Hair Styling Tools

When it comes to choosing a flat iron for African-American or other ethnic hair types, consideration always needs to be made with respect to the texture of the hair as well as the thickness and degree of curl the hair has.  If the degree of curl is such that it is a loose curl or loose coil, you may be able to get by with just using large rollers rather than having to use a hair straightener.  If your hair is thick and has a tighter curl or coil to it, the following information will be extremely helpful in selecting the best, but more importantly, the right type of flat iron for your hair.  And, it is important to note that there is more to achieving straight hair than just plugging in the flat iron and using it.  Applying the right haircare products is essential to keeping your hair moisturized and protected from any drying out that could occur during the straightening process.

1. Shampoo and deep condition your hair.  The added moisture from the conditioning will help protect your hair from drying out as you straighten it.
2. Use a leave-in conditioner and then spray a good heat protectant on your hair.
3. Using a wide tooth comb, comb through the hair, starting at the last couple of inches of your hair and working upward so as to not to break off or pull out hair unnecessarily.  You will also be evenly distributing the haircare products you have already applied.
4. Make sure your hair is towel dried extremely well and then section your hair for ease in drying.
5. Use a medium setting on your dryer and use a large barrel styling brush to stretch out your hair as you are drying.

For the above haircare products, I recommend Potions International, they have a wonderful ”Super Moist” Shampoo, a deep conditioner called “Power Construct”, a leave-in conditioner by the name of ”Rinse-Free Hair Moisturizer”, and for the spray-in heat protectant, “Super Argan Spray-In” is awesome.

So, what type of flat iron is going to work best on black hair?  As with any type of coarse, thick, or curly hair, we have already established that this type of hair has tendancies toward being dryer than most.  At a minimum, the use of a ceramic plate with the lowest temperature possible is strongly recommended.  Experimenting with the temperature control to see what works best for your particular type hair is the name of the game, with whatever flat iron you choose to use.  Tourmaline and titanium flat irons will add natural shine to your hair so this too is an excellent choice for a flat iron.  One problem that many African Americans have with the straightening process is the ability to get the straightener close enough to the roots of the hair without burning the scalp or skin.  I have found one that is perfect for this.  The Le Angelique CareTin Titanium straightener is aerodynamically modeled with a curved end that allows you to get extremely close to the scalp to not only straighten, but curl the hair.  The modern mirror titanium plates generate nano negative ions, which work to seal in the hair’s moisture, leaving your hair silky and frizz free. 

Whatever hair straightener you select, it is advisable that after you have completed the straightening process, apply a small amount of serum to your fingertips and dab gently on the hair with more focus on the ends.  This serum will add shine, refresh any dry ends and seal the cuticle.  This product is Potion International’s Super Serum, which is the companion hair product to the previously mentioned Super-Argan Spray-In.

How many times have you thought about getting your hair styled to include bangs, but then decided against it because having your hair shortened in that area is permanent.  You really want to change up your style but not necessarily on a semi-permanent basis.  Well, apparently, you can now have bangs and not get your hair cut.  Fake bangs aka “faux fringe”  have become quite popular in recent months.  Just as with hair extensions, you can now clip in a set of bangs to change up your everyday look.

There are websites that offer these nifty hair add-ons and some even will send you hair-color swatches to make sure you get the right match.  Once you have selected the right match for your hair, all that is needed is an appointment with your stylist to have the bangs cut them to fit your face.  However, hair stylist Mark Townsend recommends that in the cutting process that it is crucial to “bend the ends inward slightly with a curling iron“.   All you have to do next is to take a comb and part your hair about 2 inches from your hairline and attach the clip of the bangs by snapping into place.  Just think of how many different looks you can create by merely adding this small hair attachment to your collection of hair styling accessories.

After continuous use of your curling iron, haircare products tend to build up on the surface of the barrel.  This can possibly damage your iron and ultimately result in your hair snagging and pulling due to the product build-up.

To extend the life of your hair styling tool, and for ultimate styling results, you should make a point of regularly cleaning it.  There are several solutions that can be used in the cleaning process but it is important to know what kind of cleaning solution to use based on the barrel type.  And most importantly, make sure the curling iron has been unplugged and has cooled down before cleaning.

The safest chice for all curling iron barrel types is to use a soft towel that is dampened with warm water.  If you are religious about cleaning it after each use, this is probably all that will be needed.  If the barrel is teflon coated, this is definitely all that is needed and advised.   However, not all curling irons have teflon barrels so other resources come into play.  Rubbing alcohol, household ammonia, and nail polish remover are other choices when used by applying a small amount to a soft damp cloth or cotton ball and then rubbing them gently on the curling iron barrel.  I always suggest that you try a small section of the iron to make sure that these cleaning solutions work before I continue to clean the entire barrel.   For extremely stubborn build-up try using “Dissolve”.  This is an all-purpose  cleaner that is formulated to remove the sticky residue left by your hair styling products.  It is great for most hair styling tools.  Again, just to be sure, apply a small amount to a small area before applying to the entire tool.  After you have cleaned the curling iron or hair styling tool it is also recommended to give it one last wipe down with a dry soft cloth.

If there are crevices on the curling iron such as underneath the clamp of the curling iron, a damp cotton tip swab or soft toothbrush can be used.   Now that your curling iron is clean, make sure it is completely dry before plugging it back in for use.  Happy cleaning!

Whether you are a professional hair colorist or you are an at-home user of over-the-counter packages of dyes,  there often seems to be issues with the application of either the dye, the relaxer, or whatever else you are using a brush for on your eyebrows or hair.

Well, if you haven’t already heard of TempleClean, it is time to get on board with their innovative “Sprush”.  Try putting a spatula and brush together and this is what you get.  It is not uncommon for colorists to use spatulas when applying color.  The reason for this is that they are trying to get closer to the scalp for precision highlighting as well as be thrifty with the amount of color or product they are using.   Put away those spatulas now and start using the “Sprush”.

Sprushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be very economical to use.  In fact, there are 15 different varieties of Sprushes that each have their own unique color and purpose.  Most of the Sprushes have multi-purpose uses, while only two of them have a single purpose use.  The seven categories of use include foiling, retouching, relaxing, facial hair application, artistic application, skin care/waxing applications, and balayage/hair painting applications.

The greatest attributes of a Sprush are that you actually can get closer to the scalp precision highlighting.  Application time is reduced.  There is less overlap.  You can actually save up to one half of the color or relaxer that you usually use.  Sprushes are gentle to the scalp.  A Sprush is extremely easy to cleanup and be ready for immediate re-use.  There is no residual contamination to be concerned about and probably most importantly, the Sprush will outlast your typical bristle brush applicator.  You have definitely got to check these out!

Many hair color artists have been known to use a spatula rather than a bristle brush for highlighting close to the scalp. However, spatulas are naturally held sideways. After extensive research, we were amazed to find there were no spatula brushes…so we made one! The Sprush applicator is used for closer to the scalp precision highlighting and offers substantial savings and many benefits over the use of bristle brushes.

Regardless of what type flat iron you have in your hair styling tool arsenal, it is always important to take the time to consider the  following steps and tips in caring for and maintaining your flat iron.  After all, flat irons were designed to aid you in creating a flattering and stylish look that you can be proud to wear.

1.  To achieve certain styles, it becomes necessary to use haircare products in your hair, before and after using your flat iron.  Thus, it goes without saying that whatever is on your hair is going to end up baking on your iron.  The end result is that after multiple uses and no cleaning of the iron, there is this sticky build-up of gel or whatever else you have used.  If you don’t clean the iron on a regular basis you will start to experience difficulty in the straightening process because your hair is going to start sticking to the residue and this causes stress to the hair in the way of snags, breakage, and split ends.  SOLUTION: Purchase a professional iron cleaner (be sure to follow specific instructions on the label) or wipe with a soft damp cloth.  AND, always clean your iron after it has cooled down.

2.  How you store you hair straightener can make a big difference in its durability.  If you are wrapping the cord around the straightener you are causing stress to the cord, resulting in a loose connection.  SOLUTION: Coil the cord in a loose fashion with some type of twist tie or rubber band.  When putting the iron away, make sure that the cord is laying next to the iron and free of any clutter that might be in the same area so as to avoid other items resting on top of it.

3.  As we all know, flat irons heat up and maintain that heat even right after you have turned it off.  This leads to a couple of problems that can occur.  The first is that if you are not laying the iron on a heatproof mat or bag, you risk the chance of the iron burning or damaging the surface where it is cooling down.  SOLUTION: First be sure to unplug the iron.  While the iron is cooling down, place it on a heat proof mat or bag.  Many of these are designed for storage and travel purposes so it can be a bonus to have one.

4.  Lastly, over time, the handles of your flat iron may start to loosen up.  It could be a simple fix of merely tightening the loose screws or nuts that hold it together.  SOLUTION:  My recommendation is that you only do this if you can visibly see where the screws are and have the right tools for tightening.  If you are the least bit leery of what to tighten, seek help from a professional.  The first person to check with is your hair stylist.  Stylists are using tools day in and day out and are extremely knowledgable in this area.  If not your stylist, contact the manufacturer for advice.

When you are shopping for a hair dryer, you will see that most include a hair concentrator attachment, and in some cases there are two.  If you haven’t bought one in a long time, you may not be familiar with the purpose of this attachment. And,  in many cases, you got one with the dryer you bought but you weren’t exactly sure how to use it or what the heck to do with it so you threw it in a drawer.

There really is a purpose for this odd-shaped hair dryer attachment.  The concentrator was designed to focus the air coming out of the nozzle of the dryer to a specific section of your hair.  When you think about it, if you don’t have a concentrator attached to the dryer, the dryer has a tendancy to blow your hair all over the place , especially if you aren’t using a brush and focusing the nozzle in one area. While some stylists claim that the purpose of the concentrator is to aid in the straightening of your hair, generally speaking this is true because the concentrator does aid in drying specific sections of your  while blow drying with a brush.  Depending on the size of the brush, that section of hair will either be straight or  curl in the direction that you have the hair wrapped around the brush.

If you haven’t already noticed, concentrators come in different shapes and sizes.  One of the biggest differences is how wide the slit at the end of the concentrator is.  Obviously the wider the slit allows for more air flow and the thinner the slit is the air flow is more restricted.  Something to keep in mind when using the concentrator is to make sure you have the nozzle of the dryer far enough way to avoid burning your scalp yet close enough to dry the particular section of hair.  Also, don’t keep the heat blowing on one section too long.  If you need to move the nozzle to another area and then return to the one you were working on, this is safer in the long run.

Let’s face it; we each have a hairstyling tool that we would find difficult to live without. For me, it’s my Conair hairdryer. For my best friend it’s her HAI flat iron. We use these products everyday before work, so you can imagine our anxiety over not being able to use them on a recent European vacation. Part of looking your best on a night out on the town is having the perfect hair. Thankfully, we discovered the Conair Travel Smart Adapter Plug Set prior to our departure.

International travel converters, like the Conair set we bought, allow you to use your own hairstyling tools when you travel abroad. Simply plug the adapter into the wall and then plug your hairstyling tool into the adaptor. The voltage will automatically be converted so you don’t have to worry about blowing out your hair dryer (or blowing a fuse!). A word of caution, set your styling tool to the lowest setting when you turn it on, just in case the building you’re in has old wiring that isn’t as accommodating, even with a converter.

Organization can be a wonderful thing, especially when it comes to the clutter that is either on your bathroom counter or if you are a salon professional, at your workstation in the salon.  Over and over I hear the same complaints about hair styling tools being left laying out on the counter at home.  And, in some of the older salons, stylists are getting bogged down with their tools and need something to keep them organized at their station.

So what is available for us neat freaks or for those who are looking to stop being harped on for leaving out our hair dryers, curling irons, etc.?  The hair care industry has been busy over the last couple of years and fortunately for all of us, there are several options for organizing our hair tools.  And, it isn’t necessarily limited to just hairdryers or curling irons.

For starters, if you are only looking to do something with your hair dryer, Hairware by Spilo, has just the right holder for you.  These sturdy metal holders can either be mounted on the wall (there is a left wall model and a right wall model) or a model that sits right on the counter.  They can actually hold a large curling iron or flat iron as well.

Hairware by Spilo comes to the rescue once again.  If you are looking for a multi-tool holder, there are two options available.  One is the Spilo Hairware Electric Lucite Tool Holder and the other is the Spilo Hairware Lucite Tool Holder.  The obvious difference between the two is that one has a triple electrical outlet and other does not.  Both tool holders feature two chrome tubes with one jumbo size to hold up to a 1 1/2″ curling iron or a 1″ hot air brush.  Each has a middle compartment to hold your hairdryer.  These lucite holders can be wall mounted through screw holes or table mounted with double-stick tape (both included).

And, last but not least, if you are looking for something to just hold your hair straightener and/or curling iron, Le Angelique has two holders to fit the bill.  One holds a 1 ” straightener exclusively, and the other will hold a larger straightener or a 1″ straightener and perhaps a smaller curling iron.

Obviously, there is something for just about each scenario, and all are reasonably priced.  So, if you are looking for something unusual as a holiday gift, perhaps one of these organizers will take the guess work out of what to buy.

In today’s world it’s all about organization.  It can and probably should start in your bathroom or dressing room.  In other words, wherever you are drying or styling your hair, there has got to be an answer for how to either store or display your hair styling tools in such a way that they aren’t just left laying on your counter and causing clutter.

The most common complaint I hear from men is that the female population in the household are notorious for leaving out hairdryers, flat irons, curling irons, etc., on the bathroom counters or vanities (although I know some men who do the very same thing).   Not only does it look cluttered but sometimes the curling irons and flat irons are left on and burn the countertops.

Well, we are all in luck as there are many accessories now online and in the marketplace that actually are designed to hold our hair styling tools and either keep them neatly organized or off the counter entirely.  These tool holders come in a variety of options including those made from stainless steel to other type materials that withstand extremely high temperatures so if you leave an appliance on, it is not the end of the world.  So, the next time you hear that complaint about leaving out your hairdryer, or other hair styling tool, check out what is available and get on the road to getting organized!

Having bangs doesn’t have to be a permanent proposition.  Most of us who have bangs at one time or another have the urge to push them off our face for a different look, or when feeling  a little warm the last thing we want is our bangs sitting on our forehead.  So what is the remedy?

Lifting your bangs up and off the forehead can be achieved simply by using the right haircare products and something as simple as two bobby pins.  Select your favorite root volumizing  product (I like Loreal Nature’s Therapy Mega Volume Instant Root Lifter) and spritz the roots of your bangs.  Take your round styling brush, and dry with the cool setting of your hairdryer curling the bangs away from your face.  If you want some added lift then you can tease the bangs and then pin in place with the two bobby pins by crossing one over the other.  Or, as in the picture, you can go formal with the bangs pulled back and use a decorative hairpin instead of the bobby pins.

What you now have is an instant transformation and some flattering volume at the crown of your head.  

SPECIAL TIP:  Take the bobby pins and spritz them with some hairspray before you place them in your hair.  This will help the bobby pins stay in longer.   Or, spritz the clasp section of the decorative hairpin and it will also hold longer.