Image: Remington

This is a surprisingly powerful – but gentle! – ceramic straightener dries and straightens hair in one step!

I was a little afraid before trying it. I mean, all of us have gone through those stages where we’ve attempted to flat iron our bangs while still wet and heard that sizzle. Sizzling hair = bad!

But this turned out pretty fabulous.

I love it because it’s a super time-saver, you simply wash your hair, and you straighten in one easy step. There’s no need to blow dry– steam vents release moisture to dry while you straighten.

Check out at left, a picture of MY hair after using the straightener -now, as I’ve mentioned before, my hair is pretty temperamental. So, when the stylist was able to straighten it in 10 minute flat, I did not expect it to look not only straight, but sleek and like silk. But it did!

It looked just as good as when I go through the long ordeal of a blowout followed by flat ironing – and did not sizzle at all!

Of course, it is heat – and it’s still being used directly on your wet hair – so I would advise using a heat protectant as a precaution, always. But that’s true with ANY heat styling! Otherwise, enjoy: My plan is to make this my travel dryer. One less thing to carry! Another thing I appreciate: It runs you less than $40. Recession-friendly hair products are pretty essential these days, and one that does two jobs in one, even more appreciated.

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Remington Wet 2 Straight

This petite but potent iron is only 7.5 inches, cordless, and creates awesome sleek styles in no time flat. (No pun intended.)

Why is this awesome? Well, take it from someone who nearly electrocuted herself this morning post-shower (true story) – wireless is a good thing! Not only is it more accessible, but it’s ultimately safer, as well as, of course, easier to manipulate. It’s also small, and compact and perfect for travel…and the price right now? Something like a steal.

Aside from all that, it’s a sexy tool!

Image: Sephora

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Metropolis Mini Wireless Straightening Iron

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

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Choosing and Using Your Flat Iron

That said, I have a special spot in my heart for the Sedu Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron – and not just because they invited me to their posh launch event!

The flat iron tames even the most annoyingly frizzy or rebellious hair and the results last. (In fact, last time I used it, I walked out in a rain storm! Granted, I was wearing a hood and my hair did not get wet, but normally that would not be enough to keep my hair from feeling the effects of the environment and frizzing.)

It’s also very smooth and doesn’t break my hair – something else I am super grateful for.

Image: Sedu

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Sedu Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron

Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron is getting  really good reviews among customers. Star from Glamour Gift Guide told me about it after a friend of hers gave it high marks so I decided to see that the fuss is all about. From the Overstock website, Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron received 4.8 out of 5 stars from 597 people out of of 617 that has shared their reviews.

So what is so special about this Ionic Flat Iron compare to the other ones? According to Overstock, the Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron is :

• The only hair straightener you need
• Made from NASA-grade ceramic
• Causes no pulling on hair
• Fixed heat setting
• Professional swivel cord
• Ceramic plates and heating element
• Straightens hair quickly and effectively

I can’t physically review it because my hair is naturally straight. But you can read the reviews posted at Overstock.com for better references. The regular price is usually $170 but O is offering it for $79.95.

(Image : Overstock)

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Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron

It’s amazing what you’ll discover on TV when you turn it on at 6 in the morning. Infomercial selling fabulous products. Like this MaxiGlide Hair Straightener. It’s apparently a hair straightener to push flat irons into early or much-deserved retirement.

MaxiGlide is a nifty little hair gadget that was designed with a ceramic technology which creates negative ions that will then distribute heat quick and easy to give your curly and frizzy hair a smooth, shiny and silky hair. Get this, no need to blow dry your hair. MaxiGlide is your one stop gadget to straighten and style your hair. Even the most stubborn wavy hair.

Well that’s what the informercial said anyway. Watch the video at MaxiGlide’s website and judge for yourself. Right now you can get it for free for a 30-day trial but you have to pay $14.99 for shipping and handling. After 30 days and you decide that you like it, you’ll have to pay a 3-payment system of $39.99/month. Yup, that’s how infomercials get you. So be aware of what you’re buying and paying. If you don’t like it, then just return the product. Make sure you don’t surpass the 30 days trial of course unless you wanna be shackled with 3 monthly payments. Anyhoo, it’s your hair so read up on it and decide if MaxiGlide Hair Straightener is the hair gadget that you’ve been looking for.

(Image : MaxiGlide)

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MaxiGlide Hair Straightener

Here’s a great video by Folica.com that demonstrates how to curl your hair using a flat iron – and take note, there are more than two kinds of curls that can be achieved by the trusty round-edged flat iron! In the video , they used one of the more popular brands of flat irons out there – Sedu. T3 is also one of the luxurious favorites.

Back to my story,I almost stayed half an hour with the sales lady , and asked her to teach me how to curl my hair using the flat iron. At first, I got them wrong, but in the end, I was told by the saleslady to practice more at home until I perfect it. I ended up playing with my sister’s hair, and although I haven’t perfected the technique, I still hope to see the day when I would be able to successfuly style my hair in sexy ringlets. Wish me luck!

P.S. Just a tip – be sure to have a well-conditioned hair or heat-activated styling product that would help your hair be protected from the heat! Happy styling girls!

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Creating Gorgeous Locks With a Flat Iron