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Beauty / Hair Care
By Sophie Shaw, CNN Underscored
Updated 3:24 PM EDT, Fri November 3, 2023
In order to achieve silky-smooth, frizz-free hair, you’ll need a trusty flat iron in your arsenal. Whether you straighten your hair daily or just for special occasions, a quality hair tool is essential for quick, easy, burn-free styling. We consulted professional hairstylists — the people who have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience — to find the best flat irons that are worth your money.
And these days, a high-performing flat iron doesn’t just straighten your hair. According to the four stylists we spoke to, a flat iron is a versatile styling tool that can be used to create a range of looks, from pin-straight strands to bouncy curls. While the latter may take a bit of a learning curve, being equipped with the proper tools is the first and most important step. (The second, before you even touch the styling tool, is to remember to use a heat protectant.)
Whatever your skill level and hair type, the stylists ensure that their picks will help you achieve salon-quality results at home. Say goodbye to bad hair days and hello to sleek, smooth locks with these 11 top-rated flat irons.
The top-recommended product among the experts we spoke to, Dyson's wet-to-dry straightener transforms hair without the use of traditional hot plates. "With powerful, directional airflow, it effortlessly smoothens and aligns hair, all while eliminating heat damage. It's a game changer!" says Rogério Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. According to the experts, it works for all hair types, and the results are impressive. "The only con of this wet-to-dry straightener is it leaves you with a 'natural' straight look instead of a super-silky, ultra-smooth finish," professional hairstylist and colorist Tiffanie Richards says.
Read our review
Fabian Lliguin, hairstylist and founder of Rahua, loves Ghd's line. "Its tools are reliable, durable and great for traveling," he says. Since they are outfitted with universal voltage, you can bring them to any destination. The Original Styler is efficient and smooth, straightening and styling hair without any creasing.
Cavalcante says this flat iron is "a practical choice for effortless hairstyling." Besides smoothing the hair, the stylist uses the 1-inch model for creating curls. "With nine heat settings, it accommodates different hair types," he says. "The even heat distribution results in smooth, frizz-free styling in one pass."
"This iron is designed with a rounded edge to get more than one look," Richards says. "You can straighten, wave or curl with this iron. The highest setting is 440 degrees, which, as a colorist, makes me very happy. You should never go higher than that with heat styling."
The slim half-inch plates on this flat iron make it ideal for styling short hair, tight curls and bangs, according to Cavalcante. "The temperature is preset to the optimal 365-degree Fahrenheit temperature, ensuring effortless and safe styling for all hair types," he says.
For a super-sleek look, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Burgeon Laini Reeves reaches for Harry Josh's flat iron. She says the trick to ensuring a smooth finish every time is to "make sure you place the irons as close to the root of the hair, taking diagonal sections. This will prevent any indentations along the hair." And in order to tame any wayward strands, Reeves says to "slightly bend the hair under at the ends — this will help control and smooth any damaged or split ends."
Cavalcante says that Dyson's first hair straightener is "truly exceptional, offering precise temperature control that ensures fine hair isn't damaged during styling." The stylist loves the flexibility of styling with the tool since it has a cord-free design and rounded edges that make creating curls effortless. "With this tool, achieving perfect curls and maintaining the health of your hair has never been easier," he says.
Richards says this under-$100 tool works for any hair texture but is an especially great option for curly, thick hair. "This is due to the cooling air vents that immediately lock the hair into style," she explains. "Immediately cooling the style on contact also results in extra shine."
"This powerful chargeable iron is perfect for on the go," says Richards. "You can achieve any look with this cordless iron from straight to curly." However, the stylist notes that it only reaches 365 degrees, so it may not be ideal for very curly, coarse hair.
"If you hair has more of a curl or wave, I would consider a steam iron to prevent damage," says Reeves. This multiuse styling tool uses steam to create a variety of looks, from sleek and straight to tousled waves. It features a detachable comb to ensure it detangles the hair during styling too.
A pro-approved flat iron that frizzy-haired reviewers love too, this slim but mighty flat iron efficiently smooths and straightens hair. The thin tongs make it easy to get close to your roots and even tame baby hairs.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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