The search for the best hair straightener is not as easy as it may seem. And it is that, if we are guided by fashions or well-known brands that ensure quality and excellent hair care, we should be preparing a significant outlay. First of all, to decide which hair straightener to buy, the first thing we need to know is how a straightener really works, how it affects our hair, and the different types that exist.

The plates of the irons can be of various types but they all have the same way of working: they are heated by means of resistances that go inside them and through that heat, they are able to mold the hair to the taste of each user. High temperatures often damage the hair's covering, so it's always a good idea to use a heat protectant. Some irons include infrared technology that -they assure- penetrates to the core of the hair and from there molds it, thus managing to damage the cuticle less, however this is not entirely the case since the heat it receives is still very high.

Our hair straighteners

Irons with ceramic plates

Ceramics have been used for a long time in the plates of hair straighteners, they are the most common that we can find. It is a non-metallic material with a smooth surface that facilitates combing. The heat is distributed evenly over the surface and they are cheaper than titanium ones. It is necessary to differentiate between 100% ceramic plates and those covered with ceramics, the latter will be somewhat cheaper.

The ceramic plates are said to damage the hair a little less, add more shine, and more easily eliminate frizz. However, this material is more delicate than titanium. The durability of these plates will depend on whether they are entirely ceramic or just a coating. In the second case, over time they may wear out and you end up seeing the metal they cover, which can damage the hair. 100% ceramic plates are more fragile, so they will have to be taken care of more. The good thing about this material is that it has a greater charge of negative ions and infrared heat that takes better care of the hair.

ceramic and tourmaline plates

Tourmaline is a mineral that generates a large number of negative ions, which prevents hair from frizzing and keeps it soft and silky. Plates with both materials are the most expensive and are only made by a few brands.

Irons with titanium plates

Some brands began a few years ago to manufacture their irons with titanium plates. This element is more resistant than ceramic, so its durability is much greater than irons with other plates. It's also lightweight, so flat irons tend to weigh significantly less than ceramic ones. Being a metal, it conducts heat better so its ignition is faster. It also has a higher load of negative ions, to take care of the hair cuticle and prevent frizz. Being a very smooth and soft material, it is possible to straighten the hair very easily, even in a single pass.

Hair straighteners made of this material, being more resistant, are ideal for curly and thick hair.

Ceramic and titanium plates

Since both materials provide very good results when styling hair, some brands have chosen to combine them. Ceramic plates with titanium are also marketed, although they are usually plates that exceed 150 euros. With the two materials, very fast heating is achieved, a very smooth glide on the hair, and the ideal care for the hair. If you usually straighten your hair every day, this may be the best option.

There is a division of opinions when choosing between one material or another. Many prefer ceramic since they claim that it takes better care of the hair, as well as being somewhat cheaper (in the case of the coated ones). However, in recent years the balance has tipped in favor of titanium plates, due to their durability but also due to the speed with which they heat up, their lightness, and the good results they give.

What are negative ions in irons for?

One of the problems that most worries those with long hair are frizz. Few are the hairs that get rid of it, for that reason a remedy to this problem has had to be found. The solution was technology. Adding negative ions in dryers, hair straighteners, and even brushes, it is possible to reduce those positive ions that cause the electricity that frizzes the hair.

Ceramic plates have this feature almost by default, as it is a material that naturally reduces the charge of positive ions and softens the hair.

Titanium plates also incorporate this technology in their plates, practically all of them have it. Titanium is a metal that conducts these negative ions very well and manages to control hair frizz and obtain a very silky effect. However, if there is any doubt, it is advisable to look carefully at the characteristics of the device and make sure that it has this technology to have a better result.

Griddle plate width

The choice of the width of the iron plates is important depending on the length of your hair, as well as the type of straightening you want to do.

narrow plates

The narrow plates are the most used in those people with long hair or very short hair and for bangs. If we opt for a hair straightener with narrow plates and we have long hair, we are going to have to work on it more, giving a greater number of passes with the straightener.

Medium or normal plaques

Irons with medium or normal plates are usually the most used. They are indicated for people with not too long hair. With this type of iron, you will be able to make larger waves than with small plate irons.

wide plates

These hair straighteners with wide plates are for you if you have a large amount of hair or your hair is very thick. With these plates, you can straighten your hair in just a few passes.

The negative point of these irons is their size and weight and it will be more difficult for you to make waves or curls

The iron plate anchoring system

fixed plates

This anchoring system is the most common in low and medium-range irons. With fixed plates, the effect of the iron is not uniform since the distribution of temperature and pressure will not be the same at each point of ironing.

Tilting or floating plates

This plate system, unlike the fixed ones, is more frequently found in medium-high and high-end plates. With the tilting plates, we achieve uniform ironing (temperature and pressure) by moving the plates in any direction.

At what temperature should I iron my hair?

A question that many people ask themselves is what is the ideal temperature to work with their hair. The answer will depend on the type of hair each one has. There are different factors that influence: the thickness, the length, if it is straight, curly, or wavy, or if it is dyed. First of all, we recommend that your straightener has a temperature regulator since as you will see, depending on your hair type, ironing must be done at a certain temperature so that your hair does not suffer.

The average temperature at which the hair can be worked and tamed is simply around 180º or 190º.

Fine hair with subtle waves is very easy to straighten at 180º, even less, the duration of the hairstyle may already depend on the type of iron, the environmental conditions or the person himself. With quick passes to small strands of hair, incredible results are achieved. Of course, as we have already said, remember to always use a heat protector.

As the thickness of the hair increases, the temperature of the iron will have to be higher. Although in principle 190º will be enough, you may prefer to increase it to 200º or 230º, which some reach, however you must bear in mind that these are very high temperatures for the hair that can damage the cuticle.

To wave or straighten, which iron is better?

In the variety is the spice. And in choosing to go one day with straight hair and another with curly hair as well. There are plates more prepared to make fantastic curls and waves the hair and others designed to straighten, however, with both you can achieve both effects. If you don't get hold of flat irons, you can play it safe with curling tongs.

We can find two types of plates: tilting and fixed. For hair care, the former will always be better. The tilting or floating plates are slightly in the air, if we press on them they will sink slightly. In this way, the pressure on the hair is better controlled, the cuticle is better sealed and the hair is less damaged. Some irons are even capable of varying their temperature depending on the type of hair or the pressure exerted on it when we iron it.

The plates may have a certain undulation on the edges, this is so to facilitate the creation of curls. The ones with the sharpest edges and right angles can leave marks or be more difficult to make loops with. The dimension of the plates will also be important depending on the type of hair or the desired hairstyle.

Wide plates: Wider plates are better for straightening long and thick hairs. Thanks to its size it is ironed faster and easier. Narrow plates: The thinner ones are better for curling since they can be molded better and handled more easily. They are also lighter so they are easier to use. Star straighteners are also ideal for short, fine hair.

travel irons

In a third point, we have the travel irons. This type of device bears this surname due to its small size, however, it is not convenient to have only this type of iron at home, as they are not very effective unless you have very short hair. The ideal is that they serve as a complement to the bangs or to carry in any hole in a suitcase.