As children, we all saw our mother, aunt or a neighbor curl their hair with an iron.
In fact, a few decades ago, irons and rollers were the two main hairdressing accessories available to women who styled their hair at home.
Since then, new gadgets have appeared on the market: some have proven very useful, but others have only been a passing fad.
To help you make the right choices when it comes to hair accessories, let me introduce you to my favorite styling tools and why they'll be essential when you're styling your hair at home.
I How to choose a dryer
First, you need to assess the weight of the dryer to determine whether you can hold it at arm's length for several minutes. A short hairdryer will allow you to hold it close to your hair, making it easier to perform precise movements.
Next, check the motor's wattage. Avoid hot dryers with weak blowers, as these can damage your hair. Instead, choose a dryer with a wattage between 1600 and 1800.
There are now many choices of materials for hair dryers, such as tourmaline and ceramic, which increase the number of negative ions when heated, making it easier to smooth hair.
The most important thing when using a hairdryer for styling is to use the nozzle attachment, which will distribute the air flat on the hair and help close the cuticles, thus giving the hair more shine.
When you do without the nozzle, the air distribution is so wide that other sections of the hair are dried at the same time, which will give them a bad crease that will then be difficult to correct.
However, avoid sticking the nozzle directly onto the brush and keep a few millimeters of distance and a slight angle, if possible. Also, all heating appliances should be kept in constant motion to avoid damaging your hair.
I How to Choose a Flat Iron
This is a hairdressing accessory that has become indispensable because it allows you to create multiple hairstyles. It is best to choose a fairly narrow iron, which will make it easier to reach the roots and create variations on your hair. A width of approximately 4 cm is sufficient. The device must offer a heat setting that can be adapted to different hair types and textures, for example, damaged hair.
The thermostat should range from approximately 130° to 450°. A ceramic, tourmaline, or a combination of the two irons provides a smoother effect.
Tourmaline is said to have a sealing effect on hair and supply it with negative ions, which will disperse throughout the day.
Additionally, nanoceramic irons help increase hair shine and have a sealing effect. Clean your cooled flat iron with rubbing alcohol and a damp cloth to remove stubborn stains.
I How to Choose Hot Rollers
Among the various types of rollers, heated rollers are the most popular. They are quick and easy to use and offer excellent results.
The ceramic heated rollers provide maximum efficiency.
It is easier to work with velvet-covered rollers, as they are non-slip and therefore easier to install, as well as remaining stable in the hair.
Those with small metal locks or toothed clips are even easier to use.
Before using them, they must be allowed to warm up sufficiently in their box. To do this, please read the manufacturer's recommendations.
Hot rollers are best used on dry hair. Leave the rollers in as long as possible until both the hair and rollers have cooled down.
Then, remove the rollers and comb the hair with your fingers; you will get movement and volume in your hair.
This operation can be repeated several times a week, as it is not damaging to the hair.
I The curling iron
Even though it is now possible to curl with a flat iron, the curling iron is still useful in our daily lives.
The latter has been modernized thanks to new materials such as ceramic and tourmaline, which have a sealing power and intensify the shine of the hair.
Look for a ceramic or tourmaline iron with a thermostat to vary the heat as needed.
Irons with a swivel handle are easier to use.
I The Brushes
There are many types of brushes.
Wooden brushes with synthetic, natural or plastic bristles are ideal for straightening unruly hair.
They provide a powerful grip on the hair and therefore help maintain tension on the hair while drying.
Metal, tourmaline or ceramic brushes are ideal for quickly making hair shine, since they act like a curling iron.
Perfect for twisting hair ends, they have ionic properties like hair accessories made of ceramic or tourmaline.
To find the right type of brush for your hair.
If you're having trouble creating volume, it's possible that your brush is too small, but it could also be too big.
A brush that is too big will prevent you from reaching the root properly.
Hot rollers are used on dry hair.
Leave the rollers in as long as possible until both the hair and rollers have cooled.
Then, remove the rollers and comb the hair with your fingers; you will get movement and volume in your hair.
This operation can be repeated several times a week, as it is not damaging to the hair.
Essential hair accessories
- Metal hair clips that you can find in pharmacies, or plastic ones that you can find in hair specialty stores
- Telephone wire-type plastic rubber bands without metal joints, much less damaging than traditional rubber bands.
- Good quality bobby pins that will spring back into shape once your finger is removed from between the pins (try this).
- Choose the size that suits you and the color that most closely matches your hair if you don't want them to be visible, or a bright color if you want to use them as decorative accessories.
A stem or tail comb
A flirtatious or backcombing brush
A flat brush
A detangling brush
Long scissors, for greater ease and safety
A straight comb
The brush I recommend
During my hairdressing career, I have probably used every type of brush available on the market.
But the square brush that I recommend without hesitation is this one, available in 33mm format for short to medium-length hair and 44mm for medium-length to long hair.
Its square tube is impregnated with nanoceramic, equipped with embossed nylon bristles and a velvety rubber handle.
Crimped bristles are gentle on the scalp, while providing better grip and control to improve performance when styling.
Due to its four sides, the barrel offers increased control when styling to give more volume at the roots and everywhere else on the head, and better straighten hair.
The nanoceramic technique eliminates static electricity and frizz, making hair shiny and healthy while distributing and retaining heat efficiently.
Holes in the tube allow heat to circulate to promote more efficient drying.
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