How To Choose The Right Flat Iron For You

When choosing the right flat iron* for you and your hair, it is very important that you consider your hair type. We often aim to to buy “professional” flat irons* with the most sophisticated and up to date technology to provide the best styling.

A professional flat iron usually offers temperature control and more consistent temperatures. They also tend to boast that they can offer us the best styling yet with minimal damage.

For coarse thick hair you will need a flat iron that is made of titanium because it provides the perfect amount of heat the hair needs to get it straight. A flat iron* that has  ceramic plates is gentler and much better for women with fine strands.

Plate size

For thick, coarse, curly hair that is above the shoulders, the plate should be 1- 1 1/2 inches. For normal medium wavy hair above the shoulders, the plates should be  1/2- 1 1/4 inches.

For thick, coarse, shoulder length hair, the plates should be 1-2 inches. For below the shoulders (thick, coarse), 1 1/2-2 inches.

Normal, medium wave hair above the shoulders should have 1/2- 1 1/4 inch plates. Shoulder length normal, medium wave should have 1- 1 1/2 inch plates, and below the shoulders should be 1 1/4-2 inches.

Temperature

For thick, coarse, curly hair, try 380 degrees to 410 degrees for the flat iron* temperature. For normal medium hair, 360-380 degrees should be just fine and for thin fine hair you should always keep the heat below 360 degrees.

Professionals suggest you start with the lowest temperature possible when your have fine or thinning hair. The best practice is to work your way up to hotter temperatures if you feel the iron* is not hot enough. The iron* is definitely too hot if your hair is singed, starts breaking or looks frizzed.

Plate material

All hair types are compatible with ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium however each has its own basic properties:

Ceramic – diffuses heat and seals the cuticles.

Tourmaline – infused into ceramic plates to produce shiny, straight hair.

Titanium – maintains constant heat levels to prevent damage.

Flat iron suggestions:

Fine hair
Sedu Revolution 1″ Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron

GHD Classic Styler Ceramic Hair Straightener

CHI Air Classic Tourmaline Ceramic 1″ Flat Iron

Coarse hair
FHI Heat Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Hair Styling Iron

Sedu Pro 1 1/2″ Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron or Sedu Pro 1″

Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron

Croc 2 Infrared Flat Iron

Cheap options with ceramic plates (under $100)

Conair Infiniti Pro 1-1/4″ Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

CHI Air Style Series 1″ Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

Remington Pearl Pro Ceramic 1″ Flat Iron

Is there a certain flat iron* that suits you? Comment below and tell us what you have been using lately.