A THIRD of us own them, but how many of us actually know how to use our straighteners?
We asked the experts if there’s such a thing as the perfect technique.
Whether it’s spending hours achieving Hollywood waves, or simply swiping an iron through before rushing out the door, 27% of women say they can’t live without their straighteners.*
For many of us, the trusty tool is a morning staple, but if you’re using them on autopilot, you may not be getting the most out of them.
“People tend to forget that sleek, straight hair begins with your wash,” says hairstylist Adem Oygur.
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“If you’re looking for a smooth finish from your straighteners, opt for shampoo and conditioner that reflects this,” he adds.
Tresemmé Lamellar Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, £7 each, are super-charged with proteins that keeps hair glossy, plus they won’t break the bank.
“My biggest piece of advice is to apply heat protection before styling,” says celeb hairstylist Ross Kwan. According to Pantene, 23% of women believe that hair damage is unavoidable – but keeping it protected from heat is simpler than you might think.
“When straightening your hair, you must use a protector, as repeated heat damage will cause breakage and make hair dull and lifeless,” adds Ross.
If you have curly or wavy hair, choose a silicone-based primer. "It will repel moisture, so you won’t have to worry about frizz if it’s humid or your hair gets wet,” says Ross.
For fine hair, it’s important to mitigate any greasiness, so look for a lightweight spray, such as Arkive The Prologue Hair Primer, £13.
For thicker hair, a cream such as Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-in Treatment, £25.70, is your best bet.
If you’re short on time, it can be tempting to madly pull your straighteners through fistfuls of hair, but this won’t provide long-lasting results and can even cause damage.
“You should divide your 'do into small, even sections, then straighten it in 1-2-inch-wide areas,” says Adem.
“Hold your hair taut and glide the straighteners through it, leaving an inch at the root to achieve extra volume,” he adds.
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Thick and curly hair is denser, so will require more hands-on time.
“For wavy and curly hair, set the iron on a slightly higher heat and pass it through once, rather than multiple times on a lower heat, as this can cause more damage,” says Ross.
To finish up your look, work an oil or leave-in conditioner into your ends, such as Adem Pure Hazelnut Oil Conditioner, £31, to ensure your hair stays nourished.
STYLE MENU
Cut out and keep these style tips from hairstylist Halley Brisker.
Straight and sleek
STEP 1: Apply a heat protectant evenly through dry hair, then divide into sections.
STEP 2: Take one section of hair and close your straighteners near the roots, before gliding down to the ends, ensuring smooth and even straightening. Repeat this, section by section until all of your hair is straight.
Beachy waves
STEP 1: Apply a heat protectant, then divide your hair into sections roughly two inches wide.
STEP 2: Starting near the root, twist the straighteners away from your face, rotating 180°.
Slowly glide the straighteners down, while continuing to twist it to create a wave. Repeat this on each section until all of your hair is styled.
STEP 3: Tousle your hair with your fingers and spritz with a texturising spray for added definition and volume. Finish with hairspray.
Half-up, half-down
STEP 1: After straightening your hair, section off the top half from temple to temple, leaving the bottom half down.
Gather the top section of hair and secure it into a ponytail using a hair elastic or small hair tie.
STEP 2: For added volume, gently tease the crown of the hair before securing it into the ponytail.
Finish with a light mist of hairspray to set the style and keep flyaways in place.
THE PERFECT PAIR
BEST FOR STYLING
“Versatile irons with swivel or curved plates will enable you to do classic sleek and shiny looks, as well as beachy waves,” says Ross.
BEST FOR LONG, THICK HAIR
“Wider plates are great for long or thick hair, because they can heat your locks in larger sections,” explains Adem.
BEST FOR MINIMISING DAMAGE
“If you can, invest in a straightener with automatic heat-monitoring tech, as this will reduce damage and provide the best results,” explains Ross.
