Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Five Things You Must Know Before Buying a Flat Iron

Smooth, silky, shiny hair is a style that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Women love it and they want it! Whilst manufacturers are certainly keeping up with the demand with new products continually entering the market. Yet, are these flat irons the same? And how does one go about making a decision on which one to buy? This article answers the five most important questions you need to ask yourself before making your decision.

1. Does the plate material make a difference?

Yes. Most flat irons are made of a ceramic base with some type of material added to it, like titanium or tourmaline. Titanium, which is a metal, heats evenly to ensure that there are no cold spots on the plates. This allows for faster styling and is extremely good for hard to straighten hair. Whereas tourmaline, which is a crystal, provides tons of shine and is better suited for finer hair that may not be as hard to straighten. The ceramic base itself will also give you lots of shine, but when combined with another material it will hold your style longer. What's important here it to match your hair type to the plate material otherwise you may be causing damage to your hair or not getting the results you want.

2. Does plate size matter?

Yes. Plate size is directly related to hair type and what you want to do. For example, if you want a flat iron that will curl, flip, and straighten then you want a plate size as close to 1" inch as possible. If your hair is shorter the plate size should be even smaller. The larger 2" inch plates are for straightening only and better suited for thicker hair.

3. Do I need an adjustable heat setting?

Yes. An adjustable heat setting allows you to match the level of heat to your specific hair type. If your hair is very fine it will not need as much heat as someone who has very thick hair. You want to make sure that you find exactly the right temperature that will straighten your hair without damaging it. Furthermore, if your hair is already damaged or over-processed then you want a lower heat setting.

4. Does price make a difference?

Yes. The difference lies in the technology and materials used to make the plates. For example, Sedu uses a unique polishing technique to create extremely smooth plates. In doing so, the hair glides evenly between the plates without snagging or pulling which decreases breakage.

5. Is my flat iron real or counterfeit?

Pirating has become a huge concern in the marketplace to the point where consumers may not even be aware that they are purchasing copied products. Even reputable companies unknowingly have fallen prey and become victims to these criminals. In terms of flat irons, the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium is the most counterfeited product; however, they are not the only ones. Several of the brands have been replicated so it is imperative that you know whether or not you are getting the real thing or a fake copy. If you have decided on a flat iron visit the company website to get a list of reputable dealers before making your purchase. As well, make sure that you register your product with the company.

Kaye Shaw is a full time writer who specializes in health and beauty. As a former make-up artist and esthetician she is very passionate about this industry and loves to provide valuable information to readers. You can check out her latest website at Top Flat Irons, where she provides beauty tips, reviews and buying advice for a range of top flat irons, including Sedu, Babyliss and much more.

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