates and the iron are a little rounded, then the straightener is suited to be used as a curling iron instead of just straightening your hair out.
- If the edges are sharp, you’ll have a harder time using the iron to curl your hair. On the other hand, you’ll likely be able to turn even the wildest locks into super-straight strands.
The shape is one thing, but what about the width of the plate? Does size even matter? Let’s talk about some of the most common variants.
- 2″ plates — These are some of the widest out there. You’ll style your hair quicker, even if it’s very long.
- 1 ½” plates — Decent for both long and medium hair. As far as texture goes, curly and coarse will be okay with a 1 ½”-2″ plate.
- Under 1 ½” — Not ideal for longer hairstyles, recommended for easily styled hair (so no thick curls, unfortunately!).
- Mini plates — You could call them the younger, much smaller cousins of proper flat irons. Use them for bangs or really short haircuts, such as a pixie cut.
Cheap or Pricey?
A hair straightener is a bit of a funny device. You can get a really cheap one for $15 or you can get an expensive one for over $200. In theory, both of these are meant to do the same thing — give your hair a sleek look. Will they both succeed? The answer is: it depends.
In general, it’s probably best not to go with the absolute cheapest option unless you have no choice. You’ll find that other than lacking some settings, these hair straighteners are simply prone to breaking down. However, if you only plan to use them occasionally, you may be satisfied with a cheap model.
Remember that super high-end flat irons or brushes don’t always have to be the best. Finding the right balance is sometimes tricky. If you want something that was tried, tested, and proven to be worth the money, check out our best budget pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve seen the best hair straighteners available in 2024, you’ve read our buyer’s guide, so now what? Do you still have any lingering questions? Your hair is only going to thank you if you read up on everything before you first press that iron to your mane. Let’s cover some of the most common questions we receive in regards to hair straightening.
Will I Damage My Hair If I Straighten It?
That depends entirely on how you do it & how often you do it.
If you use a straightener daily, then your hair will not thank you. This applies even to the most gentle models with low heat and plenty of protection. If you intend to straighten your hair daily, make sure you invest in a really good, delicate straightener, such as the MiroPure Enhanced Hair Straightener Brush.
If you do it occasionally or even frequently, but on low heat, your hair won’t be damaged by the process. However, for fine, weak hair, it’s important to use a good conditioner and not apply the heat for too long.
How Do I Prevent Damage When Straightening My Hair?
Whether you want to straighten your hair every single day or just occasionally, you’ve got to play it smart. Here are a couple of steps for you to follow.
- Care for your hair daily. Use the correct type of shampoo and a solid conditioner to keep your hair silky smooth before you ever touch it with a hair straightener.
- Use hair masks to repair the damage before it gets too severe.
- Never straighten wet or moist hair. If your hair is not fully dry, it won’t be easily straightened. The result? Having to apply heat to the same section of hair repeatedly. Ouch.
- Tied with the above: use hair clips to section your hair off. You don’t want to re-do the same part over and over again & end up with the nightmarish scenario of a part of your hair getting burned off.
- Lowest temperature — ALWAYS. Yeah, we talked about this before, but it’s important enough to say it again. Always try to use the lowest possible heat setting on your straightener.
- Apply a heat protectant before straightening your hair. You don’t need a lot — just spray a little bit and rub it into your waves.
Can You Straighten Bleached And/Or Damaged Hair?
You can, but you really need to be careful about strictly following your hair care routine. The above steps are a good start, but you might want to go the extra mile and talk to your hairstylist.
We don’t recommend using a hair straightener soon after a bleach or a dye job — give your hair at least two weeks to recover. During that time, apply conditioners and hair masks frequently. Make sure you use a gentle, ceramic hair straightener once you get back to it — we recommend the HSI Professional Glider.
If your hair is really damaged, it might be good to seek other treatments before you pick up your straighteners once again. Keratin hair straightening is one way to get sleek and smooth hair while revitalizing it at the same time.
Which Heat Setting Do I Use When Straightening My Hair?
As said above, you want to go as low as possible for your first attempt. You can always turn the heat up if needed. But, to give you a clearer idea, here’s a handy write-up based on hair types.
- Fine hair, damaged hair, chemically treated hair — As low as you can possibly get. Stay below 300 degrees.
- Normal hair — If your hair is in a decent condition, you can go as high as 300-380 degrees. Around 360 is an optimal number for most users.
- Curly hair, thick hair, coarse hair — If you have a lot of faith in your hair, you can push the heat to the limit and turn it up to 400. For that, you’ll likely need a Kipozi Titanium Flat Iron.
You, Your Hair, & A Happily Ever After
Whether your very own hair journey is just beginning or you’ve seen it all by now, it’s never too late to try out a new hairstyle. Curls, locks, waves, or perfectly straight, sleek hair — all of that is within reach. What do you need? The right hair straightener & a dash of patience.
Don’t be shy to experiment with your hair, and when you do, make sure you’re well-equipped to do so. It takes a bit of time to get the hang of it, and we’ve all had some questionable hairstyles in our time, but don’t give up. Who knows, you might be just one more attempt away from the best ‘do you’ve ever had!