The 7 best hair straighteners for all hair types
Finding the best hair straighteners to suit your hair is quite the task as there are so many to choose from, yet a great quality hair tool is a beauty staple for most women. Whether you have naturally curly, frizzy or straight hair, a flattening iron will leave your hair glass-like smooth that no other tool will. In the early nineties, poker straight lengths became the trend of the moment but unfortunately left people with dry, frazzled ends due to over styling and heat damage. Now? Thanks to exceptional advances in technology, women can style their hair daily with little to no damage whatsoever. "We have moved on from the days of frizzy, unmanageable styles and straighteners are readily available for all hair types, at a range of price points," says Hershesons hairstylist, Jordan Garrett.
How to use a hair straightener?
Before styling, cleanse your hair from any dirt or pollution-residue it may have picked up in the day with a cleansing shampoo and conditioner. Before you begin styling, ensure you hair is dry as using an iron on wet hair will maximise the heat to a dangerous level that will damage your hair's cuticles. "Ensure your hair is 95% dry before styling, a little dampness is OK and can actually help straighten the likes of curly hair into a long-lasting style.
What are the best hair straighteners?
The latest features for creating bouncy curls to smooth, sleek lengths, include the use of digital temperature displays, automatic heat settings that detect what temperature your hair needs to be styled, ceramic plates to reduce snagging and protect your hair while styling and rounded barrels to achieve multiple looks, flicks, curls and smoothness. Great straighteners are certainly worthy of a little investment and are a cult product to create that just-stepped-out-of-the-salon finish. Here is the Telegraph Beauty Team's edit of the best tools worth investing in.
ghd Platinum+ Black Straighteners
Ghd have been long-time runners in beauty technology. The new TriZone technology used in this tool means they quickly adapt to the structure of your hair, optimising the temperature to minimise damage while styling. Predicting the actual temperature your hair needs to be styled, without compromising on efficacy, the iron is suitable for all hair types from fine and flyaway to thick and coarse.
L'Oreal Professional New Generation Steampod 2.0
As a more compact and efficient update of the original styler, this cordless tool utilises a continuous flow of concentrated steam to smooth down the hair shaft and create glossy, hydrated hair. As hair contains around 10-13% water, the Steampod adds extra hydration, therefore creating mirror like shine while retaining natural moisture. Perfect for those with dry and damaged hair in need of hydration. This is a super choice for those who have extra curly hair.
Cloud Nine Micro Iron
If you tend to travel with your straighteners and find them too bulky in your case, the Micro Iron is the tool for you. The small but effective plates are only 6 inches long, making it incredibly easy to use on shorter styles, think pin curls, fringes and bobs. Although the tool doesn't come with a heat control setting it is easily fitted into a handbag, includes international voltage and is perfect for those who want stylish-hair-on-the-go.
BaByliss Pro Titanium Expression Ultimate Styler
With on-trend rose gold plates, this innovative iron from BaByliss has a wide range of essential features, making it a front runner in beauty technology. Boasting advanced ceramic plates that heat up in 15 seconds, auto shut off mode and a salon length 3m swivel cord, the styler can create flicks, curls and straight looks to suit all. Heat settings that range from 180-235c can be adapted to suit your hair's texture, creating gorgeous style with minimal damage.
Paul Mitchell Neuro Smooth Straightener
If you are looking for a straightener with a little more gadgetry thrown in, these irons from Paul Mitchell will satisfy the tech-fiends among us. It features a SmartSense microchip that monitors temperature at an impressive rate of 50 times per second, ensuring even heat distribution at all times. This clever tool also features cushioned plates with beveled edges to minimise demarcation lines notorious with flat edged straighteners. A handy LCD display also shows the temperature reading on the outer side of the irons and can reach temperatures of 232c in 30 seconds. Not one to be underestimated, the Paul Mitchell straightener will glide through hair ever-so-cleverly.
Hershesons Titanium Ionic Professional Straighteners
The lightweight styler heats up quickly and the swivel cord means no tangled wires with incredible results. Perfect for creating smooth locks that are envied by all, this mini iron is handbag ready for all the right reasons.
Toni & Guy Style Fix Straightener
Beauty on a budget? The perfect straighteners don't need to cost the earth. A compact size to fit into a handbag easily and designed with Ceramic Tourmaline plates that glide through tresses effortlessly, this styler is perfect for beauty on the go. The Colour Lock Technology locks in colour while smoothing the hair cuticle. If you're looking for affordable luxury, then this iron won't disappoint.
