The best professional hair straightener

Curl straight hair, straighten curly hair! This story is familiar to every girl, and if there are a large number of hairdressing tools and improvised tools for creating curls, then the range of devices for taming them is very limited. The most effective way is to use a professional hair straightener.

In skillful hands, a hair straightener can reveal all its capabilities and help create a stunning hairstyle. There are a number of reasons to have this tool in your beauty arsenal:

• Polyfunctionality. A curling iron cannot replace a straightener, but a flat iron can easily cope with the task of both gadgets, the main thing is to master the technology of winding curls onto hair straighteners.
• Fast result. It doesn't matter if you use an iron for perfect smoothness of hair or to create beautiful waves, high-quality and fast results are guaranteed. You no longer need to lie down on curlers at night and shape your hair with a hairdryer and comb - styling will take no more than half an hour.

• Various nozzles. Depending on the desired effect, you can choose from a set of nozzles the one that is needed at the moment: soft waves, large or small corrugations, absolute smoothness, basal volume, graceful curls.
• Hair health care. All professional models and tongs for amateurs use nozzles with different coatings, which are gentle on the surface of the hair, without overdrying or burning it.
• Adjustable temperature. Depending on the type and structure of the hair, it is easy to set a more gentle or high temperature by controlling just two buttons and focusing on the indicators of the electronic scoreboard.
• Uniform heat transfer when the tongs move along the curl from top to bottom. Due to this, the strands along the entire length are aligned equally well, and the hairstyle is smooth and neat.

• Hairstyle for any hair length. It is rather problematic to lay on curlers or a curling iron too short and too long hair. Hair straighteners cope with both Rapunzel's hair and short haircuts, for this you just need to choose the right length and width of the plates.
• Affordable price. One iron with different nozzles will replace all other tools, which will significantly save the cost of buying curlers, styling products and combs of various shapes and sizes.
• Smart features. The newer the gadget, the more features it has. The latest generation of irons can surprise you with a number of useful features, including steam humidification and automatic shutdown after a long pause in use. “I forgot to turn off the iron” is no longer a problem.

• Stylish design. Creating beauty, a professional hair straightener remains beautiful itself. For those who appreciate the aesthetic qualities of technology no less than the functional ones, manufacturers of hairdressing tools produce irons of various colors and colors. In this case, the body itself and the plates can be colored.
• Long service life. Even with the most active use and minimal care, a hair straightener will work effectively for at least five years. In the event of a breakdown, most models are subject to warranty repair.

All hair straighteners and tongs differ according to several criteria: width, shape and type of attachment of the plates, the presence of nozzles, temperature conditions, type of coating, additional functions.

In terms of width, narrow, medium and wide plates are distinguished. The minimum width is 15 millimeters, designed for thin and weak hair. When choosing such narrow forceps, it is important to evaluate how tightly they grip the strand, otherwise the device will not do its job. The gap should not be more than 1.5mm.

The average size is 40-50 millimeters. Such models are suitable for different types of hair, the length of which is up to the shoulders and below.

The widest plates of 70-80 millimeters are designed for thick and long curls.

According to the shape of the plate, there are two types: with straight and rounded corners. The first option is more suitable for ideal hair straightening, and the second is for those cases when the straightener is used as a curling iron.For winding curls, it is better to choose a model from 2 to 5 centimeters wide.

There are also two types of plate fastening: floating and fixed. Rigidly fixed plates are built into the body of the device and the tighter they wrap around the strand, the stronger the pressure on the ironing handles. They are suitable for dense, healthy, thick and long curls.

Floating plates are fixed with springs or rubber bands, due to which they move easily along the strands during the styling procedure. This mount is more convenient for hair that requires special care.

The material from which the plates are made is decisive for such important parameters as hair protection, ease of sliding, level and speed of heating. Common types of coatings:

• Metallic. It has a high degree of heating, but the heat is distributed unevenly. Suitable for rare use, when there is no time for careful styling, but the heating speed and low cost of such a coating are its only advantages;
• Ceramic. Rectifiers with ceramic plates are the most popular among professional gadgets. They are significantly inferior to metal ones in the heating rate, but the temperature on any part of the plate will be the same, and ceramics are less harmful to hair.

• Teflon. Yes, yes, the same non-stick coating that distinguishes high-quality frying utensils. Thanks to these properties, Teflon tongs do not need to be cleaned from styling products, but otherwise their effect is identical to ceramic ones.
• Marble-ceramic. The main feature of the symbiosis of the two materials is that the ceramic part is responsible for high-quality hair straightening using high temperatures, and marble, which conducts heat poorly, neutralizes the negative effects of these temperatures. Hair becomes smooth, but remains healthy and beautiful;
• Tourmaline. Tourmaline is a beautiful berry-colored mineral that is used in the manufacture of professional hair styling equipment. Tourmaline irons give excellent results, smoothing hair scales, giving them shine, and solve the problem of static electricity;

• Keramo-ionic. In this embodiment, when the ceramic plates are heated, negative ions are released, which contribute to the restoration of the hair structure. Irons with this coating make curls smooth, shiny and silky;
• Titanium. Despite the high cost and exceptionally professional properties of the gadget, it is not recommended to use it often, especially for beginners. Titanium has the ability to evenly heat up to very high temperatures and straighten even tight small curls, but it is very difficult to protect the hair from burning. In addition, such a coating wears out faster;
• Tungsten. Tungsten is a unique material that warms up instantly and evenly and creates a styling that perfectly lasts throughout the day without additional hair cosmetic products;

• Jadeite. A semi-precious metal coating that, in addition to its correspondingly high price, is distinguished by the ability to style hair while it is still damp. The strands are perfectly fixed, acquire smoothness and shine;
• Silver. Antibacterial spraying of silver revitalizes hair and guarantees excellent results. One caveat - such a pleasure will not be cheap.
• Steam. This is a new generation of hair straighteners based on the latest developments in the beauty industry. A steam iron can tame even the most unruly curls without damaging your hair.

The most important technical characteristic of the device, which includes the minimum and maximum heating temperature, speed and uniformity of heat distribution.

Despite the fact that manufacturers still produce irons with and without a thermostat, and the temptation to save money is always great, you should not purchase a model without the ability to vary the degree of heating of the plates. There are 4 types of regulators in total:

• Based on the selection of the desired temperature manually (mechanical), however, the scale does not show degrees, but the degree of heating according to the Minimum-Maximum principle. Once you set the toggle switch to the desired level, you can not switch it every time, the temperature will always be the same.

• The second option refers to the electronic type. It is characterized by maximum accuracy, but before each use it requires a new temperature setting.
• The third is a combination of the advantages of mechanical and electronic types, that is, it is meticulously accurate and able to remember the desired degree during the next turn on.
• The fourth type is an innovative solution in the beauty industry. He not only shows the temperature extremely accurately, but also determines it himself, recognizing the structure and type of hair.

But such smart devices are not yet available to everyone, so it is important to learn how to independently determine and adjust the temperature regime. As a rule, choosing the best option for a particular hair is obtained only with the acquisition of experience, but there are also general recommendations:

• "African" curls require high temperature - up to 200 degrees (with a maximum threshold of 230) or steam exposure;
• A curly thick mop can be laid at 185-190 degrees;
• Dense, but not too curly hair needs processing at 180-185 degrees;
• 170 is enough for normal curls;
• Thin and fragile hair should be protected and not heated more than 165 degrees;
• The maximum allowable threshold for dyed and bleached hair is 155.
• The limit of damaged and weak hair is 140 degrees.

Rectifier - the name is conditional. Almost any hair straightener can not only stretch the strands, but also create a different styling. Possibilities depend on the set of nozzles in the kit.

The smallest, but at the same time very useful and necessary thing is a comb. It looks like a plate with one row of small teeth, which is located on the side of the heating plates. As a result, the strand falls under the plates already smooth and combed, which greatly facilitates the process and improves the look of styling.

Corrugations of various sizes are also often found as an addition. If the corrugated surface is large, then the waves will be light, large and airy.With a smaller and more frequent arrangement of "ribs", the strands acquire a pronounced corrugation effect. The smallest nozzle is convenient to use at the roots to create basal volume.

Additional functions:

• Conditioning. Styling agent is delivered directly through the plates, providing additional thermal protection and shine to the hair. The conditioner cartridge is replaceable.
• Antibacterial spray. The silver layer is designed to treat hair with silver ions.
• Cooling. Some models provide for blowing cold air, which neutralizes the thermal effect.
• Hydration. The steam generator in the body of the iron allows you to cope with even the most naughty and small curls.
• Cord twist. The base of the cord rotates with the rotation of the body, so it does not tangle or break.
• Thermal cover. A special bag for ironing, in which you can put it away while still hot. The cover has a loop to hang it on a hook.

The best professional hair straightener doesn't have to be the last line of expensive stylers from a big-name manufacturer. Many companies produce irons, tongs and hair straighteners. Their products, tested by time and masters of their craft, live up to their promises to the maximum and take care of the beauty of styling.

In the ratings of manufacturers based on the reviews of professionals and amateurs, models of well-known companies most often appear:

• Rowenta. This is German quality at an affordable price. It has all the necessary advantages: more than a dozen temperature regimes, shock-absorbing plates, good cord length and the ability to rotate it without tangling, a fixing hook, a case included, ease of use, beautiful design;

• Ga.Ma. Stylish performance, compact size, "salon" effect, ceramic-tourmaline coating and hair ionization. The disadvantage is due to the small size of the device - it will take a lot of time to style long hair, and the devices are not designed for thick and dense hair at all.

• Valera. Swiss precision in determining temperatures, indicators, high heating rate, safe types of coating, floating plates and nice bonuses for any model of the manufacturer;
• BaByliss. A versatile gadget for professional and home use. It provides 5 different modes, heating up to 230 degrees, convenient plate width, good clamping. During operation, the body of the device heats up, so the kit includes a multi-layer mat to protect the work surface and heat-resistant gloves.

• Brown. The brand name is synonymous with quality and reliability. Any model from the line of hair straighteners provides an ideal result, gentle hair care, ease of use and long service life. With such a list of advantages, the price is a pleasant surprise.
• Philips. Titanium, ceramic or marble-ceramic plates, easy control with an accuracy of up to a degree, the presence of additional functions.

The price of a rectifier is determined by its capabilities, functions and belonging to a particular brand.

A fairly budgetary acquisition can be the products of companies widely distributed on the Russian market Vitek, Philips, Braun, Moser. Their price range increases according to the characteristics from 1630 to 2990 rubles.

In the next price category - from 3000 to 6000 rubles, you can find models Ga. Ma, Harizma, BaByliss, Remington.

Prices above 6,000 rubles are presented exclusively for professional equipment with a high-quality coating, and even more progressive models based on steam and equipped with a cartridge with air conditioning can be purchased at a starting price of 9,000 rubles. The maximum threshold has no clear limits. With high requirements and appropriate financial capabilities, it is easy to spend more than 26,000 rubles on a professional hair straightener.

A high-quality and properly selected iron is a good investment in beauty. But it is not always clear how the device will behave in operation, how to choose a really good styling tool and not miscalculate. Professionals advise to adhere to the following rules:

• An iron doesn't have to be cheap. Yes, low-cost equipment does not necessarily mean low quality, but the material for making safe plates cannot be called readily available, so a priori a rectifier cannot cost a penny. Most likely, its plates are metal, which means that they heat up to only 180 degrees, do not cope with their task by 100% and spoil the hair.

• Like shampoo, conditioner and any hair care products, the width and type of coverage are chosen according to the condition of the hair. Thin and weak curls need careful care, ion-coated gadgets, steam and air-conditioned gadgets are suitable for them. The tongs themselves should be no more than 4 centimeters wide with floating plates. Thick hair is better handled by wide static plates made of materials that can heat up to 200 degrees.Hair of medium length and density suits most options.
• Thermal protection is a mandatory addition to the rectifier. No type of coating can be called completely harmless, so the hair must be protected from thermal exposure with sprays and foams.

• If you plan to use tongs not only for smoothing, but also for curling curls, the ends of the device should be slightly rounded. It is also worth looking at the nozzles in the kit. Some of them are capable of doing wonders for styling.
• It is important to consider not only the condition of the forceps, but also related factors: whether the surface of the device heats up along with the plates, whether gloves are provided in the kit, how long is the cord, whether there is a case for storing the iron, whether it is convenient to hold it in your hand for a long time.
• Size matters. A compact model is easier to take with you on a trip, but it will take much longer to process all the strands with it. A full-sized flat iron will get the job done faster, but packing it into a travel bag will be more difficult.

• The right tongs “grab” the strands well. The maximum distance between the plates is 2mm, with a larger gap, the straightener simply will not cope with its task, since the heat distribution will be uneven and not all hair will straighten equally well.
• Power is an important indicator of any equipment, whether it is a household appliance or a hair styler. The more powerful the device, the faster it will heat up and the longer it will work.

• It is worth paying attention to the type of thermostat. The best option is accurate to the degree and remembers frequently used temperatures.
• Availability of additional features. It is not necessary to synchronize the iron with a smartphone, but turning off on your own after a long period of time if it is not being used is a very necessary skill.

According to hair stylists, it is not the iron itself that is harmful, but its improper use. To make hair styling as harmless as possible with a straightener, you should listen to the recommendations of the masters:

• The iron is used on freshly washed, almost dry hair treated with a suitable conditioner.
• Combing and applying thermal protection are mandatory steps.
• But you need to fix the hairstyle at the final stage. The use of any styling products before the start of “pulling” the hair is the most traumatic factor for them.

• It is desirable to process strands in layers, starting from the bottom. Direct the forceps from the roots to the tips, not staying in one place for a long time.
• You should not get hung up on one way to use the iron, because you can stretch the strands, emphasize the shape of the hairstyle, create curls, corrugations and basal volume.

How to choose a hair straightener, see the following video.