| You might think it's a good idea to buy the same | | | | hearing about? Tourmaline, Nano-Titanium, Nano |
| iron your best friend has, but if your hair texture | | | | Silver, Nano anything? These are additional |
| is different, your results may never be the same. | | | | materials used in the plates to enhance the |
| Everyone asks me "Which flat iron is the best?" | | | | smoothness of the plate's surface, generate |
| and I always answer, "What is your hair type?" | | | | additional negative ions to smooth your hair |
| before I answer with a specific flat iron. Unless | | | | quickly, and create a snag free glide down the |
| you've tried it firsthand, chances are the iron you | | | | strands. Here's a breakdown: |
| are thinking of buying might not be the best one | | | | Nano |
| for your hair. Let's narrow down the choices with | | | | This is a process where the material, say |
| a few key questions. | | | | Tourmaline, is micronized into superfine particles |
| Which plate width? | | | | and infused into the plate surface. Whenever you |
| Determine which plate width you need - one inch | | | | see Nano, think teeny, tiny pieces of a smoothing |
| does not fit all. Selecting a plate width for your | | | | material infused into the plates. Nano-Ceramic, |
| specific hair length will save you styling time and | | | | Nano-Silver, you get the idea. |
| prevent damage. Not all irons come in all sizes so | | | | Ceramic and Nano-Ceramic |
| this can help you narrow down your selection. | | | | Smaller particles of Ceramic to contribute to your |
| Fixed or variable temperature settings? | | | | smoothing process. This is good for every hair |
| Flat irons come in fixed or variable temperature | | | | type. Most flat irons with Ceramic technology |
| settings. The type that works best for you | | | | provide silky, straight results but there are a |
| depends on your hair's texture and your styling | | | | variety of price points. As for most irons I've |
| needs. | | | | tried, the pricier Ceramic irons really are better. |
| Is your hair thin, delicate, damaged or fine? | | | | Plus the more expensive irons usually come with |
| Choose a flat iron with a variable temperature | | | | additional features and benefits so be sure to look |
| setting so you can control the heat and keep the | | | | into this if you are considering a Ceramic iron. |
| iron from getting too hot. | | | | Nano-Titanium |
| Is your hair thick and hard to straighten? A fixed | | | | Super smoothing surface, great heat conduction, |
| temperature would be a good choice for you so | | | | straightens hair up to 40% faster. Is it |
| you can crank up the heat on those pesky pieces | | | | necessary? If your hair is hard to straighten, this |
| that just won't straighten. | | | | is one of the best materials out there for you, |
| Is your hair is somewhere in between? Most likely | | | | newer technology but comparable to Tourmaline. |
| you will be fine with either choice. My personal | | | | If you want the latest technology you'll like this. |
| preference is a variable setting - I like control. | | | | Nano-Silver |
| Does it create curls? | | | | A smooth surface that eliminates bacteria on the |
| Most flat irons today will create curls, but (ahem) | | | | appliance creating a germ-free environment every |
| the curls are only as good as the user who | | | | time you use it. Great for a stylist, or |
| creates them, so brush up on those curling | | | | germ-a-phobe. It straightens hair well, but do you |
| techniques. | | | | have to have it? Probably not. |
| Which Technology? | | | | Nano-Tourmaline |
| Ok, this is really the source of most flat iron | | | | Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone known |
| confusion. Most flat irons on the market today | | | | for its negative ion generating and smoothing |
| have similar straightening technology, but which is | | | | properties, and is infused into the flat iron plates. |
| best? Again, that depends on your hair type and | | | | This is earlier technology than Nano-Titanium and |
| styling needs. | | | | Nano-Silver. I sometimes find that Tourmaline |
| Ceramic/Ionic | | | | causes static, but still a very good material for |
| Almost all professional grade flat irons are | | | | smoothing most hair types. |
| Ceramic and Ionic these days. This technology is | | | | Does it come with a warranty? |
| important in generating negative ions to smooth | | | | The warranty is another biggie to think about. |
| the hair cuticles. What you may not realize is | | | | Some manufacturers will only honor a warranty if |
| NONE of the flat iron plates are 100% Ceramic. | | | | you buy the flat iron in a salon. I would consider |
| That's a myth. All plates are infused with Ceramic | | | | that a fine idea if the salon in my area carried |
| (and/or other materials) to straighten and smooth | | | | every flat iron. Truth is, they don't. But I have |
| the hair. I kid you not! | | | | noticed the irons they do carry are way more |
| Industry research shows that pure Ceramic plates | | | | expensive than online. What gives? |
| would be too soft to get the job done, so all | | | | If you are buying a flat iron in a store or online, |
| manufacturers (this means all of them!) use | | | | look for a flat iron that has a 1 year warranty or |
| Ceramic along with a much stronger, heat | | | | longer. We've all heard the rumors about a certain |
| conducting surface such as Aluminum, Titanium, | | | | flat iron that breaks after only a few months. |
| etc. to straighten the hair's cuticles. And boy do | | | | Honestly, it does. You might want to think about |
| they work. | | | | it. 'Nuff said. |
| Aluminum | | | | If you use a flat iron every day you want it to |
| Some older, lesser quality flat irons are pure | | | | last. Make sure you select a flat iron guaranteed |
| Aluminum. These irons are usually referred to as | | | | to survive your daily styling habits. If you use a |
| the "drugstore variety" and do not contain | | | | flat iron sporadically, go for a less expensive |
| Ceramic. This is why you notice a huge difference | | | | Ceramic iron without all the technological bells and |
| when you upgrade to a pricier iron - the addition | | | | whistles. |
| of Ceramic. | | | | I hope you take the time to ask yourself these |
| So you know what Ceramic does, but what | | | | simple questions, the flat iron of your dreams is |
| about all of those other materials you keep | | | | waiting for you! |