Try grouping into hair into ‘pineapple’ ponytails before going to bed to preserve curls overnight. Essential Hair Styling Tools Your style will likely require a few tools to get the most from it. In the very least you’ll be using a small group of brushes, clips, or bands. Here is a small list of key hair styling tools that you will do well to include in your styling kit. Professional Blow Dryer – There are many options to choose from when buying a high-end blow dryer. Just make sure that it is able to adjust air speed and heat settings. Thick, voluminous hair – Opt for a titanium dryer. Make sure it’s 1800-2000+ watts. If your hair is damaged, use medium heat setting. Thick, frizzy hair – Opt for an ionic tourmaline dryer. This will help make sure that the hair does not frizz too much and will dry the hair very fast. Fine, thin, dry hair – Opt for a ceramic or porcelain dryer. It may have infrared functions as well to help dry hair from inside out. Avoid ionic dryers as they don’t provide the volume others can. Normal hair – You can use any dryer you like. Make sure it has at least 1600 watts and has multiple speed and heat settings. If your hair is straight, use the concentrator nozzle attachment with your brush to get super straight results. Curly hair – Opt for a dryer that has a diffuser and pick attachments. These help stretch out the curls and get the most from your locks. Brushes – Brushes are the main tool used for all hairstyles, regardless of scope. There is always something going on that requires a brush. There are a few different kinds that are used for different kinds of tasks. Make sure to get one that is best suited to your stylistic needs. Flat Iron (Hair Straightener) – When shopping around for a hair straightener there are a few things to look for: Plate width – Plate widths usually range between 1 – 3 inches in width. Short styles typically do well with a 1” plate as they offer more control. Temp settings – Some flat irons come with temperature control settings. Make sure to opt for a model with this feature. It can save your hair from disaster if the iron gets too hot midway through. Shape – Flat irons can do more than just straighten hair. They can also add curls and other wavy details. Opt for an iron that has rounded edges to prevent kinks and possible breakage due to the sharp edges of some models. Materials – Much like blow dryers, flat irons come in different materials. Most come in ceramic, but there are also tourmaline and titanium models as well. Additionally, you can get ionic and nano models as well. One of the most powerful and popular models are the nano titanium flat irons as they can handle stubborn hair in less time. Curling Iron – If you are going to include a curling iron in your styling kit, keep in mind these key aspects when buying: Size – the barrel size of the curling iron will range from ⅜ – 2” in diameter. These are meant for various styles and hair lengths. Shape – There are a few different shapes that can be chosen from to create various stylistic effects. A straight barrel is the most common choice as it performs the standard look most women are going for. Materials – Just like a flat iron, there are various materials to choose from when buying a curling iron. Your options are typically ceramic, tourmaline, chrome, titanium, and metal w/ steam. Choose based on your needs as they are all slightly different in how they heat, style, and hold.
