We may not have been born with our ideal hair type, but with a good hair straightener, there’s nothing to stop us changing it. Investing in the right tool can make all the difference, so we’ve chosen a broad range to cover every need.
So how do you choose the right one for you? Let’s start with the slightly misleading name: this transformative tool doesn’t always just straighten, some hair straighteners add curls, waves and flicks, too. The first thing to look out for is the plate width; the best one for you will be determined by your hair length and type. Slim plates are ideal for short hair, but also work well on fine, longer hair. Wide plates are best suited to those blessed with thick locks and/or very long hair.
The available temperature settings are important, too. Ideally, you want to use the lowest temperature with the fewest passes over your hair to prevent any damage. Of course, higher temperatures can give the best results, but should be avoided if your hair is thin or in poor condition. More expensive straighteners now generally feature high levels of functionality even at lower temperatures and faster heat-up times. You may need to use a higher heat if you have very thick hair, but it’s still a good idea to check the recommended settings to avoid future damage. To ensure complete temperature accuracy, look for straighteners with a digital display.
Finally, it’s worth paying attention to the different surface materials used on the straightening plates. These range from simple ceramic (heats up evenly at lower temperatures) to coatings such as tourmaline that are designed to reduce frizz by removing static. Here, however, we’ve picked a range of options to suit every budget and hair concern.
Ghd is synonymous with hair styling devices and this versatile straightener is no exception. Use this if you’re looking to create a wide variety of styles quickly and easily – its round barrel is designed to be flexible. It’s best suited to those with shorter or finer hair types because of the slim 24mm plates, but it’s also great for those who are time-poor as it heats up in just 30 seconds. Knowing what temperature setting to use isn’t always obvious either, but ghd cuts out the confusion by providing an optimum styling temperature (185C).
It’s also a good option if you always struggle to find a plug point near the mirror as it comes with a long 2.7m cable. And how many times have you left the house and panicked about whether you left the straighteners on? We’ve definitely been there. This tool is great for peace of mind as it turns itself off after just 30 minutes of inactivity.
Keeping your arm in just one elevated position when styling your hair can be a literal pain. This straightener seeks to reduce that discomfort with its ergonomically designed shape, floating plates and long swivel cord. It’s a good option if speed is of the essence, too, as it heats up in just 30 seconds.
Static and frizz are the bane of many of our lives, but the mirror-faced titanium plates are designed to release negative ions, reducing those pesky hair problems. Since the straightener features an extra-long 119mm plate, you can cover more hair at once, too – brilliant if you’re blessed with long hair – speeding up styling time and reducing potential damage.
Calling all those with thick or long hair! If you’re looking to cover more hair quickly (remember fewer passes equals less damage), then extra-wide plates are a bonus; Kipozi’s are a hefty 45mm. Hair getting caught on the plates is a painful and undesirable by-product of straightening your hair, but these straighteners feature a nano-titanium coating which is designed to ensure snag-free styling and even temperature distribution.
If you like to change things up, then this tool has the versatility you need as it can also be used to add curls and volumes to your hair, as well as achieving that smooth, straight look. And, since it features a clear digital display, you can easily adjust the temperature to the optimum level for your hair type: from a gentle 80C to a maximum of 230C.
Straighteners generally help you achieve smooth, shiny hair, but sometimes you just want a bit more gloss! That’s where the Remington comes in – it promises 86% more shine than ordinary high-street straighteners. You’ve probably tried other hair products with Moroccan Argan oil and vitamin E in, so why not on your straighteners? The plates are infused with these conditioners, which are designed to be transferred to your hair when the plates are heated – perfect for those days when your hair’s feeling a little lacklustre.
It’s good if you’re in a hurry, too, as it heats up in just 15 seconds and, with nine different temperature settings and a digital display, it’s easy to make sure you never use too much heat for your hair type.
Straighteners are inevitably a bit more complicated – not to mention slower – to use than a hair brush when it comes to styling your hair, so we love this straightening brush that combines the two. Use this when you want to style your hair quickly and easily. And if you’re someone who’s regularly burning their hand on straighteners, then you will definitely appreciate the heat-resistant glove, which comes as part of the package. One word of caution, though: if you’re looking for ramrod-straight ends, you may be better using straighteners with plates to clamp the hair.
It’s a pain packing suitcases and a straightener is a tool that’s often forgotten or you just can’t find the space to cram it in. That’s compounded by the fact that most hotels only offer hairdryers. So if you’re regularly out and about or travel a lot, you’d benefit from this very portable, lightweight flat iron that fits easily into a bag. Extra plus point: it features dual voltage, so it’s designed to be used anywhere in the world. It can be used on all hair types, but it may take longer to straighten thick or long hair due to the smaller size of the plates (13mm wide).
