Everything you thought you knew about hair straighteners is wrong

It's time to part with your old hair straightener.

A wet-to-dry straightener (gulp) may have worked as your middle school flat iron. And your college flat iron may have gotten the job done for the past decade because it technically still works. But just like we learn that no, moisturizing once a week won't prevent wrinkles (unless you're Elizabeth Warren), blasting your locks with 400 degrees on the daily will come back to haunt you.

Bringing self-care to your hair routine means investing in a reliable straightener. Not only are hair tools a true "you get what you pay for" purchase, but they actually have an expiration date: After four years, the plates start to crack, lift, and heat unevenly, causing hot spots that can scorch one end of hair and leave the other wavy. If you've noticed your hair getting stuck in the wand, that it's extra dry and scraggly, or that it's taking longer than usual to finish a section, your outdated flat iron may be the culprit.  Read more...

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IMAGE: Amazon

EASIEST TO USE

GHD Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler

The future of hair straightening is GHD's Platinum+, which adapts by the second to stay heat safe and consistent.

• Plate type: Ceramic
• Plate size: 1 inch
• Temperature range: Fixed at 365 degrees Fahrenheit

$249 from Amazon

IMAGE: Sephora

BEST FOR SPEEDY STRAIGHTENING

Bio Ionic 10X

The vibrating plates of the Bio Ionic 10X prove that speedy straightening doesn't have to involve high heat.

• Plate type: Ceramic
• Plate width: 1 inch
• Temperature range: 280 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

$230 from Sephora

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR COARSE HAIR

BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium-Plated Straightener

Unruly hair is no match for these smoothing, A1 heat-conducting titanium plates.

• Plate type: Titanium-coated ceramic
• Plate size: 1, 1.5, or 2 inches
• Temperature range: 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

$139.95 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR SHORT HAIR

Bedhead Pixie On Point Straightener

Short hair styling is a breeze with Bedhead's Pixie straightener, with tapered plates designed specifically for reaching the root.

• Plate type: Tourmaline-ceramic
• Plate size: 0.5 inch
• Temperature range: 140 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

$29.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Sephora

BEST FOR VOLUMINOUS STRAIGHTENING

Drybar Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush

Add some life to straight hair with this heated paddle brush that offers a blowout *without* a Drybar appointment.

• Bristle type: Ceramic
• Brush width: 2 inches
• Temperature range: 360 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

$145 from Sephora

IMAGE: Sephora

BEST PORTABLE FLAT IRON

T3 SinglePass Compact Styler

Adorable, easy to pack, and super hot, this compact styler works quickly but will destroy damaged hair.

• Plate type: Ceramic and tourmaline
• Plate size: 0.8 inches
• Temperature range: Fixed at 410 degrees Fahrenheit

$74.99 from Sephora

IMAGE: Sephora

BEST FOR DAMAGED HAIR

Dyson AirWrap

Damaging plates who? Dyson's latest innovation gives straightening some life with high speed, low heat air jets.

• Bristle type: Ceramic
• Barrel length: 1.2 or 1.6-inch
• Temperature range: Fixed at 302 degrees Fahrenheit

$549.99 from Sephora

IMAGE: Amazon

MOST DURABLE STRAIGHTENER

Chi Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

Chi continues its reign as flat iron royalty with the original ceramic Chi, which will probably last you forever.

• Plate type: Ceramic
• Plate width: 1 inch
• Temperature range: 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

$79.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST BUDGET OPTION

Remington S5500 1" Anti-Static Flat Iron

This Remington straightener won't stand the test of time, but it's great for a tween who needs a cheap starter flat iron.

• Plate type: Ceramic
• Plate width: 1 inch
• Temperature range: 310 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit

$17.84 from Amazon

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