TODAY.com – The best flat iron for your hair may not be the most expensive one with Gina Rivera

A quality flat iron may quickly become the most useful tool in your arsenal, and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Price does not always dictate quality!

When searching for the ideal flat iron to add to your beauty tool collection, a good start is to look for something called Nano Smart technology. This is important because it plays a major role in keeping the hair healthy by sealing in moisture.

Keeping moisture in the hair from the infrared, your curls will last longer, your color will be more vibrant, and your hair will have more volume.

Also: “Ceramic tourmaline heating plates will ensure safe, even heat through the plates, ensuring that there are not any hot spots which can create damage, (and) also sealing in the moisture for a smooth and shiny (hairdo). And it eliminates frizz,” said Rivera.

PRICE DOESN’T ALWAYS EQUAL VALUE

“When it comes to flat irons, I truly feel that you get what you pay for,” said Matii Salon Artistic Director Stacey Smoker. The cheaper the flat iron, the less consistent the heat through the blade and the longer the heat recovery time.

“Every time you close a flat iron on the hair, the temperature drops. The bigger the fluctuation in temperature, the more passes the user is inclined to take (and) the hotter the temp they are inclined to set the iron at,” said Smoker.

Regular and repeated exposure to high-heat temperatures causes permanent damage to the hair. It’s important to select the right heat setting for your hair type.

“Invest in tools that have digital temperature that you can adjust. With internal custom heaters and temperature control, you can protect your hair by lowering the temperature and only holding your hair on the iron for a couple seconds,” said Beachwaverfounder and celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa.

For example, if you have thick hair, you will want to use a higher-heat setting than someone with thin or fine hair.

“If you have color-treated hair, the cuticle is more open and the internals of your hair strands are more exposed so they actually curl easier and don’t need as much heat! Adjusting the heat setting to your hair type will ensure that your curls last and the health of your hair is maintained,” said Potempa.

“The temperature of the iron can determine the curl pattern on hair that tends to fall easily, as you might need a higher heat to lock in the pattern closer to the root,” she added. “The internal components of the irons also can determine the curl pattern, and that is why it is important to invest in custom, high-end tools that contain internal heaters that go the entire length of the barrel. The higher the heat, the stronger the curl will essentially be. Low heat will produce a softer finish.”

PROTECT YOUR TOOLS

When purchasing a flat iron, you want the proper voltage that is compliant and can be used around the world — very helpful if you travel abroad.

ANOTHER GREAT FEATURE IS A 360-DEGREE SWIVEL CORD

“That makes it easy to turn and manipulate for super-easy styling, especially if you are using your flat iron to create beach, soft, bigger curls which can be achieved with a flat iron,” said Rivera. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up in the cord as you’re styling!