THE STRAIGHTENING IRON GUIDE 2022 - THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
A straightening iron is now part of the basic cosmetic equipment of many women. Flat irons are generally used to straighten curly hair. But it can also be used to create curls in straight hair. In this article you will find out what types of straighteners are on the market in 2022 and how they differ.
WHAT IS A STRAIGHTENING IRON?
You can easily straighten and style your hair using a straightening iron. The straightening iron is heated using electricity and then individual strands of hair are worked from top to bottom with a little tension. Using the heat and gentle pressure, the straightener pulls the hair into length and thereby straightens it. You can also style curls with a straightening iron. To do this, similar to a curling iron, individual strands of hair are wrapped around the iron and held like that for a short time. The heat forms the hair into curls, which can then be fixed.
A straightener contains two collapsible heating plates, which are usually made of either ceramic or titanium. Straighteners whose heating plates are coated with Teflon are also available in retail stores. Some straighteners are metallic, but have an additional ceramic coating. This coating is important so that the hair does not get burned when straightening it. Frequent use of a straightener can still affect your hair. Therefore, it is important to care for it well and provide it with sufficient moisture. Damage to the hair can also be prevented using special shampoos, such as: B. can be repaired with the Renaissance shampoo. Regular use of hair masks is also highly recommended.
WHAT TYPES OF STRAIGHTENERS ARE THERE?
The selection of types, sizes, colors, shapes and functions of different straighteners is becoming ever larger. It can be difficult to keep track of things. Below we will introduce you to the most important types of straighteners that will be available in stores in 2022.
STRAIGHTENING IRONS IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND COLORS
When it comes to the shape of the straighteners, a distinction is made between smooth and rounded models. Rounded straighteners are particularly suitable for styling curly hairstyles; the straight models usually have a wider surface and can straighten the hair more quickly and effectively. The “crepe iron” is a special feature. In contrast to the otherwise smooth and flat ceramic plates, crepe irons have a zigzag structure that gives the hair a “crepe” effect. On some straightening iron models, the plates can be changed as desired, so new styling options are always possible.
You now also have a large selection of colors to choose from. While most straighteners used to be black or white, you can currently purchase straighteners in many different colors. The colors pink, violet, gold or mint green are particularly popular.
CABLE AND SIZE OF STRAIGHTENING IRON
Most hair straighteners are connected to a power outlet using a cable, but there are now also cordless versions available. For straighteners with a cable, this should be rotatable and ideally have a length of 2.7 - 3 m. A rotating cable adapts to the position of the straightener, making it much easier to use. A sufficient length of the cable is also very advantageous, especially for styling curls.
Straighteners are available in different sizes and widths. The following applies: the wider the plates, the faster the entire hair can be straightened. However, so-called mini straighteners are particularly suitable for straightening individual thin strands of hair. Straighteners can also vary greatly in terms of weight. There are light models that weigh just under 300 g, but also heavy straighteners that weigh up to 1 kg!
WHAT TECHNOLOGIES FOR STRAIGHTENING IRONS ARE AVAILABLE IN 2022?
Most straighteners work with ionic technology. When straightening, millions of ions are released into the hair, which prevent it from becoming electrostatically charged by coating it strand by strand. Straighteners whose ceramic plates contain a portion of tourmaline are particularly popular. Tourmaline is a crystallized silicate that produces 20 times more ions than other heating plates.
However, there are now other technologies for gently straightening your hair. Straighteners that use infrared light heat the hair from the inside out. This is intended to prevent damage to the hair when straightening. The infrared function can be used on straighteners with ceramic or titanium heating plates. A combination of ion and infrared technology is also quite common, e.g. B. with infrared straighteners with tourmaline heating plates.
Modern straighteners often have a steam function. Here, similar to an iron, steam is released during straightening. This allows the hair to be straightened more easily and active ingredients from styling products or similar to penetrate particularly deeply.
CABLE AND SIZE OF STRAIGHTENING IRON
Most straighteners can be set to different heat levels or even continuously. The higher the temperature set, the greater the smoothing effect. At the same time, high heat can quickly cause damage, especially to fine hair.
Here you will find a temperature recommendation for straighteners based on the respective hair type:
- 100°C – 140°C: for very sensitive, brittle and weak hair
- 140°C – 160°C: for fine and thin hair
- 160°C – 180°C: for normal hair
- 180°C – 240°C: for strong, firm and unruly hair
WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A STRAIGHTENING IRON?
Ease of use: The easier it is to use the straightener, the easier it is to create stylish and artistic looks.
Heating speed: Can be an important factor, especially in the morning. Most hair straighteners heat up within 15-30 seconds, but some take much longer.
Button lock: To prevent you from involuntarily changing the temperature of your straightener, some models have a built-in button lock.
Automatic shut-off: To prevent short circuits or other electrical accidents, most hair straighteners have an automatic shut-off function. Even if you forget to turn the straightener off after using it, it will deactivate itself within 30 – 60 minutes.
Fireproof protective case: This means you can easily take your straightener with you when traveling. For some manufacturers, the case is already included in the scope of delivery.
Dual voltage: If you often travel abroad, a straightener with dual voltage is ideal for keeping your hair looking great at all times. The sockets abroad often have a different voltage and therefore cannot be used without a transformer. However, this is not a problem with straighteners with dual voltage. You can tell whether your straightener has dual voltage by looking at the label on the packaging. 110V-240V means you can easily use it throughout Europe or America. This is not the case with a voltage specification of only 100V or only 240V.
CONCLUSION
Choosing the right straightener doesn't seem so easy at first glance. However, if you know what to look for in a good straightener, it is not difficult to filter out your personal favorite from the variety of straightener models available. However, when styling with a straightener, you should make sure to protect your hair appropriately beforehand, e.g. B. with a heat spray or similar. And the comprehensive care of your hair ensures that damage caused by overheating does not occur in the first place or can be repaired immediately. In our online shop you will find many different shampoos, conditioners and hair masks for every need.