For some, straightening your hair can seem time consuming and difficult. However, by following a few simple tips, straightening your hair can be a simple process.

Get a Clean Start -

It is best to use your flat iron on clean, dry hair. Leftover buildup & residue from hairstyling products can cause damage to your hair if heat is applied. Hair that is shampooed and conditioned and completely dry will straighten the best.

Prepare  Your Hair-

Before using your flat iron be sure to apply a heat protectant to your hair. If your hair is super curly and/or frizzy it is best to use a smoothing balm or hair serum in your hair as well. Choose a product which is humidity-resistant to keep your hair smooth and frizz free. Using a hair dryer and a large round or flat hair brush to smooth hair out before using a flat iron can also help the straightening process go much quicker.

If you have medium to long hair section your hair by pinning up the top half so that you can work with the bottom back layers first. You will then work your way to the sides and top sections of your hair as you straighten your hair.

Go Slow -

When using your flat iron you want to go slow for the best results. Taking a section of hair 1-2″ wide clamp your hair iron close to the roots of your hair and slowly glide the iron down the section of hair to the ends. Going slowly not only helps achieve better results but keeps you from having to go over and over the same section of hair which can cause damage to your hair. If your hair is coarse or very curly you can help smooth the hair by running a fine tooth comb through the section of your hair as you follow it with your straightening iron.

Continue straightening your hair section by section until you have completed all of your hair.

The flat iron you use can make a major difference in the results you achieve so be sure to check out How to Choose a  Flat Iron for some tips on how to find the best hair straightener for you!

Not all flat irons are created equally so knowing how to choose the best flat iron can save you styling time, money and from causing any undue damage to your hair. With so many different hair straighteners available on the market today it can be overwhelming to know which one is better than the next, and why.

When it comes to features of a flat iron there are a few that are just as important as the next. These features include temperature, plate material and beneficial features such as tourmaline. Let’s go over these features as well as some others that will help you in selecting the best flat iron for you.

Temperature – a flat iron works by using heat to smooth and shape the hair. If your hair iron does not get hot enough you will find yourself having to go over the same section of hair again and again to get a smooth, straight result. By doing this you are causing major damage to your hair as well as wasting unnecessary time.

We all have different hair types and curly, coarse and/or thick hair is going to need a higher temperature than hair that is fine or thin. Your best option is to choose a flat iron that has a temperature selection with a minimum of around 200° and a high of nothing less than 400°. This will allow you to find a temperature setting that works best for you as well as for different hairstyles you can create with a styling iron.

Flat Iron Plates- “pure ceramic coated plates” may sound like a good thing however this just won’t cut it. Plates that are coated or painted will end up peeling and chipping over time and in return will pull and snag hair causing in breakage. When buying a new flat iron make sure the plates are solid and go for either a ceramic or titanium flat iron.

Another choice you will have to make is plate size. This can depend on the length of your hair as well as what you intend to use your styling iron for. If you have really long hair that you only plan to straighten any size will work and a larger plate will straighten larger sections at a time. If you have bangs and/or layers and plan to use your hair straightener to its full potential and curl, flip and add waves as well, a 1″ plate size is ideal. A 1” plate is perfect for all lengths of hair.

Beneficial Features – this can cover many things from the design of the hair straightener to features like tourmaline and infrared heat. Here is what is most important and why.

Tourmaline helps to boost the negative ions which are emitted from a ceramic flat iron. Negative ions work to smooth and close the cuticle as well as seal in moisture, reduce frizz and static and protect the hair. You may wonder why I don’t say look for a hair iron that features negative ions or ionic technology and this is because a flat iron that features tourmaline will already have this and when you combine the two you get a flat iron that produces about 6 times more negative ions.

Far Infrared Heat is another must have feature and you will get this when you choose a flat iron with both tourmaline and ceramic combined. Far Infrared Heat works to heat the hair from the inside out thus, causing less surface damage. Heat is distributed more evenly for quicker results, better styling and reduced damage.

Other features I recommend you look for include ergonomic design for ease and comfort of use, a swivel cord to prevent tangling and cord damage and flash quick heating to save time and energy.

Not all flat irons are created equally so knowing how to choose the best flat iron can save you styling time, money and from causing any undue damage to your hair. With so many different hair straighteners available on the market today it can be overwhelming to know which one is better than the next, and why.

When it comes to features of a flat iron there are a few that are just as important as the next. These features include temperature, plate material and beneficial features such as tourmaline. Let’s go over these features as well as some others that will help you in selecting the best flat iron for you.

Temperature – a flat iron works by using heat to smooth and shape the hair. If your hair iron does not get hot enough you will find yourself having to go over the same section of hair again and again to get a smooth, straight result. By doing this you are causing major damage to your hair as well as wasting unnecessary time.

We all have different hair types and curly, coarse and/or thick hair is going to need a higher temperature than hair that is fine or thin. Your best option is to choose a flat iron that has a temperature selection with a minimum of around 200° and a high of nothing less than 400°. This will allow you to find a temperature setting that works best for you as well as for different hairstyles you can create with a styling iron.

Flat Iron Plates- “pure ceramic coated plates” may sound like a good thing however this just won’t cut it. Plates that are coated or painted will end up peeling and chipping over time and in return will pull and snag hair causing in breakage. When buying a new flat iron make sure the plates are solid and go for either a ceramic or titanium flat iron.

Another choice you will have to make is plate size. This can depend on the length of your hair as well as what you intend to use your styling iron for. If you have really long hair that you only plan to straighten any size will work and a larger plate will straighten larger sections at a time. If you have bangs and/or layers and plan to use your hair straightener to its full potential and curl, flip and add waves as well, a 1″ plate size is ideal. A 1” plate is perfect for all lengths of hair.

Beneficial Features – this can cover many things from the design of the hair straightener to features like tourmaline and infrared heat. Here is what is most important and why.

Tourmaline helps to boost the negative ions which are emitted from a ceramic flat iron. Negative ions work to smooth and close the cuticle as well as seal in moisture, reduce frizz and static and protect the hair. You may wonder why I don’t say look for a hair iron that features negative ions or ionic technology and this is because a flat iron that features tourmaline will already have this and when you combine the two you get a flat iron that produces about 6 times more negative ions.

Far Infrared Heat is another must have feature and you will get this when you choose a flat iron with both tourmaline and ceramic combined. Far Infrared Heat works to heat the hair from the inside out thus, causing less surface damage. Heat is distributed more evenly for quicker results, better styling and reduced damage.

Other features I recommend you look for include ergonomic design for ease and comfort of use, a swivel cord to prevent tangling and cord damage and flash quick heating to save time and energy.

Check Amazon for Flat Irons

The New Karmin G3 Salon Pro Hair Styling Iron is a high quality straightening iron for an astonishingly low price.  It is perfect for all hair types:  long, short, thick, thin, wavy, curly, straight and more.  Using this styling iron will leave your hair feeling silky and smooth every time you use it.  Not only will it feel great, but your hair will look sleek and shiny as well.

There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a hair styling iron and it’s important to be aware of the benefits of each.  There are so many options available that it can be overwhelming to find the best one for you.  Not all styling irons are the same, and inexpensive does not necessarily mean best value.  Before purchasing your next styling iron, consider the type of plates, the heat settings, the size and the warranty.

The most common types of plates on a hair straightener are metal, glass, ceramic, titanium and a tourmaline ceramic blend.  The most expensive variety of hair straighteners are the tourmaline and ceramic blend.  These straighteners are also the highest quality and leave the hair smoother and straighter than the other varieties.

The Karmin G3 features Tourmaline Ceramic plates that heat quickly and evenly.  Tourmaline is a semi precious gem that, when heated, creates more pressure that helps flatten the hair when straightening.  This quality ceramic eliminates “hot spots,” or sections of the plate that are hotter than others.  It’s important to maintain even heat to straighten the hair efficiently and to avoid frizz.

Another benefit of the Karmin G3 Pro Styling Iron is its adjustable heat.  Studies show that 370 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the optimum temperature for most hair types. Because the G3 offers adjustable temperature, it’s easy to choose one that works best for you.  It ranges from 180 degrees Fahrenheit to 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes this product a great fit for everyone.

When the G3 is heating, there is a red light by the temperature wheel that illuminates.  Once the straightener has heated to the desired temperature, the light will shut off.  As you style with an iron, it comes in contact with your cool hair and loses some of its heat.  This is natural and to be expected and does not signify a low quality straightener.  A quality hair straightener is characterized by how quickly it regains its heat to maintain your chosen temperature.  This is to ensure that it will heat and straighten your hair evenly.  The Karmin G3 Pro Styling Iron immediately begins to reheat, and the red light illuminates once again, to indicate that the heating mechanism has been activated.

When deciding which hair styling product is the best fit for you, remember to consider the size of the plates.  The most common flat iron size is 1” plates, like the G3.  The 1” plates are a great size that offer the ability to straighten even long hair quickly, but also allows the user to style or curl the hair.

The Karmin G3 Pro Styling Iron offers a 3 year warranty to ensure that each user receives a quality, functional styling iron.  Any defects found to be the fault of poor workmanship or material guarantees a replacement.

Users of the G3 have reported that it “cuts [the] straightening time in half,” that it was heated and “ready in seconds,” and that they have “soft, silky, tamable hair.”  One user reported that after purchasing the G3, she was upset at having wasted thousands of dollars on other “high quality” straighteners over the years, when the Karmin G3 accomplished the same results in less time and for less money.

The most common and most valuable hair styling tool available today is the hair straightener.  Because of the wide range of prices and quality available, every person who wants straight, smooth, sleekly styled hair can find the best straightener to meet those needs.

There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a hair styling iron and it’s important to be aware of the benefits of each.  There are so many options available that it can be overwhelming to find the best one for you.  Not all styling irons are the same, and inexpensive does not necessarily mean best value.  Before purchasing your next styling iron, consider the type of plates, the heat settings, the size and the warranty.

The most common types of plates on a hair straightener are metal, glass, ceramic, titanium and a tourmaline ceramic blend.  Metal and glass are typically used in the least expensive straighteners.  Unfortunately, however, they are often painted, which can result in chipping and damaged hair.  Metal and glass plates tend to take longer to heat and don’t always heat evenly, leading to dry, damaged, frizzy hair.

Hair straighteners with ceramics plates are slightly more expensive than straighteners with metal or glass plates, but they are still affordable.  The ceramic plates hair more evenly and produce smoother, shinier and less frizzy hair.  Titanium plated hair straighteners are very smooth and are known to heat evenly and maintain their heat.  This is important for even straightening and styling and efficient results.

The most expensive variety of hair straighteners are the tourmaline and ceramic blend.  These straighteners are also the highest quality and leave the hair smoother and straighter than the other varieties.

Tourmaline ceramic plates that heat quickly and evenly.  Tourmaline is a semi precious gem that, when heated, creates more pressure that helps flatten the hair when straightening.  This quality ceramic eliminates “hot spots,” or sections of the plate that are hotter than others.  It’s important to maintain even heat to straighten the hair efficiently and to avoid frizz.

Another benefit to look for is adjustable heat.  Studies show that 370 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the optimum temperature for most hair types.  However, some hair styles and textures require higher temperatures, for example thick or curly hair.  On the other hand, thinner and finer hair may require a lower temperature.  When hair straighteners offer adjustable temperature, it’s easy to choose one that works best for you.  One example is the Karmin G3 Salon Pro Styling Iron; it offers a range of 180 degrees Fahrenheit to 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes this product a great fit for everyone.

As you style with an iron, it comes in contact with your cool hair and loses some of its heat.  This is natural and to be expected and does not signify a low quality straightener.  A quality hair straightener is characterized by how quickly it regains its heat to maintain your chosen temperature.  This is to ensure that it will heat and straighten your hair evenly.

When deciding which hair styling product is the best fit for you, remember to consider the size of the plates.  The most common flat iron size is 1” plates.  There are also 1/2” 1 ½” and 2” styles available.  The smaller sizes are most often used to curl or style the hair or to straighten shorter hair.  The larger sizes can be beneficial when straightening longer hair.

Hair straightener warranties typically range from one to three years.  Some warranties are offered by the retailer, while some come from the manufacturer.  Before purchasing an iron, make sure you know the details of the warranty including how long it is and what it covers.

The most common and most valuable hair styling tool available today is the hair straightener.  Because of the wide range of prices and quality available, every person who wants straight, smooth, sleekly styled hair can find the best straightener to meet those needs.

The Conair CS3B Ceramic 1” straightener is a chic little device that comes in handy at any occasion at the same time the Conair Company is doing its best to spread breast cancer awareness with its “Power of Pink” ionic styler. The device is available in pink and it features the ionic technology that enhances the quality of your hair. The device includes three heat and speed settings that improve the hair quality by making it shiny and healthy. This feature also adds to the precision styling. Another feature of this device is a removable filter that helps to clean the device easily and effectively.

This Conair device takes only thirty seconds to get heated. You can also choose from thirty variable temperature settings to suit your style of hair. It runs on dual voltage and ceramic technology. It has 1 inch ceramic plates that surprisingly straighten very quickly and effectively.

If you are fashion conscious and like to have fashionable hairdos then a stylish hair straightener or styler is a must have on your list. The ghd Professional Advanced Ceramic Heat-Styler is one of the most popular products that help you to straighten or style your hair whenever you want. This heat styler can be used all over the world since it has a universal voltage of 110v to 230v and is also lightweight and easy to carry around.

Used by stylists and fashion celebrities worldwide this 2.6 pound hair styler uses ceramic heaters and aluminum plates that secures the cuticle and also creates a radiant look. This product comes with an attractive looking body and a set of rounder barrels to style your hair into curves, curls or flicks apart from straightening. A sleep mode has also been included as a built-in safety feature which automatically switches off the unit when not in use for 30 minutes. The product comes with an instructional DVD for user convenience.

Beauty Match is giving a Karmin G3 Salon Pro valued at $265. To qualify simply visit their site and leave a comment about your worst hair day.

You can enter the giveaway here:

http://www.mybeautymatch.com/win-a-karmin-flat-iron/

Good Luck!