Stylists Tips
A Comprehensive Guide: How to Choose the Best Hair Tool
It looks like this year we're going back to more styled hair with "mob wife" looks trending for 2024 but don't worry. With the right tools, a done up look will actually be pretty easy.
Contents
- Top Hair Trends of 2024
- How to choose the right hair tool?
- Tips for avoiding heat damage on hair
- The Blowout Brush [VIDEO]
- How to use a Blowout Brush
- About the Blowout Brush
- What hair types can use the Blowout Brush?
- The Thermal Styling Brush [VIDEO]
- How to use the Thermal Styling Brush
- About the Thermal Styling Brush
- What hair types can use the Thermal Styling Brush
- The Infrared Curling Iron [VIDEO]
- How to use a curling iron for beachy waves?
- About the Infrared Curling Iron
- What hair types can use a curling iron?
- How to make my hairstyle last longer?
- Explore our full Hair Tools Collection
Overview
In this blog, I'll provide you with valuable insights into selecting the right hair tools for optimal styling results while maintaining the health of your hair. We'll talk the importance of quality, warranty, and customizable settings when choosing hair tools that will last for years, and the pitfalls of opting for low-quality products from unreputable sources.
I'll introduce you to three hair tools: the Blowout Brush, the Thermal Brush, and the Infrared Curling Iron. Each tool is presented with usage instructions, highlighting their unique features such as infrared heat technology and ion technology, which aim to minimize damage and provide faster styling results.
Additionally, the post includes tips for maintaining healthy hair while using heat styling tools. I'll advise users to adjust heat settings based on their hair type, use heat protection products, and give their hair a break by avoiding excessive heat styling. The importance of using proper products, allowing hair to cool before styling, and removing product buildup for long-lasting styles is also emphasized.
How to choose the right hair tool?
There are so many options when it comes to hair tools, and they truly vary greatly in terms of quality and how they will interact with your hair. Your tools should last you for years and YEARS, so choosing the right one that meets your needs is important.
Quality
Quality of hair tools will vary greatly so it's important to purchase from a reputable source. You do get what you pay for up to a certain point (looking at you Dyson), so avoiding drug store and amazon products is ideal. Look for high quality parts like ceramic, infrared technology.
Warranty
There are also big differences in the warranties from company to company and - this is important - many of them are only valid when purchased through a authorized dealer, aka NOT amazon. Tools can have a 1 year to lifetime warranty.
Settings
ALWAYS choose a machine that allows you to choose your heat settings. Just like one shampoo or styler wouldn't work for every single head of hair, there is not one heat setting for all hair types. Ideally there should be 3 heat settings.
And of course, hair goals...
There are so many great tools out there now that can make styling your hair so that it looks like you came from the salon! To avoid disappointment, talk to a professional or the seller to ensure it will meet your needs.
Tips for maintaining healthy hair with heat styling
I looove a good hot tool, but I've also damaged my hair from overuse of them. Here are a few super simple tips that will keep your hair healthy and give you great style!
Turn down the heat
As mentioned above, the hot tool you choose should have multiple heat settings so that it can be tailored to what your hair needs. Fine, fragile hair should use a lower heat setting, while coarse, thick hair can handle more heat. Heat isn't necessarily bad for hair, but excessive heat is. Don't crank it up to the highest setting and go, your style will hold longer on healthy hair!
Use heat protection
I always recommend heat protection products, to add an extra layer of insurance when using styling tools. There are different kinds that will also help you with keeping your style longer, adding in shine, volume, moisture and more...
Give your hair a break
One of the biggest misconceptions is that washing too much will damage hair. While washing likely won't, using lots of hot tools on your hair AFTER washing everyday will damage it. If you do use a lot of hot tools, use a heat protectant, and definitely add a hair mask into your routine. Consider using something like my heatless curls method to break it up or embrace your natural hair pattern!
INTRODUCING
The Blowout Brush
The IR Infrared Blow Out Brush helps you achieve professional blowouts at home – by combining the powerful airflow of a hair dryer with the volumizing benefits of a large oval brush.
How to use a blow out brush
What I love about the Blowout Brush is how easy it is to use. This tool has heat and airflow at the same time, so instead of having to coordinate with a blowdryer and round brush, it's just one tool!
Ensure that your hair is clean, and at least 70% dry. Plug in the blowout brush and allow it to heat up to the desired temperature. Choose a heat setting suitable for your hair type. We recommend LOW for fine to medium or fragile hair, and HIGH for coarser textures. It's recommended to start with a lower temperature setting and increase if necessary.
Ensure that you're using a heat prep or protectant product before styling with this brush.
Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips or hair ties. This will make it easier to work through your hair and ensure that each section is styled properly.
Take one section of hair and place the heat brush underneath the section near the roots. Slowly and smoothly glide the brush down towards the ends of your hair. Repeat this motion a few times to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and the hair is dry.
Continue working through each section of your hair, one at a time, until you have styled all the desired areas. Let cool. Once you have brushed through your hair, you can style it further by adding volume, curls, or any other desired finishing touches.
Infrared Heat Technology
Before bringing this tool into my shop I searched long and hard to find one that I actually could stand behind. I've see the damage that low quality blowout brushes can cause, which is why this one stood out so much. It uses infrared heat technology that seals the hair cuticles for faster drying and less damage.
Warranty
There is a 1 year warranty on the Blowout Brush.
What hair type can use a blowout brush?
Any hair type and hair pattern can use the blowout brush. It is recommended to change the heat setting - lower for fine hair and higher for coarse hair.
INTRODUCING
The Thermal Brush
Specialized bristles eliminate frizz and ensure an even transfer of heat to impart a gorgeous shine and silky feel throughout. Simply brush through hair to create voluminous and versatile looks that are always left hydrated, strong, and revitalized with a glossy finish.
How to use a thermal styling brush
What I love about the Thermal Styling Brush is how easy it is to use. It's a round brush that heats up so less coordination is required to get a salon blow out look!
Ensure that your hair is clean, and dry. Plug in the thermal styling brush and allow it to heat up to the desired temperature. Choose a heat setting suitable for your hair type. We recommend the lowest two heat settings for fine to medium or fragile hair, and highest two for coarser textures. It's recommended to start with a lower temperature setting and increase if necessary.
Ensure that you're using a heat prep or protectant product before styling with this brush.
Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips or hair ties. This will make it easier to work through your hair and ensure that each section is styled properly.
Take one section of hair and place the heat brush underneath the section near the roots. Slowly and smoothly glide the brush down towards the ends of your hair. If you wish for more movement and bounce, roll the hair up and pause before unrolling. Repeat this motion a few times to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and the hair is dry.
Continue working through each section of your hair, one at a time, until you have styled all the desired areas. Once you have brushed through your hair, you can style it further by adding volume, curls, or any other desired finishing touches.
Infrared Heat Technology
Before bringing this tool into my shop I searched long and hard to find one that I actually could stand behind. I've seen the damage that low quality thermal brushes can cause, which is why this one stood out so much. It uses infrared heat and ion technology that seals the hair cuticles for faster styling and less damage.
Warranty
There is a lifetime warranty on the Thermal Styling Brush.
What hair type can use a thermal brush?
Any hair type and most hair pattern can use the blowout brush, for curlier hair patterns, ensure that your curl is blown out looser before using this tool. It is recommended to change the heat setting - lower for fine hair and higher for coarse hair.
INTRODUCING
The Infrared Curling Iron
The extra-long barrel length and quick-reaching heat settings up to 430°F dramatically shorten styling time to create beautifully-formed curls that last while minimizing damage and maintaining essential moisture.
How to use a curling iron for beachy waves
Not all curling irons are created equal, and this one has to be my favourite I've tried.
Ensure that your hair is clean, and dry. Plug in the curling iron and allow it to heat up to the desired temperature. Choose a heat setting suitable for your hair type. Fine hair should not have heat that exceeds 400 degrees. For coarser hair, you can go up to 430 degrees.
Ensure that you're using a heat prep or protectant product before styling with this curling iron.
Divide your hair into manageable sections using clips or hair ties. This will make it easier to work through your hair and ensure that each section is styled properly.
Clamp the hair, wrapping the full section, waiting between 5-10 seconds and release. Continue around your whole head.
Let each section cool before breaking the curls up with your hands or a brush. This will ensure that your style lasts!
Infrared Heat Technology
Before bringing this tool into my shop I searched long and hard to find one that I actually could stand behind. I've seen the damage that low quality thermal brushes can cause, which is why this one stood out so much. It uses infrared heat and ion technology that seals the hair cuticles for faster styling and less damage.
Warranty
There is a lifetime warranty on the Infrared Curling Iron.
What hair type can use a curling iron?
Any hair type and hair pattern can use the curling iron, for curlier hair patterns, ensure that your curl is blown out looser before using this tool. You may need to use a flatiron to smooth the root as well, as the curling iron will not reach it.
It is recommended to change the heat setting - lower for fine hair and higher for coarse hair.
How to make my hairstyle last longer
Use proper products
Think of it like laying the foundation, using heat protectants and also probably a gentle hold product on wet hair before drying will provide the structure to make the hair last. Hairspray and other finishing products are good but not without the foundation.
Let it cool
As the resident hair nerd, this is the best tip I can give you. Wait until your hair is cool to run your fingers through it or brush it. Heat "breaks" bonds in the hair that reform as the hair cools. If you pull it out before it's cooled, its not able to reform in a strong way, so will lose its form faster.
Remove buildup
Buildup free and healthy hair holds style longer. If your hair is coated and weighed down with heavy oils, butters, and silicones, it's not going to last long. Even if you're using good products, things like pollution, smoke, and minerals in the water can coat the hair strand. I recommend using a Detox Mask at least once per month.
Use quality tools
The quality of the tools will make or break your style, and it's a little sneaky because you may not notice it right away. But over time low quality tools can damage hair, resulting in lack lustre and limp hair. I love purchasing items I know I can depend on long term.
