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Mother nature is a cruel mistress when it comes to respecting your hard-earned straightening job on curly hair. Despite your best efforts, silky-smooth tresses frizz out and kink up at the slightest hint of humidity or precipitation. If spending several minutes flat ironing your hair just to see it ruined the minute you step outside frustrates the heck out of you, a petite flat iron might become your new best friend.
Fun-Size Flat Irons
Ever wish you could take hair products with you to work for touch-ups without feeling like you're moving in? Then a mini flat iron has your name written all over it. Never mind getting a carrying case for your full-size model. A miniature flat iron with a 6-inch overall frame, 1/2-inch plates and a palm-sized handle fits perfectly next to your lipstick and powder compact in your purse. Of course, it's an easier fit if you lug one of those big, honkin', dump-it-in purses and not one of those Chihuahua handbag models.
Skinny Flat Irons
Full-size flat irons are great for gals with supermodel hair. However, if you've got a pixie or a Victoria Beckham bob, you're gonna have yourself quite a time working out your kinks. Meet the flat iron with 3/8-inch plates. You'll still enjoy an ample handle for maximum gripping, but the skinny prongs slide up to kiss your roots better than the typical 1-inch variations ever will. This size model is about the smallest they come. If it's any smaller, you might as well resort to flattening with metal chopsticks.
Benefits of Baby Flat Irons
Not only are such small irons great for throwing in your purse at the last minute, they also leave some vacant space in your luggage when traveling. We all know how little counter space hotel bathrooms provide. These smallest flat irons leave you with more counter space to spread out your makeup, and they don't hog precious real estate. They're also super-quick when heating up, which is ideal if you're in a rush to make it to the lobby before the free hotel shuttle takes off without you.
The Downside
Just when you think small flat irons sound too good to be true, you're right. Convenience comes with a price. Luckily, that price isn't too high in this case. You do sacrifice some time when using tiny irons, especially if you have long hair. Small plates equate to more strokes around your head, because they don't accommodate chunky sections. Plus, you'll have to shell out for a flat iron cover, if you want to stick the iron back in your purse right after a quick fix.
