Typically when we think of a flat iron we think of only hair straightening. However, with the right technique a flat iron can also be used to flip and curl your hair. The key is to have a flat iron with plates that are as close to 1" inch as possible and if your hair is short then even smaller.
To begin you need to ensure that your flat iron is best suited for your hair type. If your hair is hard to straighten then a titanium product like the BabylissPro Nano Titanium might be the right choice. Alternatively, if your hair is finer and not as difficult to straighten then a tourmaline product may be the way to go. This however does not mean that you have to go out and buy a new flat iron if you already have one; instead try adjusting the heat with higher settings for thick hair and vice versa.
Next you need to apply a thermal heat styling product. This serves as a protective barrier between the hot plates and your hair. Without it you run the risk of damaging your hair, which can lead to drying and breakage. There are numerous products available so find one that you really like. If you are still looking then you might try the Miracle Leave-In product by 'It's a 10'. This is a great choice as it is a flat iron spray, thermal protector and stops breakage while adding shine.
Lastly before we get started a few important tips. You should never flat iron your hair when it is dirty. The best results come from freshly washed hair that is dry. Although, it does not make much difference whether you blow dry your hair or let it dry naturally. Yet, blow drying does have the risk of damaging your hair as well.
1. Hair Straightening
The first thing you need to do is brush or comb through your hair and then place it into sections. The easiest and fastest way is to grab the hair at the top of the head twist it around and place in a clip. Secondly, section across the upper part of your ears and again twist it around and place in a clip. This will leave all the hair from your ears down to the back of the neck out and ready for straightening. You should always start from the bottom working your way up so that you finish off with the top part of the head last.
Now comb through the section that is left out again. This is important because if there are tangles the hair will not be able to smoothly pass through the plates causing snagging and pulling. If your hair is very curly or frizzy you will need to comb each section prior to running the flat iron across it. Next grab a portion of the hair approximately 1" inch across and place the flat iron as close to the root as possible making sure that you do not burn your scalp. Generally, about a ¼ inch away from the scalp is best and try not to take too much hair through the flat iron at one time. Salon results come from smaller amounts of hair where each strand is able to glide evenly between the plates.
Now that you have a section of hair between the plates start pulling the flat iron through. You should not be squeezing the plates together really hard. The goal is to allow the hair to freely glide between the plates. If this is not happening you may have too much hair that you are trying to pull through at once - try dividing your section in half.
The next and most important part is the speed at which you are pulling the flat iron through your hair. If you are pulling too quickly you will not get the results that you want and if you are pulling too slowly you run the risk of damaging your hair. A good rule of thumb when you are first learning is to count out loud "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three" and move the flat iron according to this speed. If your hair is extremely curly and harder to straighten then slow this speed down just a little. When you get to the end of the hair hold it just slightly longer. This will ensure that you get perfectly clean edges.
2. Flipping
Hair flipping, or sometimes referred to as flicking, is a great way to get some movement on the ends of the hair. Whether you flip the hair inward or outward does not change the technique only the rotation of the wrist.
To begin you follow all of the same steps as outlined in the straightening section. You want to ensure that you start at the root so that the rest of the hair is smooth and silky with the flip being only on the ends. Remember to pull through smaller sections and count out loud to maintain an adequate speed. When you get closer to the ends turn your wrist either inward or outward forcing the hair now to glide through the plates at an angle. Remember movement of the hair happens according to where the heated plates are; so the more you turn your wrist the stronger the flip.
The secret to a perfect flip is to slow the speed down slightly, while continuing to turn the wrist. The most important thing is to have continuous movement almost like you are walking through the hair, but don't let go of the tension between the plates at this will leave marks in the hair (they almost look like lines and you don't want that). The movement is steady with an even tension at a slow speed.
3. Curling
Curling the hair with a flat iron is probably the most difficult technique to master. However, once you get the hang of it you will see that it really isn't that hard. Again you will begin with the same steps as outlined in the straightening section. Then you need to decide where you would like to place the curls. Do you want tight curls starting from the top of the head or loose wavy curls that start about half way down. It is a good idea to begin at the root of the hair as this will ensure an overall polished look rather than just starting where you want the curl.
Section the hair as indicated previously taking approximately 1" inch and placing it in between the plates. Now when you want to begin the curl turn the flat iron either inward or outward, depending on the direction of the curl that you want, and start rolling it with the hair loosely around it. Remember you want the flat iron to be constantly moving so you are rolling it in the palm of your hand, while the hair is evenly going through the plates. The tighter you hold the hair and roll the flat iron the tighter the curls. Do not pull on the hair or hold it between the plates for a long period of time. If your hair is harder to curl you will need to hold it slightly longer, but not more than two seconds.
In closing, remember to always use a thermal protector on your hair. This is imperative to ensure that no damage is done during this process. Also, try to match the flat iron to your specific hair type or work with the heat setting to get optimal results. These techniques take a little bit of time to master, but once you get it you will have beautiful salon quality styles that last.
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