!44: Herstyler Hair Guide: January 2012

!±8± Best Flat Iron Review

There are many aspects that build the best flat iron, but let's face it, every magazine and site tells us what we should look for but they rarely share what we shouldn't settle for and why. So here's your chance to find out exactly what a best flat iron shouldn't include.

The most common tip in any good review is to avoid thinly layered ceramic plates, and this is perfectly true since those are just as effective as a slab of metal painted over and used on your hair. Ceramic coated plates will work every now and again but with repeated use the heat will eventually cause it to burn and peel which will roughen up your hair when you pass it through. This will cause damage as much damage on the outside as on the inside since the protective ceramic layer is what maintains equal heat distribution so without it the chances of burning your hair escalate dangerously.

Countless reviews will recommend going for solid ceramic plates but for most people this isn't so easy as pure ceramic irons are pricey, although they do give you what you pay for. Solid ceramic consistently distributes the heat equally along the plates for safe and efficient styling for years to come, plus as ceramic is naturally ionic the negative charge released when the plates are heated produce an anti-frizz effect maintaining your hair's natural moisture while sealing the cuticles for healthier, softer and smoother hair. Infrared heating is also native to ceramic and is much gentler on your locks than conventional heat to take extra care of your hair. But of course, these great benefits also come with a hefty price tag, forcing people to choose ceramic coated plates instead. However, you'll be glad to know that many professional flat irons use this technique but have managed to take it a step further than the cheap imitations. Professional irons use thick layers of ceramic for extra protection and a lot less chance of peeling or burning, along with nano technologies to improve performance such as nano-tourmaline which provides extra negative ions for an even smoother effect. These are the only kind of ceramic coated plates you should settle for, unless you have the means to purchase a solid ceramic iron which should always be your top choice.

Second on the recommended list, is an adjustable or variable heat setting. This is because not all hair types require the same amount of heat for a proper straighten or style. Now you might be thinking that if you know the specific temperature for your hair type and a cheaper iron is fixed at that temperature then what's the problem? Well, it turns out that you won't always need the same amount of heat for your hair. And we all know that there are some days where our hair is harder to control, so on these bad hair days you'll need a high temperature, but on other days you might not need so much, especially if you're only going to create flicks, curls or quickly touch up. Additionally, heat is bad for your hair in any shape and form, so if you're going to use it then try to use the least amount possible. A flat iron with a fixed heat of 375° used daily on your sensitive locks with bring your hair's health to ruins in just a few weeks since such high temperatures over 300°F used so frequently is extremely harmful.

Lastly, a few extra recommendations include a swivel cord and a light weight device. Just imagine yourself standing in front of the mirror, flat iron in hand and working your way around your head. If your flat iron has a swivel cord then you can carry on working and the cord will move as you do, if not, then just imagine the frustration of having to stop every few minutes to free the iron from the cord which has wrapped itself around it. A swivel cord is especially useful when creating curls or waves since you'll have to twist the iron around repeatedly. Now as for the light weight, it's simply important so that you can save your hand and arm the strain and exhaustion after straightening, plus you won't have to pause to change hands every now and again which will extend your styling time.

You'll find that it's easier to round up certain models that don't have any of the mentioned earlier, and now you fully understand why you shouldn't let yourself fall into the grasps of a cheaper iron thinking that it's ok if it doesn't have good plates or a variable heat setting, as long as it works.