Tips For Getting The Most From Your Flat Iron

The story is a common one, we all know how it goes: It has been a blistering one at times this summer and as it comes to the tail end of the season, so many of us have been trying to maximize our time in the sun. Winter draws ever nearer, so we bask in the warmth of the sun knowing it is more precious because it is fleeting. Like clockwork, at around this time every year, comes the time when we pay the least attention to our hair, yet also the time when it gets most abuse from the different facets of our fun summer moments. At the same time, this is exactly when we want our hair looking just right on those precious few leftover summer nights. Luckily for all of us, we have one eternal ally during all of our seasons: our amazing hair straightener. It is an ally that dutifully keeps your hair in check and looking its best, day in and day out. There are, however, a few things we can do to help our straightener out while it does its job. Following these tips will ensure that you get the very best out of your straightener and time.

It's All In The Prep

Setting yourself up for success by getting your station ready is the perfect way to start. Make sure you have an area where you can safely set down your tools and that everything you may need is easily accessible and within reach. Dry your hair and brush it thoroughly. This will ensure that your hair isn't tangled and that all strands are parallel to each other. This step is crucial in avoiding tangles and fly-aways later. Sectioning your hair is undoubtedly the most overlooked prep technique for hair straightener but don't sleep on sectioning, trust us! Dividing your hair from 4 to 8 or maybe even up to 12 sections, if you're feeling brave, is the perfect start. Use a few hair clips to get your hair organized into sections and then straighten half of those sections at a time. You'll notice that the straightener glides smoothly over these sections of hair and will typically only need one swipe to get it looking perfect. Being able to straighten your hair in so few swipes ensures that heat damage stays to a negligible amount, while still delivering a long-lasting and sleek hairstyle.

The X-Pattern And Proper Form

It may not be an Olympic event but that doesn't mean the form is unimportant. Proper form is the key to getting things done right the first time, so you don't have to worry about fixing other things down the line. The optimal way to use a flat iron is to place it perpendicular to the hair, forming an X pattern with the section of hair you are straightening. This makes sure that you don't snag any hairs and that you seal the cuticle in the right direction, which will lead to the greatest shine. When making the straightening motion, make sure you don't push your straightener through the hair like you would a brush. Lift the hair and swipe in a smooth patient motion down and away from the head and face.

We don't doubt that these tips will make your routine go by so much faster and painlessly, giving you a few extra minutes to burn!