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The very first time my best friend saw me with curly hair, she presumed my new look was the result of a few hours with my stylist. My thick, dark brown curly hair is the result of my Latina heritage, and while I would love to rock those curls on a daily basis, the reality is that it’s so much easier to straighten my hair for a look that often lasts several days.
Earlier this summer, I shared by best tips for straightening curly hair after years of practice. My straight hair mainstay has always been my flat iron, and despite the intense use it gets, I’ve really only owned a few high-quality irons in my life. Whether you straighten your hair regularly, or simply for special occasions, a quality flat iron that protects your hair is essential for ensuring those locks look and feel healthy and beautiful. Along with sharing my best tips for straightening hair with a flat iron, I’ll also offer suggestions on selecting a flat iron that will give you the results you want without damaging your hair.
1. Start with quality hair care products. Investment in quality hair care products is money well spent and the way my hair looks and feels is a directly dependent upon the type of shampoo and conditioner I cleanse my hair with and the styling products I use to tame my curly, often unruly hair. There are a seemingly endless array of choices, but one of my favorite brands is Aveda. Their plant-based products are professionally developed and clinically tested to ensure efficacy while maintaining their commitment to producing products that are socially and environmentally responsible. For straightening hair, try Aveda’s Smooth Infusion line and don’t forget a thermal protectant.
2. Choose the right size flat iron. One of my very first flat irons was small in width, and my thought was that the size was ideal for traveling. Not only did it take more than double the amount of time to straighten my hair, I didn’t achieve the results I was hoping for. According to Folica, you should select a flat iron with a plate size of 1 to 1 1/2 inches for thick, coarse, curly hair between 1 and 2 inches in length, and 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches for normal, medium wavy hair between 1 1/4 to 2 inches long.
3. Choose a flat iron made from quality materials. The material your flat iron plates are derived from really determines the end result and is often the main reason for such a wide range in cost. Look for flat irons made from ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline. Avoid flat irons that are “coated,” which can be drying and damaging to your hair.
4. Use the right amount of heat for your hair. According to Irresistible Me, the ideal heat for fine or damaged hair is 250-300 degrees, for medium or normal hair is 300-350 degrees, and for thick or coarse hair is 350-450 degrees.
5. Ensure your hair is dry before straightening with a flat iron. The smell and sizzle of burning hair always makes me cringe, which is why I ensure my hair is completely dry before using a flat iron.
6. Section hair for straightening. I always find it helpful to observe my stylist as she straightens my hair, since my locks always look better when she’s styled them. Her routine is to section my hair with clips and straighten from the root, which ensures that my hair still has some volume.
7. Set straightened hair for a look that will last. Another tip I gleaned from my stylist is to set straightened hair by blow drying it with a round brush on the coolest setting possible for a minute or two. Then apply a small amount of anti-frizz serum or spray so your look will last several days.
For this look, I used Irresistible Me’s Diamond Professional Flat Iron, which features a unique diamond/tourmaline technology. The combination of coarse, curly hair that I highlight every 2 months and the use of regular heat to achieve a sleek, straight look mandates a quality flat iron that isn’t going to damage my hair. This exclusive Diamond Hi-Tech feature is designed to protect hair while helping it retain its natural oils, color and moisture. Along with minimizing the frizz that comes hand-in-hand with curly hair, I’ve found that once I’ve straightened my hair with this iron, I can easily go a few days without having to re-straighten it.
Some of the smart features that set this flat iron apart include quick heating (15 seconds), a 30-minute auto shut-off (helpful for those days when I can’t remember if I’ve turned it off because I’m running out of the house), a long 360° mobile cord (ideal for the hotels with minimal outlets), buttons positioned on the inside so that I don’t change the settings while I’m styling my hair, a versatile, 1″ floating plate to create a variety of styles smoothly without pulling or damaging hair, and an elegant, lightweight design. I personally love the vibrant red color and the magnetic-closing box the flat iron is housed in.
If you’re looking for a quality gift that will last, Irresistible Me’s Diamond Professional Flat Iron is currently on sale for $104 (originally priced at $149). The site is also having a Black Friday sale with savings of up to 40%, and if your purchase exceeds $150, you’ll receive free international shipping.
For fashion and styling tips, visit Irresistible Me’s blog.
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