Over the summer, it’s easy to give our hair a break opting for air-drying methods or quick and easy updos, but as the cold creeps back in, we’re once again relying on our hot tools. Before picking up the blowdryer, straightener or curler, read up on these tips experts swear by for hot-tool hair safety.
PRO TIPS FOR USING HOT TOOLS
USE HEAT PROTECTANT
The experts agree heat protectant is an absolute must when using hot tools. “Healthy hair is beautiful hair—so I’d recommend using a heat protectant,” says senior education manager and spokesperson at T3 Sarah Williams. Applying heat protectant can “help improve the look of existing damage and prevent further hot tool-induced breakage,” explains customer care and in-house stylist for BondiBoost Liv Thomas. Celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of The Beachwaver Co. Sarah Potempa recommends prepping hair by adding a barrier before styling, like Great Barrier Heat Protectant Hairspray ($28), which will “protect the hair up to 450°F and give the hair a flexible hold for longer lasting styles.”
CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS WISELY
Williams says, “Using a quality hair tool that produces and maintains consistent and even heat is critical. Temperature fluctuations cause problems.” When “choosing a hair tool, look for features and technologies like smart microchips, ceramic barrels and multiple heat settings for personalization found across our hot tools at T3.”
Not every tool is right for every person. “It’s important that you select a hot tool made with materials right for your hair type and texture to achieve a desired result,” says Potempa. We’ll dive into the titanium versus ceramic debate, which is part of picking the right tool for you.
MAKE SURE YOUR HAIR IS READY FOR HOT TOOLS
“When styling with a hot tool, you always want to start with dry, detangled and prepped hair,” says Williams. Thomas advises avoiding using hot tools on wet hair unless they’re specifically designed for dying. “If designed for drying, remove excess moisture and air dry to 70 percent to reduce styling time,” she recommends.
REPAIR HAIR
Enhance your results and keep your hair safe by taking care of it in between styling sessions. Thomas recommends “using a weekly treatment and nourishing hair-care products to restore moisture and much-needed hydration,” especially if you’re a hot tool fiend.
HOT TIPS FOR DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES
STRAIGHT
When it comes to using hot tools on straight hair, celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel says “light product and low heat” is the name of the game. Celebrity hairstylist Johnny Lavoy advises using a stying iron with temperature control and avoiding keeping the hair on the heat for longer than 10 seconds at a time.
WAVY
When looking to amplify waves or go for bigger curls, Abergel advises following your natural wave pattern. “To enhance a wave, twist the hair before wrapping it around a curling wand,” Lavoy adds.
CURLY
While it’s beneficial to use a heat protectant on any hair type, Lavoy says it’s essential for curly hair. “Less heat means less chance of damage,” he notes. Abergel recommends using diffusers on curly hair in tandem with a hydrating and defining product. “Focus the heat close to the roots while scrunching the length with the diffuser,” he advises.
COILY
“I love wrapping coiled hair around a tiny barrel iron to define the curl, giving it a more bouncy, shiny appearance,” says Lavoy. For really coily hair, celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble suggests using a press comb followed by a ceramic thermal straightener.
TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
Fine hair
250°F–375°F
Normal hair
350°F–425°F
Thick hair
425°F–450°F
TITANIUM VS. CERAMIC
If you have easy-to-straighten or heavily processed hair, stick to ceramic, “as it heats the hair shaft from the inside out, preserving moisture and causing less damage on the outer layer,” explains Abergel. Kimble notes that ceramic is also the best bet if you want to maintain your natural curls. “Titanium is very hot, and it may start to straighten it so much that it can change your curl pattern,” she warns. However, if you have coarse or frizzy hair, Abergel says it can handle higher temperatures and will need them to achieve a smooth look. “Titanium reaches hotter temperatures to penetrate the outer layer and reflect shine,” he notes.
88.2k the increase in searches for hair dryers in the past year
Source: Spate
BLOWDRYER TIPS
Hair-care expert Josh Rosebrook advises always keeping the blowdryer moving. “Never hold it static on the hair shaft, especially on a high-heat setting,” he says. “This will cause the most damage very quickly.” Also, avoid touching the nozzle to the hair shaft. Kimble suggests always using a nozzle, as “it directs heat when straightening or smoothing hair out.” Lavoy says a nozzle provides a more precise airflow for quicker drying; it also protects hair from direct heat. For curly hair styling, Kimble recommends opting for a diffuser. Blowdryer brushes, which have been trending big-time over the past couple years, are also great for anyone who struggles to manipulate a dryer and brush simultaneously, especially those with a lot of hair.
BEST BRUSH FOR…
BEST HEAT PROTECTANTS…
