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Good hair days can make a person feel prepped, poised, and polished. While we love natural hair textures and think messy-pretty hair is always in, the fact is that we all have moments when we long for a styled-looking hairdo. This is why heated hair tools are essential — especially on days when your locks misbehave. Maybe you fell asleep with your hair wet and want to tame some unruly waves, or you simply want to style your hair straight for added shine and uniformity. Perhaps achieving ultra-straightness will just be the first step in styling a sleek, slicked-back pony. With countless reasons why you might want to straighten your hair on a given day, the flat iron is an essential within the realm of the best hair-styling tools. These heated straighteners are more versatile than you think and can be used to achieve different looks from glossy straight down ‘dos to beachy waves — and beyond.
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What is a Flat Iron?
“A flat iron is a hot tool that is designed to smooth the hair and create straight or wavy textures,” says celebrity hair stylist Jess Elbaum. Similar to the best curling irons, explains that they come in different plate widths and materials that are designed to distribute heat and deliver it to the hair, with most popular materials being ceramic and titanium.
Plates typically come in 1″ widths, but wider widths and higher heats can be helpful for thicker, coarser hair types. Flat irons can provide a temporary straightening solution for all hair types, as well as providing an alternative to chemical straightening treatments that relax the hair but often contain irritating and questionable ingredients. In addition to straightening, they can be used to create waves and curls, all the while enhancing shine, de-frizzing, and making your strands more manageable.
Keep scrolling to check out the best flat irons for all hair types, as well as expert tips for how to use one.
Top Flat Irons for 2022
- Best Cordless Iron: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
- Best Smart Iron: T3 Lucea ID 1” Smart Flat Iron
- Best for Thick Hair: Harry Josh Pro Tools Ceramic Flat Iron
- Best for Low Heat Settings: Instyler Cerasilk Styling Iron
- Best for Dry Hair: Bio Ionic 10x Straightening Iron
- Best Budget Flat Iron: Remington Shine Therapy Argan Oil + Keratin 2” Flat Iron
- Best for Fine Hair: Ghd Platinum+ Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron
- Best Iron with Titanium Plates: BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
- Best for Curly Hair: NuMe Megastar Flat Iron
- Best Infrared Flat Iron: Eva NYC Mini Healthy Heat Ceramic Styling Iron + Bag
- Best for Shine: Flower Beauty Ceramic Styling Iron
- Best Rated on Amazon: Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron – XL
- Best for Frizzy Hair: L’Oréal Professional Steampod Flat Iron & Styler
- Best Titanium-Plated Flat Iron for Travel: Balmain Hair Couture Cordless Hair Straightener
- Best Hair Straightener Brush: Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
- Best Smoothing Hair Straightener Brush: T3 Edge Heated Smoothing & Styling Brush
- Best for Static: Croc Crystalline Infrared Flat Iron
- Best Ceramic-Plated Flat Iron for Travel: Kristin Ess Hair Nanoblack Defining + Detailing Mini Flat Iron
- Best for Natural Hair: Boujee Infused Straightener
- Best Luxury Iron: Bioprogramming International Hairbeauron Straight 7D Plus
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Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
Best Cordless Flat Iron
- Weight: 1.23 pounds
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 410° F
- Plate material: Copper plates
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
Devin Toth, a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City, loves this straightener from Dyson because it has “the newest technology and most styling versatility.” The popular luxury brand’s straightening iron features copper plates that flex around your hair, requiring less heat to style for less heat damage and regulating its temperature 100 times per second. It can also be charged and used without the cord for up to thirty minutes, allowing you to take it with you when you are on-the-go. Notable features include its three heat settings for different hair types, a 10-minute shut off timer, a charging dock and a travel pouch.
T3 Lucea ID 1″ Smart Flat Iron
Best Smart Flat Iron
- Weight: 86 pounds
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 410° F
- Plate material: CeraGloss™ plates
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
This flat iron offers nine different heat settings that you can customize to your hair’s needs using HeatID technology. Simply specify your hair type and texture on its touchscreen settings, and the tool does the rest. It features an ion generator to help reduce frizz and static while boosting shine, and boasts heat precision via their T3 Rapid HeatIQ® technology. This flat iron is a favorite for Laura Polko, a Los Angeles-based celebrity hair stylist, who shares: “It prompts you to put in your hair type (texture, length, and color treatment) and will give back the best heat setting, ensuring minimal damage and more consistent results.”
Harry Josh Pro Tools Ceramic Flat Styling Iron
Best Flat Iron for Thick Hair
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Plate size: 1.25″
- Max temperature: Up to 425° F
- Plate material: Nano Ceramic Tourmaline plates
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
Meet Harry Josh’s mint green wonder that is great for quickly straightening thick hair courtesy of its 1.25″ ceramic plates. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 235° F to 425° F to ensure that every hair type is covered, while smoothing and de-frizzing hair via the emission of negative ions. “This flat iron has changed my life,” writes one reviewer, who praises its adjustable thermostat, long cord, and even plates. “It doesn’t pull my hair like most other flat irons do.”
Instyler Cerasilk Styling Iron
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 440° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
This is Elbaum’s favorite flat iron from Instyler, crafted with ceramic plates that are interwoven with the brand’s protective Cerasilk technology. You can choose between four heat settings ranging from 300° to 440° F to suit your hair type, while the detachable comb aids with additional straightening. One reviewer says, “I’d definitely buy this product again and again. I’ve also been recommending it to everyone I know. I will never go back to my old ordinary styling iron.”
Bio Ionic 10x Straightening Iron
Best Flat Iron for Dry Hair
- Weight: .6 lbs
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 5-year warranty
“I love this flat iron because you can control the temperature up to 450 degrees and it heats up in seconds,” says Los Angeles-based hair stylist Bri Oro. The plates use sonic vibrations and far infrared heat to enhance the effects of negative ions from volcanic minerals. This ceramic mineral complex contributes to the shine, smoothness, and even hydration thanks to the brand’s Moisturizing Heat technology. It also features automatic shut-off after one hour and is incredibly lightweight, with a 5-year warranty that makes it virtually risk-free.
Remington Shine Therapy Argan Oil + Keratin 2” Flat Iron
Best Budget Flat Iron
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
For shiny results at a drugstore price, this flat iron is hard to one-up. It features an LCD thermostat and adjustable heat settings that range from 300° to 450° F. Plus, it promises results that can double your hair’s shine, courtesy of their micro-conditioner infused ceramic plates and heats up in only 15 seconds. “My hair feels softer, smoother, and shinier after using this flat iron,” says a reviewer.
Ghd Platinum+ Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron
Best Flat Iron for Fine Hair
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: 365° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
Celebrity hairstylist Avian King and Scott King love this Ghd flat iron, pointing out that the lack of heat settings is for the best possible reason. “I personally love the Ghd flat irons because they have one temperature — 365° F,” says King. “You don’t need anything higher than that to achieve smooth hair styles.” In addition, he points out that it turns off automatically after thirty minutes, so if you tend to get anxious that you left your flat iron on, you can rest assured your house won’t burn down. The brand also boasts 70% stronger hair, as well as 75% more shine as opposed to air drying, and double the color protection.
BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
Best Flat Iron with Titanium Plates
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Titanium
- Warranty: 4-year limited warranty
If you are partial to titanium plates as opposed to ceramic, this flat iron is undoubtedly the way to go. With 50 different heat settings going up to 450° F, you are also guaranteed to have access to the ideal temperature. Due to its ultra-thin design, this style is ideal for short hair and bangs because it enables you to get close to the scalp. King loves this device for use professionally, and finds that the plates are more forgiving on the hair.
NuMe Megastar Flat Iron
Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair
- Weight: 1 lb
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 450 degrees F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year
“NuMe’s Megastar is my favorite hair straightener because all the features make it super easy and effective to straighten hair and curl hair,” says celebrity hair stylist Michael Canale. With a 4.9/5 rating from over 2,800 reviewers, it seems that shoppers agree. It ticks off all the boxes with various heat settings, a thermostat, beveled plates for curling, far infrared heat and shine-making negative ions. It will also shut off automatically after an hour.
Eva NYC Mini Healthy Heat Ceramic Styling Iron + Bag
Best Infrared Flat Iron
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: 450° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Check out this bubble gum pink pick for an affordable option that utilizes Red Beam Far-Infrared Spectrum Technology to heat hair from the inside out, thereby protecting the inner cuticle. The adjustable temperature is indicated on an LED monitor, so you can see exactly what temperature yuo’re using, and it automatically turns off after an hour. “I have natural, thick 3c/4a/4b hair, and I use heat sparingly in it. I am always looking for a flat iron that treats my hair as gently as possible… I bought this and I’m in love with it,” writes a reviewer.
Flower Beauty Ceramic Styling Iron
Best Flat Iron for Shine
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 440° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
With four heat settings, ceramic plates, and an automatic shut-off, Flower Beauty’s flat iron is a great option for straightening your hair. Reviewers love how quickly it works, requiring very few passes. “I have replaced my other two [straighteners] with this one permanently,” writes a reviewer. “I can straighten my hair completely within five minutes using this one. I have thick, frizzy, and sometimes unmanageable, very long hair.”
Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron – XL
Best Rated on Amazon Flat Iron
- Plate size: 1.5″
- Max temperature: Up to 410° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
With a 4.7/5 rating out of over three thousand reviews on Amazon, this Paul Mitchell flat iron clearly delivers. It is a best-seller from the well-known brand featuring 1.5″ snag-free cushioned plates made from ceramic, and thanks to this larger size, it’ll cover more hair at once for speedy styling. It also has temperature controls that allow it to reach 410° F in just 60 seconds and cools ultra-quickly. “My hair turned into silk,” says one reviewer.
L’Oréal Professional Steampod Flat Iron & Styler
Best Flat Iron for Frizzy Hair
- Weight: 1.3 lbs
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 410° F
- Plate material: Aluminum
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
Straighteners that incorporate steam are said to help moisturize the hair shaft for a gentler experience, making them amazing for frizzy hair types. This one from L’Oreal claims to smooth frizz for a full 24 hours. It works like a regular iron with coated aluminum plates, three different heat settings (from 350° to 410° F), and an integrated comb to help capture any wayward strands. According to the brand, you can straighten 600 inches of hair before needing to refill the water tank. “Make sure to use distilled or filtered water to extend the life of the tool, and always make sure the arrows are pointing down when passing the Steampod through the hair,” instructs Min Kim, L’Oréal Professional US + Global Ambassador and Colorist.
Balmain Hair Couture Universal Cordless Straightener
Best Titanium-Plated Flat Iron for Travel
- Plate size: 1″
- Max temperature: Up to 392° F
- Plate material: Titanium
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
Who knew that a flat iron could be so chic? This cordless pick from Balmain was designed for use backstage at fashion shows. It features titanium plates for shine and efficiency and offers three presets — at 320°, 350°, and 392° — that are color-coded for ease of reference. It comes with a really cute case for storage and plugs that work for use in the U.S. or abroad.
Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
Best Hair Straightener Brush
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Titanium
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
Straightening brushes have popped up as a fool-proof way to straighten wavy and curly strands. Because you are not pressing your hair between two plates, there is less damage and more room for versatility. This Drybar model features a digital thermostat with temperature control and a 60-minute automatic shut-off. “I have really thick, long, curly hair — the trifecta! Usually someone has to blow dry my hair and then use an iron to cut down the time to 90 minutes. Even with my lack of skills, I was able to completely straighten my hair in 40 minutes,” raves one reviewer.
T3 Edge Heated Smoothing & Styling Brush
Best Smoothing Hair Straightener Brush
- Max temperature: Up to 410° F
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
The T3 Edge comes with both heated ceramic “bristles” and nylon bristles along the curved edge that can smooth, straighten, and style in one device. It offers three different heat settings for straight (330°F), wavy (370°F), and curly (410°F) hair, with a negative ion generator to help create shine. I used this brush on my wavy hair with the Innersense Hair Love Prep Spray and found that it works best when you ensure that you use it on small sections at a time. I liked that it eliminated the need for a separate brush, but I do think there is a learning curve with perfecting your technique.
Croc Crystalline Infrared Flat Iron
Best Flat Iron for Static
- Plate size: 1.25″
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 1-year full warranty
This design uses evidence-based infrared technology to help protect the hair cuticle. The 1.25″ ceramic plates can help expedite the straightening process — and at an affordable price point. The ceramic plates are coated with crushed crystals — and it even comes with a crystal bracelet — as well as anti-static and anti-stick technology. One reviewer on Ulta dubs it an “unbelievable product for the price.”
Kristin Ess Nanoblack Defining + Detailing Mini Flat Iron
Best Ceramic-Plated Flat Iron for Travel
- Plate size: .75″
- Max temperature: 380° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
Kristin Ess makes one of the best options for an ultra-compact ceramic flat iron because it features .75″ plates instead of the .5″ plates that are typical of mini versions. The rounded design allows for the creation of curling and waves in addition to straightness, while the Soft Heat Technology sends negative ions into the har. It comes with a heat-resistant bag for storage and features automatic shut-off after 30 minutes for optimal safety. “It isn’t just another cute accessory for your hair,” writes one reviewer. “It is a FANTASTIC styling tool that makes you look like you just walked out of the salon.”
Boujee Infused Straightener
Best Flat Iron for Natural Hair
- Plate size: 1.25″
- Max temperature: Up to 450° F
- Plate material: Titanium
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
If you are trying to repair your hair, this option combines steam-straightening technology with the option of adding hydrating argan oil. “This is my new favorite,” says Los Angeles-based hair stylist Bradley Leake. “It’s a steam-infused iron with smaller plates that allow you to get nice and close to the hairline.” There are two steam settings, plus a PTC heater for fast heat-up, a nine-foot swivel cord and automatic 60-minute turn off function for safety.
Bioprogramming International Hairbeauron Straight 7D Plus
Best Luxury Flat Iron
- Weight: 1 lb
- Plate size: 1″ plates
- Max temperature: Up to 360° F
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Warranty: 6 month warranty
Luxury-lovers will appreciate the crème-de-la-crème of styling tools from this ultra-luxe brand. It draws upon quantum technology to enable straightening the hair without requiring ultra-hot temperatures to minimize heat damage. 
What to Look for in a Hair Straightener
Flat irons work to straighten the hair shaft via delivering high temperatures between two heated plates. By pressing sections of the hair between the plates, the hair is smoothed between them and able to be styled easily. But there are a ton of choices to be aware of when it comes to choosing the best flat iron for you. Details like temperature settings, plate specifics — from their size, to their materials, shapes, and coatings — all make a difference. Personal preference also plays a role in dictating your choice between models, which vary in features like the length of time it takes to heat up, safety features like automatic shut-off, and plug-in versus cordless designs.
- Plates: Most flatirons come in either titanium or ceramic plates — materials that have been selected for their ability to absorb high temperatures, and to evenly distribute it to the hair. Some experts prefer titanium for shine-imparting efficacy, while others believe that ceramic plates afford more even heat distribution. Though expert opinions differ on plate materials, Elbaum points out that shape is universally important; she is partial to those with beveled edges in order to avoid creasing in the hair.
Celebrity hairstylist Avian King points out that some models feature coating over the plates as a heat protectant. However, she warns that this can be a misleading source of comfort because while the additional glaze serves as a buffer between the hair shaft and hated plate, with repeated use, it can wear off and ultimately result in additional damage to the hair. This is why caring for your flat iron and taking note of any wear and tear is essential. Thankfully, most come with warranties that will account for any issues.
As for plate sizes, the standard width is 1″ — which Elbaum says works great for all hair types. However, you can also find them in smaller and wider sizes. Narrower widths are effective for styling shorter hair lengths because they can get closer to the scalp, as well as smaller sections of hair, like bangs. Wider widths, ranging from 1.5″ – 2″, can be helpful for expediting the straightening and styling process, particularly for thick and coarse hair. Don’t forget to use the right hair brush for your hair type as a first step to flat ironing your hair; you’ll save yourself a world of time.
- Thermostat + heat settings: Just like with the best hair dryers, temperature control is key to avoid damage. Most flat irons heat up in under a minute, but the experts insist upon the importance of thermostats and heat settings. In fact, Elbaum considers a lack of temperature control to be a major red flag, while King recommends ensuring that your flat iron features a thermostat to allow you to track its temperature. These features help ensure that your hair is not exposed to unnecessary heat damage. As King explains, straighteners without thermostats and heat control settings often “immediately go to 400 degrees which is excessive for most people’s hair types.”
Determining which temperature to work with is another matter altogether, but the rule of thumb is that hotter is not better. In fact, most stylists advise using the least amount of heat necessary to achieve the desired result. “A lot of flat irons let you pick the temperature and people usually set it to the highest temperature — 400° to 450° F — and don’t even use a heat protectant,” laments celebrity hair stylist Scott King. “But this is severely damaging to your hair.”
Keep in mind that at temperatures higher than 300° F, the hair’s structural protein keratin changes. By continuing to compromise the hair’s structure, the breakdown of keratin eventually leads to weaker strands that are more prone to breakage, split ends, and dryness. So, in addition to applying a thermal protectant product to help protect the hair from damage every time you heat style, you will want to consider your hair type when selecting your device’s temperature settings, as well as any technology to help minimize thermal damage.
- Safety features: Aside from the health of your hair, there are safety options related to the devices themselves. Some flatirons come with heat-protective mats to protect your bathroom surfaces when you set down your devices. Others include gloves to help ensure that you do not burn your hands. But most impressive are the devices which turn off automatically after a fixed amount of time. If you are the type to leave home and worry whether you remembered to shut off your flatiron, this automatic shut-off feature will be a game-changer for you.
How to Find the Best Flat Iron for Your Hair
The choice between flat irons is never easy — not even for the experts. “Asking a hairstylist about her favorite flat iron is like asking her to pick a favorite child,” shares Ashanti Lation, celebrity stylist and CEO of VIP Luxury Hair, who adds that choosing the right model for you comes down to budget, style preferences, and hair type.
First, think of whether or not you will be styling your hair to be mostly straight, or if you’d like a flat iron that can also be used to make waves or curls. “If you are using a flat iron to create lots of bends and texture — like beach waves or curls — you want to be sure your iron has beveled edges,” advises Polko.
Similarly, if you have a hair type that is especially prone to dryness or damage, you can look out for certain technology to help minimize damage. For instance, negative ions that are said to help with moisture and shine. “Tools that utilize infrared technology are an absolute must,” says Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. “This is key to healthy hair because it locks the moisture into the individual strands while styling the hair from the inside out. It’s like a spa treatment for the hair.” Steam styling is less common, but can add moisture to the shaft of the hair, making it a gentler process for dry, damaged, curly, and natural hair.
- Short hair/bangs: “Shorter hair is more compatible with thinner plates as these can get closer to the scalp,” explains Los Angeles-based hair stylist Bradley Leake. Smaller plates are also beneficial for those with bangs.
- Fine hair: Fine hair should do just fine with the standard 1″ plates and a moderate heat setting — no need to go all the way up to 400 degrees. Some stylists also prefer ceramic plates for thin and fine hair types.
- Thick/coarse hair: “Generally, thicker hair can tolerate higher temperatures and wider plates, whereas [finer or] thinner hair requires less heat,” Leake notes. In these instances, you might opt for a wider plate than the standard 1″. If you struggle to find flat irons that are effective on your thick hair, consider one of the best hair dryer brushes to simply brush your hair to smooth and straighten with heat.
- Wavy/curly hair: “Overheating your wavy or curly hair can compromise your hair’s elasticity, resulting in you losing your natural pattern over time and leaving it frizzy and prone to breakage,” says celebrity hairstylist Josh Liu. Hence, a thermostat with heat control settings are imperative for this hair type. Curly hair is also notoriously dry and prone to becoming brittle, which means that utilizing a feature to help mitigate heat damage — whether far infrared heat, ions, and/or steam — could come in handy.
- Processed or damaged hair: King points out that processed or damaged hair — like hair that is bleached blonde, for instance — will need a higher temperature to flatten the cuticle. However, processed hair is also much more vulnerable to heat damage. In these cases, a weekly bonding treatment mask might be extra beneficial for this hair type.
- Natural hair: Natural hair is similar to wavy and curly hair types, making heat control settings and protection all the more important. A straightener that uses a steam technology can be used to add moisture to the hair shaft, making it a worthwhile consideration. Titanium plates might also work better for this hair type, but it comes down to preference.
Will a Hair Straightener Damage My Hair?
“Any heat processes can be damaging to hair. You should always use a heat protector on your hair before styling,” says Elbaum. Begin by ensuring that your hair is fully dried, and then always applying a thermal protectant spray. King names Davines This is a Blow Dry Primer or Oribe Soft Lacquer Heat Styling Hair Spray as two of her favorite thermal styling protectants. Meraki Organics Amethyst Curl Primer & Heat Protectant is a fantastic indie option, especially for natural hair.
When selecting products, look for ingredients like hydrolyzed proteins (including collagen), which help to replenish the hair shaft and repair the hair structure, as well as copolymer blends to protect the hair from heat, while nourishing oils can help to restore shine and lost moisture. “If your hair is more porous and prone to breakage, choose ingredients to strengthen the hair,” Kim says. “For hair that is relatively healthy, moisture is key to keeping it in great condition.”
You should also always aim to use the least amount of heat necessary to achieve the results you are going for. “If your hair is damaged or very fine, you don’t want to go above 300 degrees Fahrenheit,” Elbaum warns. “If your hair is coarse and very curly, going up to 440 degrees is okay.”
King explains that bleached and natural hair textures require higher heat to smooth the cuticle layer, but that they are also more delicate and higher temperatures can cause breakage. Keep in mind that color and highlights do damage the hair, which is why processed hair should be handled with care.
You can also opt for weekly or bi-weekly treatments to help repair the effects of heat styling and damage. Moisture masks can help to restore softness to brittle textures, but keep in mind that heat damage can cause changes to the hair shaft, which compromises its ability to retain moisture. Thus, bond-building treatments can help to repair heat-wrought damage that has resulted in dullness, dryness, split ends, and breakage. King recommends K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask — or the favorite of celebrity hair colorist Chad Kenyon, Olaplex No 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask. “The results leave the hair silky, slippery soft, and stronger,” he says. If you would like to try a new launch, Andrew Fitzsimmons Virgin Repair Restructuring Hair Mask is an affordable bonding mask that incorporates restorative ceramides into the formula. All of these masks can be used in lieu of your conditioner once a week.
Of course, it is always helpful to give your hair a break from heat styling. King recommends only heat styling your hair one to three times per week. Taking days to let it air-dry, or to display its natural texture, can be rehabilitative to your strands while adding variety to your beauty repertoire.
How to Use a Flat Iron
You will want to begin your styling session by ensuring that your hair is entirely dry, brushed or combed and a thermal protectant has been spritzed. After that, you can determine the heat setting you would like to work with, and preheat the iron; it should take less than a minute.
Most devices require only one pass through the hair, making it ideal to divide your hair into sections before getting started. Your hair’s texture will determine how large or small of sections you opt for. “You can take larger sections to smooth finer textures, but for thick, wavy, and curly hair, it is especially important to dry the hair thoroughly and to work with thinner sections,” says Kim.
“Depending on the look you want to achieve, I like to section the hair into three sections,” Elbaum says. “Start in the back, running the flat iron down the hair shaft. Go section by section until you achieve the result you are looking for.” Afterwards, she likes to apply a hair oil to finish the look with shine and to lock in the cuticle. When applying hair oil, remember that a little bit goes a long way. Placing a drop or two into your hands, then run your fingers through your hair, focusing on the ends. Elbaum loves the Sisley Paris Hair Rituel Precious Hair Oil.
Following each use, remember to care for your flat iron and to store it safely, waiting for it to cool down before putting it away. This also includes care to maintain the device itself. “When you’re finished using it, wipe the plates down with a dark towel while they’re still hot. This will remove any excess product from your plates,” says Toth.
How to Style Curtain Bangs with a Flat Iron
Styling your fringe is an absolute art and the process can be streamlined with the use of a flatiron. “I start out by wetting the bangs, adding a root lifting product, and then using a round brush to blow dry them,” Elbaum says. To ensure that they dry straight, King recommends drying them in one direction. For instance, blow drying them intentionally to the left, and then to the right, which tricks them into settling down the middle. Next, part your bangs and prepare to run your flatiron over them on a lower heat setting for this smaller section of hair and use a hairspray to finish.
How to Curl Hair with a Flat Iron
You can also achieve curls with a flat iron, which is when a straightener with beveled edges is most important. “Begin by using the same three-part sectioning technique as for straightening,” Elbaum begins. “The flat iron curl is achieved by rotating your wrist in a curl motion, just as you would with a curling iron.” The trick is to remember to keep the iron somewhat loose, wrapping the piece of hair around the edge and through the center like a loop.
Then you gently move the straightener down the hair shaft, being mindful not to let the iron sit for too long on a single section of hair. “I never leave the flat iron on the hair long,” says King. “I glide through quickly if the hair is fine, or slowly if the hair is coarser and thicker. I never leave the flat iron in one place for longer than a second or two.
As Elbaum explains, the tightness of the curl is determined by the size of the hair section — with smaller sections resulting in tighter waves. So, if you are looking to achieve looser, beachy waves with your flat iron, repeat the same process as above but reach for larger sections of hair for each pass of the iron. “This technique is also all in the wrist,” Elbaum says. “You make the move with an up and down wrist motion all the way down the shaft.” For a more foolproof technique, she says that you can also braid a few sections of your hair and then run the flatiron down them for a few passes. “This gives an easy beach wave look that I finish with the Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray,” she says.
Try to remember to wrap the hair so that the curl direction is towards the back and away from the mirror. In other words, wrap the hair counter-clockwise on the left, and clockwise on the right. This ensures that your style looks windswept and consistent, with the ends facing to the back. If you want to, you can complete the look with some spray for added hold.
Meet the Experts
- Jessica Elbaum is a celebrity hairstylist that is known for her work on shows like Modern Family, The Connors, Magnum P.I.
- Avian King is a celebrity hair stylist based in Seattle, WA, with clients in Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY.
- Scott King is a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles, California.
- Min Kim is a L’Oréal Professional US + Global Ambassador and Colorist based in New York. She also the host of the YouTube show, Run Le Hair Show.
- Chad Kenyon is a Los Angeles-based celebrity colorist and Global Ambassador for Olaplex.
- Laura Polko is a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles, CA, with clients such as Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, and Priyanka Chopra.
- Josh Liu is a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles, CA, whose clients include Ariana Grande.
- Bradley Leake is a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles, CA.
- Gina Rivera is a celebrity hair stylist based in San Diego, CA, and the founder of Phenix Hair Suites.
- Michael Canale is a celebrity hair stylist who works with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kyra Sedgwick, Carolyn Murphy, and Denise Richards.
- Ashanti Lation is a celebrity hair stylist and the CEO of VIP Luxury Hair.
- Devin Toth is a New York-based hairstylist at Salon SCK.
Meet the Author
Jessica Ourisman is a freelance beauty editor with bylines in Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, The Zoe Report, The Coveteur, and more. With a Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and a Master’s degree from Columbia University, she has six years of experience as a beauty writer — and a lifetime of love for skincare, cosmetics, and self-care. She is currently based in Los Angeles, but has lived and worked in New York City and Paris, France.