Hair straighteners have been a well-known and popular beauty tool for over a century. The first patent for the electric hairbrush was filed in 1875, but it wasn’t until 1906 that an American named George Beaumont invented the modern-day flat iron. In 1907, Madame C.J Walker would invent her own brand of hair care products such as hair pomades and creams to keep women’s hairstyles looking fresh all day long. Modern-day hair straighteners are now used by everyone from your everyday person on the street to celebrities who need their locks perfect at any moment!
What is the difference between a Steam Straightener and Flat iron?
There is no difference really, they both do the same job. The words “straightener” and “flat iron” are interchangeable; if you hear someone say they use a flat iron, there’s no need to correct them!
However, it is important to note that not all straighteners or flat irons are created equal. There are several different types of straighteners out on the market each with its own benefits for hair health and style. For example, ceramic plates tend to be more gentle on hair than titanium plates because ceramic emits infrared heat whereas titanium does not.
Other pro-tips include:
- – Rather than running your straightener through all your hair at once (which can damage and dry out hair), work in small sections and straighten until the desired look is achieved.
- – When using a flat iron or straightener to style your hair, it’s important to use products that will protect your hair from heat damage such as oils and serums.
- Best Heat Protectant for Flat Iron: Jane Carter Solution Nourish and Shine Serum
- – A great way to get shiny, frizz-free locks on humid days is to use a finishing spray of some sort (like Oribe Impermeable Antihumidity Spray) after you finish styling. This allows you to skip the blowdryer, and protects your hair from humidity without adding any kind of residue or heaviness to it as the cream does.
Related: Cloud 9 Hair Straightener vs GHD
There are some great drug store products out there that work perfectly well, so don’t feel like you need to go for the most expensive brand. However, if you are looking for a higher-end flat iron or blow dryer (they’re pretty essential to your hair routine), check out Monat; they offer some of the highest quality at an incredibly affordable price!
Which product should I use for my hair type?
There are two basic types of hair irons: ionic or non-ionic. Which one you go for is mostly based on personal preference.
You’ll find that most curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers come as either a 1inch, ½ inch or ¼ inch barrel size, but there are also some with different sizes to choose from. Ionic tools usually have a wider barrel than their non-ionic counterparts, which allows them to emit larger amounts of negative ions into the hair shaft more quickly. Non-ionized products only release smaller amounts of positive ions over time so they can be very effective in delivering your desired style.
Manufacturers have made it incredibly easy for buyers to choose the size of their hair iron by differentiating between the two types. Non-ionic flat irons are generally smaller in size, while ionic styling tools are bulkier and may even include an LCD screen.
When it comes to straightening, non-ionized products tend to be more effective when dealing with thick, coarse or curly locks because they emit regular amounts of positive ions that help smooth any frizz without overloading your strands. Ionic blow dryers will give you shinier results when working with thinner or finer hair because their negative ions break apart water molecules, which in turn reduces drying time.
How do I use my new Steam hair Straightener or flat iron?
There’s no wrong way to use a hair straightener, but there are some basics everyone needs to follow. Always start by choosing the lowest temperature possible if you aren’t sure which setting is best for your hair. You can always increase heat increments later.
And pay attention! “It’s tempting to go too fast when you see results so quickly,” says celebrity stylist John D., who is responsible for looks like Ashley Greene’s silky strands and Emma Stone’s tousled waves. “As long as you’re using the right technique, it shouldn’t matter how long it takes.” Another tip? Give yourself plenty of time. It took us five minutes haphazardly swiping at our hairdos before we got our best results.
The best mistake you could make is to go too low. If the heat isn’t high enough, that means your hair won’t be as smooth or shiny as it should (and that’s not even taking into account the damage you’re doing every time you pass a brush through those strands). If it’s too high, well…you’ll end up with scorched hair and an unsightly crimp.
You can apply dry shampoo before using a flat iron, but first, make sure your hair is completely dry (water and steam will lower the temperature of the irons) and spray from roots toward ends—otherwise, you risk creating dull patches on your locks. When sections are one inch thick or less, keep the plates off your hair for 25 seconds to allow the product to penetrate. The dry shampoo will act as an adhesive agent, so you’ll only need about three passes total. Then hit your roots with another quick blast for 10 seconds and move on to the next section.”
Tips to keep your hair looking Healthy after using Heat products
- Do not use a setting higher than 300°.
- Never leave flat irons or curling irons on the same spot for more than 30 seconds.
- Use a heat-protecting spray before using any hot tools to protect your hair from damage.
- Avoid touching your hair with your hands after you have used a flat iron or curling iron, this will make it frizzy and cause breakage of the ends. You can style them if necessary, but avoid touching it as much as possible to keep them looking fresh longer.
- If you want to try curly hair, look at non-digital tutorials online first, then practice on your own hair! The digital tutorials are confusing and take longer because they are so precise that the movements are unnatural–curling hair in the right way is not that difficult.
- Never curl or straighten your hair when it is wet, this will make your ends frizzy and cause breakage of the strands. Also, if you are using a flat iron look for ceramic plates instead of metal because they are less damaging to the texture of your hair.
- While most women use their straighter or curler on one section at a time, try doing two sections at once to speed up styling time! For example, while curling one side grab the top layer of your hair and pin it back with a bobby pin so it doesn’t get curled by accident–this trick also saves you from having to curl the same strand over and over again until you get it just right!
- Instead of using a flat iron, try blow-drying your hair straight. The heat from the dryer will smooth out those frizzy ends and give your locks more shine than they would have with a flat iron. If you want a little extra hold, use a small dab of hair serum on damp hair before blow-drying.
- Remember that any tool that heats up is going to damage your hair, so limit how often you apply heat to it as much as possible–especially if
- you plan on coloring or bleaching your tresses anytime soon. Instead of straightening daily use a makeup sponge soaked in water to get rid of the frizz for a few days without harming your strands. After you are done styling spray hairspray onto the finished look to lock in the style.
FAQs about steam hair straighteners vs flat iron
- What is the difference between a steam hair straightener vs flat iron?
A steam hair straightener emits steam in order to smooth your hair while a flat iron uses plates that need to be heated so the heat can straighten your hair. Steam from a steamer helps keep moisture in your hair and flat irons can dry out strands making them more fragile and prone to breakage.
- What are the benefits of using a steaming method for straightening my hair?
Using an at-home steamer helps preserve natural oils in your hair which helps it stay looking healthy, shiny, and frizz-free for days longer than if you were to use a traditional hot tool like a flat iron or curling wand. If you have naturally oily hair, a steamer is a better option as it does not strip hair of its natural oils and can be used with any type of hair.
- What kind of results should I expect from using a steaming method for straightening my hair?
Steaming can help you achieve shinier, sleeker, bouncier curls that are less frizzy than when compared to other techniques like flat ironing or curling. Steaming your hair will also keep your locks looking sleek for days after the initial application instead of just one night.