To choose the best tourmaline straightener you should keep a few things in mind. The straightener should heat up quickly and evenly and should have various heat settings. Another consideration should be the width of the plates and the overall size of the straightener. Some tourmaline straighteners offer removable plates, ionic straightening, and curved plates for extra versatility.
A good straightener should heat up quickly and distribute the heat evenly. It is best to look for a straightener with an indicator light so you will know when it has reached the correct temperature. A straightener with "hot spots" could damage your hair, especially if you need to use higher temperature settings.
You should look for a tourmaline straightener with several different heat settings because this will make it easier to find the right temperature for your hair. Some straighteners only have a temperature dial that allows you to turn the heat up or down without actual temperature settings. Look for a straightener that will show you the exact temperature.
Most hair types will need temperatures between 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) and 356 degrees F (180 degrees C) to straighten properly. If your hair is damaged, however, you should use settings no higher than 248 degrees F (120 degrees C). If you have thick or coarse hair, you should look for a straightener that can reach 356 degrees F (180 degrees C) or higher since you will need more heat to straighten your hair.
The width of the plates should be considered, as you will need a wider straightener if you have longer hair. Mini straighteners are usually better for short hair, but experts suggest getting a smaller straightener if you are a first time user. Using a smaller straightener will allow you to focus on smaller sections of hair. If you have longer or thick hair, you may benefit from a tourmaline straightener with wider plates, which make it easier to straighten larger and longer sections of hair and helps minimize the risk of scorching.
A tourmaline straightener that offers removable plates can be more versatile than other straighteners. This is especially true with straighteners that offer special styling plates. These plates can help you create a wavy or frizzy look, for example, in addition to the smooth and sleek look.
If you have especially coarse or curly hair, you may want to consider getting an ionic straightener. These tourmaline straighteners work in a way that creates negative ions around the hair, smoothing the outer layer of the hair shaft. This is a very handy feature if you struggle to straighten your hair or if you have coarse hair. Ionic straighteners have also been said to help protect hair against damage, so this is useful if you need to use higher heat settings.
A straightener with curved plates can be quite versatile. It can function as both a straightener and a curling iron, as the curved plates make it easy to twirl the hair around the straightener. This means you can create both curly and straight hairstyles.