The most popular straightening irons and facts worth knowing 2017

Flat irons are popular styling tools. Thanks to their help, curly waves, stubborn hair and wild manes can easily be brought into shape. However, smoothing irons are also recommended for other styles. With a little practice, swinging curls and casual waves can also be created. In order to treat your hair as gently as possible, however, you should pay attention to the quality of the device.

Different types of smoothing irons

The different types are quite manageable, as they belong to the category of heat-induced styling devices. In essence, straight irons can be categorised into three types:

• The classic
• The extra width
• The compact

The classic

The classic type usually comes in the form of pliers. The hair can be shaped with two hot plates. At best, the tiles are sealed with a ceramic coating. The plates are quite narrow and optimally suitable for a fine to normal hair structure.

Hair straighteners usually have rounded corners. If you also want to conjure curls and waves with the iron, this property is indispensable.

The extra width

In addition to the classic straightening irons, there are devices with wider plates on the market. Thick and above all stubborn hair can be tamed in an instant.

The large surface allows you to work on thicker parts. This advantage offers an enormous time saving during styling. To ensure that the heat is evenly distributed, you should also ensure that the ceramic coating is intact.

The compact

This category includes mini iron and travel iron. They are a practical alternative for every upcoming holiday. Through their Size them into any hand luggage. They nevertheless fulfil the most necessary functions.

Unfortunately, many manufacturers do without a high-quality coating here and even a temperature control is usually sought in vain.

Tip: A compact straightening iron is perfect for short hair. Due to its narrow shape, it achieves even the shortest strands.

Technical features – you should pay attention to this when buying

Various manufacturers bring various equipment onto the market. There are a few characteristics that you should definitely consider when making a purchase. The following points are particularly important:

• coating
• ion function
• extras

coating

The heating plates should be provided with a ceramic coating. High-quality smoothing irons often even have all-ceramic plates. High-end irons are additionally coated with a mineral powder coating. This should ensure that the dandruff layer of your hair is closed particularly well and prevent a loss of moisture.

Titanium coatings are very, very rare.

ion function

The ion function prevents electrostatic charging of your hair during the straightening process. It also protects your hair from heat. Gentle styling is thus made possible.

In addition, this function offers a faster closing of the dandruff layer. Her hair gets a beautiful shine.

extras

Few devices have the “memory function”. This stores the last set temperature on your trowel. Practical if you always choose the same temperature for your styling.

Cleaning and maintenance of straight irons

In order for you to enjoy your hair straightener for as long as possible, you should They maintain correctly and sufficiently.

If you use heat protection products for styling, these will leave marks on the plates. Over time, the residues accumulate and contaminate the plates. Clean the iron plates with a damp cloth and lukewarm water. Do not use chemical cleaning agents. These attack the coating unnecessarily and shorten the service life of your device.

In order to remove the residues more easily, you can heat up your device briefly before cleaning. Take care not to get too hot to avoid burns.

During cleaning, the appliance must be switched off and disconnected from the power supply.

Top five: Popular manufacturers and smoothing irons 2017

Manufacturer Number 1: Cloud Nine

Model: The Original Iron
Automatic switch-off: After 30 minutes
Heating of the outer housing: Medium
Temperature: 100-200° C
Warm-up time: 30 seconds
Ion function: Yes

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The Original Iron effortlessly grasps any hair structure. It glides without resistance through the hair and has a simple temperature control.

Other features

• Ceramic coating with mineral mixture
• 5 heat levels

advantages and disadvantages
+ lies very well in the hand
+ professional result
+ ideal for smooth and curly styles
+ Temperature very low adjustable
+ heats up quickly
+ exclusively packed

Manufacturer number 2: Brown

Model: Satin Hair 7
Automatic switch-off: After 30 minutes
Heating of the outer housing: Low
Temperature: 130-200° C
Warm-up time: 35 seconds
Ion function: Yes

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Satin Hair 7 is suitable for all hair structures. It glides effortlessly through the hair areas and offers a unique temperature control.

Other features

• all-ceramic plate
• 15 heat levels

advantages and disadvantages
+ whole 15 heat stages
+Temperature low adjustable
+ heat shielding through integrated plastic reinforcement
+ ideal for shafts
– high weight

Manufacturer number 3: Babyliss

Model: iPro 235 Intense Protect
Automatic switch-off: After 60 minutes
Heating of the outer housing: Very strong
Temperature: 140-235° C
Warm-up time: 15 seconds
Ion function: Yes

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The iPro 235 Intense Protect also easily holds all hair structures. The outer casing is getting very hot. However, the very short warm-up time is positive.

Other features

• Metal with ceramic coating
• 6 heat levels

advantages and disadvantages
+ perfect for smooth and curly styling
+ LED display divided into different hair types
+ according to manufacturer applicable on damp hair
– Outer housing gets very hot

Manufacturer number 4: Rowenta

Model: Liss and Curl Ultimate Shine SF6220
Automatic switch-off: After 60 minutes
Heating of the outer housing: Medium
temperature: 130-230° C
Warm-up time: 30 seconds
Ion function: Yes

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The Liss and Curl Ultimate Shine SF6220 is suitable for all hair types. It has the most common functions. In independent tests, however, the trowel result itself is criticised everywhere and only sufficiently satisfactory.

Other features

• Metal with ceramic coating
• 5 heat levels

advantages and disadvantages
+ lies particularly well in the hand
+ suitable for curly hairstyles
– Smoothes only moderately

Manufacturer number 5: Remington

Model: S9500 Pearl
Automatic switch-off: After 60 minutes
Heating of the outer housing: Medium
Temperature: 150-235° C
Warm-up time: 30 seconds
Ion function: No

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The S9500 Pearl is less suitable for very fine hair. It also doesn’t glide as effortlessly as its predecessors through the Hair. But it’s unbeatable in curling.

Other features

• Metal with ceramic coating
• 10 heat levels

advantages and disadvantages
+ ideal for straight and also curly hairstyles
+ inexpensive entry-level model
+ Turbo boost function
– Hair is extremely statically charged

Frequently asked questions about straightening irons

Which straightening iron is gentle on the hair?

Heat is never good for your hair. For the gentlest possible treatment, it is best to use heat protection, which you apply beforehand. Devices with ceramic coating and ion function are very gentle to the hair. Avoid temperatures above 190°C.

What equipment do hairdressers use?

Various brands are represented in salons. Tondeo, Cloud Nine, Babyliss and GHD are most frequently found in hairdressing salons. Paul Mitchell, Jaguar, Wella and Cara Cima are also popular hairdressers.

Is the steam development normal?

The iron reaches temperatures of up to 230°C. It is normal that the residual moisture of the hair or styling products evaporates during the straightening process.

Which model does Stiftung Warentest recommend?

The last test of Stiftung Warentest’s straight irons took place in 2011. The Braun Satin Hair 7 Straightener cut particularly well here. In the meantime, however, the models have developed further. Nevertheless, the test winner at that time is still highly recommendable.

Buy a smoothing iron:

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