The best professional hair iron

Straight hair curl, curly - straighten! This story is familiar to every girl, and if there are a large number of hairdressing tools and improvised means for creating curls, the range of devices for taming them is very limited. The most effective way is to use a professional hair iron.

In skillful hands, the hair straightener is able to open all its possibilities and help in creating a stunning hairstyle. There are a number of reasons why it is worth having this tool in your arsenal of beauty:

• Polyfunctionality. Curling iron can not replace the rectifier, but the iron can easily cope with the task of both gadgets, the main thing is to master the technology of curling curls on the hair straightener.
• Quick result. It doesn’t matter whether the iron is used for perfect smoothness of the hair or to create beautiful waves, the quality and fast results are guaranteed. You no longer need to lie down on the curlers at night and shape the hairstyle with the help of a hair dryer and a comb - styling will take no more than half an hour.

• Different nozzles. Depending on the desired effect, you can choose from the set of nozzles the one that is needed at the moment: soft waves, large or small corrugation, absolute smoothness, basal volume, elegant curls.
• Care about the health of hair. All professional models and tongs for lovers use nozzles with a different coating, which carefully treats the surface of the hair, not over drying and not burning it out.
• Adjustable temperature. Depending on the type and structure of the hair, it is easy to set up a more gentle or high temperature, controlling only two buttons and focusing on the indicators of the electronic scoreboard.
• Uniform return of heat when the forceps move along the curl from top to bottom. Due to this, the strands along the entire length are aligned equally well, and the hairstyle is smooth and neat.

• Styling for any hair length. Laying on curlers or curling hair too short and too long hair is quite problematic. Hair straighteners cope with both the Rapunzel hairstyle and short haircuts, for this you only need to choose the right length and width of the plates.
• Affordable price. One iron with different nozzles will replace all other tools, which will significantly save the cost of buying curlers, styling tools and combs of various shapes and sizes.
• Smart features. The newer the gadget, the more capabilities it has. The latest generation flat irons are able to surprise with a number of useful features, including steam humidification and automatic shutdown after a long pause in use. “I forgot to turn off the iron” is no longer a problem.

• Stylish design. Creating beauty, professional hair iron remains beautiful on its own. For those who appreciate the aesthetic quality of equipment is not less functional, manufacturers of hairdressing tools produce irons of various colors and colors. In this case, the body and the plates can be colored.
• Long service life. Even with the most active use and minimal care, the hair iron will work effectively for at least five years. In the event of a breakdown, most models are subject to warranty repair.

All straighteners and tongs for hair differ according to several criteria: width, shape and type of mounting plates, the presence of nozzles, temperature, type of coating, additional functions.

The width distinguish narrow, medium and wide plates. The minimum width - 15 millimeters, is designed for thin and weak hair. When choosing such narrow forceps, it is important to assess how tightly they grip the strand, otherwise the device will not cope with its task. The gap should not be more than 1.5mm.

The average size is 40-50 millimeters. Such models are suitable for different types of hair, the length of which is up to the shoulders and below.

The widest plates of 70-80 millimeters are designed for thick and long curls.

The shape of the plate are of two types: with straight and rounded corners. The first option is more suitable for perfect hair straightening, and the second is designed for those cases when the straightener is used as a curling iron. For winding curls is better to choose a model from 2 to 5 centimeters wide.

There are two types of mounting plates: floating and fixed. The rigidly fixed plates are built into the body of the device, and the tighter the wrap around the strand, the stronger the pressure on the ironing knobs. They are suitable for thick, healthy, thick and long curls.

Floating plates are fixed with springs or elastic bands, due to which during the laying procedure they easily move along the strands. This attachment is more convenient for hair that require special care.

The material from which the plates are made is crucial for such important parameters as hair protection, ease of gliding, the level and speed of heating. Common types of coatings:

• Metallic. It has a high degree of heating, but heat is unevenly distributed. Suitable for rare use, when there is no time for careful installation, but the heating rate and low cost of such a coating are its only advantages;
• Ceramic. Rectifiers with ceramic plates are most popular among professional gadgets. They are significantly inferior to metal in the rate of heating, but the temperature on any part of the plate will be the same, and ceramics are less harmful to the hair.

• Teflon. Yes, yes, the very non-stick coating that distinguishes high-quality dishes for frying. Thanks to these properties, forceps with teflon do not need to be cleaned from the laying means, but otherwise their effect is identical to ceramic.
• Marble ceramic. The main feature of the symbiosis of the two materials is that the ceramic part is responsible for high-quality hair straightening with the help of high temperatures, and marble, which does not conduct heat well, neutralizes the negative effect of these temperatures. Hair becomes smooth, but remains healthy and beautiful;
• Tourmaline. Tourmaline is a beautiful berry-colored mineral used in the production of professional hair styling techniques. Tourmaline-coated irons give an excellent result, smooth the hair scales, giving it shine, and solve the problem of static electricity;

• Cera-ionic. In this embodiment, when the ceramic plates are heated, negative ions are released, which contribute to the restoration of the hair structure. Plates with such a coating make the curls smooth, shiny and silky;
• Titanium. Despite the high cost and extremely professional properties of the gadget, it is not recommended to use it often, especially for beginners. Titanium tends to heat up to very high temperatures evenly and straighten even tight small curls, but it is very difficult to protect the hair from burning. In addition, this coating abrades faster;
• Tungsten. Tungsten is a unique material that instantly and evenly warms up and creates a styling that perfectly keeps during the day without additional cosmetic products for hair;

• Jadeite. The coating of semiprecious metal, which, in addition to the correspondingly high price, is distinguished by the possibility of styling on wet hair. Strands are perfectly fixed, acquire smoothness and shine;
• Silver. Antibacterial silver plating heals hair and ensures excellent results. One caveat - to cost such pleasure will be expensive.
• Steam. This new generation of hair straighteners is based on the latest developments in the beauty industry. A steam iron with a steam humidification is able to tame even the most disobedient curls, without damaging the hair.

The most important technical characteristic of the device, which includes the minimum and maximum heating temperature, speed and uniform distribution of heat.

Despite the fact that manufacturers still produce irons with a thermostat and without it, and the temptation to save is always great, you should not buy a model without the ability to vary the degree of heating plates. In total there are 4 types of regulators:

• Based on manual selection of the required temperature (mechanical) however, the scale does not show degrees, but the degree of heating according to the Minimum-Maximum principle. Once the switch is set to the desired level, you can not switch it every time, the temperature will always be the same.

• The second option refers to the electronic type. It is distinguished by maximum accuracy, but before each application requires re-set the temperature.
• The third is a combination of the advantages of mechanical and electronic types, that is, it is meticulously accurate and is able to remember the desired degree during the next switch-on.
• The fourth type is an innovative solution in the beauty industry. He not only shows the temperature very accurately, but also determines it himself, recognizing the structure and type of hair.

But such smart devices are not yet available to everyone, so it is important to learn how to independently determine and adjust the temperature mode. As a rule, to choose the best option for a particular hair is obtained only with the acquisition of experience, but there are general recommendations:

• "African" curls require a high temperature - up to 200 degrees (with a maximum threshold of 230) or steam exposure;
• Curly thick mop amenable to laying at 185-190 degrees;
• Thick, but not too curly hair needs treatment at 180-185 degrees;
• Normal curls enough 170;
• Thin and fragile hair should be protected and not heated more than 165 degrees;
• The maximum allowable threshold for dyed and bleached hair is 155.
• The limit of damaged and weak hair is 140 degrees.

Rectifier - conditional name. Virtually any hair straightener can not only pull strands, but also create a different styling. The possibilities depend on the set of nozzles in the kit.

The smallest, but very useful and necessary thing is a comb. It looks like a plate with one row of small teeth, which is located on the side of the heating plates. As a result, the strand falls under the plates already smooth and combed, which greatly simplifies the process and improves the look of the styling.

Corrugation of various sizes are also often found as a supplement. If the corrugated surface is large, then the waves will be light, large and air. With a smaller and frequent arrangement of the "ribs" strands acquire a pronounced effect of the corrugation.It is convenient to use the smallest nozzle at the roots to create basal volume.

Additional functions:

• Conditioning. Laying tool is fed directly through the plates, providing additional thermal protection and shine to the hair. Air conditioning cartridge replaceable.
• Antibacterial spraying. The silver layer is designed to treat hair with silver ions.
• Cooling. Some models provide for blowing cold air, neutralizing thermal effects.
• Moisturizing. The steam generator in the body of the iron allows you to cope even with the most disobedient and small curls.
• Rotate the cord. The base of the cord rotates with the rotation of the case, so it does not tangle and does not break.
• Thermocover Special handbag under the iron, in which you can remove it even hot. The cover has a loop to hang it on the hook.

The best professional hair straightener does not have to be from the latest series of expensive stylers from a well-known manufacturer. Many companies produce irons, tongs and hair straighteners. Their products, time-tested and masters of their craft, to the maximum justifies the promises and cares about the beauty of styling.

In the ratings of manufacturers based on reviews of professionals and amateurs, models of well-known companies most often appear:

• Rowenta This German quality at affordable price. It has all the necessary advantages: more than a dozen temperature regimes, shock-absorbing plates, good cord length and the ability to rotate it without tangling, fixing hook, cover in the kit, ease of use, beautiful design;

• Ga. Ma. Stylish performance, compact size, "salon" effect, ceramic-tourmaline coating and hair ionization. The disadvantage is due to the small size of the device - it will take a lot of time to style long hair, and devices are not designed for thick and dense hair at all.

• Valera. Swiss accuracy in determining temperatures, indicators, high heating rate, safe coating types, floating plates and pleasant bonuses for any manufacturer model;
• BaByliss. Universal gadget for professional and home use. Provides 5 different modes, heating up to 230 degrees, convenient plate width, good clamping. During operation, the instrument case is heated, so a multi-layer mat for protecting the working surface and heat-resistant gloves are included in the kit.

• Braun. Brand name is synonymous with quality and reliability. Any model from the line of hair straighteners provides the perfect result, gentle hair care, ease of use and long service life. With such a list of advantages, the price is a pleasant surprise.
• Philips. Titanium, ceramic or marble-ceramic plates, easy control with an accuracy of a degree, the presence of additional functions.

The price of a rectifier is due to its capabilities, functions and brand affiliation.

The products of widespread companies in the Russian market can be enough for a budget purchase. Vitek, Philips, Braun, Moser. Their price range increases according to the characteristics from 1,630 to 2,990 rubles.

In the next price category - from 3000 to 6000 rubles, you can find models Ga. Ma, Harizma, BaByliss, Remington.

Prices above 6000 rubles are presented exclusively for professional equipment with high-quality coating, and even more progressive models based on a pair and equipped with an air-conditioned cartridge can be purchased at a starting price of 9000 rubles. The maximum threshold has no clear limits.With high requirements and appropriate financial capabilities, it is easy to spend more than 26,000 rubles on a professional hair iron.

A high-quality and well-chosen iron is a good investment in beauty. But it is not always clear how the device will behave in operation, how to choose a really good styling tool and not miscalculate. Professionals are advised to adhere to the following rules:

• The iron should not be cheap. Yes, budget equipment does not necessarily mean low quality, but the material itself for making safe plates cannot be called easily accessible, so a rectifier a priori cannot cost a penny. Most likely, its plates are metal, which means that they only heat up to 180 degrees, do not do their job 100% and spoil the hair.

• As shampoo, balm and any hair care products, the width and type of coating are selected in accordance with the condition of the hair. Thin and weak curls need careful care, they are suitable gadgets with ion coating, steam and air-conditioned. The tongs themselves should be no more than 4 centimeters wide with floating plates. Thick static plates made of materials that can heat up to 200 degrees do better with thick hair. Medium length and thick hair suits most options.
• Thermal protection is a must-have addition to the rectifier. No type of coating can be called absolutely harmless, so the hair must be protected from heat exposure with the help of sprays and foams.

• If the plans use tongs not only for smoothing, but also for curling curlsThe ends of the instrument should be slightly rounded. Also worth looking at the nozzles in the kit. Some of them are able to work wonders styling.
• It is important to consider not only the state of the forceps, but also the attendant factors: whether the surface of the device is heated together with the plates, whether gloves are included in the kit, how long the cord is, whether there is a case for storing the iron, whether it is convenient to hold it in your hand for a long time.
• Size matters. A compact model is easier to take with you on a trip, but it will be much longer to process all strands. A full-size iron will cope with the task faster, but it will be more difficult to pack it into a travel bag.

• The right forceps “grab” strands well. The maximum distance between the plates - 2mm, with a larger gap, the rectifier simply will not cope with its task, since the heat distribution will be uneven and not all hair will straighten equally well.
• Power is an important indicator of any technology, be it a household appliance or hair styler. The more powerful the device, the faster it will heat up and run longer.

• It is worth paying attention to the type of thermostat. The best option is accurate to the degree and remembers the frequently used temperature.
• Availability of additional functions. It is not necessary to synchronize the ironing with a smartphone, but disconnecting yourself after a long period of time, if it is not used, is a very necessary skill.

According to stylists, hairdressers, it is not the iron itself that is harmful, but its improper use. To maximize harmless hair styling using a straightener, you should listen to the recommendations of the masters:

• The iron is applied on newly washed, almost dry hair treated with a suitable conditioner.
• Combing and applying thermal protection are mandatory steps.
• But you need to fix the hair at the final stage. The use of any styling products before the “stretching” of hair begins - this is the most traumatic factor for them.

• Treat strands preferably layers, starting from the bottom.To direct the forceps from the roots to the tips, not staying for a long time in one place.
• You should not dwell on one way to use the ironing, because they can pull strands, emphasize the shape of hair, create curls, bumps and basal volume.

On how to choose an iron for straightening hair, see the following video.