It has been several years now since the straightener changed our styling habits. Practical, easy to use and accessible to everyone, it allows you to change your head and obtain smooth and ultra-straight hair very easily. However, it is difficult to find your way around and especially to make your choice among the large number of models offered on the market.
We therefore give you all the keys to finding THE straightener that will perfectly adapt to your hair type and your expectations.
The size of the plates
An important criterion in the quest for the perfect straightener is the size of the latter. Indeed, here is a little guide to follow so as not to make any missteps:
- Mini straightener: ideal for very short cuts or bangs
- Straightener with narrow plates (approximately 2.5cm): suitable for square cuts and fine hair
- Standard plate straightener (approximately 3cm): perfect for mid-length and “normal” hair
- Medium plate straightener (approximately 4cm): suitable for thick, curly hair reaching below the shoulders.
- Wide plate straightener (approximately 5cm): straightener best suited for very thick/frizzy or very long hair.
The covering
The coating of your straightener will also depend on your hair type. If your hair is more or less damaged or tends to dry out, opt for a straightener made of ceramic which will distribute heat evenly. This will prevent any significant damage to the hair fiber. In addition, the gliding on the hair will be done optimally and without snagging.
Tourmaline, for its part, will eradicate the effect of static electricity and will effectively fight against frizz and flyaways, leaving the hair at its peak of shine. This semi-precious stone coating is particularly suitable for sensitive, colored and damaged hair.
Finally, turn to a titanium straightener if your hair doesn't have any particular tendency. Resistant and recognized for its longevity, titanium guarantees continuous heat diffusion. In addition, titanium plates are generally faster to heat up. Be careful though, this type of coating will not be suitable for hair that has been colored.
The heat source
The heat emitted by your hair straightener can arise from several processes:
- Ionic technology: thanks to the emission of negative ions, the phenomenon of static electricity is controlled. In addition, this system also helps combat hair dryness and reinforces the effects of hair care.
- Infrared: this treatment ensures the diffusion of gentler heat within the hair, thus preserving the outer layer of the latter. Hair visibly gains suppleness and shine.
- Steam: the steam straightening system allows you to respect the natural level of hydration of the hair and, above all, not to subject it to thermal shock when straightening.
The various functionalities
A hair straightener can also have several options, making the straightening stage easier.
“Wet & Dry” option
If ordinary straighteners should only be used on dry hair, there are nevertheless other models that allow you to perform this action on damp hair.
Integrated comb
The straightening comb is a significant asset for those wanting straight hair in no time. It allows the hair to be detangled when the straightener passes and thus reinforces its action.
Cord length
It’s a small detail but it’s important! In fact, the longer the cord, the more freedom you will have in your movements, allowing you to access the back of the head. Also consider choosing it to rotate for even more freedom.
Floating plates
Increasingly used, floating plates are removable plates that adapt to the movement of the straightener. More flexible, they guarantee optimal adhesion with the thickness of the smoothed wick.
Rounded ends
Not everyone knows this, but plates with rounded ends will allow you to create waves and curls more easily than with an ordinary straightener.
Examples of straighteners
In order to best guide you in choosing your straightener, we have made a selection of different straighteners for you.
The Steampod 4.0 steam straightener and curler
3 years after the release of the Steampod 3.0, the L'Oréal Professionnel brand, in collaboration with Rowenta, is releasing its revolution in straightener therapy. This is a straightener with which you must use a treatment, which the steam will penetrate into the heart of the hair. The hair will not only be perfectly smooth, but also protected and cared for. But the best thing about this Steampod 4.0 straightener is the fact that it has 2 exterior plates to make curls easily, and which will hold up perfectly over time.
You can find our article on the difference between Steampod 3.0 and Steampod 4.0 HERE.
The revolutionary Steampod 4.0
The INFRA STYLER Infrared straightener
The Beautélive brand offers this Infra-red straightener. Its particularity is to keep the natural hydration of the hair intact. You can adjust it from 100°C to 230°C, so it is for fine, dry and sensitized hair up to thick hair. The plates are floating and it is rounded in shape to make curls easily. The INFRA STYLER is therefore designed to damage the hair less and make it soft and silky.
The INFRA STYLER straightener with infrared waves
The WIDE STYLER straightener and its extra large plates
For this hair straightener, the Beautélive brand once again gives us something that is in high demand: extra large plates. Indeed, there is a high demand for this style of plates from women who have long and thick hair. With these plates, the time to do the straightening will be greatly reduced. The plates are made of titanium and you can select the temperature from 80°C to 250°C.
The WIDE STYLER straightener and its extra large plates
This selection is of course not exhaustive. However, do not hesitate to leave a comment to find out which straightener you have opted for.
