Hair straighteners: not just for dead straight hair!

by Adam Singleton

Hair straighteners have become an essential beauty item for many a female across the world in the last decade, but the concept of straightening irons is not a new one. In the 1960s, women used to painstakingly iron their hair to get that poker straight look, and this trend continued well into the 1970s before the 1980s made big, curly hairstyles fashionable. However, the beauty of modern hair straighteners is that they can actually be used for almost any sort of hairstyle - from creating dead straight hair to giving your mop a vintage curl that will make heads turn.

Hair straighteners have been the saviour of many a curly-haired women desperate to maintain some control over the way her hair looks. However, just as many naturally straight-haired women are aching to enjoy the bouncy freedom of ringlets - and modern straightening iron technology lets you create curly or wavy hair just as well as straight hair.

To curl your hair with a hair straightener, section it back with ties and clips and start from the bottom layer of hair on one side of your head. Using a thin straightening iron (no wider than one inch), clamp it at the bottom of a small section and slowly curl it upwards. If this method doesn't produce the desired effect, try a different tack: spray a small section of hair with flexible hairspray before placing the straightening iron about an inch away from your scalp. Then pull it down towards the end of your hair - the hairspray will make your hair curl up the same way you'd curl a ribbon with a pair of scissors.

You can also use hair straighteners to highlight those aspects of your facial features you want to be noticed more. For instance, if you've got distinct cheekbones, straightening your fringe or the top layer of your hair can make your cheekbones even more defined, emphasising your eyes in the process. Moreover, straightening just the top layer of your hair can be especially beneficial to women with voluminous hair, especially those who fear that straightening irons will cause their hair to lose its bounce. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the feeling of having super sleek hair on top, while your naturally wavy locks will maintain the body of your hairstyle underneath.

If you're lucky enough to carry off a boy-like short haircut - or if you're just a boy! - you'll be able to find a range of super-skinny hair straightening irons that will let you style even the shortest of cowlicks. Many salon professional straightening irons - such as Remington, Andrew Coligne or GHD hair straighteners - can be found in half-inch widths, enabling both men and women keen to exploit a trendy look to do so with ease.

But whatever hairstyle you choose to create for yourself with straightening irons, remember the golden rule of hair straightening: stay safe! Protecting your hair from the intense heat emitted by hair straighteners is essential to maintain the long-term healthiness of your hair. Invest in a good heat-protecting spray and ensure you buy hair straighteners with ceramic coated plates, as these protect your hair from direct contact with the heat.

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.

How The Sedu Tourmaline Hair Straightener Works

For any women out there who has ever purchased or used a ceramic hair straightening iron you will be amazing at how easy the sedu tourmaline hair straightener makes styling your hair. This ceramic flat hair iron comes with so excellent features and also guarantees to minimize hair damage.

Unlike the ordinary ceramic hair straightening iron the sedu flat iron comes with ultra smooth plates that straighten your hair without pulling or breaking your hair in the process. The sedu flat iron uses tourmaline on its plates to generate negative ions that straighten the hair and eliminate frizz in the process. Using negative ions also helps to add more shine to your hair and speeds up the straightening process. The use of infra red heat technology in this ceramic flat hair iron helps to seal in the hairs moisture almost eliminating any possible hair damage.

The super quick heat up time and the lightweight, ergonomical design all helps to make the sedu tourmaline hair straightener the best ceramic hair straightening iron on the market today.

Find more about Flat Irons on http://www.LeanderNet.com/Flat_irons/Flat_irons.php . More useful content on LeanderNet - http://www.LeanderNet.com

Solia flat irons, Sedu flat irons and other flat irons

by Oliver Turner

Solia flat irons and sedu flat irons are among the best hair straighteners on the market today but which one is the best?

When it comes to getting the best hairstyles you will of course need the best hair straighteners. The most sought after models are the solia flat irons and the sedu flat irons but there are numerous other models available on the markets today.

Solia Flat Irons or Sedu Flat Irons

Solia flat irons are cheaper than their rival sedu flat irons but is this ceramic flat hair iron better? Solia flat irons use a dynamic alignment system to ensure that there is the correct contact between your hair and the ceramic plates whilst straightening. They also provide even heat distribution and give silky straight hair as a result. The same of course is true for the sedu flat irons.

Solia flat irons use tourmaline ion technology and negative ions to create frizz free hair without damaging your hair in the process. This ceramic flat hair iron also includes a variable temperature control and is suitable for all hair types. Available in different plate sizes, solia flat irons can also be used on wet (damp) or dry hair. This ceramic flat hair iron also has easy to grip handles making it easier to use and includes a swivel power cord to prevent tangling.

As you can see the features of solia flat irons and sedu flat irons are very similar indeed but does this mean that because the solia flat irons are less expensive that they are better than the sedu flat irons?

In order to answer this question reading reviews of both the solia flat irons and sedu flat irons is essential. Sedu flat irons are extremely popular and are used by the majority of professional salons and their constant publicity makes them a must have accessory but for those who would prefer to spend less on their ceramic flat hair iron, solia flat irons are an excellent choice.

About the Author
Find more about Flat Irons on http://www.LeanderNet.com/Flat_irons/Flat_irons.php . More useful content on LeanderNet - http://www.LeanderNet.com

Learn How to Get the Jennifer Aniston Look Using a Sedu Flat Iron

by Robin OBrien


Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Lopez have made straight hair fashionable. However, these beautiful women weren't born with perfectly straight, shiny hair. Top stylists use the Sedu flat iron to create the look that Jennifer Aniston has. But you don't have to be a top stylist to achieve this look; using the Sedu flat iron allows anyone to have perfectly straight, shiny hair - every time.

Sedu tourmaline and ceramic flat irons are top rated by consumers and stylists alike. You don't have to use a Sedu flat iron to get the Jennifer Aniston look, but whatever flat iron you use, it should be of good quality and one you feel confident in using. Other good tourmaline flat irons include the T3 Tourmaline flat iron and the Solia Tourmaline flat iron. The best tourmaline flat irons should be ergonomically designed for ease of use, have fast heat up times, offer a variety of heat settings so you stay in control, and a swivel cord with safety cut-off.

The following steps will show you how to use a flat iron to get that Jennifer Aniston look.

1. Always read the manufacturer's instructions before you use the flat iron. 2. Practice using the flat iron when it is still cold; get a feel for how it handles. 3. Use a good conditioner when you clean your hair. Heat drying hair - whether by blow-drying or straightening - dries out and damages hair. Using a good conditioner helps protect your hair. 4. Dry your hair well using a towel and putting it flat and in a keep. Doing this will help to keep it soft and manageable. 5. Blow-dry your hair making sure it is thoroughly dry. 6. Use an anti-frizz spray, lotion, or smoothing serum - usually a silicon based product. If it is a gel, place a drop or two into the palm of your hand and spread evenly throughout your hair. 7. Set the flat iron to the correct temperature. Read the manufacturer's recommendations for temperature setting for different hair types; you may have to experiment with different settings. 8. Start by lifting the hair up about half way up round your head and pinning up the top layers out of the way, to expose the hair underneath. 9. Draw a thin strip of your hair through the plates. Use sectioning clips, if you have them. Divide your hair into sections no wider than the heating plates of the iron, and straighten slices no thicker than half the width of your heating plates. By working with small sections and slices, you can apply the heat evenly, and will get the desired straightness fast. 10. Use even pressure while stroking your flat iron from the root to the end without stopping on any part of the sectioned hair. 11. Straightening the back hairs can be difficult. You can position two mirrors on the diagonal so you can see the back of your head. Then, take the clipped sections of hair out one by one and straighten them, starting at the bottom of your head (the nape/neck area) and working your way to the crown of your head, just like a stylist would do.

How to avoid damaging your hair when using a flat iron.

1. Using a good conditioner is vital. Heat applied to hair damages it; a conditioner will help protect it. 2. Always - and I mean always - use a protective serum when using your flat iron. Don't use too much. When used correctly it will give your hair a shiny lustre and makes the flat iron glide through your hair. 3. Always keep the flat iron moving. Never keep the flat iron stationary on a section of hair or you will burn it. 4. Don't use your flat iron every day. Applied heat damages hair. If you use your flat iron correctly, the style should hold for days.

After a few times, straightening your hair will be easy. By using your Sedu flat iron correctly, you'll be able to get the Jennifer Aniston look without having to pay salon prices.

About the Author
Visit best-flat-iron.com to find what is the best flat iron for you whether it be a Sedu flat iron, T3 Tourmaline flat iron or other.

What Is The Best Tourmaline Flat Iron?

by Robin OBrien


Tourmaline is a precious crystal that is ground down into a fine powder and then infused onto the ceramic plates of a flat iron. Tourmaline plates produce a far greater number of negative ions than do ceramic plates. Negative ions straighten your hair for far longer and give it a silkier, shinier look. So, if you're thinking of buying a flat iron you should only buy a flat iron with plates that have been plated with tourmaline. But which is the best tourmaline flat iron?

Surprisingly, the vast majority of producers still make ceramic only flat irons. However, the market leaders in flat iron design and manufacturing now produce tourmaline flat irons. The following are market leaders in tourmaline flat iron technology, and all make top rated tourmaline flat irons. Which tourmaline flat iron is best depends on your hair type, what function you want and how much you're willing to spend.

One of the cheapest, top-rated tourmaline flat irons is the Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron. The Solia tourmaline flat iron comes in four plate sizes; the 3/4"plate is perfect for bangs and really short hair and is also the perfect size for creating all sorts of curly-haired styles. Plate widths also include the 1" and 1 ¼" - the latter being the most popular size. These sizes are perfect for medium hair length or hair that isn't too curly. If you hair is difficult to straighten then you should definitely go for the 1 ¾" plates on the Solia tourmaline flat iron. Solia flat irons come with Dynamic Alignment System to ensure perfect contact between the plates and your hair. The Solia Limited Edition Pink flat iron is a very popular model, however, if you're looking to buy a pink flat iron, the Corioliss pink flat iron is a better choice; it looks better and heats up quicker than does the Solia but it is a lot more expensive - more about Corioliss in a moment. Finally, Solia claim that their tourmaline flat irons can be used on wet hair - actually damp hair that has been first combed through. This is a real plus point as using wet to dry flat irons avoid having to first use a hair dryer.

Sedu flat irons are about 50% more expensive than Solia flat irons. Sedu flat irons have gained popularity because of their association with Jennifer Aniston. Many want to have the same look and believe that using a Sedu tourmaline flat iron will give them this. Whilst this is true, perfectly straight, shiny, sleek hair can be obtained using other brands of flat iron. But there is no doubt that a tourmaline flat iron from Sedu is a top rated product and delivers on its promise of creating smooth, straight hair. Although the heat up time of the Sedu Ionic Ceramic flat iron is not as quick as some other brands, it is still ready to use in only 25 seconds. The plate widths of Sedu flat irons are either 1 or 1 ½ inches. The body of the Sedu flat iron is made from high-strength composite materials, which makes the Sedu one of the lightest flat irons on the market.

Only introduced onto the market in 2004, the T3 Duality professional flat iron has gained a strong foothold in the market and is now one of the leading hair straighteners. The first thing you notice about the T3 Tourmaline Medium Duality flat iron is its good looks but the qualities of the T3 flat iron go further than how it looks. T3 tourmaline flat irons use the latest technology to give you perfectly straight hair. There are four models to choose from: the T3 Domed Duality Flat Iron (3/4 inch); the T3 Medium Duality Flat Iron (1 3/8 inch); the T3 Narrow Duality Flat Iron (1 inch); and the T3 Wide Duality Flat Iron (1 3/4 inch). The T3 domed iron is a versatile tool to straighten, curl and even create chic flips to the hair. When curling, the grooves on the outer ends allow for more control, and when locked in between, the hair is actually being heated on the inside, as well as the outside. The T3 Narrow Duality is the one that gives you most control, the T3 Wide Duality is best for long hair, whereas the T3 Medium Duality is the most versatile. Finally, there is also available the T3 Wet to Dry Flat Iron. Just like the Solia model discussed above, the T3 Wet to Dry Tourmaline flat iron can be used on damp hair, so avoiding having to first dry your hair.

The Corioliss Pro Silver flat iron is nearly twice the price of the Solia, making it one of the most expensive tourmaline flat irons you can buy, but it's worth every penny. Its good looks are consummate with its performance. Heat up time is only 6 seconds! The plate size is 1" and the plates reach a top temperature of 430F - higher than that of many flat irons. Sedu claim to make one of the lightest flat irons - the Sedu 1" flat iron weighing in at 0.9lbs - however, the Corioliss Pro Silver 1" flat iron weighs only 0.72lbs, making it very easy to use, especially when straightening the back of your hair. The iconic Corioliss Limited Edition Pink 1" flat iron is for those who want something a little special. And if you're looking for something extra special, take a look at the Corioliss Pro-Hair Purple Flat Iron. Finally, Corioliss flat irons come with dual-voltage as standard so you can use a Corioliss hair straightener anywhere in the world.

If you want to get the best results when straightening your hair, you should only use a tourmaline flat iron. Whether you buy a Sedu, Solia, T3 or Corioliss tourmaline flat iron is your decision, but your first decision should be to purchase a tourmaline flat iron.


About the Author
Follow the links to find a lot more information about the Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron, the T3 Domed Duality Flat Iron, the Corioliss Flat Iron and other leading makes.