MaxiGlide Flat Irons

The Maxiglide flat iron is different than other flat irons. It is designed to straighten hair without having to use a blowdryer first. It has ceramic coated plates, and one of the plates features detangling pins. It also has a "steamburst system" which allows you to steam your hair as you straighten it. My sister, who has very soft hair that is hard to straighten, does well with this product. However, you have to use it properly for it to work. She says to be sure and read the directions and follow them exactly to get the best results.

How Do Flat Irons Work?

Have you ever wondered what makes ceramic flat irons work? How does this little device cause frizzy, flyaway, dull hair to appear lay flat, and to appear shiny, smooth,  and glossy?  The ceramic flat iron is a wonderful little technological marvel that combines electrical, thermal, and mechanical forces to help straighten and smooth hair. 

Electrical Forces Help Your Hair Not To Be Flyaway
The flat iron can help your hair not be be flyaway.  Flyaway hair happens because hair in its natural state tends to hold a positive static charge which make it flyaway.  The ceramic plates hold a negative electrical charge (sometimes referred to as "negative ions"). This negative charge on the flat iron plates counteracts the positive charge on hair to make the hair lay flat. 

Thermal Forces Help To Straighten Your Hair
The flat iron can help temporarily straighten curly or wavy hair. The thermal force, or heat, of the flat iron causes the protein bonds in the hair to temporarily restructure and straighten as the flat iron is pulled through the hair. 

Mechanical Forces Help Make Your Hair Smooth and Shiny
Hair that has been damaged by chemical treatments such as perms, relaxers, and coloring, or even harsh shampoos, will tend to look dull and dry.  This is because harsh chemical treatments, in order to work, have to open up the cuticules on the hair shaft.  The cuticules on the hair shaft normally lay flat, but when they are opened up, the hair appears dull and dry.  The mechanical force of the flat iron, which happens when you squeeze the two sides together and run it through your hair, helps to re-align the cuticles of the hair shaft in a downward direction, helping to restore the smoothness and shine of your hair.

The Best Cheap Flat Iron for $20 or Less

If you're like me you love a good deal when you can get one. You've decided you want a flat iron, but you aren't going to pay a high price for one. Inexpensive flat irons have come a long way in terms of features and workmanship. If you are looking for a cheap flat iron which one should you choose? Here is a look at the best flat irons for under $20:

The Andis 67095 1-Inch Ceramic Clamp Flat Ironhas the following features:
•20 heat settings
•Heats up to 375 degrees Farenheit
•Has an auto shut off
•Has ceramic plates
•As of the writing of this blog post, 47 reviewers at Amazon.com out of 80 have given the Andis 67095 1-Inch Ceramic Clamp Flat Iron a 5 star rating.







The Conair Flat Iron 2" Ceramic Straightener - Dual Voltagelooks like a great affordable flat iron for those of you who live or travel outside of the United States. This flat iron has the following features
•Dual Voltage: It can be used in America and in Europe.
•25 heat settings.
•Extra wide 2" ceramic plates.
•Auto shutoff (just in case you forget to turn it off).
•As of the writing of this blog post, 153 out of 235 reviewers at Amazon.com have given the Conair Flat Iron 2" Ceramic Straightener - Dual Voltage a 5 star rating.




The Babyliss Pro BABNT3050 Compact Nano Titanium Inch Straightening Iron, 1/2" is really cute.  It has the following features:
•It heats up to 430 degrees F (not sure if it has variable settings though)
•It is dual voltage (can be used in the US and overseas).
•It is compact and sized for travelling.
•As of the writing of this blog post, 18 out of 28 reviewers on Amazon.com gave gave the Babyliss Pro BABNT3050 Compact Nano Titanium Inch Straightening Iron, 1/2"  a 5 star rating.

Should You Get A Cheap Flat Iron Or An Expensive One

Should you get a cheap $20 flat iron or should you invest in an expensive brand. As you probably already know, there are hundreds of choices when it comes to flat irons. Flat irons can range in price from $15 to over $200. Is there really a difference? Well actually yes. My first flat iron was a cheap ceramic plated flat iron. It didn't heat up enough to actually straighten my hair. The felt backing on the iron came off. Thankfully I didn't use it long enough for it to start chipping. My next flat iron was a Solia which I purchased from Folica.com. I have been very pleased with this flat iron. It is a true ceramic flat iron with a temperature gauge, so I don't have to worry about chipping or poor temperature control. It is constructed well, and tt has lasted me a few years, so it was a worthwhile investment. However, if you don't have a lot of money to spend on your flat iron, but you want to get one anyway, Ceramic Tools gets good reviews on Amazon. It is not a true ceramic flat iron, it is ceramic plated, but it does have variable temperature settings, and is very affordable.

Reduce Hair Damage With a Microfiber Hair Towel

If you are looking for ways to use less heat on your hair, but still get the look you want, try drying your hair with a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels have several benefits because they dry gently, and absorbs much more water than regular terry cotton towels. Many of them come in cute shapes that wrap easily around your head so that you can put one on and have dry hair 1/2 an hour later with no need for a blow dryer.

August is Hair Loss Awareness Month

August is Hair Loss Awareness month. The American Academy of Dermatology has published an excellent article on their site titled Good Hair Care May Head Off Hair Loss. If you are experiencing any kind of hair loss, I encourage you to read this article for help. It asks you ten questions which may help to determine if your hair care routine is causing you to lose hair. To read the article click here.

How To Choose The Best Flat Iron For Your Hair

There are many different types of flat irons out there. They vary in price from $20 to over $100. Here is what I look for in determining if a flat iron is a good buy.
The best flat iron will have the following features:

• an adjustable temperature gauge so that you can control the heat.
• true ceramic or ceramic touralamine plates (not coated plates).
• a manufacturer's warranty so you can replace it if it breaks.

My personal favorite place for buying a flat iron is at Folica.com
I purchased a Solia Flat Iron there and I am very happy with my purchase. It is well built, and has lasted me 2 years and going strong. It meets the requirements I listed above.

Humidity and Thick Hair - How To Deal With It

Question: The humidity and my thick hair makes it difficult to dry my hair completely after I wash it. Can I blow dry it and then sleep on it and then flat iron the next morning?

Also, I'd appreciate suggestions on what temperature to use on coarse thick hair. I have the FHI professional flat iron and am using a heat protective spray but am still having to go over the hair more than 2x to get it the way I want. My hairdresser has the same one and didn't need to do this so I'm thinking either this is a "not completely dry hair" issue or I don't have it at a high enough temperature. I do not want to fry my hair either!

Mahalo,

The Deb

Answer: Hi The Deb. Yes, you can blow dry your hair, sleep on it, and then flat iron it the next morning. I don't suggest cranking up the heat to get your hair straighter. If you are not getting the results you want, try changing the hair products you are using. You might want to try some different hair products to see if that helps you get the results you want. If you are using a shampoo that contains sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or ammonium laureth sulfate) or a heat protectant that contains alcohol, these might be drying out your hair so much that it makes it impossible for smooth results.