Tell me about flat irons - YouLookFab Forum

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Tell me about flat irons

Diana

Veteran

Now that I have my hair in a bob again... I'm thinking it might be fun to occasionally wear it really straight and sleek (especially the longer front part) so I'm considering buying a flatiron. My hair is pretty straight already so I think it would be pretty easy.

I've never ironed my hair myself so I'm really clueless. What type of flatiron would be best? Any specific recommendations? I don't think I want to spend a lot of money on one right now since this is just for fun and who knows whether I'd even use it on a regular basis. And do I need anything else? Product or anything?

And what is the best technique? do you do it on damp hair or dry hair? Keep in mind that I wash my hair (every 2-3 days) at night and let it air dry while I am sleeping so it would be starting out dry.

Thanks!

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Adelfa

Veteran

I got this one from Costco for about $19 (but the amazon price is still good for what you get).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XZM6A2

I am thrilled with it. Its performance is better than that of the two premium irons I have owned for $100 to $150. It has adjustable temp, important because probably you would need a very high temperature.

You use them on dry hair, at least I've never heard of flat ironing wet hair.

It's also super helpful to use a styling spray like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Thermal-.....id=1372609

It really helps to lock in the style.

Good luck!

rae

(website)

Veteran

The Maxius Maxiglide seriously changed my life. I received it as a gift thinking I would never use it (I had tried traditional flat irons and always seemed too impatient or inept at using them). But I can straighten my entire head in 2 minutes flat with this thing. The styling plates have pins that pretty much save you the effort of combing out the strands before straightening.

Anonymous

I still haven't found a good flat iron, but don't forget to protect your hair! Pretty much any heat protection product should work. Spray it on a (paddle) brush and then brush it through your hair. That's the best way for the product to be evenly distributed.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I have a chi brand iron, which is fab. I use a heat protectant spray when I remember - if you have healthy, short-ish hair I'm not sure it matters though.

I use mine for dealing with bedhead in the morning. When I had longer hair I used it to iron out the ponytail bump.

abc

Veteran

I can't vouch for the brands or quality but I always see flatirons at TJMaxx / Marshalls at good prices.

ETA: Sometimes I wash my hair in the evening and let it air dry or go to bed with a wet head. In the AM I just run the flatiron over the hair and it is done and looks presentable. You might like this styling method if you are not into lots of time spent on your hair. Good luck and keep us posted!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have an extra flat iron that I don't use I'd be happy to send it to you. It's a Sultra, I got it at Sephora a few years ago. I think I spent about $100 on it. It's even leopard patterned.

ETA The heat resistant pad is really linty though and I'm not sure it would survive a wash.

Anonymous

How nice of Anna! I was going to say that with your thick hair, an expensive one might do the job better. Everyone I know says Chi is the best. Mine is a ten dollar Conair one, but I have thin, fine hair.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for posting this Diana - I've often wanted to get into flat irons but have been afraid of burning my hair to a crisp.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I have a Phillips flat iron that wasn't terribly expensive and works pretty well on my thick hair. My hair is naturally straight but I would be lost without my flat iron! I generally plug it in to heat up while I roughly blow dry my hair with a hair dryer. I then either just use the flat iron to style bits of my hair that look like they need a bit of reshaping, or I flat iron the whole lot for a sleeker neater look. My worst is that I have a phobia about forgetting to switch it off and I can never remember whether I have unplugged it or not!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have a teeny tiny travel version (very inexpensive) that I use on my bang sometimes. Surprisingly it works, despite being small, despite costing next to nothing, despite the fact that my hair is thick, and despite the fact that I have no patience for hairstyling. In fact, it works in seconds.

Admittedly, my hair is not in its natural state but ultra thinned out there. And, obviously, it's also short! But it's simple to operate (you just clamp some hair in it and gently draw it down) and it works to get the kinks out when there's a lot of humidity and gives a sleeker appearance. I tend to use more in summer for that reason. I don't even use product all the time, although they say that helps to keep the set.

Diana

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the helpful information and tips!

Anna, that is so nice of you! I'll send you a PM. I'm sure I can clean it off enough to use.

Rae, at this length my hair does not tangle at all so I'm not sure I'd need to comb it out before ironing. (I can "comb" it by running my hand through it).

Sharon, I'll make sure to pick up some heat protectant spray. I don't think I have any as I almost never use my blow dryer.

CF and ABC, bedhead is one reason I want to try ironing my hair. I always sleep on my hair wet after I wash it. Sometimes I end up sleeping on it funny and at the shorter length the hair is not heavy enough to pull the kinks out on its own. My part also tends to move around and sometimes it doesn't want to stay where I want it or gets poufy near the part.

Claire, my hair is indeed very thick but also straight to start with so I'm not sure how much power I would need... but I'm sure a stronger one would be faster which is always a good thing.

Suz, a travel version is a good idea!

Lyn, me too! I think it's less of a risk when my hair is shorter since it'll grow back faster if I fry it, right? =P Or a good excuse to get it chopped even more.

Anonymous

Buy a CHI ceramic iron. They often get the best reviews. That's the one I own.

Sylvie

Veteran

I have this one (or one that looks awfully similar to this one), bought from this site several years ago. There are multiple heat settings and I can straighten all of my long thick wavy hair in under half an hour. I only use it for special occasions - not on a daily basis.

http://www.folica.com/tools/fl.....-one-half-

rachylou

Veteran

Another plug for CHI here!