Flat Iron Users...any tips?

[Jennasis]

Any ladies handy with a flat iron? I just bought one today (finally!). I'm pretty happy with the results and figure the more I tweak the settings and practice with it, the more I'll like it. It's a Remington with the ceramic plates that also have the tourmaline in it. It can also be used on wet hair to straighten and dry it (has little steam vents in it). Fo my first try I kept the heat pretty low (afraid to burn my hair!). I also had no idea how long I should leave the iron on my hair so I basically just clamped near the root of the section I was doing and immediately slid the iron to the ends of my hair). Maybe I should go slower?

My hair is short but graduated (lChin length in the front and super short in the back). I liked how shiny and soft it made my hair too!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Use an iron guard to prevent dry hair. Chi makes a good one.

 

[Jennasis]

Use an iron guard to prevent dry hair. Chi makes a good one.

What's an iron guard?

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Use a good product in your hair made for flat ironing to help protect it from damage, a good one will also make your hair shinier I use product in my hair before drying and then I have a lite spray for after drying and before ironing, both products are by Matrix but I don't recall the names.

Just a few tips that I remember from the girls at the spa... never let the iron sit on your hair, always keep the iron moving. You don't want to move the iron too fast but don't go so slow as to let the iron sit on the hair either. Never iron a section of hair twice.

I find it easiest to section my hair, my hair is thinner and just below my chin so I just section the top away from the bottom at first. I iron all the hair on the bottom first and then take down half the top section, iron that hair and then take down the last top section and finish that. Oh and make sure your hair is completely dry before ironing.

I tried one of the irons that you can use on wet/damp hair a few times but that didn't work well for me. My hair ended up getting frizzy and wavy within an hour or two

 

[lovemygoofy]

I started out using the remington flat iron before finally upgrading to my chi. Don't just iron on hair with no product. You need a product that will deflect the heat from your hair like chi heat guard or from biosilk. It makes a world of difference in having straight silky non burnt looking hair. I straighten mine in layers starting with the under first. I run the iron down a section and then take a thin comb and run it through to have it loose for lack of a better decscription.

I start at the root and constantly move down. Sometimes I have to redo the root area if I need a little lift or more smoothing. When it's all said and done and I'm trying to look like a real grown up professional I get just a touch of the hair gook stuff and run it through to help the little fly aways or get my hands wet with a bit of hair spray and do the same thing.

At some point if you know someone that uses a Chi at home you should compare. I kept my remington for over a year before deciding to try someone else's chi and I couldn't believe the difference. The plates and the heating really do help but of course you do pay for that extra oomph. Get used to the one you have before upgrading and see if you actually would use it enough to get your money's worth.

 

[MinnieMe87]

I started out using the remington flat iron before finally upgrading to my chi. Don't just iron on hair with no product. You need a product that will deflect the heat from your hair like chi heat guard or from biosilk. It makes a world of difference in having straight silky non burnt looking hair. I straighten mine in layers starting with the under first. I run the iron down a section and then take a thin comb and run it through to have it loose for lack of a better decscription.

I start at the root and constantly move down. Sometimes I have to redo the root area if I need a little lift or more smoothing. When it's all said and done and I'm trying to look like a real grown up professional I get just a touch of the hair gook stuff and run it through to help the little fly aways or get my hands wet with a bit of hair spray and do the same thing.

At some point if you know someone that uses a Chi at home you should compare. I kept my remington for over a year before deciding to try someone else's chi and I couldn't believe the difference. The plates and the heating really do help but of course you do pay for that extra oomph. Get used to the one you have before upgrading and see if you actually would use it enough to get your money's worth.

What she said! I love my Chi!

 

[N&B'smom]

Which Chi is the best one?? I'm in the market for one but not sure which to get!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Which Chi is the best one?? I'm in the market for one but not sure which to get!

I have the basic chi that has the longer iron. I think it depends on hair personally. If you have semi short hair then I would think the mini chi would do just fine. It gets very very hot so don't leave it on to warm up. Just a couple minutes and you are on your way to burn lines on the forhead or ears.

 

[gracie1]

I have the paul mitchell straightner and love it. Had it for quite a few years. I don't use products in my hair before straightning it though. Never have. I have healthy shiny hair. I have a kiwi smoother that I put in after straightening it and a shine spray by bed head that i use after!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Chi iron guard is a spray product that helps protect the hair from getting dried out.

 

[TaraPA]

Another CHI lover here! I had many cheaper brands over the years & finally bit the bullet & got the CHI. No comparison to the others. I wish I would have spent the money sooner!

 

[Rafiki31]

I also use the Chi ( I use the Chi Turbo) I got it at Folica.com and after having my first chi for 3 years I did buy a Sedu due to all of the great reviews, but I sent it back HATED IT and got another Chi.

I def recommend it, it is an investment, but mine lasted 3 years and it has a warranty.

 

[We_love_WDW]

I also have the CHI and love it! It is worth the extra $$$$ if you use it everyday like I do. I use Mario Tricoci thermal styler before - it works really good.

 

[RoraBorieAlice]

I am a half irish american, half african american girl with THICK CURLY UNRULY hair and wont let anything but a Chi touch my hair ! I use the Chi Guard Spray and usually tru to use a serum of some kind prior to Chi-ing! i got mine about 6 years ago at Trade Secret at the Mall and it came with Guard spray and Chi Serum. I paid 99 total for everything! Best investment! I do want to try the Chi Blow Dryer next... heard amazing things about it from friends!!!

 

[Jennasis]

Thanks guys! I will pick up the heat guard stuff for my hair tomorrow when I'm out. No WAY can I afford a CHI (at least not now). I don't even plan to use the one I bought on a daily basis (though it's now 7 hours after I ironed it and my hair still looks great!). I picked up my Remington for $23 at Walmart. Maybe I'll see about upgrading to a CHI for Christmas.

 

[Buckalew11]

Jennasis, there are several other very good flat irons that compare to CHI than you may find for less--or you might find a CHI on sale. If you have a regular hairdresser, ask him or her to keep an eye out for sales for you. Not all hairstylists would do it but I would, so it can't hurt to ask. Centrix also makes a good one along with Babyliss. Nowadays almost all the top companies make a really good flat iron. I have 2 Chi ones and one of each of the others. I wouldn't turn around for the difference.

 

[mamacatnv]

Both DD and I use Peratin when using the flat iron - it is a topical oil that we run into our hair when it is wet. I love our Chi

 

[GothTink]

Chi is a great iron! But...I've found Fhi to be just as good...and more affordable.

 

[bunny]

I have really thick long hair. What size Chi should I buy?

 

[dakcp2001]

with thick hair, get the bigger flat iron, 1.5 or 2 inches, and flat iron it in sections