All flat irons aren’t created equal. Just because it heats up, has two plates, and claims to leave hair smooth, glossy, and protected doesn’t mean that it’s any good. This is especially true if your hair is natural. Afro hair may seem like it needs lots of heat to get straight, but the wrong tool can fry your coils permanently. Hello, heat damage.
Whether you occasionally get a silk press or regularly heat style, using the proper tool is just as important as the products you use on a daily basis. Like any investment piece you buy, your flat iron should deliver quality results with every use, last a considerable amount of time, and never compromise the health of your hair.
That being said, if you’re shopping for a new hot tool to add to your routine, don’t just pick up any ol’ thing. Instead, opt for one of the pro-approved picks for natural hair, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Mizani Educator and Global Artist Daryce Brown heats up this Enso iron when silk pressing her clients with natural hair. “I love this iron because it’s ceramic plated, rather than coated, which ensures even heat distribution,” she says. “Even heat distribution means less time passing over the same strand of hair.” And when you don’t have to go over the same section again and again, you lower the chances of heat damage.
Enso Tools ENSO GNS – medium, $450, available at Enso Tools
To reduce styling time, Kendall Dorsey, celebrity stylist to Yara Shahidi and Nick Minaj, uses this iron from by Gina. “The plates heat up quickly and glide over the hair, which allows you to quickly straighten without snagging or causing damage.”
By Gina Excel Infrared Flat Iron, $149, available at By Gina
For a no-frills iron that doesn’t require professional technique, grab this one. “It has a small frame that does a great job of getting in close to the root, where curls are the most difficult to smooth out,” says Dorsey.
GHD Classic 1″ Inch Styler, $149, available at Sephora
Bee, stylist and owner of B’Krowned Beauty Bar in New York City, swears by this cult-favorite Babyliss machine for her clients. “The titanium plates on this iron leave hair shiny and sleek with one pass,” she says. “It’s also very lightweight and thin, so it gets close to the root for a smooth finish.”
BaByliss Pro BaBylissPro Nano Titanium 1.25″ Flat Iron, $109.99, available at Jet
When she’s not using the aforementioned Babyliss tool, Koni Bennet, stylist and owner of Vanity Salon, loves the NuMe Style Setter for her type 4 clients. “It heats up quickly, and the floating titanium plates gloss over natural hair, making it look — and feel — like silk. You don’t need to go over any section of your hair more than once with this iron.”
NuMe Precious Metals Hair Straightener, $175, available at NuMe
To read this article on line go to: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/5-flat-irons-pros-straighten-231500683.html
