| Most women with curly or wavy hair have at | | | | - How heavy is it? A lightweight one will be |
| some point coveted straight hair. If you are | | | | easier on your arms and make you task much |
| one of them and wish to try this, you should | | | | more bearable. |
| know that there are several great options | | | | |
| these days and none of them involves a | | | | - Does it have a swivel power cord? This |
| clothes iron. New methods, using state of the | | | | feature can make your task go much quicker. |
| art technology, are safer and less harmful to | | | | |
| your hair. You can opt for the chemical | | | | - There are now several cordless models on |
| process to permanently straighten your hair | | | | the market. If you are going to use it for |
| and achieve a smooth, shiny, straight mane | | | | quick touch ups or for travel; this option is |
| for anywhere from six to nine months. Or you | | | | great. |
| can temporarily sport a straight hairstyle | | | | |
| for special occasions. You may want to try | | | | - Look for a straightening iron with a |
| this before you commit to a permanent change. | | | | protective heat resistant case so when you |
| | | | are done you can move on without worrying |
| If you have the time and patience you can | | | | about it cooling down. |
| just use a good hair dryer and styling brush | | | | |
| to blow dry your hair straight or you can try | | | | - Get a smaller plate iron for short hair and |
| a straightening irons. There are several | | | | a wider one for longer hair. |
| different types of straighteners available, | | | | |
| from the older, most commonly used | | | | Tips |
| chrome-plated metal irons to gold-plated ones | | | | |
| and of course the newest technology, ceramic. | | | | - Make sure your hair is totally dry before |
| If you are short on cash try the regular | | | | using a heated iron. Hair is most fragile and |
| metal or the gold-plated ones; gold is easier | | | | prone to breakage when it is wet and the |
| on your hair. If you can afford to splurge, | | | | straightening iron on damp hair will open the |
| purchase a ceramic straightening iron and | | | | cuticle and damage the cortex. If possible, |
| your hair will thank you. The ceramic heats | | | | allow your hair to dry naturally instead of |
| up more evenly and is gentler to your hair by | | | | blow drying as this will reduce the amount of |
| helping preserve the natural moisture. It | | | | heat your hair has to endure at one time. |
| also results in shinier, smoother, healthier | | | | |
| looking hair as it tends to glide through | | | | - Use a product like serum or protein |
| better. Ceramic is known to eliminate frizz | | | | treatment before straightening - specially on |
| and minimize static. | | | | the ends. This will further help protect your |
| | | | hair and leave it shinier. |
| Things to look for in a straightening iron: | | | | |
| | | | - If you are looking for pin straight hair, |
| - Does it have adjustable and several heat | | | | part hair into small sections and do a couple |
| settings? You will have to experiment with it | | | | of passes with the iron on each section. |
| to find your ideal temperature. Although a | | | | |
| high heat setting will get hair straighter | | | | - If you are in a rush or are looking for |
| quicker, try to follow the general rule of | | | | just a smooth, polished finish; straighten |
| using lower settings for fine hair and higher | | | | just the top layer of your hair. No one will |
| setting for thick or coarse hair | | | | see the bottom layers anyway. |
| | | | |
| - Look for solid ceramic plates instead of a | | | | - Do not wrap the cord around the iron as it |
| ceramic coating as the former will last much | | | | may fray or damage cord causing a hazard and |
| longer. | | | | giving your investment a shorter life. |
| | | | |