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