5 Hot Tools You Need In Your Hairstyling Kit | HuffPost Life

Your hair deserves better than a crappy flat iron.

By

Executive Fashion And Beauty Editor, The Huffington Post

|

Shopping for a new hair straightener or curling iron can be tricky, especially if you have no idea where to start your search. So when we stumbled across this video featuring Birchbox social media editor and hot tool junkie Rachel Silver, we knew she'd give it to us straight.

Most flat irons tend to lose heat after the first run through your strands, but Silver says the GHD Platinum Styler boasts an advanced three-bar plate that allows the straightener to stay consistently hot. This technology also helps to minimize the amount of time you spend styling your hair. The Amika Thermal Brush is great for touching up an old blowout, as it features an internal ceramic pillar that heats up to smooth out frizzy locks.

Watch the video below to find out more about these hot tools, plus three others that Birchbox editors believe are a must-have for all your hairstyling needs.

Also On HuffPost:

How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your Hair

Hair Type: Curly/Wavy(01 of03)

Mane Problems
Frizz, dryness

You Need...
Hydrating shampoo and conditioner. On the ingredients list, look for fatty alcohols like cetyl and stearyl alcohol, which protect and moisturize, and silicones to add shine and softness, says Pantene senior scientist Rolanda Johnson Wilkerson, PhD. For extremely dry hair, use a deep conditioner weekly.

Try:
• Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo and Conditioner, $19 and $20; Redken.com for salons.
• John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner, $10; drugstores.
• Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each; drugstores.

Avoid...
Clarifying shampoo. It's designed to remove stubborn product buildup and can increase dryness, Wilkerson says.

Hair Type: Straight(02 of03)

Mane Problems
Flatness, frizz, damage

You Need...
Volumizing shampoo and conditioner that also boost shine. Look for panthenol, which moisturizes and increases sleekness and shine without weighing down hair, says Wilkerson. To strengthen damaged, brittle hair, use a conditioner with amino acids or keratin, adds Boston hairstylist Mario Russo.

Try:
• Nexxus New York Salon Care Diametress Rebalancing Shampoo, $12, and Restoring Conditioner, $17; drugstores.
• Pantene Pro-V Full & Strong Body Building Shampoo and Flexible Conditioner, $4 each; drugstores.

Avoid...
Deep conditioners. They contain high levels of moisturizing ingredients, which can make straight hair appear lifeless, Wilkerson says.

Hair Type: Coarse/Kinky(03 of03)

Mane Problems
Breakage, dryness

You Need...
Shampoo and conditioner that detangle, soften, and moisturize to treat the breakage caused by processing and styling. Look for silicones, like dimethicone, which help detangle hair, and natural oils, like coconut oil, to quench dryness. Because coarse hair needs intense moisturizing, add a hydrating hair mask to your routine once a week, says celebrity stylist Ken Paves. As hair improves, use it just twice a month and then eventually once a month.

Try:
• Motions Active Moisture Lavish Shampoo and Plus Conditioner, $5 each; drugstores.
• Ken Paves You Are Beautiful Thick Conditioning Mask, $18; Walmart.com.
• SoftSheen-Carson Optimum Salon Haircare Amla Legend Moisture Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.50 each; drugstores.

Avoid...
Protein treatments. They can cause the hair to stiffen and break, says Motions celebrity stylist Ursula Stephen.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Related

hot tools hot tools iron curling iron hair tools hot tools hair

Suggest a correction

|

From Our Partner

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

The Most Comfortable Sandals For Walking All Day, According To Tour Guides Who Live In Them

This $4 Cat Toy Is 'Worth Its Weight In Gold' — And Behaviorists Say There's A Reason

The Best Cream Blushes To Give Mature Skin That ‘Natural Glow’

13 Shoes Reviewers Say Are ‘Super Comfortable’ For Bunions

This Purse Was Made For Travel — And It's On Sale At The Lowest Price It's Been All Year

MORE IN LIFE

Wellness

6 Things You Should Do At Night If You Want To Be Happier In The Morning

Relationships

This Common Bedtime Habit Might Be Killing Your Relationship

Parenting

New Data Reveals The Unexpected Feeling 66% Of Parents Experience Regularly

Wellness

So THAT’S Why Your Voice Sounds Older When You Age

Life

Why Do Millennials Feel Compelled To Write ‘Lol’ After Everything?

Relationships

Why Do We Try To ‘Fix’ People In Our Relationships?

Relationships

5 Signs You're Dealing With Unresolved Grief

Shopping

8 Extremely Popular Emotional Support Water Bottles That You Can Get On Amazon

Shopping

34 Pieces So Cute That People Might Get A Bit Obsessed With You

Shopping

11 Of Amazon's Bestselling Kitchen Tools For Under $30

Food & Drink

8 Popular Cooking Tools That Chefs Say Are A Waste Of Money

Wellness

The 1 Thing Sleep Doctors Never, Ever Do In The Morning

Shopping

If You’re In Your 30s, Here Are 32 Comfy But Elevated Pieces You Might Fall In Love With

Parenting

Want A Better Relationship With Your Adult Children? Do These 6 Things

Shopping

35 Things To Improve The Appearance Of Your Kitchen Without A Renovation

Shopping

8 Genius Laundry Products To Make Wash Day Less Dreadful

Shopping

This Is The Bedding That Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed With

Shopping

These 11 Hardworking Beauty Products Are Some Of Amazon's Bestsellers Right Now

Food & Drink

Eliminating These 3 Foods From Your Diet Can Be A Game-Changer For Heart Health

Wellness

I'm A Colorectal Cancer Doctor. Here Are 5 Things I'd Never Do.

Shopping

If You Feel Like You Spend Practically All Day In Your Car, You Might Want To Try One Of These 34 Products

Shopping

This Cult-Fave Countertop Ice Maker Churns Out Sonic-Style Nugget Ice — And It's $150 Off

Parenting

The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week

Life

The Funniest Tweets From Women This Week

Shopping

This Hair Trimmer That Significantly Reduced My Shaving Time Is On Sale At Amazon Right Now

Shopping

24 Spring Things Under $20 You’ll Probably Want To Add To Your Amazon Cart

Shopping

Reviewers Say These Are The Best Eyeliners That Glide Onto Mature Skin

Shopping

These Are The Sunscreens Men Tolerate — And Even Better, Actually Like

Shopping

If You Can’t Wait To Start Using Your Backyard Again, Here Are 28 Things To Get

Shopping

This Internet-Beloved Bedding Brand Is Having Its Biggest Sale Of The Year

Shopping

This Handy Household Tool Is A Total Game-Changer — And It's 53% Off Right Now

Shopping

This Pressure Washer Is 'The Best Thing You Didn't Know You Needed' -- And It's 20% Off Today

Life

The Common Running Mistake That Might Be Causing You Knee Pain

Home & Living

Swedish Death Cleaning Might Be The Key To Ending Clutter

Shopping

These Comfortable Slip-On Shoes Can Really Help Folks With Limited Mobility

Shopping

This $17 French Moisturizer Is Amazon’s Best-Kept Beauty Secret

Shopping

These Hassle-Free Blenders Double As To-Go Cups — And Reviewers Are Obsessed

Shopping

Reviewers Are Obsessed With These Comfortable Sneaker Sandals — Here's Why

Shopping

35 Cute Pieces Reviewers Are Already Buying This Spring

Wellness

Data Reveals This Is The Happiest Country In The World For People Over 60