Choosing a flat iron that suits your hair type and is kind to your hair's health is not easy given the many existing variants of straighteners. Currently, the trend is moving towards steam straighteners, notably with the "Steampod revolution". Curious to understand why?
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A closer look at this hair-friendly trend: the secrets to its success and a presentation of the best steam straighteners.
The benefits of a steam straightener
When straightening, the temperature often reaches 200°C, which exposes the hair to an excessively high degree of heat. Hair dries out and may also lose all its shine.
Steam prevents these undesirable effects. By moisturizing the fibers during straightening, hydrated hair is preserved and the health of fragile hair is improved thanks to this particle technology. What's more, you can usually adjust the temperature. There's no longer any fear of burning the hair.
A second major advantage: it allows for almost instantaneous straightening, even on thick and frizzy hair. The steam quickly relaxes the hair shafts, so only one pass is needed. Hair is ultra-straight, frizz-free, silkier and less damaged.
Which steam straightener to choose?
We particularly recommend three essential steam straighteners:
Our favorite : the Steam Styler steam straightener from Beautélive
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Its steam process is essential. The fiber retains an excellent level of hydration. You can say goodbye to damaged hair for unparalleled hair quality.
Beautélive also equips this brush with a ceramic coating to give the hair a nice shape and to ensure even heat distribution. You can adjust the temperature to 3 settings:
- Low, for sensitized and fine hair
- Medium, for normal hair
- High, for thick and resistant hair
In addition, you can adjust the steam flow with a dial, or simply operate it without steam.
Its ergonomic shape also makes it easy to use, perfect for hairdressing professionals.
You'll be amazed by the smooth, shiny and silky result this steam flat iron will provide.
The essential : the STEAMPOD
Its name must surely be familiar to you: the Steampod, a famous high-tech professional steam straightener from L'Oréal. It continuously diffuses steam, which (like any other steam straightener) repairs the hair fiber.
Suitable for all hair types, it straightens but also creates long-lasting waves. It is, moreover, designed to be used with its own styling products.
2 Steampods are available to you, with similarities and differences, which we will see below.
The Steampod 3.0
An essential since 2019, this Steampod has a water reservoir built into the handle. It has floating plates to perfectly grip and straighten the hair strand. You can adjust the temperature from 180°C to 210°C (180°C for fine and sensitized hair, and a higher temperature for stronger, thicker and natural hair). Also note the presence of a removable comb on the plate, to facilitate detangling and straightening of the hair.
Its rounded shape allows you to create waves. This would be impossible if the straightener had a square shape.
The results: perfect straightening, healthy hair and silky hair.
The Steampod 4.0 straightener-curler
The revolution at L'Oréal Professionnel can be found in this Steampod 4.0, released on November 1, 2022.
In addition to the identical qualities to the Steampod 3.0 regarding straightening, this new Steampod also offers the possibility of making curls very easily. Indeed, it is equipped, on the outer faces, with removable shells. These are to be removed when you are making waves, curls, or even wavy styles. Under these shells are heating plates (up to 100°C), which are rounded.
Thanks to these outer plates, curling your hair has never been so simple. The curls will be better defined, and will therefore last much longer.
Another plus for the Steampod 4: it comes with 3 removable combs, instead of just one for the Steampod 3.0. These will help you detangle and straighten your hair, depending on your hair type. You will therefore have:
- a fine-toothed comb, for straight to wavy hair
- an intermediate comb, for curly hair
- a wide-toothed comb, for very curly to kinky hair
The biggest advantage of this Steampod 4.0, which is not the least: it comes with a heat-resistant pouch, to be able to store and protect it properly.
Whether for the Steampod 3.0 or the Steampod 4.0, the key is to use them with the appropriate products. Before drying, apply the milk or cream straightening product, which act as heat protectors and aid in straightening, making it last longer, and as a finish, the serum designed for this purpose, for exceptional softness and shine. You can also use just one product before and after, which is the professional smoothing treatment, which will protect the hair, facilitate straightening and make the hair incredibly shiny.
Additional small tips:
How to use a steam straightener?
Whatever type of iron you use, prepare your hair with appropriate treatments, such as a moisturizing shampoo and a keratin-based thermo-smoothing product. After washing, drying and applying treatments to your hair, start by:
- Pour demineralized water into the reservoir
- Then select the most suitable temperature for your hair type
- Take a thin strand and gently pass the straightener over it
- Don't forget to press the steam emission button if your straightener has one.
Do the same until finished!
COMPARATIVE TABLE
| STEAM STYLER | STEAMPOD 3.0 | STEAMPOD 4.0 | |
| Plate type | Ceramic | Floating Ceramic Plates | Floating Ceramic Plates |
| Temperature | Up to 230°C | 180°C-200°C-210°C | 180°C-200°C-210°C |
| Accessories | Storage box | -1 removable straightening comb -1 filling bottle for the water tank |
-3 removable straightening combs -2 thermo-protective shells for straightening -1 filling bottle for the water tank -1 thermo-protective pouch |
You now have all the keys to choose the right steam straightener and look your best!
