Choosing and Using Your Flat Iron

Nowadays there are a number of different flat iron options on the market, from the very narrow one-inch version to the very wide three-inch irons.

How do you know the right flat iron for you? And how to use it? We asked the wisest hair guru we know, the super-famous celebrity hair stylist Nick Arrojo, and he showed us the way.

“Wide flat irons are designed for thick, heavy, and long hair, whereas the narrow version is more versatile and great at getting in tricky places such as your bangs or behind the ears,” Nick says.

“Unless your hair really is super thick and super long, I’d recommend something around 1.5 inches; these can do most things and are easier for you to manipulate. I’d also recommend purchasing an iron with a built-in thermometer gauge, which allows you to control the amount of heat applied to your hair,” Nick goeson.

You can buy a good quality ceramic flat iron for around $40!

Use a foundation product such as Thermal Protector; this protects your hair from the inevitable stress from the iron’s heat and works just fine for your foundation. At this point (just before you use the flat iron), you could even apply a little hairspray or even a drop of shine spray. Both will help to press your hair flat. The shine spray will give you more sheen and the hairspray will make hair super, super flat. That’s your choice.

Once you apply your products thoroughly from roots to ends, start flat ironing from the underneath of your hair up, section by section all across your head.

“There are just a couple of things you should remember: Don’t clamp the iron onto your hair, holding all that heat in one place is sure to burn, break and damage even the strongest of hair. Instead, learn to iron each section quickly and effectively by keeping your iron moving gently and evenly down the hair shaft. Finally, after your ironing out is complete, it’s a good idea to blast your hair with a cool shot of air from your blow-dryer, this will just help to set your hair in place!”

Naturally, an iron is easier to work with because instead of combining two tools (a brush and a dryer) you need only one – and an extremely effective one at that. As with a curling iron, if you choose to use this heat tool, invest in a top quality moisturizing conditioner to put back the moisture lost when using all that heat.

Thanks Nick!!!

Image: Sxc.hu