The increase in usage of hair straighteners (flat irons, hair
irons) has meant that we now have an ever growing selection of
straighteners to choose from. However, it seems that more and
more of them are becoming increasingly expensive and this
article goes some way in exploring what you are getting for your
money and more importantly are they worth the high price tag?
Firstly, the price range of flat irons varies quiet considerably
with the cheapest one around $10 and the most expensive ones
close to $200. Given such a price range it is clear that there
is likely to be a significant difference in both quality and
performance of these irons. The best way to establish the
difference is to first look at the features of the cheapest,
most expensive and one from the mid-price range to see if there
are any clues to what extra features, if any, you are paying for,
The following are some typical features found on hair
straighteners in varying price ranges:
Cheapest ($10-$40) - Two heat settings: Low for fine,
easy-to-style hair and High for hard-to-style hair. - Goldtone
plates. - Power indicator light - Ideal for smoothing and
straightening curly hair. - 3/4 inch plates
Mid-range ($40-$80) - Sapphire ceramic plates are unmatched for
equal heat distribution. - New Infra Red Heat technology seals
in hair's moisture and luster. - Faster heat-up time than
conventional coil straightening irons - Variable temperature
settings (140ºF - 410ºF, 60°C - 200°C) for all hair types - 3/4
- 1.5 inch plates.
Most expensive ($80-$200+) - Scratch-resistant, durable ceramic
or Tourmaline plates. - 1 - 2 inch plates - Far-infrared heat
and negative ion by tourmaline renew the vitality of your hair:
seals the cuticle and eliminates frizz. - Variable temperature
settings
Based on my research there are a number of conclusions to draw
about each of the price ranges.
The cheaper flat irons tend to have a smaller plate width, do
not have ceramic or Tourmaline plates (which give much better
results) and they don't have fine temperature controls i.e. they
typically a number of preset temperatures for different hair
types. These flat irons tended to be geared towards occasional
use and for finer hair rather than for thick or curly hair. They
have a shorter life, especially if used every day.
Mid-range flat irons tend to use Ceramic or Tourmaline plates,
which were on average at least 1.25 inches in width. Obviously
the wider the plates the quicker and easier it will be to
straighten your hair. Models in this range can handle all hair
types and are made by some of the better-known makers. They also
have much better temperature controls which go up to as high as
200°C which is needed for really difficult curly, coarse hair.
The most expensive straighteners were also made using Ceramic
plates and more of them did use Tourmaline, which gives even
smoother results than ceramic. The plate width on average tends
to be wider and the overall constructional quality just that
little bit better. The most expensive model, $195, researched is
made by one of the top makers and comes highly recommended by
the hair industry. It is exceptionally well made, having seen
one at my local stylists, but I also suspect just the name alone
will add $10-$20 dollars on the price tag.
Overall it all comes down to how much you can afford to spend
but I would strongly recommend that you save up the dollars and
go for something in the $80-$130 price range. Within this range
you will get all the key features you should have in a good flat
iron: fine temperature control for different hair types, heats
up quickly, fits well in your hand, and has a plate width of at
least 1 inch. You will also get a well-made straightener, which
will still work for in years to come.
About the Author A self confessed hair straightener
fan Andrea Simpson has a website devoted to the,
href=http://www.a1-hair-straighteners.com/hairstyles.shtml>Sedu Hair Iron and other high perfromance hair irons.
About The Author:
Andrea Simpson is a self confessed hair straightener fan. She runs her own website A1 Hair Straighteners where you can her honest reviews and articles about everything related to straight hair.
Can hair straighteners damage your hair? One of the most common questions I get asked on my website is whether using hair straighteners will cause any short or long term damage on my hair. You don't need me to tell you that placing anything hot in close proximity to your sensitive hair is going ......
Instyler Some Rules In Picking out a Flat ironThe hair straightener today is what the curling iron was in the 80's, irreplaceable. Most women cannot imagine doing their hair without one or leaving the home without needing one first. As there are different types of......
Find the Right Hair Straightener based on Your Hair Type These days, a myriad of hair straighteners are available in the market. So, choosing the perfect one that meets your need is quite challenging.
Hair comes in a variety of types. So you must be very careful to choose a hair straightener that will work ......
Best Hair Straighteners When it comes to choosing a ceramic hair straightening iron some of the best hair straighteners on the markets today are the sedu flat irons, solia flat irons, and the chi flat irons but how do you know which one is the best one for you and your hair.
......
Sedu Tourmaline Hair Straightener - Pros and Cons Sedu tourmaline hair straightener is the most popular hair straightener and the most popular hair straightening method in the world. Yet, popularity should not be the only consideration when buying a new product.
If you think about purchasing a hair st......