Hair straighteners have become an essential beauty item for many a female across the world in the last decade, but the concept of straightening irons is not a new one. In the 1960s, women used to painstakingly iron their hair to get that poker straight look, and this trend continued well into the 1970s before the 1980s made big, curly hairstyles fashionable. However, the beauty of modern hair straighteners is that they can actually be used for almost any sort of hairstyle - from creating dead straight hair to giving your mop a vintage curl that will make heads turn.
Hair straighteners have been the saviour of many a curly-haired women desperate to maintain some control over the way her hair looks. However, just as many naturally straight-haired women are aching to enjoy the bouncy freedom of ringlets - and modern straightening iron technology lets you create curly or wavy hair just as well as straight hair.
To curl your hair with a hair straightener, section it back with ties and clips and start from the bottom layer of hair on one side of your head. Using a thin straightening iron (no wider than one inch), clamp it at the bottom of a small section and slowly curl it upwards. If this method doesn't produce the desired effect, try a different tack: spray a small section of hair with flexible hairspray before placing the straightening iron about an inch away from your scalp. Then pull it down towards the end of your hair - the hairspray will make your hair curl up the same way you'd curl a ribbon with a pair of scissors.
You can also use hair straighteners to highlight those aspects of your facial features you want to be noticed more. For instance, if you've got distinct cheekbones, straightening your fringe or the top layer of your hair can make your cheekbones even more defined, emphasising your eyes in the process. Moreover, straightening just the top layer of your hair can be especially beneficial to women with voluminous hair, especially those who fear that straightening irons will cause their hair to lose its bounce. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the feeling of having super sleek hair on top, while your naturally wavy locks will maintain the body of your hairstyle underneath.
If you're lucky enough to carry off a boy-like short haircut - or if you're just a boy! - you'll be able to find a range of super-skinny hair straightening irons that will let you style even the shortest of cowlicks. Many salon professional straightening irons - such as Remington, Andrew Coligne or GHD hair straighteners - can be found in half-inch widths, enabling both men and women keen to exploit a trendy look to do so with ease.
But whatever hairstyle you choose to create for yourself with straightening irons, remember the golden rule of hair straightening: stay safe! Protecting your hair from the intense heat emitted by hair straighteners is essential to maintain the long-term healthiness of your hair. Invest in a good heat-protecting spray and ensure you buy hair straighteners with ceramic coated plates, as these protect your hair from direct contact with the heat.
About the Author
Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.
