TIPS TO USE FLAT IRON

How to Use a Flat Iron

A flat iron is a flexible styling tool that has come a long way from the scary torture devices of ages past. Flat irons today are safe, gentle on your hair and can be used not only to straighten, but also to make quick curls and flips. Like any tool, the key is knowing how to use it.


Prepare Your Hair:

• Styling products, grease and dirt that build up in your hair every day must be thoroughly cleaned away before you use a flat iron or your hair will stick, clump and easily damage.
• For manageable hair that responds well to styling and remains healthy afterwards, you'll need to shampoo and condition first.
• Use quality hydrating shampoos and conditioners that will prime your hair for the rigors of styling. This can be right before using a flat iron or the previous night.
• While hair is wet, use a thermal spray or heat treatment. Using it on wet hair is allows it to distribute evenly and soften hair as it dries. This treatment will protect your hair, and increase the life of the style you're after
• Then blow your hair dry - even flat irons that are "safe" for damp hair will not produce the best results without completely dry hair. (Don't be concerned at this point with straightening your hair; just dry it.)
• We highly recommend a ceramic heated ionic hair dryer for gentler heat that dries your hair faster and reduces frizz, static and hair shaft damage. We have a great selection including T3 Tourmaline dryers and Elchim hair dryers.

The Right Flat Iron For You

• A professional ceramic flat iron, unlike cheaper consumer flat irons, will have a ceramic heater and thick ceramic layers baked onto the plates. ("Nano-ceramic" means there are only small particles of ceramic; many lower grade irons use this technique or apply a light ceramic coating that easily scrapes off.)
• Any ceramic flat iron produces negative ions and far infrared heat which is much more gentle to your hair, seals hair follicles to preserve moisture and ultimately conditions hair for added shine and health. A tourmaline flat iron or a titanium flat iron combines these elements with ceramic to increase the ionic output & shine.
• As long as you go with a professional quality ceramic flat iron, you're making the healthiest choice for your hair - but you still need to pick the right size.
• Flat irons with plates 1" - 1.5" wide are fine for most hair types, as long as your hair is short-medium length. For finer hair, a narrower plate is sufficient. In general these smaller irons are lighter and easier to control.
• Flat irons with 2" plates or larger are great if you have long hair and a smaller iron would just make your styling more tedious.
• You can also use larger plates for thicker, curlier hair and they might save some time, but you'll sacrifice easy maneuverability - which might not be worth it if you use your iron frequently.
• Plates with rounded edges are superior for curls and flips - and won't leave any "dents" in your hair.

Here are 10 tips to help you and your flat iron work side-by-side without damaging your hair.

1. Keep your flat iron clean. It will last longer and do less damage to your hair.
2. Use a styling aid to prevent frizz before you blow dry. Sealed Ends by BC Bonicure seal the ends of your hair locking out frizziness by 79 percent. Use it after your blow dry to get rid of frizz.
3. Practice before you head out to any major event. It's very easy to use once you get the knack of it.
4. When using the iron on your hair comb, on the section you are using first, before running the iron through it.
5. Try avoiding using any products until you finish straightening out your hair.
6. Use small sections. The smaller the section the flatter and more weightless your hair will be.
7. Use even pressure while stroking your flat iron from the root to the end without stopping on any part of the sectioned hair.
8. Use a wide bristle brush on your hair while brushing your desired shape into place.
9. Use a lightweight serum to smooth any frizz left over. You'll only need a little.
10. Let your iron cool; clean its surface with a cloth so you will be ready to use it again tomorrow. Temperature
• You don't want to use more heat than necessary when styling your hair. If your iron has variable temperature settings, you have more styling flexibility and control.
• For thick, coarse, or extra curly hair that is hard to style, a higher heat setting between 350-400 degrees F will be more effective.
• For fine, damaged or chemically treated hair, use lower heat settings, below 300 degrees F (but start with the lowest heat setting and work up if necessary).
• Normal hair can be heated at around 300-380 degrees F.
Choosing a Flat Iron
• Now that you know what you're looking for, you have a lot of choices in front of you. These days you can choose by colors (basic black, blue, green, purple, silver and yes - the famous pink flat iron - no longer limited to the pink CHI flat iron!
• Well established name-brand tools like the CHI flat iron, FHI flat iron or Corioliss flat iron might cost more, but many people find it worthwhile to know what they're getting into from the numerous reviews and magazine endorsements that can be found.
• Lower profile flat irons like the Infrashine flat iron or the HAI Convertable flat iron may be surrounded by less hype, but have been around long enough to build consumer confidence as well.
• Of course, price & features matter to most of us and will probably be the most important factors in your choice. See our flat iron comparison chart to easily compare features & prices and choose the best flat iron for you.

Curling with A Flat Iron

• If your flat iron has rounded or curved plates, it's easier to create curls. Check out the third video in our flat iron styling series for a step by step professional demonstration!
• Unlike a curling iron, you aren't wrapping your hair around the iron and curling up to your head. Instead, clamp a 1" section of your hair close to your scalp with the iron and turn the flat iron about 1 and a half turns in the direction you want to curl.
• Firmly hold the flat iron at this angle, and pull it through the length of the strand of hair while maintaining the flat iron's position.
• Repeat for the rest of your curls - if you have long hair, you can pin them up as you go to make sure they stay until the finishing process.
• It may be tedious the first few times you curl with a flat iron, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be curling quickly and easily.

Flipping with a Flat Iron

• This technique is the same as straightening with a flat iron; except when you near the tip of your hair, turn the iron in the direction you want the flip and glide it the rest of the way through. Experiment with starting at different points along your hair for different volumes of flip!
• Check out the video to the left for tips on perfect flips - and some helpful do's and don'ts that'll get you a style that looks like you paid big bucks for it!