ADVICE
Best Hair Straighteners for any Hair Type and Length
Post last updated: 06/06/2023
The right hair straightener is so versatile it can smooth your hair straight, create tousled, beachy waves, or help you to achieve the perfect curl. And with a wide range of brands available such as ghd, L’Oréal Professionnel and Babyliss, you’ll be sure to find the perfect straightening iron that will offer you beautiful locks in no time at all.
The Best Hair Straighteners - Our Top Picks
The best hair straighteners have been tried and tested by our experts. If you’re ready to invest in a pair of long lasting hair straighteners that will give you shiny, glossy and gorgeous hair time and time again, then keep on reading...
- ghd Mini Styler
- L’Oréal Steampod
- ghd Max Styler
- BaByliss Diamond Hair Straighteners
- ghd Platinum+ Straighteners
- ghd Original Styler
- L’Oreal Professionnel Steampod 3.0 Steam Hair Straightener & Styling Tool
- Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron, 1 Inch
- BaByliss Smooth Pro Wide 235 Straightener
- Mermade Hair Straightener 28mm
What to Consider When Choosing a Hair Straightener
When it comes to looking for the perfect hair straightener, there are a few things to consider:
What width is best for short or long hair?
Hair straighteners are available in a variety of widths: slim plates (usually around 2.5 – 3cm) are suitable for short hair, while wider plates (around 6cm) are better for those with longer hair or thick hair.
How quickly do different plates heat up?
Ceramic plates distribute heat more evenly but can be slower to warm up. Titanium plates heat up much more quickly than ceramic plates however, hair straighteners with this plate type tend to be more expensive. Ceramic coated plates are made from a metal base topped with a ceramic layer giving you the best of both worlds - a speedy heating time paired with more evenly distributed heat.
Do you need a straightener with a variable temperature?
Depending on your hair density, you’ll want to heat your hair straighteners to different temperatures to ensure the best results. Low heat is better suited to people with fine hair and a higher heat is better suited to people with coarse hair or thick hair.
What is ionic technology?
Nobody wants frizz or flyaways and when there is too much positive charge on your hair, it can cause static. Ionic technology neutralises this unwanted charge and helps to keep your hair smooth, sleek and frizz free.
Advice
How to prep your hair before styling
Styling can damage hair and dry out locks to leave them limp and lacklustre. Prep your strands with our 6 easy steps to and protect your hair.
25/09/2021 By Holly James
2. L'Oréal Professionnel Steam Hair Straightener & Styling Tool, For All Hair Types, SteamPod 3, UK Plug
150
£249.00
The L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod is unique in that unlike traditional hair straighteners, it relies on steam technology to straighten hair; reducing frizz and smoothing down the fibres. This technology provides gentle heat action which helps to minimise damage to the hair. Proven to be faster than other straighteners and giving up to 50% smoother hair, the Steampod is perfect for enhancing your blow-dry and giving you salon-perfect results each and every time.
- ‘I swear by the Steampod! The best hair straightening tool that i have ever tried. Leaves the hair silky smooth, frizz free and with an amazing shine. I feel that my hair is less damaged and looks straight for longer’ - Andreea Opris
- Key features
- Steam Powered
- Double Technology Plates with high resistant anodised coating
- Intelligent Heat Control - 3 heat settings from 180°C to 210°C
- 14% thinner and 37% lighter design vs Steampod 2.0
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
3. ghd Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener - Black
The ghd Max Styler from ghd has great 5* reviews on LOOKFANTASTIC; making it one of our all-time best hair straighteners. The larger plates on the styler make it ideal for thicker and curlier hair which needs extra heat to fully smooth the fibres. The contoured edges and wider plates also help create beautifully loose curls and waves; making it a great multi-tasking styler should you want a product which does more than straighten your hair.
- Key Features
- Ceramic heat technology
- Optimum styling temperature of 185°C
- Wide contoured floating plates
- Heat-resistant protective plate guard
- Automatic sleep mode
- 30 second heat up time
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
4. BaByliss Platinum Diamond 235 Straightener
24
RRP: £110.00Current price: £55.00
This hair straightener has diamond-infused titanium plates; making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves luxurious beauty. The plates provide a high shine finish so hair appears radiant and healthy. The advanced ceramic heaters heat up in just 15 seconds and have 3 different temperature settings so you can customise the heat to your hair type. The plates also have a curved edge to them, making them perfect to create loose curls and waves.
- ‘I love how you can go from sleek to tousled waves with the ghd straightener, good hair, good mood, good day “. Always remember hair is 99% of your selfie! ?’ - Tara Maynard
- Key Features
- Up to 235°C high heat performance
- Diamond infused ceramic plates for sleek results
- Longer plates for fast styling
- Ready to use in 15 seconds
- Active frizz-control ionic conditioners
- Advanced Ceramics™ to maintain high heat and fast heat up
- Auto shut-off safety function
- Universal voltage for worldwide use
- LF Customer Bex says: "Love that the plates allow your hair to glide through them with no pulling. They left my hair super smoother and given they heat up to 235c they straightened my hair really quickly. Great purchase!"
5. ghd Platinum+ White Straighteners
The ghd Platinum+ White Straighteners are perfect for straightening, curling or waving your hair. The luxury tool provides a consistent temperate of 185°C to help reduce hair damage and split ends. Not only does the product work amazing, the white glossy finish makes it the perfect tool to display in your collection.
- ‘Couldn’t be without my platinum+ GHD’s!! They’ve been an absolute game changer for me since I started using them - my hair feels healthier, much more sleek and I definitely experience less breakage since switching to them. Would be lost without them!’ - Chloe Adair
- Key Features
- Consistent 185°C temperature
- Safer-for-hair heat
- UK three pin plug
- Ultra-Zone® Technology
- Sleek design and rounder barrel for snag-free styling
- Healthier styling in one stroke
- Reduced breakage and damage
- Sleep mode switches off if inactive for 30 minutes
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
6. ghd Original - Hair Straightener
278
£139.00
The ceramic plates on this hair straightener ensure that hair remains glossy and nourished even through the high-level of heat. A brilliant all-rounder for quick and effortless everyday styling, the ghd Original Styler can create both smooth locks and curls; making it a great multi-tasking product. Suitable for all hair types and lengths, the styler glides smoothly through the hair in one gentle action so snagging is reduced.
- "I've used the ghd Original Styler for over 12 years - they're my styler of choice for everyday. Nothing beats them in my eyes - great for sleek, straight styles and curls/waves, there's no style I wear that I can't use my ghd Original Styler to create." - Lady Writes
- Key Features
- Original ceramic heat technology
- Optimum styling temperature of 185°C
- Floating plates for extra control while styling.
- Automatic sleep mode: switches off if not used for 30 minutes
- Universal voltage
- 30 second heat up time: for quick and easy styling
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
7. L'Oréal Professionnel Steam Hair Straightener & Styling Tool, For All Hair Types, SteamPod 3, UK Plug
150
£249.00
This unique styling tool from L’Oreal Professionnel harnesses the power of steam to efficiently smooth and style hair without any damage. The Steampod 3.0 device boasts temperature control and a removable integrated comb to allow you to tailor you experience to your hair type or desired style.
- Key Features:
- Exclusive Steam Delivery
- Double Technology Plates with high resistant coating
- Intelligent Heat Control from 180°C to 210°C
- Rotative Cord
- Integrated water tank for steam
- Integrated removable comb for styling
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
8. Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron, 1 Inch - UK
1
£139.00
Designed with curved edges to allow for curls and waves as well as sleek straight styles, the Tress Press Digital Styling Iron by Drybar is a dual-action styling tool that works on all hair types and textures. Built with titanium technology, the styler helps to seal hair cuticles for a glossy, smooth finish every time.
- Key Features:
- Rounded one-inch plates
- Digital temperature control to customise heat settings up to 232˚C
- Universal voltage and a professional length (2.74m) cord
- Powered by Titanium and Infrared Technologies
9. BaByliss Smooth Pro Wide 235 Straightener
22
£65.00
Speed up your hair styling routine with this wide-plated straightener from BaByliss. The 35mm plates allow for capturing larger sections of the hair in one go, making them suitable for those with thicker hair too. Designed with 5 temperature options, the straighteners can be adapted to your hair type and are fitted with ceramic technology that helps to protect against breakage.
This unique styling tool from L’Oreal Professionnel harnesses the power of steam to efficiently smooth and style hair without any damage. The Steampod 3.0 device boasts temperature control and a removable integrated comb to allow you to tailor you experience to your hair type or desired style.
- Key Features:
- Up to 235°C
- 35mm wide styling plates perfect for use on longer and thicker hair types
- Ceramic finish for smooth results
- Long-length plates ideal to style larger sections of hair
- 5 heat settings for enhanced heat protection
- Ultra-fast heat up
- Advanced Ceramics™ maintains high heat for lasting results
- Automatic safety shut off
- Heat ready indicator
- Heat protective mat
- 2.5m salon style swivel cord
- 5 year guarantee
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
10. Mermade Hair Straightener 28mm
8
RRP: £69.00Current price: £34.50
Lightweight and easy to use, the Mermade Hair Straightener 28mm is a high-performance styler that suits all hair textures, types and lengths. Floating plates and iconic technology ensure a flawless, even finish without frizz or flyaways and rounded edges offer versatile styling without any pulling.
- Key Features:
- 28mm smooth floating plates
- Lightweight design
- Temperature control 130°C – 230°C / 265°F – 450°F
- Rounded edges
- Ionic technology
- Ceramic plates
- Advanced heat technology that heats up extra fast and provides even heat distribution
- 100-240V~, 50/60HZ, 45W
- Auto shut-off – automatically turns off after 1-hour
- Professional use – 2.5m swivel cord
- Read LF Customer Reviews here
Holly James Beauty Writer
Working with brands at LOOKFANTASTIC for over two years I have developed my knowledge of all things beauty from key skincare concerns to niche makeup tricks and haircare hacks. I have a major passion for finding effective solutions that are easily accessible to everyone so that we can all achieve our best, glowing complexion.
