Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
If you're looking to invest in a hair straightener, evaluating features such as price, size, settings and temperature ranges can be overwhelming. Before you pull your hair out in frustration, pare down the elements that are most important to you and consider a few flat irons that come highly recommended.
Size and Portability
Priced at around $25, the Conair MiniPro is small in size and price. "Fashion" magazine chose this compact hair straightener as an editor's pick, and it's easy to see why. It's the perfect size for the gym, traveling or for a small bathroom with limited space. It's also compatible with international outlets and comes with a heat-resistant pouch, which makes straightening your hair on the go a breeze.
Least Damaging
Chosen by "Allure" magazine as a breakthrough beauty product, the Remington Frizz Therapy Flat Iron does more than just straighten your hair. Its porous plates press a silicone-based treatment into the hair, which conditions and straightens at the same time. Say goodbye to stressing your tresses and hair-damage guilt. At around $50, it's an affordable way protect your locks.
Aesthetics
Featured in Oprah's online Gift Finder, the Remington Cool Style Flat Iron looks pretty while making you look your best. It's available in patterns from paisley to polka dots that will liven up your beauty routine. At about $20, the Cool Style Flat Iron is an affordable straightener for any fashionista.
Bells and Whistles
If you're looking for a flat iron that does more than just straighten, "Marie Claire" magazine recommends the ghd Styler. Thanks to its rounded barrel, it can curl or straighten hair, and it even comes with a step-by-step DVD to ensure that you get the perfect look. If you tend to be forgetful, this smart styling tool features an automatic shutoff. Priced at around $240, it may be worth the investment if you style your hair every day and in different ways.
Temperature
Heat range and price tend to have a direct relationship when it comes to hair straighteners. That's why "InStyle" included the Babyliss Pro Porcelain Ceramic Iron in their “Best Hair Tools for Every Budget" picks. This ceramic flat iron emits infrared heat and reaches temperatures of up to 450 degrees. It's perfect if you're running short on styling time, and reasonably priced at $60.
