We all know that beauty is subjective. What you call gorgeous, someone else might consider not so appealing. For instance, you think green eyes are the most beautiful eye colour on a person or that curly hair is much prettier than straight hair, but others might prefer the exact opposite of your choice. So, that means we all have our different views of what looks good and what doesn’t, but yet our society still has the so-called beauty standards.

Beauty standards refer to the physical features which the majority of people consider to be a must-have in order to be viewed as a good-looking person. But how did this become a thing? Well, the answer is social media. Celebrities, musicians, TV-reality stars, or just regular Instagram models are the ones who are shown to be ideal on-screen. That means, whatever they wear or however they look, that’s exactly what you should be idolizing. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but it’s true!

Now, today we will be only focusing on what are the most recent hairstyling trends and how to achieve them easily! As you know, the idea of beauty is changing constantly. This means that we always find new things to like or we even redirect the spotlight and bring back old trends. In the 80s or 90s, hair trends such as the Mullet, Classic Shag, Fringe Bangs or the Afro were the ideal types of hairstyles everyone was going for. Today, the idea for the perfect hair look is much more different. But, unarguably, there is a hairstyle look that has been ruling out all of the others for quite a long time, and that’s the simple wavy or curly hair look! They are not hard to achieve and they look amazing no matter the season.

So, how can you get luscious curls or waves in the easiest way possible? Well here’s when your favourite hair styling tools come into play! Just use a quality curling iron or plug in your best flat iron and you will manage to get the perfect wavy hairstyle. Wondering which tool would be the best choice? Right below we have explained all the specifications as well as the pros and cons of the curling and flat iron.

A Fair Battle: Flat vs. Curling Irons

These are both excellent choices, but it can be confusing when it comes to deciding which one will give you the best wavy or curled look. Let’s begin with comparing the two.

The Flat Iron

When it comes to doing your own hair, finding the ideal hair styling tools for the perfect hairdo can be stressful. But, when you choose a good-quality flat iron you can be certain that you are not making a mistake! To start off, let’s go through the pros and cons of using a flat iron.

PROS

• Appropriate for all hair types
• Less hair thinning or breakage
• Quick heating time
• Less frizzy hair during the cold days
• Can be used for both straightening or curling your hair
• Versatile

CONS

• Hair loss might occur if used on a daily basis
• Less damaging models usually cost more
• Takes longer to style extremely thick and curly hair
• With frequent use, it can cause split ends and dry hair

Secondly, when getting a flat iron you should always look at the design specifications. This means that there are flat irons with different temperature settings, different sizes and the most important part- they are all made of different materials which also have their own advantages, but we will get into more of that later!

The Curling Iron

The curling iron is another excellent and obvious choice when you want to get your hair all wavy and curled up! But, like all the hairdressing tools, it has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look.

PROS

• An easier way to do curls and waves
• Fast heat-up time
• Versatile
• Different types of curls

CONS

• Hair damaging and lead to drying it out
• Can make hair frizzy
• Makes less volume on flat hair
• Takes longer to curl thick hair
• Creates more defined curls which reduces hair length

Now, besides the pros and cons, the curling iron comes in various different shapes as opposed to the flat iron. Different shapes and sizes make different types of curls!

The 5 Types of Curling Irons

Curling Tongs

They come with a built-in clip that helps secure the hair while creating the perfect uniform curls. Also, they are very easy to use.

Curling Wands

They are without a clamp, which means you have to wrap your hair manually around the barrel. They create much more natural-looking curls but are a bit harder to use and it takes a bit of practice.

Conical Curlers

They create smaller curls at the ends of the hair and also require more practice to be used best.

Triple Barrel Waver

They are very easy to handle and work best on longer hair. They create perfect wavy beach hair.

Elliptical Curlers

These are the same as the regular curling wand, but they create uniform curls throughout the whole hair.

The shape of the curler determines the overall look, but another thing that matters is the size of it. Smaller barrels can give you more of a perm look, while bigger ones can give you looser and more natural curls!

Different Hairdressing Tool Materials

We have gone through the specifications of both the curling and flat iron, but let’s not forget to say just how much of a big role the type of material plays. Here are some of the materials to look for in hairdressing tools and their benefits.

Titanium

• Most durable and long-lasting material
• Achieves the highest temperatures in a fast time
• Good heat distribution which results in better-looking curls
• A great choice for thick hair

Ceramic

• Very fast heat-up
• Evenly distributes heat
• Can do less heat damage
• Preserves moisture

Tourmaline

• Best choice for fine and dull hair
• Makes hair shinier
• Perfect against frizz
• Achieves a good result even on a low-temperature setting

HAIR CARE Your Way To Success

Regardless if you are using a curling or flat iron, you are still applying heat onto your hair. This puts your hair at a high risk of getting split ends, drying up and losing its natural healthy shine. Fortunately, there are many hair care products out there that you can use to ensure both protection and a good hairdo.

The first thing that matters here besides the heat protection is your overall hair care routine. Yes, it is crucial for you to take care of your hair so it can be provided with all the right nutrients. Think about it, styling your already damaged and brittle hair won’t look so good in the end.

Now, there are tons of products you can choose from. You can choose to apply hair treatment oils such as Moroccan or Castor oil for healthier-looking and shinier hair. Leave-in conditioners are also a good choice if you don’t have time to let your regular conditioner sit in your hair while you are showering.

As you know, washing your hair too often will strip its’ natural oils and therefore make it dry out. Here a good pick is a quality dry shampoo that will you’re your hair look less greasy, meaning you won’t have to wash it every day.

I could go on and on about hair care routines and products, but that is a whole other topic. For now, at least don’t skip your conditioner and always apply your favourite heat protector. Taking your time when choosing the right type of hair products is a must to make sure your hair gets the best treatment in order to look stunning without losing its’ natural shine!

To Summarize

Nowadays, time is our worst enemy. Studying, going to work and all your other daily tasks can prevent you from giving yourself enough alone time. Looking your best is also a challenge, especially on a bad hair day. So, that’s why we recommend getting yourself the perfect hair styling tool that will give you a stunning effortless look. Curls and waves are the biggest trends today, so don’t miss out and always look your best with a curling hair tool in only a couple of minutes!