It’s no secret that curly hair is more susceptible to heat damage. Still, with the right tools and straightening practices, at-home straightening can be cost-effective and convenient — but you'll need one of the best flat irons for curly hair. Not only do you save on precious funds, but you get to be in control of the heat and, ultimately, the future health of your curls.
There are plenty of salons that cater to heat styling but are in the dark about straightening thick curls or natural, texturized hair. The most important thing to look for in a heating tool for curls is temperature control. While it’s true that curls can be straightened quicker and last longer if the heat is blasted at 450 degrees, it can also lead to some major heat damage, so it's important that you use the proper heat setting for your texture.
The tricky thing is that there isn’t a steadfast rule for temperature because all curls are different. Keeping the temperature between 290 and 350 degrees is a good way to gauge how your hair will respond to a specific flat iron. Of course, you’ll need to make sure your hair is fully protected with a heat sealant before applying direct heat.
Titanium plates are a good choice for many types of curls, but natural hair experts advise those with afro-textured curls stick to ceramic plates as titanium is too harsh on for the fine texture of natural hair. If you’re a frequent-straightener, it's a good idea to invest in a great flat iron — but it doesn’t have to set you back hundreds of dollars to get the job done well.
1
A Tourmaline & Titanium Flat Iron With Micro-Sensor That Regulate Temperature
HSI Professional Glider Titanium Hairstyling Flat Iron, $90, Amazon
This highly-rated titanium flat iron uses micro sensors to regulate temperatures while you straighten. With tourmaline ionic technology that heats up in seconds, this straightener will evenly distribute heat to your curls. This is a great tool for dense curls because it also comes with balanced heat plates that continuously adjust to your motions without snagging any precious curls. The heat is adjustable between 200 and 400 degrees, so both fine and thick haired textures can safely style with this beautiful flat iron.
2
A Ceramic Tourmaline Mini Straightener That's Great For Traveling
FARI Travel Mini Hair Flat Iron, $20, Amazon
Taking your hair routine on the road has never been easier with this trusty mini flat iron. It’s small enough to tuck in your carry-on or purse, but strong enough to handle your straightening needs. With a maximum heat of 400 degrees, this flat iron uses tourmaline ceramic plates that are great for all curls to receive even heat distribution. It comes with a sturdy travel bag for storage and universal voltage for curly globetrotters.
3
A Titanium Hair Straightener With Floating Plates For Fine Curls
MHD Professional Titanium Hair Straightener, $25, Amazon
The floating plates on this flat iron makes it great for densely-packed curls. The titanium floating plates glide easily through the hair and use negative ions to close and protect the hair cuticle. This flat iron comes with three precise temperature settings up to 450 degrees — it's a great heating tool for finer textures because the heat can be safely applied at a very low temperature, too.
4
A Ceramic Flat Iron With Keratin Micro-Conditioners For Afro-Textured Curls
LumaBella Keratin Dual Touch Hair Straightener, $89, Amazon
By now you may understand that the condition of your hair is just as important as the heat styling tool. This ceramic flat iron is infused with keratin micro-conditioners that are applied directly to the hair to promote health and shine. The floating plates are embedded with heat-sensor strips to detect excessive heat and adjust accordingly to minimize damage before you even see it. This is a great flat iron for afro-textured curls that usually need to apply product as they straighten and it comes with five different heat settings that can be set as low as 300 degrees.
5
A Titanium Flat Iron With Super-Long Plates
ISA Professional Titanium Flat Iron Digital Hair Straightener, $129, Amazon
This titanium flat iron is great for curls that are looking for fast styling and silky smooth results. The mirror titanium plates are known for heating up instantly. This flat iron has heat settings between 265 and 450 degrees that you can control with the digital LCD display to ensure accurate temperatures. The tapered plates are super long making this a great tool for bangs and wispy edges. Reviewers on Amazon are loving how quickly they can straighten with this iron.
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