If you ask me what’s hot this season, I might tell you of a smoking hot haircut or equally sizzling hair color, but I am also going to share some of the hottest styling tools. First, all hair is not created equally (no big surprise), but neither are the tools on the market. Let’s begin with hair dryers, shall we?
It’s essential, whether you pay $20 for an average one or $200 for designer luxury, that it come standard with the following: a nozzle for directing the air flow down the hair shaft when straightening the hair (so don’t throw it away with the instructions and bubble wrap), a temperature dial for controlling the intensity of the heat (low for colored or fragile hair and higher for thick, coarse hair), a cool shot button for sealing the hair for added shine and setting the curl before you release the round brush, and a removable filter cover for self-cleaning. It will add years to the life of your appliance.
Additional instruments can be added to the hair dryer including everything from a mesh bag to a variety of contraptions with long spindles resembling fingers; these are diffusers which contain the force of air while still providing the heat necessary for drying naturally curly hair with less frizz. A friend tried the newer gadgets that combine a rolling brush motion on the end of a hair dryer (think of it as two for the price of one) and, although I’m sure some love them, she never quite got the hang of it. I say it’s all about trial and error.
Next, curling wands, or as we called them in beauty school 20 years ago, curling irons. These come in so many sizes nowadays that it can be very tricky picking just one. The giant ones are for very long hair or for smoothing the hair more than for lasting curls, while the itty-bitty ones are for obviously short coifs and ringlets. May I suggest running the fingers through the latter for a more modern twist?
I have all sizes in the salon, but then I also have all sizes of hairdos. My favorites are a brand called “Hot Tools” available at Sally Beauty Supply or through your stylist, and I use them daily to create voluminous waves, rich body and, yes, even smoking hot, come-hither glamorous spiral curls. A new trick is to ignore the clamp and just wind random sections around the barrel of the iron, being careful not to burn your fingers. Count backward from 10 and release. Waving irons are hot right now, too, for that red carpet old Hollywood deep wave reminiscent of the flapper girls of the ’30s and ’40s, used much like a crimper with deep, waving plates. Just press, hold, and instant retro.
Finally, the single most popular question I get from readers, salon guests and viewers of my television makeovers is, “What is the best flat iron?”
Avoid clearance sale bins and hot pink zebra mini flat irons that cost less than a happy meal, because one of the biggest causes of damaged hair is poor quality flat irons. Spend a bit more and be certain your model comes standard with a temperature control, ceramic plate, and a long, durable cord. Never hold the iron on the hair for more than three seconds, and keep it moving. Think of your hair as a delicate silk scarf you are putting the household iron onto, and glide the flat iron tool through the hair strategically, quickly, and only where necessary.
Whenever in doubt about any styling appliance or tool, ask your stylist for hints, tips and products for added protection against the heat. Besides that, plug ’em up and turn heads with these cool tips on a hot topic.
Former Columbus resident David Creel owns Beautiful With David salon in Jackson. He is the “makeover guy” on FOX 40 TV. Contact him at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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