Silent yet powerful, hair reveals details about us without words. It’s the canvas where our personality and attitude are reflected. However, sometimes that very same hair just won’t cooperate. This leads to the infamous bad hair day that can put a damper on your mood for the whole day. To prevent that from happening, a hair straightener comes to the rescue.
But to make sure your hair day is not just good but great, it’s important to ask yourself a few key questions before buying a hair straightener:
- What type of hair do you have (fine, thick, straight, curly, long, short…)?
- Will you be using the device professionally or at home?
- What hairstyles do you want to achieve?
- Will you be using the hair straightener daily?
Once you’ve answered these questions, it will be much easier to find the right hair straightener for you. To make things even simpler, we explain below why these questions matter and how your answers can help you pinpoint exactly what you need.
Essential Factors for Buying the Best Hair Straightener
The hair straightener has rightly earned its place as one of the favourite styling tools. Whether you use it at a salon or at home, for straightening or curling, it’s important that it suits your specific hair type to achieve the results you want without causing damage.
Two key factors you should pay attention to when choosing one are:
- The plate material.
- The plate shape.
Why the Plate Material Matters So Much in Hair Straighteners
Want to achieve the perfect hairstyle without damaging your hair? Besides using heat protection products, the plate material also plays a crucial role, and choosing the right one depends largely on your hair type.
Ceramic Plate
If your hair is fine to medium-thick, a ceramic plate hair straightener is just what you need.
Thanks to its even and moderate heating, it doesn’t create “hot spots” that can damage your hair, which is why it’s a favourite for home use. Additionally, plates made from this material emit negative ions that reduce static and add shine to your hair. They also help retain the hair’s natural moisture, making it more resistant to damage.
And if you’re looking for a hair straightener you can share with others at home or take with you when travelling, try Diva Precious Metals Gold Dust. It has adjustable temperature settings for different hair types. This allows you to style your hair just the way you want, whether it’s fine or thick. In addition, its ceramic plates are infused with nourishing argan and macadamia oils, which hydrate the hair and leave it soft and shiny.
Titanium Plate
Due to its quick heating and consistent heat retention, a hair straightener with titanium plates is rightly the first choice of professional hairdressers. Titanium plates heat up fast and retain temperature well, making them ideal for thick, curly or hard-to-tame hair. These features are part of Infinity INF445 hair straightener. Additionally, this straightener maintains a constant temperature and automatically switches off after 60 minutes of inactivity, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it on.
However, be careful if you’re using these straighteners for personal use. Because of their powerful heating capability, titanium plates can sometimes cause more harm than good if not handled by experienced hands. That’s why it’s important not to hold the straightener on a section of hair for too long, as it can dry it out. On the other hand, holding it for too short a time might not achieve the desired effect.
Ceramic-Tourmaline Plate
Worried that a straightener might damage your hair? We understand. If your hair is coloured, treated, or damaged, we especially recommend hair straighteners with ceramic-tourmaline plates. Tourmaline is a mineral that emits negative ions when heated, which is why it’s often used as a coating for plates. Combined with ceramic, it causes the least damage to hair, reduces static, and gives hair an intense shine, smoothness and softness.
If you’re looking for a hair straightener that combines softness with a glossy finish, we recommend the Infinity INF444P. Featuring rounded edges and a temperature range from 110 °C to 230 °C, this straightener will be your hair’s guardian angel and styling ally.
Titanium-Tourmaline Plates
You like the fast heating and efficiency of a titanium plate but worry it might dry out or damage your hair? Don’t worry, there’s a solution. A hair straightener with titanium-tourmaline plates lets you achieve your desired style without causing extra damage.
However, keep in mind that straighteners with these plates still require some styling experience. That’s why models with smart temperature control are a great choice even for less experienced users. For example, Upgrade Cyber Slim hair straightener features a Dynamic Flow sensor. This technology continuously monitors the plate temperature and adjusts it automatically. If it detects any overheating or cooling on a section, it redistributes the heat evenly across the entire surface. As a result, the risk of damage is reduced and styling becomes easier, even for beginners.
Titanium Plates Coated with Ceramic and Tourmaline
Believe it or not, the speed of titanium, the balance of ceramic, and the nourishing power of tourmaline can all come together in one straightener. Hair straighteners with these plates offer the perfect combination of professional results and protection. Our top recommendation is definitely the Upgrade brand.
Models enhanced with infrared technology style hair efficiently while protecting it by heating evenly from within. If you have long hair and want to straighten it, Upgrade Infrared Large model featuring wide plates is all you need. Meanwhile, the narrower plates of the Upgrade Infrared Slim straightener are excellent for straightening shorter hair and curling longer strands.
How Plate Shape Changes the Way Your Hair Straightener Styles
Plate material ensures your hair gets the right amount of heat safely, but it’s the shape that really shapes your hairstyle.
From Straight to Curly Hair
For sleek, straight styles, hair straighteners with flat plates and edges are most commonly used. However, models with floating plates and rounded edges offer the same function, and more. This plate shape is not only ideal for straightening but also perfect for curling all hair types. A floating plate adjusts to the thickness of each section, ensuring even pressure on the hair. It’s gentle, doesn’t limit you to just one hairstyle, and reduces the need to go over the same strand multiple times. Brilliant, isn’t it?
If its versatility has inspired you to buy one straight away, try Diva Ultra Fast Gold Titanium hair straightener with floating titanium plates. Thanks to its rapid heat-up time and consistent temperature recovery during use, it maintains the desired heat level and leaves your hair smooth and shiny.
And if you want a floating-plate straightener that’s always within reach, a cordless straightener Kiepe Toy Styler is the perfect choice. Ideal for travel and quick touch-ups on the go, it charges via USB and helps keep your hair sleek and polished.
For those of you who like to switch up your hairstyle and straighten thick, curly hair, we recommend Upgrade Steam hair straightener. It features a built-in water tank that evenly releases steam. That makes the straightening process significantly faster and easier, without compromising your hair’s natural softness and shine.
Wavy Hair – Timeless Classic
If you enjoy playing with textures and adding volume to your hair, a hair straightener with a wavy plate is the perfect choice for you. The wavy plate, like the one on Infinity Triple Barrel Wavy hair styler, opens up a variety of styling possibilities – from enhancing your natural texture to creating beach waves and boho curls. This straightener will also keep your hair shiny and reduce dryness thanks to its ceramic plate.
Prefer sharper, more dramatic waves instead? No problem. A hair straightener with a crimping plate is perfect for creating clearly defined, lively styles. Our recommendation is Diva Digital Crimper. It’ll give you an always eye-catching hairstyle. Thanks to its ceramic plates, it also delivers a glossy finish for an even more polished look.
Can you ever have too much volume? With a hair straightener featuring an afro square plate, your waves will last longer and look fuller, even if your hair is fine. Designed with specially crafted square plates to add volume and create that iconic afro look, Labor Pro Afro Square hair straightener will help you effortlessly achieve your desired style.
Have we helped you find the perfect hair straightener for your hair? If you’re still unsure which one is the right choice, leave a comment telling us about your needs and hair type, and we’ll recommend the best models for you.