Hair Straightener & Stylers Buying Guide

Wanting to achieve salon styles in the comfort of your own home? With the right styling tools, including air stylers, hair straighteners, curling irons, curling wands and more, you can achieve sleek looks, romantic waves and voluminous curls with ease. Before you settle on a heat styler, however, be sure to check out our hair straightener and stylers buying guide to learn more about what each device has to offer and the features you should look out for.

PLATE TYPES

When you start researching hair straighteners and curling irons, you’ll find that the materials used to create the plates and barrels do vary. Some of the most common plate and barrel types include:

• Ceramic. One of the most common plate types on the market, ceramic plates are not only very effective on most hair textures, but also typically offer good value for money. It’s important to note that some models have ceramic-coated plates, which means that with regular use, the ceramic coating may start to wear away. Keep this in mind if you’re tossing up between a solid ceramic model or one with coated plates.

• Tourmaline. Also known as ionic plates, tourmaline plates are well suited to damaged hair, producing negative ions that help to reduce overall frizz. Made from a type of semi-precious stone, these plates can also create a healthy shine.

• Titanium. Generally more expensive than other plate types, titanium plates not only offer faster heating times, but also a more even distribution of heat across the hair. This plate style is best suited to very thick and very curly hair, and is preferred by professional hairstylists due to its durability.

• Gold-plated. Most commonly used on curling irons and wands, gold-plated irons are great for thick hair. This style of plate is often fast to heat up and can tolerate a high amount of heat for a long period of time.

PLATE SIZE

Hair straighteners come in a variety of different plate sizes. When choosing a hair straightener, you should look for a plate size that best suits your hair length. If you have short hair, look for plates that are between 2.5cm and 3cm wide. For medium length hair, plates between 3cm and 4cm are recommended. Wider plates that measure in at approximately 6cm are better suited to longer and thicker hair.

If you travel often or prefer slimline styling tools, look for models with smaller plates.

BARREL SIZE

If you’re shopping for a curling iron or wand, you’ll find that there are a variety of different barrel sizes available. With each size offering different styling options, it’s important to choose one that is best suited to the looks you’re wanting to achieve. Some of the most common barrel sizes include:

• ¾ inch. Suited to all hair lengths. Best for creating tight corkscrew curls.

• 1 inch. Suited to all hair lengths. Used to create defined waves.

• 1½ inches. Best suited to medium to hair. Helps to create loose, tousled curls.

• 2 inches. Best suited to long hair. Can be used to add volume at the roots and create beachy waves.

If it’s proving difficult to choose a barrel size or you want the freedom to change up your hairstyles, keep an eye out for a model with interchangeable curling barrels. Most come with a few options that are easy to swap out as needed.

CURLING IRON SHAPE

Although most hair straighteners are very similar in shape, curling iron barrels do vary. Some of the most common curling iron shapes include:

• Barrel. The most common curling iron shape on the market, barrel curling irons are a consistent width along the length of the tool. They are available in a variety of sizes, making it easy to find one to match your go-to style.

• Cone-shaped. Cone-shaped curling irons are thicker at the base, tapering to a narrower tip. Thanks to their unique shape, they can be used to create natural-looking curls and texture.

• Oval-shaped. Great for adding natural waves to thin or fine hair, oval-shaped curling irons may be less common than other types on the market, but deliver great results.

• Adjustable heat settings. Everyone’s hair is different, which makes adjustable heat settings an important feature to look out for when shopping for a hair styling device. Thin hair may become damaged if the temperature is too high, while thicker hair may not style as desired without enough heat. Models with adjustable heat settings provide greater flexibility, allowing you to choose a temperature that best suits your hair. Look for models with digital displays for greater accuracy.

• Automatic shut-off. As most hair straighteners and curling irons don’t make any noise when in use, it can be easy to forget to turn them off if you’re in a hurry to head out the door. Automatic shut-off features help to take the guesswork out of wondering whether you’ve left your appliance on, automatically turning off the device after a certain period of inactivity.

• Worldwide voltage. If you love to take your favourite hair styling appliances with you as you travel the globe, look for a model with worldwide voltage.

• Infused plates. Some models feature plates that are infused with nourishing oils such as argan oil. Although not essential, they are said to support hair health and provide additional shine.

• Wet to straight settings. Used on towel-dried hair, these settings allow you to straighten or curl your hair without the need to blowdry your hair first.

• Control buttons. The control buttons of your chosen device should be easy to read and use. It’s also important to check where the buttons are located to avoid accidentally turning your device off when in use.

• Clip type. Only applicable to curling devices, a metal clip has traditionally been used to keep the hair in place as it is curled. Standard appliances will have a spring loaded clip, while curling wands do not have one. Some people may find that traditional clips leave a small kink in the hair and may prefer a curling wand for this reason.

• Swivel cord. A handy feature to keep an eye out for, a swivel cord allows you to use your hair straightener or curling iron without having to worry about unwanted cord tangles.