Finding the right products for your hair is always a mission, and some people take months to find the right combination of shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and hair oil that matches their scalp and hair type - only for them to change their mind a few years later and decide they don’t like your hair care routine anymore.
But, at least with styling tools, the choice should be easy and long lasting - especially given the price of certain brands! - or at least that’s what you’d think. Turns out that there’s a lot behind something apparently simple such as choosing a blow dryer, a curling wand or a hair straightener - and even more if you’re wearing real hair extensions. As there are so many heat-based styling tools to review, this article will exclusively focus on hair straighteners. Ready to roll? Let’s see which hair straightener is the best!
1. What Are The Best Hair Straighteners?
Well, this is the one million dollars question. Let’s start by saying that there is no right or wrong answer - every hair straightener meets different needs for different users. There are many factors that come into play when choosing the right hair straightener for you - such as your hair type (thick and thin hair have very different heat resistance!) and your hair texture (curly hair and straight hair react differently to the styling process).
2. What Is The Best Straightener For Thick Hair?
If you’ve been blessed with glorious, thick tresses then you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to necessarily fear turning the heat up a little. We always recommend to keep your temperature settings down to the minimum, to minimise any potential damage to your strands - however, thick hair can sometimes make an exception, as it can struggle in getting straightened in one go. Looking for the perfect hair straightener for thick hair? Then look no further than these options selected for you.
Best Overall: CHI by CHI Original 1'' Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
Thick and coarse hair requires special attention, and I know it. Chi Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron saved up on budget by removing the temperature settings, knowing that your hair type will likely need to stick to higher heat levels. This hair straightening soldier has ceramic plates and goes full-heat in under 30 seconds.
Best On A Budget: Remington Shine Therapy Argan Oil & Keratin 1-Inch Flat Iron
Not much to say about this product, it’s an easy and cheap option that outperforms a lot of triple-digits competitors. Only problem is, some people complain about it not feeling very tight when closing on the strands. For this price, and considering how this product gets the job done, I wouldn’t consider it a concern.
Best Luxury: Harry Josh Pro Tools Ceramic Flat Styling Iron 1.25-Inch
Accurate, precise adjustable heat settings and ceramic tourmaline plates make the smooth glide of this hair straightener a promise for your tresses. Its 11 digital heat presets are designed to accommodate the needs of any type of hair you can think of: fine, coloured, treated, thick or curly.
3. What Is The Best Straightener For Curly Hair?
Curly hair has its very own needs, especially when it comes to heat-based styling tools. The natural shape of curls make it harder for your strands to retain moisture, so when applying extra heat that could potentially lead your strands to dry out and break, it’s important that you follow every step for safe straightening and choose the right product. Let’s see together which hair straightener for curly hair to pick.
Best Overall: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ionic Straightening Iron
What to say about this tool? It heats up fast, and it has an extra advantage: its large plates! In fact, it can make your styling process quicker by holding larger strands, potentially reducing the number of strokes you’ll need. Price-wise it stays in the fairly affordable range, making it a great product with balanced price and quality ratio.
Best On A Budget: Andis Hot Comb
Women with thick, coarse hair have been using hot combs way before the electrical sort was invented. Some people still use the old school method, heating it up on a stove. Electrical hot combs are safer, meaning that their temperature will be regulated, and they’re a much cheaper option to ease up your curls.
Best Luxury: ghd Platinum+
Ghd is the brand that revolutionised the world of hair styling and hair straightening. To purists, this is the only acceptable brand when it comes to hair straighteners, and although the brand’s fame might be a biassing factor, I have to admit that ghd is worth every penny. The Platinum+ features floating plates for a glossy finish, and it’s a very lightweight option to take with you on holiday too.
4. What Is The Best Straightener For Fine Hair?
Fine hair requires special care, as it can easily become prone to breakage. Usually heat-based styling tools are not recommended for this type of hair in general, but if you really can’t renounce your occasional hot styling, then make sure you go for the right product and remember to use your heat protectant spray. You can get yours now from our hair care products range. Keep on reading and find your best hair straightener for fine hair!
Best Overall: Amika The Confidante Moisture Maintenance Styler
Medium range price and hi-tech smoothing technique, these are the secret weapons of this hair straightener. With tourmaline plates and cuticle-smoothing negative ions, this flat iron promises to help your strands retain precious moisture, for a long-lasting hold on styling without drying your tresses out.
Best On A Budget: Drybar Tiny Tress Press Detailing Iron
This pocket-sized flat iron was designed to put to their place hairs that are just like itself: small and stubborn! It can catch even the finest hair and help you style your strands from root to end, without risking scalding your scalp. If you’re always on the go, you’ll be happy to know that this tiny but mighty styling tool comes with a travel pouch that you can also use as a double heat protection pad.
Best Luxury: Dyson Corrale
Let’s be honest, anything Dyson screams “fancy”, and for a reason. This hair straightener is one of the most expensive available on the market, but it also features a unique technology to it, with flexing copper plates that shape to gather your hair with less heat - therefore, less heat damage. This hair tool is the ideal straightening companion for fine haired people, each stroke of Dyson Corrale will leave your hair feeling smooth and silky.
5. Conclusion:
Depending on your hair type, there are many options out there to help you secure a long-lasting, cost effective and good quality product to style your hair and hair extensions.
If you just bought your new hair straightener and you’re looking for inspiration, check out our blog: 5 Ways How To Curl Hair With Straighteners.
