Here’s a quick breakdown of the four most common types of plates in a hair straightener: Meanwhile, titanium plates heat up very quickly and can reach higher temperatures than ceramic irons, which is why they’re recommended for thick and curly hair that requires extra heat to get smooth.īut those aren’t the only type of plates out there. The only potential downside? Ceramic usually takes a little longer to heat up. “ Ceramic plates are often ‘safest’ for dry, damaged, or fragile hair,” says hairstylist Amy Abramite, adding that these plates, in general, don’t get overly hot, so the overall temperature of ceramic irons stays in a relatively safe range. Neither ceramic nor titanium is necessarily better or worse-it's just that one plate is likely better for your specific hair type. We updated this article in July 2023 to add new hair straighteners the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with new experts for the latest in hair straighteners, just for you. ✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. Here's a sneak peek at some of my favorites: I know it sounds overwhelming, so to make the shopping experience easier for you, I researched, tested, and reviewed the top hair straighteners on the market right now. You've also got the choice between auto shut-off features, wide or thin builds, and ceramic or titanium plates (fyi, ceramic = softer heat that’s better for finer, straighter hair titanium = stronger heat that’s better for curlier, coarser hair).

That doesn't mean you need to spend $$$, but a good hair straightener should be tailored to your hair type, straighten in one pass without pulling, and have a few heat settings to choose from.Īnd those are just the basics. Using a subpar hair straightener can seriously mess with your hair and lead to excessive damage, hair breakage, and split ends. Even if you only straighten your hair once or twice a month, it's absolutely worth investing in a quality flat iron.

How to straighten hair with flat iron