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FAQ
It’s recommended to straighten your hair when it’s dry. Apply heat protection to protect it from potential damage caused by heat. Divide your hair into sections to make it easier to uniformly straighten on all sides. Set the correct temperature on your straightener – this depends on the length and texture of your hair, as well as the type of straightener you’re using. The manual should have directions on this. Clamp the straightener about an inch below your roots and pull down gently. Be sure not to stop while pulling down as that can damage your hair. Repeat this for all sections and voila, you’ve got sleek straight hair!
Gather a small section of hair, clamp your straightener gently towards the top of the hair section. Pull the straightener down and when you get to the part where you want the curl to begin – twist the straightener about 180 degrees away from your face. Gently pull the straightener all the way down and repeat for each section of your hair. This might take some practice, but is a cheaper alternative to also buying a curling iron.
Your hair type dictates what temperature you should set your straightener to. Thin, damaged and coloured hair should only be straightened at a low setting, below 300 degrees. Average hair can be ironed at 300-380 while thick, coarse and extra curly hair can handle up to 350-400 degrees. Some straighteners only have an auto setting while others allow you to set them to a wide range of temperatures, make sure to check this before you buy.
There are different ways to help your hair stay healthy when using straighteners
- Always use heat protection spray or serum – creating a barrier against damage and protecting your colour.
- Use a straightener with adjustable temperature – it might cost a bit more, but looking after your hair is often worth the price.
- Avoid straightening the same area twice – This limits the damage done to your hair.
- Air dry your hair as often as possible – Try heatless hairstyles as often as you can to give your hair a chance to repair.
- Give your hair extra TLC – Hair masks are a brilliant way to boost your hair’s health, especially if your straightener is a part of your daily routine.
The texture of your hair, your budget and desired style will dictate which straightener is best for you. There are models for different types of hair, varying materials and functions. We tested 13 different straighteners to find out which one we found was best in test.
Three tips when buying a straightener
If you have very thick and/or long hair, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your arms up, whether you’re straightening or curling, so it’s a good idea to choose a hair straightener with an ergonomic grip that’s comfortable to hold. A cord of longer-than-average length with a swivel mechanism is definitely an added bonus.
Rough-textured plates that snag your hair and create unsightly kinks in your hair should be avoided at all costs. So look for ceramic plates, ionising technology that reduces static electricity, and softly rounded plates. A rounded barrel is also ideal for corkscrew curls.
Hot tools such as straighteners, curling tongs and hair dryers can cause heat damage to your hair. So choose a straightener with adjustable heating and preferably a maximum temperature of less than 160 degrees.
You might also want to consider using heat protection so that you don’t accidentally damage your hair. Kerastase has some tips on what to consider.