Hair Straightener & Curling Iron
Whether you want to flatten your hair with a straightener or add some extra curls with a curling iron, this buying guide will give you all the help you need to find the right hair styler.
Which Hair Styling Accessory is right for you?
Hair straighteners and curling irons are essential tools for achieving different hairstyles. Choosing the right hair curler or straightening iron depends on several factors, primarily your hair type, desired style, and personal preferences. Choosing the right tool depends on your desired hairstyle and hair type, ensuring you achieve the look you want with precision and ease. Consider the heat settings, ease of use, and additional features like auto shut-off or digital displays when selecting the right tool for you.
Hair Straightener
Hair straighteners, also known as flat irons, are versatile tools designed to transform curly or wavy hair into smooth, straight styles. They work by pressing heated plates against sections of hair, effectively flattening and smoothing the strands. Hair straighteners come in various plate widths to accommodate different hair lengths and textures, offering flexibility in styling options. They are equipped with adjustable heat settings to cater to various hair types, from fine to thick and coarse hair. Using a heat protectant spray or serum before straightening helps minimize heat damage and ensures a sleek finish. Hair straighteners are indispensable for achieving a polished and streamlined look, making them a staple in many hair care routines for both daily styling and special occasions.
Curling Iron
Curling irons are essential tools for creating a variety of curly and wavy hairstyles. These devices feature a heated barrel that heats up to curl hair when wrapped around it. Curling irons come in different barrel sizes, which dictate the size and type of curl produced, from tight coils to loose waves. They are versatile tools suitable for all hair types, providing flexibility in styling options for both short and long hair. Using a heat protectant spray or serum before curling helps minimize heat damage and ensures the curls last longer. Curling irons are favored for their ability to add volume, texture, and bounce to hair, making them a go-to choice for achieving glamorous and textured looks effortlessly.
“"Curling and styling your hair at home has never been easier. Achieve stunning, frizz-free results with the latest haircare tools." - Tracey Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
”
Watch our helpful Health & Grooming buying guides
Choosing the Right Hair Styler
A good hair day starts with the right tools, here's what you need to nail the latest looks.
How to choose a massager
Our guide to the must-have massagers to help you feel refreshed and relaxed.
Choose The Best Shaver
Learn about the three main types of electric shavers and discover which is best suited to you and your skin.
More tips for Choosing Hair Accessories
Width
Depending on your hair type, you may need to consider the width of the plates on your straightener.
Slim plates - Usually between 2.5cm and 3cm, these are most suited to short hair.
Medium plates - Typically between 3cm and 4cm, you can use these for short and medium-length hair.
Wide plates - If you have long, thick hair then plates around 6cm may be the best option for you.
Curling irons - With curling irons, the barrel size is measured. These can range from three-eighths of an inch up to two inches.
For most people, a barrel of between one and 1.5 inches is preferred for mid-length and longer curls.
Wattage
The wattage of an appliance often gives you a good idea of how powerful it is, with additional power giving you added flexibility. However, with hair straightener and curling irons you may first want to consider your hair type. There is no point in buying products that are extremely powerful if you only use the lower settings.
Temperature settings
Higher temperature settings usually mean you can get your hair straightened or ironed out more quickly and to greater effect. This does not mean all temperature settings will be suitable for your hair though, particularly if you have very thin or delicate hair. In these cases, you could risk damaging your hair if you spend too much time on the hottest settings. The more settings available, the more flexibility you have, with some models even coming with digital displays for accuracy.
Other features
Wet to straight: This feature works on towel-dried hair, so you don’t have to use a hairdryer. The steam hydration can be better for your hair too
Automatic shut-off: Turns your straightener or curling irons off after a given time, just in case you forget and burn a hole in something!
Ionic straightening: Locks in moisture and removes any static to prevent frizz
Worldwide voltage: Great for travellers and are mains powered for optimal performance
Far infrared heat: Heats hair from the inside, which is less likely to cause damage
Swivel cord: Prevents wire tangling while in use
Discover popular Hair Straightener & Curling Iron brands
More Tips & Guides
card media link to /whats-new/best-haircare-tools
6 haircare tools you absolutely need!
May 2•2 mins readTreat yourself to the gift of beautiful hair.
Haircare tools are the best way to spoil yourself. With brands constantly inventing new products for haircare, there is always going to be the problem of deciding which is the best one for you. Here is everything you need to know about all the latest products that will help you make the best choice.
Read more.
card media link to /whats-new/best-ever-blow-dry-hacks-for-salon-hair-at-home
How To Nail A Salon-Quality Blow-Dry At Home
February 4•3 mins readIs there anything better than a big, bouncy blow-dry from your favourite hairdresser? Oh, the supersmooth shine, the glamorous curls, the beachy waves! The rising cost of living might have you stretching the time between professional beauty and grooming appointments, and upping your at-home styling game. With a few brilliant styling tools, the ideal hair dryer and some top tips from the experts, you can nail your best hair at home.
card media link to /whats-new/best-appliances-for-your-home-day-spa
How to create a home beauty salon
February 6•4 mins readThere’s nothing like being primped and pampered at a beauty salon to leave you looking and feeling like a million bucks. But with the cost of living rising, life’s little luxuries, such as blow dries and massages, can add up. Fortunately, by arming yourself with a squadron of quality health and grooming appliances – cue the latest hair straighteners and curlers, shavers, and other personal grooming tools – you can set up a home beauty salon that ticks all the boxes.
In other words, you can spoil yourself every single day – without breaking the bank. Glowing skin whenever we want it? Yes, please!
Read more.
card media link to /whats-new/best-shark-hair-styling-tools
How to choose the right Shark Styling Tools for your hair type
May 17•4 mins readWe all want a good hair day every day and thankfully, you don’t need a Kardashian-level glam squad to make it a reality. Enter Shark – the go-to brand for salon-quality DIY styling. All it takes is the right hairstyling tools and hairdryer – hand-picked for your hair type – and a few expert styling tips and tricks.
Rest assured, there’s a Shark hair tool to tame frizzy hair, control curls or turn up the volume for luscious locks. Cue the Shark SmoothStyle White hair styler and Shark SpeedStyle Rapid Gloss Finisher and High-Velocity Hair Dryer – both wildly popular with beauty influencers.
card media link to /whats-new/why-shark-flexstyle-is-only-hair-styler-you-need
The only Hair Styler you need to nail the latest looks
May 4•5 mins readPerfect DIY blow-dries. Trending styles without a trip to the salon. Luscious natural locks on the daily. Ready to achieve all your hair goals with one easy-to-use styling tool? (And fast-track your morning routine, too!) Introducing for a limited time the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System Copper from Shark Beauty Australia.
With just one twist, this genius all-in-one hair tool transforms from a powerful Shark hair dryer to an ultra versatile multi-styler in seconds for fast and fuss-free styling. No matter what your hair type or skill set, this TikTok sensation can revolutionise your grooming game.
“Multi-tasking beauty tools like the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System Copper that cater for all your hairstyling needs in one streamlined device are the future of at-home styling,” says Tracey Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
“It seems everyone is talking about this in-demand product, and no wonder. It comes with a range of attachments and brushes, so you can curl, straighten, volumise or smooth your hair. Plus, the air styler technology can dry any type of hair faster, without causing heat damage.”
Whether you’re tired of fighting the frizz or want that big and bouncy blow-dry every day, the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System Copper can help you create limitless styles – and help declutter your bathroom!
Read More
card media link to /whats-new/top-home-hair-removal-devices
Best at-home hair removal devices for every body
February 14•4 mins readIt’s swimwear season, so peel off those jeans, retire the cardigans and get ready for a summer of good times, sunshine and beach days. But first… let’s get that grooming under wraps. Need a little help in the hair removal department? The latest shavers, trimmers, epilators and at-home laser hair removal devices are slick, feature-packed and easy to use, to quickly blitz body hair from top to toe.
“Investing in quality at-home grooming products means you can cross expensive salon treatments off your to-do list and spend more time enjoying the results,” says Tracey Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances.
You’ve got your summer hairstyling sorted, so now it’s time to get the rest of you all silky-smooth. Introducing the salon-quality hair removal devices begging for a place in your bathroom cabinet…
Read more.
card media link to /whats-new/top-hair-trends
5 Trending Hairstyles To Try In 2025
January 21•4 mins readHunting for a fresh new hairstyle for 2025? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve talked to the experts to bring you the hottest hair trends for 2025, plus the must-have tools to nail each look. Now is the time to upgrade your straightener, curler or hair dryer to create these easy-to-master trending hairstyles. Ready for your new look? Look no further than these 2025 hair trends, and the styling tools that make every day a good hair day.
Hair Straightener And Curling Iron Glossary
We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.
Ceramic Plates Plates on the straightener made from ceramic material that distribute heat evenly and minimize damage.
Tourmaline Plates Plates coated with tourmaline, a semi-precious mineral, which generates negative ions to reduce frizz and add shine.
Ionic Technology Emits negative ions to break down water molecules on the hair, reducing frizz and static.
Straightening Comb A heated comb attachment or standalone tool used to straighten hair without clamping like a flat iron.
Heat Protectant A product applied to hair before using heat tools to minimize damage from heat styling.
Keratin Treatment A smoothing treatment that uses keratin (a protein naturally found in hair) to relax curls and frizz.
Blowout A professional hair styling technique using a blow dryer and round brush to achieve smooth, voluminous hair.
Frizz Unruly hair caused by humidity or dryness, often minimized by straightening treatments.
Heat Protectant A product applied to hair before using heat tools to minimize damage from heat styling.
Heat Protectant A product applied to hair before using heat tools to minimize damage from heat styling.
Keratin Treatment A smoothing treatment that uses keratin (a protein naturally found in hair) to relax curls and frizz.
Barrel Size Refers to the diameter of the curling iron barrel, influencing the size of curls or waves produced.
Curling Wand A clipless curling iron with a tapered or uniform barrel, used by wrapping hair manually around it for curls or waves.
Diffuser Attachment A tool attached to a blow dryer to disperse airflow, enhancing natural curls without frizz.
Pomade A product applied to hair before using heat tools to minimize damage from heat styling.
Flexi Rods A Flexible rods used for heatless curls by wrapping sections of damp hair around them.
FAQs
To achieve curls, start by placing your flat iron close to the scalp, turning it halfway backwards, and smoothly gliding it downwards along the hair. For flicks, position the flat iron midway down the hair section, make a half-turn backwards with the iron, and glide it along the hair.
Section your hair, and hold the wand to each section for three to four seconds, curling the hair away from the face. Don't forget to use a heat protectant and hairspray to make your hair look better longer.
Straitening works best of freshly washed hair. Divide your hair into sections and set the straightener to the correct temperature for your hair type. Straighten with hair strands 2 - 5cm wide and half a cm thick and hold the hair taut. Begin close to the roots and run through a couple times if needed.