Know your hair straightener

Get a hold of the right kind of straightener for you

Considering straight hair is the style for all seasons, the chances of you already owning a hair straightener are pretty high. But did you know that you might be using the wrong one? While no other hairstyle is as elegant and easy as straight hair, trying to get the look right without understanding how your product works can damage your tresses a great deal. So save your hair from going dry and brittle and invest in the right flat iron to suit your hair and hairstyle. We promise it’s worth the extra money!

Go the extra length: Before hitting the shops, do some research. This includes not just the different products available to you but your hair as well. Remember that it is essential to get the right straightener for your hair. This requires an accurate assessment of your hair, especially its length. Hair straighteners come in different sizes and the general rule is, shorter the hair, the thinner your flat iron should be. Follow the chart below to narrow your options down:

For pixie cuts and bangs -> a 1/2½- inch mini flat iron

For short fine hair -> 1- inch flat iron

For shoulder length, medium thick hair -> 1 and 1/4 inches

For thick, course, curly hair longer than the shoulders -> 1 and 1/2 inches

For thick very long hair -> 2 inches

Plates to compliment: Once you have determined how wide a flat-iron you will need, it is time to select the plates. There are three main types you will need to study:

Ceramic plates allow an even distribution of heat and have a lower potential to burn your hair as compared to other plates.

Titanium plates heat up the fastest and transfer heat better than their ceramic counterparts. Not to mention, there’s a less chance of heat damage if used correctly as well. However, leaving the plates on your hair too long can cause more damage.

Tourmaline plates make your hair shinier, straighter and less frizzy than the first two options as it is made of a crystalline mineral crushed up and coated on to the plates of the straightener.

Do it right: Straightening your hair is really no rocket science but the following tips can help you achieve the runway look you want:

• Use a heat protectant spray on your hair before ironing them.

• Don’t set the heat higher than 365^o Celsius.

• Use ear covers to avoid burning your ears.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, October 4^th, 2015.