Why do we always want what we can’t have? Many women with straight hair fantasize about having lavish curls. Similarly, women with curly or wavy hair would give almost anything to have sleek, shiny, straight hair. Curling straight hair is relatively easy; perms and curling irons have been around for several years. Those with wavy hair that doesn’t relax even after blow drying, endure more tortuous methods to change the look of their locks. Hair relaxer (straightener) products and hair dryers released over the years have often been hit or miss with many users. Types of Hair Brush Straighteners There are two common types of hair brush straighteners. “Paddle” or flat brushes look and perform very much like standard detangling brushes, with bristles built into a ceramic or tourmaline plate. The heat generated by the plate works to straighten the hair while releasing negative ions that make it shiny and smooth. “Barrel” or rotating hair brush straighteners also detangle, straighten and add shine. In addition, hot air is directed into the hair as their ceramic or metallic barrels rotate, adding volume to thin hair. These are the best option for long hair, and the fact that the barrels are circular provides the added benefit of being able to curl as well as straighten. Less common but still worth mentioning are “hybrid” styles of hair brush straighteners. Some are similar to a flat iron but with bristles on each of the plates, while others have a rotating barrel on one side and a plate with bristles on the other. Important Features of Hair Brush Straighteners -Heat Levels Heat levels are most important, and everything else is tied for second place. The true benefit of these appliances is that lower temperatures are suitable for easily-damaged or thin-to-medium hair, so it’s crucial that they’re able to operate at the appropriate temperatures. 365° is considered optimal for medium-thick hair, and straightening very thin or brittle hair calls for temperatures closer to 300°. Some models also have settings as high as 450° for use on very thick or very curly hair. -Type of Straightening Plates Used Most straighteners will have either ceramic or tourmaline plates, although a few use titanium. Ceramic is the best choice for delicate, fine or color-treated hair because it heats evenly and a bit more slowly than tourmaline or titanium with no hot spots. Tourmaline and titanium, by contrast, heat up extremely quickly and can easily damage thin or sensitive hair before you’re even aware that it’s happened. For thick hair, though, tourmaline or titanium are the way to go; tourmaline has the added benefit of producing 20x more negative ions, making hair moist and silky and reducing frizz. Types of Bristles The bristles on a hair brush straightener should also be considered. Nylon is best for sensitive scalps or hair that doesn’t become a bird’s nest in the blink of an eye. Some straighteners have bristles tipped with tiny balls made of silicone, rubber or other materials, and they’re a better choice for women whose hair tangles easily because they help “cut through” the tangles without snagging. They’re more comfortable, too. Other factors may also be important to you, including the weight of the unit, how comfortable the handle feels in your hand, whether there is an LCD display and an automatic shut-off feature, and the length of the power cord. But remember: heat levels come first, because they determine whether your hair comes out straight, shiny and silky – or a damaged, fried mess. Everything else is secondary.
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