In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, our experts used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine to assess how long their style lasted and how much frizz was created in a humid environment. Your straightening technique is also key to achieving a gorgeous, glossy finish. Instead of ironing to flatten each strand, hairstylist Adam Reed has this advice: “It’s about pressing the hair as a finisher. Only use straighteners on hair above the ears, and lift it upwards as you would do when blow drying, so you’re still getting that oomph into the roots. And work lightly. If you had a silk blouse, you would go carefully and you wouldn’t have the heat at the max. It’s the same with hair.” Think of it as a finishing treatment, rather than a starting point. Ceramic plates: they are slower to warm up than other materials, but they distribute heat more evenly. They tend to be cheaper too, but are more prone to chipping. Scratched plates: after a few years, you may start to notice scratches or even dents on the plates. This can lead to snagging (ouch) and means your hair is more likely to experience heat damage. Hair products can often sink into the dents too, which not only smells unpleasant, but won’t help your hair either.

There’s not a huge difference between the two hair straightening tools except the size! Regular hair straighteners are the most popular straighteners and designed for most hair types. Generally, regular sized hair straighteners come in 1 inch width plates.impressive 1.5 inch plates. With electronic heat sensors and adjustable heat settings that range from Fine hair is very sensitive to styling as it damages easily when exposed to high temperatures. This is why

The are three key things I look for in a hair straightener," says celebrity hairstylist Halley Brisker. "The first is reasonable weight and functionality; I like something that feels sufficiently weighty without being overly heavy or too light from cheap materials and simple and not over complicated buttons/settings that I will end up frustrated with in time. Good, well constructed plates that transfer heat well and enable smooth glide! And finally an ergonomic design that allows for not just poker straight finishes but also waves and bends; an example of this might be slightly curved arms or something similar." How hot should a hair straightener be? Place the chosen section of hair between the plates of the appliance and close the plates. Take care not to touch the hot plates. Straighteners are a big investment, so you need to make sure you’ve got all your hair needs covered in one tool before you make the commitment to buy. If you’re not sure what all those buzzwords mean on the side of the box, we’ve simplified them below, so you can figure out what to prioritise. This means you switch them on, wait for them to heat up to your desired temperature setting. When it reaches the ideal temperature, then you place hair between the plates, shut the plate and glide the straightener through your hair from root to tip. So, the primary difference is the size. Why Would I Need a Mini Straightener?Ceramic-coated plates: they usually have a metal base topped with a ceramic layer, combining the best qualities of both materials. The outer layer can chip and wear away over time, but a good-quality model should last you at least three years if stored properly. heat-up time, these straighteners are a must-have if you have a busy schedule. The results? Soft and shiny Hold the appliance in place until the hair is fully heated; this will be almost instant. When holding the appliance always ensure fingertips are placed away from the hot plates. Promising a polished and shiny finish, the Proxelli MILA dryer gives you the power to create sleek straight

The answer here largely depends on your hair length, type and condition. All Ghd stylers are set at 185 degrees, and many other brands have followed suit. This temperature is widely considered to be the ideal middle ground: it's hot enough to straighten strands in one pass, yet won't scorch your strands.Halley's pro tip for getting straight lengths without compromising on volume? "Try not to 'over straighten'. Often one good pass is all that is needed but stop when you've reached your target visually, don't keep straightening. Secondly, get acquainted with creating a bevel to the ends of the hair as this will give the impression of shape to your straightened style and help improve the appearance of plumpness, not flatness." Fine hair: Look for ceramic plates that distribute heat evenly and more gently. Use lower temperature settings to minimise heat damage. Looking to switch up your signature hairstyle? A pair of the best hair straighteners will afford you endless options, from smooth and sleek strands to a tousled S-wave, and even a classic red-carpet curl for special occasions (yes, a pair of ceramic plates can do more than simply straighten). Ionic technology: when there’s too much positive charge on each hair strand, they begin to repel each other, making hair static and flyaway. This technology helps to neutralise the charge, smoothing strands down instead. drying times. Ergonomically designed to reduce carpal tunnel syndrome, this dryer is perfect whether you’re