Where Can I Buy A Good Flat Iron

We've scoured the world of straightening irons to bring you the cream of the crop at a range of price points and retailers. So whether you've got the coins for an affordable straightener or can shell out the big bucks for a high-end hot tool, there's a pick among these 22 flatirons from stores like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Amazon that will give you that scorch-free, straight look you long for.

where can i buy a good flat iron

Designing as a curling iron and straightener is Best of Beauty-winning Trademark Beauty Sunny Styler. We love this tool because it comes equipped with a venting system and a cool-shot button that helps lock in your style the moment you create it.

Gisele uses this flatiron. Need we say more? OK, maybe a little bit: From the same hairstylist whose blow-dryer launch nearly broke the Internet, Harry Josh's green-plated Flat Styling Iron is equally as buzzworthy. This ceramic flat iron has plates that are larger than most other irons (meaning fewer passes) and rounded edges that prevent snagging or pulling. And because it shuts off automatically after an hour, it's ideal for those of us who constantly forget to unplug our flatiron before running out the door.

Let's start with how beautiful this bedazzled Chi The Sparker Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron will look displayed in your bathroom or on top of your vanity. This one-inch iron easily glides through hair and leaves it looking sleek and shiny.

The Readers' Choice Award-winning Dyson Corrale Straightener may have taken seven years to create, but only seconds for our very tech- and beauty-savvy readers to fall in love with. The flatiron features three targeted heat settings, which can straighten up to 4B curls (making it perfect for any hair type) and has the ability to be used cordless for up to 30 minutes.

Count on Kristin Ess to bless us with high-performance hair tools that are super affordable and good lookin', too. Crafted from two titanium plates to deliver heat fast and evenly, Ess's 3-in-One iron reaches temperatures up to 440 degrees, has shine-boosting technology, and shuts off automatically. So you can forget ever having to wonder if it's still on after you've left the house.

Start by making sure your hair is completely dry and combed through so that there are no tangles, then divide your hair into sections. Run the iron over each section with a consistent speed, not letting it sit on one area for too long.

Taking one section of hair at a time, clamp the hair in the flat iron at mid-shaft and wrap the rest of the hair (except for the very ends) gently around the flat iron, says Rivera. Then, gently pull down and release.

According to Maine, ceramic irons are better for all hair types, including natural, coarse, or kinky-curly hair. Look for flat irons that have floating plates so that they move with your hair (instead of pulling at it).

While every hairstylist has their own personal favorite hair tool, each of the experts we spoke to agreed that a good flat iron should have three key features: flexible plates (to avoid tugging and breaking), adjustable heat options (to prevent heat damage), and a comfortable grip (since you'll be holding the tool for a while).

Straightening my hair is typically a two-day affair. I wash all the product out the night before and load my hair with hydrating protectants. I let it air-dry, then I braid it before bed so that the next day, the curls are looser and easier to work through. Then, and only then, can I go in with a flat iron.

WIRED's Gear team has an array of curl types, needs, and hair-styling tricks, and we've all tried a lot of hair straighteners in our lifetimes. Some flat irons have left us with crispy ends and cramped hands, while others, like the ones listed here, gave us sleek hair. There's a dizzying number of options around, but hopefully our favorite hair straighteners can help narrow down your search.

A straightener can be a flat iron, and a flat iron is a straightener, but not all straighteners are flat irons. They come in other forms too, including brushes and combs. No matter which you go with, what you call it, or what your budget is, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

I vividly remember the first flat iron my curly-haired family ever owned. It was thick and left our hair looking fried, with clamp marks at the root. Basically, I looked like Witch Hazel from Looney Tunes. It wasn't until college that I discovered the Paul Mitchell flat iron, and I've been using different variations of it since. It proves that the right tool makes a difference, and I've seen it work its magic on several different hair textures and curl patterns. It's worth every penny.

The T3 Lucea ID hair straightener would be in our top spot if it wasn't so expensive. But it might be worthwhile if you're concerned about hair damage. Most hot hair tools claim to cause less damage than the competition, but the T3 actually delivers with a unique temperature-finding feature the company calls HeatID Technology. To set the right temperature, select your hair features via the touch controls on the iron's handle: texture (fine, medium, coarse), length (short, medium, long), and if your hair is color-treated. It will then suggest a heat level. I also love its Refresh Mode for touching up hair later at a lower temperature based on previous settings.

It can create gorgeous curls too. Once you perfect that flick of the wrist, your hair will look like you just came from the salon. If you'd rather have two dedicated hair tools, the company also has a curling iron ($249) with the same HeatID tech.

Straightening brushes are not for everyone, but if you have looser waves, they can save a lot of time and energy by combining steps. Most work similarly, but this one from Amika is a standout. For me, it took the curl out of my hair but left it puffy, so I still had to smooth it out with a flat iron. My sister, who has the same coarse hair but with a different curl pattern, was able to get a smooth blow-out look with just this alone.

This bundle includes a hot tool glove, which worked well with the Tymo but burned when I used it with another curling iron that reached that same temperature. Be aware that it's not made for direct contact on a hot plate.

To gauge maneuverability, I measured factors such as weight, cord length and swivel. These contribute to the overall ease of use of the tool. Another important criteria is temperature. I considered heat-up time, temperature control variability, accuracy and whether the iron has temperature memory and automatic shut-off.

The straightener is forgiving on the wrist and is more lightweight compared to most of the other models I tested. It has a well-functioning swivel cord, and it comes with a nice silicone sleeve to keep the iron closed before use, for easy transport and to protect fingers during cool down. Plus, the 30-minute automatic shut-off gives peace of mind.

When I put this straightener to work, it heated up in just 20 seconds. I sectioned my hair into one-inch pieces, glided the iron through my hair from root to tip, and it went from frizzy to smooth and polished. Despite having just one heat setting of 392 degrees, the temperature was enough to reshape my hair in just one pass, although I did have to do two passes on the layers around my face. This was refreshing because I get a little anxious about heat damage when I have to go over the same section several times.

One small downside to this iron is that due to its slightly wider plates I had to carefully maneuver my fingers out of the way so as not to burn them when straightening the baby hairs near my temple. I also had to do a couple of extra passes on the framing layers around my face.

Some straighteners come with heat-resistant mats or gloves, which are helpful for keeping countertops or fingers from getting singed. A storage pouch is another plus. If you travel a lot, look for an iron with universal voltage to allow you to use it abroad.

After that, I spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, I have photographed wolves in their natural environment; I have been a scuba instructor; I co-hosted several podcasts including the popular Battlestar Recaptica. Currently, I'm one half of a podcast called Rick and Dave Control the Universe.

Though we haven't tested it in the Lab, with over 38,00 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.5-star rating, it's clear people are absolutely obsessed with this flat iron, and it has an astounding amount of great features for an under-$20 hair tool. Floating ceramic plates are coated with titanium for even heating and a silky smooth glide through the hair, and the temperature is adjustable up to 410ºF, so you can tweak it according to your hair type. But at this price, don't expect a ton of longevity from the tool!

This smart flat iron allows you to plug in personal info like hair length and texture to automatically calculate the perfect styling temperature for your hair. "Far too many times, people use a hotter setting than they actually need," our Lab pros say, but with nine temperature settings, this iron has the perfect fit for everyone, meaning you won't scorch even super fine hair. It nabbed top scores for making hair noticeably shiny, with testers noting it "glided effortlessly" through strands without pulling, tugging or creases for a style that "lasted all day long." 041b061a72