We all use hair tools on our hair these days in way or another. Here are a few tips on how to use them correctly and what each tool can do for your hair.

Flat Irons

Best For: Creating sleek straight hair.

Always remember to dry your hair off properly before using a flat iron. Make sure to use a heat protecting product before styling. If you have thick curly hair blow dry your hair first or brush it out with a paddle brush for maximum results.

Step by Step:

1. Section clean, dry hair.

2. Taking your flat iron in one hand, and grab a section of hair with the other.

3. Start as close to the roots as you are comfortable with, placing the section of hair between the plates clamp your iron onto the hair.

4. Slowly glide the iron down the section until you reach the ends of your hair.

Recommended Flat Irons

ghd gold styler – R1999.00

Ti Style – R1450.00

Toni&Guy Signature Collection 230 Digital Straightener – R499.00

Curling Tongs

Best For: Creating quick luscious locks.

There are various kinds of curling irons available on the market today. Metal plated curling irons, ceramic curling irons and tourmaline ceramic curling irons.

Try not to go for the metal curling irons as theses ‘cook’ your hair and over time will damage your hair. The tourmaline and ceramic plates produce gentler more controlled heat. Try choosing a curling iron which has heat temperature settings. This is a good option to have as not everyone’s hair is the same; thicker hair will need a higher temperature while with thin hair you will need to turn it down.

Step by step:

1. Practice briefly with your curling tongs off to get the movement and feel for it.

2. Dry your hair thoroughly – wet hair gives limp curls which won’t form properly and damages your hair.

3. Comb through your hair so it won’t tangle and spray a heat protector on.

4. For long hair start at the back of your head

5. For short hair try start at the crown of your head.

6. Curl as little hair at a time so it is best to section your hair with clips.

7. With hair secured by the curling tong, roll it up to just a few centimeters away from your scalp. Hold it there for 10 seconds.

8. Release the curl carefully. If you have long hair, you can hold the curl in place with a clip to keep its shape while you keep working.

9. Use a hair spray to hold your curls in place.

Recommended Curling Tongs

Babyliss Easy Curl – R399.00

Veaudry My Curl – R1790.00

Curlers/Self Grip Rollers

Best for: Creating long lasting defined curls.

Anti static rollers are best used for creating long lasting curls. There are many different types of rollers available and they also come in small to large sizes depending on the size and type of curl you want to create.

Step by Step:

1. Add your preferred styling product to your hair.

2. For a simple set of curls, take a 5cm section of your hair from center front or the same width as the roller you are using.

3. Comb hair straight up getting rid of any knots.

4. Wrap the end of the hair that you sectioned around the roller. Wind the roller down towards the scalp keeping the tension even.

5. Thermoceramic rollers will stay in place themselves, if you are not using thermoceramic rollers you will need pins to hold them.

6. Continiue with same size sections until whole head is done

7. Heat the set of curlers for a few minutes with a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer. This will enable the special heat-retaining band on thermoceramic rollers to warm up.

8. Leave rollers in hair until they are completely cool.

9. To remove the rollers begin at the nap of the neck. Carefully remove rollers one at a time.

Recommended Curlers

Denman Thermoceramic Rollers – R69.95

Hair Dryers

There are many different ways of drying ones hair. You can use a hairdryer to just dry off your hair, style your hair or use it for touch ups. Remember to always use a heat protector spray when styling your hair.

Step by step:

1. Towel dry your hair off slightly first to get rid of dripping hair and excess water. Do not rub your hair with the towel as this causes friction damaging your hair. Rather wrap the towel around your hair and squeeze gently.

2. Separate your hair into sections. The bigger the sections, the longer they will take to dry.

3. Start blow drying at the top of your head a few centimeters away from your scalp. Always go in a downward motion.

4. Work your way around until each section is dry. Never keep the heat on the same spot for too long as you will burn your hair and cause damage.

5. When you are done finish off with a blast of cold air to lock in shine.

6. If needed add a drop of anti-frizz serum.

Recommended Hair Dryers

Toni&Guy Signature Collection – Ultimate Compact Salon Dryer –R399.00

Ti Creative Style Salon Dryer – R900.00

Enjoy these hair care tips today and see the difference tomorrow!

Article by: Zoe Gruss www.beautybulletin.com