What To Look For When Buying Hair Styling Tools
How long have you had your curling iron/flat iron/blow dryer?
How well is your hair holding up?
What always amazes me is how easy it is to accept that there are degrees of quality for our food products (processed, fast food up to home-made, from the garden, organic options) and their peripherals. If you’ve ever used a cheap knife or frying pan, you know the difference.
The beauty industry is the same. Yes there are economic, fast and easy options. But when you go with higher quality, which does not necessarily mean more expensive, the results are noticeable. You should see improvement, it should not remain static.Your skin and hair should change.
Investments for something you use everyday make sense, and this includes hair styling tools. There’s a common misconception that everyday heat styling is damaging to the hair. This is only true if you don’t use products designed to prevent it and use cheaply made tools that burn and tear the hair. Of course that would be damaging.
Luckily, and this may be a newsflash, there have been significant improvements to the technology and heat styling can now be beneficial if done properly.
2 key things to look for in any tool are:
1) Ceramic: Either coils in blowdryers or solid/coated irons. The best being of course solid. These provide gentle, even heat distribution so you won’t burn portions. It emits far-infrared heat which actually seals in moisture. Hair is smoother and breakage is less, giving your hair an overall healthier appearance.
2)Tourmaline: This is a finely ground semi-precious stone. Theoretically it emits negative ions. Usually set into ceramic. It heats hair in a way that causes less damage. The negative ions smooth and defrizz, also providing shine and smoothness to the entire hair shaft. The problem is that there hasn’t been a whole lot of research to support this. The other issue is “negative ions of what?”. There’s no such thing as just random ions. They have to be ions of something. Until this is proven, it is mostly anecdotal and experience that is this theory’s support. But people love the results!
For individual tools there are specifics as well. Here we go!
Blow Dryers:
- Lightweight. Nothing’s worse than being inspired to style only to have your arm cramp and ache 5 minutes into the process. Pro dryers (see what I did there..? Sounds like “blow dryers”. HA!) are made with better materials that weigh less.
-Settings. Heat and speed settings. Get more control. After styling, use a Cool button to set it. This also seals the cuticle, creating more shine.
-Technology. Ionic. Ceramic. Tourmaline. All good things.
Curling Irons
-Diameter. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curls.
-Handle type. “Marcel” is the professional style, it has no spring and the pressure is decided by the ahnd that holds it. “Spring” atomatically clamps down on the hair. Spring handles are infinitely easier to use on yourself.
-Heat Settings. You want a variety to work with. It should also heat up quickly.
-Technology. Againg, the magic Ceramic and Tourmaline. Metal and aluminium rods often pull and tug at the hair. Breakage is increased. Not cute.
Flat Irons
-Width. Wider plates will do more hair at a time, but the narrower ones are more versatile and lighter. Most pros use the 1″ wide ones, you can do curls with them as well.
-Edges. With rounded edges you can create curls and flips. This is a fun way to experiment with different hairstyles.
-Plates. When made of ceramic you get the slip. Hair won’t snag and be ripped out.
-Heat. You want one that gets up to at least 400F, this gives you more styling control and longer lasting results. Thin or fine hair should use lower heat settings.
Overall, professional styling tools will give you faster use, more even heat and way less damage. Try and keep in mind that the people who are trained in haircare use these products because they are the best. They also last WAY longer. I’ve had mine for 5 years.
If you do a lot of styling it is well worth the investment for how beautiful your hair will be!
Visit www.spaboutique.ca to see our full array of professional hair styling tools.
Tags: beauty blog, blow dryer, curling iron, curly hair, flat iron, hair styling, hair tools, healthy hair, professional hair care, shiny hair, spa boutique, straight hair
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6:32 am on March 29th, 2009
I purchased a hair dryer from Braun BC1400 and it is very good.