There's a whole boatload of brands out there claiming that they've got the best flat irons in the entire planet. There's no denying that. Then how come all these brands have such a huge selection of the so-called "best hair irons" for sale? Wouldn't a single type of flat iron, the most updated and technologically superior flat iron, be the best flat iron in the market?
That's because the term "best" is relative, and it's all up to you, the user, to determine what flat iron best suits your needs. When money's tight and you need that slick, straight look to go with your formal attire, you probably might not want to consider plunking down in excess of 0 for a flat iron you'll be using probably once or twice a year. If you're a professional hair stylist who absolutely needs a quality flat iron that will make sure your customers leave the salon with a radiant and glowing hairdo, you don't want to get a flat iron that'll ruin hair-dos and break down in less than a month.
Whether you're the working-lady who needs a quick, straight hair-do or the professional stylist looking to get the best iron for the job, you'll still need to get a quality flat-iron that's well worth your money. When doing that, you absolutely have to check the single most important determinant among the myriad choices of the best flat irons available on the market:
Plate Composition.
All hair irons do their job: iron hair. However, the primary determinant for a flat iron's quality is its heating plates. The cheapest flat irons have heating plates made of aluminum. And they're cheap for a reason: aluminum plates are easily scratched and break down easily with frequent use. The next step in metallic plates are titanium plates, and unlike aluminum, are much less prone to scratching and subsequent hair damage.
Then you have ceramic plates. These plates are composed non-metallic substances that are more durable and less-damaging than plain aluminum plates. They also heat up more evenly, meaning that the entire plate is at an equal temperature. This makes the ceramic plates more dependable when it comes to evenly straightening your hair. Some brands infuse their ceramic plates with finely ground tourmaline. Tourmaline is a semi-precious crystal that provides a smoother surface for ceramic-flat iron plates. This makes the plates less prone to pulling hairs out of your scalp when you pass over an iron.
Some of the flat irons money can buy on the market have unique features that enhance their quality of styling. For example: FHI 302RVI Ceramic Ion Styling Irons prevent static electricity from building up in your hair as you iron, while the new Karmin Titanium models depend on infra-red heat to keep hair straight for longer periods of time.
However, keep in mind that all these features are bonuses compared to the performance of the heating plates of the flat iron. What makes the best flat irons stand out from the rest of the flat irons is the quality of its heating plates. Now go out there and make your own intelligent and empowered choice!