Of course, a hairdryer is useful for drying your hair and can make your curls relatively smooth. However, working with a round brush and hairdryer to get a decent blowout in a salon at home is not the easiest task. You need to master the right technique, which can take weeks to master. Dryers are also bulky, heavy, and can be cumbersome for long periods of time. This is where flat irons come into play.
Straighteners offer flexibility - you can straighten, create strands and S waves, and curl your hair with just one device. It also means you can save money and space on the go.
Straightening irons can also be the secret to frizz-free, shiny straight and shiny hair due to ionization. According to Stefan Bertin, a London hairdresser, this procedure helps seal the hair cuticles and make them shine. He noted, however, that "there is no real substantial scientific evidence for this, but I feel there is a difference."
Straighteners are available from a variety of readers' favorite retailers, from Walmart and Amazon to Sephora and Target. Also available at Best Buy, Ulta, Dermstore and Bed Bath & Beyond. Hair presses like the 1-inch Remington iron can cost as little as $18 on Amazon, while high-end models like the Dyson Corrale can cost nearly $500. Popular hair straightening brands range from Conair and Rusk to Sedu and NuMe.
We spoke to seven celebrity hairstylists who worked with everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Octavia Spencer to find out everything you need to know before buying an iron in 2021.