If you are anything like me, your hair doesn’t ever do what you want it to do and often looked frizzy or unhappy. Mine tends to poof a bit after air or blow drying and never seems to do what I want it to do. So what do you do? I bought a ceramic straightener from a salon, and I love it.

You have to be cautious when shelling out a bunch of money on straighteners, they can often be misleading and have you spending money on a product that will eventually do more harm than good. Do some investigating and be sure that what you are paying for is real ceramic elements that are very hard coatings, sprayed in layers and baked at a high heat, thus creating the plates. Some companies will claim that you are getting ceramic irons and what a deal! Only $39.95 at your local big name department store! These cheap “ceramic” straighteners are actually an aluminum plate with a thin coating of ceramic that is literally painted on. Over a short period of time this painted on coating will wear out and the damage to your hair will begin.

With salon straighteners, the plates heat up to 450 degrees in less 1 minute and hold their heat evenly which smooths out the hair shaft and gives you straight healthy looking and feeling hair. Be sure not to over use them though as you will see damage if you are using your ceramic straightener every day. Using it every other day is best, or even less, you don’t want to be running to the hair dresser for a trim too often.

Most of the salon straighteners that you can purchase have many heat settings. Be sure that you are using the one that is right for your hair type so not to do harm. If you have thin fine hair you are best to set it to a low heat. For thick stubborn hair, you would want to use a higher setting as you won’t get the desired result if you have it on a low setting.

I have also noticed that there are a lot of companies that are using ceramic for their curling irons as well and for the same reasons as the straighteners. They heat up so high and create beautiful curls that hold longer than regular metal curing irons. But you may be crafty enough to have learned how to use your ceramic straightener to curl your lovely locks. If not, maybe ask your stylist to show you. I know that I have tried and only end up burning myself…better to be safe than sorry!