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Haircare Appliances buying guide

Introduction

Whether you want a curling iron, hairclippers, curling tongs, hair dryer, or hair straighteners, there are many hair appliances to choose from, letting you get the perfect hair styling results you want.

Hair appliances have certainly evolved since their early days. Curling irons and straightening irons both use heat to change the structure of your hair, and both were originally heated on the stove, rather than being electrically controlled appliances. Heat them too little, and they weren’t effective. Heat them too much, and your hair got singed off. In the 1960s, women used clothes irons to straighten hair because the modern straightening iron hadn’t yet been invented. Again you have the problem of scorching your hair, but at least there was some control on the heat setting. Of course, kneeling down with your hair draped over the ironing board doesn’t sound very comfortable!

Luckily, both women and men can take advantage of the latest home hair appliances. Some of the popular straightening devices include the GHD ceramic thong, Babybliss straighteners, Vidal Sassoon straighteners, the GHD IV hair straightener, a GHD mini straightener, and numerous other ceramic hair straighteners. You can even find short hair straighteners, men’s straighteners, and cordless hair straighteners, offering options for all hair types and travel needs.

While hair straightening seems to be the popular trend at the moment, those seeking curls certainly aren’t left out. The Babyliss curling iron is just one of the many curling irons and curling tongs available for your styling needs. For drying, consider the Remington Shine Therapy dryer, a Babyliss dryer, or an ionic dryer. Don’t forget a hair clipper set, perfect for all your home haircutting needs, or even just a quick trim between appointments.

Whatever your styling needs, Price Inspector can help you sort through all the information to buy cheap hair appliances. We’ve researched the models, shopped the UK stores, and gathered all the information you need to make an informed choice.

 Types of Hair Care Appliances

  • Curling irons which are also called curling tongs, create curls or waves. Modern curling irons vary by type of handle, diameter and shape of barrel, and diameter. The diameter usually ranges from 1.3 cm to 5.1 cm, with smaller barrels used for spiral curls and larger barrels used for volume. Common materials include ceramic, Teflon, tourmaline, or titanium. The most typical barrel shape is a cylinder, but there are also cones, reverse cones, and brush attachments, as well as double or triple barrel designs.
  • The handle can be spring-loaded or clip-less. The most common is a spring loaded, as the barrel’s clamp is controlled by a spring. They are generally less expensive and easier to use, but if the spring is too tight, it can form a crimp in the hair. With clip-less curling irons, the user wraps the around the barrel by hand. This style of iron usually comes with a Kevlar glove to prevent burns.
  • Straightening irons use heating plates to straighten hair, and the higher-end models use ceramic heating elements, which provide consistent heat and fast heating times. The better the plate, the easier your hair straightens, and with less damage. Less expensive models do not use ceramic, although some use a paint coating to look like ceramic. These coatings actually cause more damage to hair. All flat irons create damage, either through heat or mechanical damage. You can’t avoid heat damage, but you can reduce the mechanical damage by using better plates.
  • A hair dryer is an electric appliance that uses cool, warm, or hot air to dry your hair, speeding up the evaporation of water from your hair. Using blow dryers gives you better control over the shape and style of your hair. Care should be used to avoid heat damage, such as using cooler air settings and not drying your hair until all the water has evaporated.
  •  Hair clippers: Most hair clippers today are electric, and there are many grades available for personal home use. They are frequently sold in kits with other accessories like guides and combs. Consumer grade clippers closely mimic the quality available in professional models, with the main remaining difference being the amount of insulation for extended use.

Consider these tips when buying hair appliances

  • If you have long, thick hair, you will need a heavier duty appliance than a person who has fine, thin hair. Make sure the curling or straightening iron clip expands enough to accommodate a thick section of hair. A hair dryer might need heavier insulation because you’ll be using it for longer periods of time.
  • If you have fine, thin hair, it will be more prone to damage than thick hair. Make sure there are cooler heat settings on the appliances, such as variable heat settings on a curling or straightening iron, and a cool air setting on the hair dryer.
  • Consider the weight of the appliance, comparing models against each other to find one that feels comfortable in your hand. Especially for long hair, you could be using the device for an extended period of time, and you don’t want to experience fatigue from a heavy piece of equipment.
  • Find out what type of heating process is used. Metal or plastic materials are less expensive, but they cause more damage to your hair. The better appliances will use ceramic heated materials, which causes less damage and leaves your hair looking shiny.
  • Consider the wattage of the hair dryer before buying. A heavier-duty hair dryer will have higher wattage settings, which will also cost more to run and have greater impact on the environment.
  • For hair clippers, consider the cutting blades. Cutters are either ceramic, which do not corrode and remain cool, or stainless steel, which does not rust and is more durable than ceramic.

 Popular hair appliance brands

  • Babyliss is a leading manufacturer of electric hair care appliances, including hair dryers, tongs, crimpers, and straighteners. They also provide a variety of hair clippers, trimmers, and hair removal products. They manufacture products for professional use, and use the same expertise to design high-end products for home use.
  • GHD has been a popular choice with celebrities since their launch in 2001, and they offer free next-day delivery in the UK, as well as a 2-year guarantee. They have experienced counterfeit products bearing the GHD name, so take care that you are buying from a reputable source.
  • Nicky Clarke: Nicky Clarke uses his expertise as a celebrity hair stylist to create a high-end line of home hair care products. The company has created an extensive range of high quality products used by Nicky Clarke and at his salons. The products are designed to give you frizz-free glossy results at home.
  • Andis is known for their professional line of clippers, available for both humans and animals. For more than 75 years, they have manufactured top-of-the-line hair clippers and trimmers, and they also make curling irons and hair dryers.
  • One of the better known names in hair appliances throughout the world is Conair. They are best known for making reliable, affordable home hair care appliances, perfect for any budget.
  • Corioliss focuses on professional equipment, rather than home use, with the upper end prices associated with that market. They are well-designed, high-quality tools, if your budget will support the expense.

Tips for looking after your hair

There are some easy, and free, tips to keep your hair looking nice, ones that won’t take a lot of extra effort.

  •  First, when washing your hair, make sure your hair is completely wet before you add the shampoo. This helps minimize breakage. Don’t lather for more than 30 seconds, then rinse with cool water to seal the hair shaft.
  • Don’t use a brush on wet hair, because it’s more likely to break. Instead use a wide-toothed comb to detangle. When brushing dry hair, dampen your brush first, because this will reduce the amount of static electricity generated.
  • Thoroughly dry your hair with a towel before blow drying, but don’t rub it too vigorously. This helps avoid heat damage, which makes your hair frizzy and dull. Also, use the lowest appropriate heat setting on all your hair care appliances.
  • If you have fine hair that suffers from build-up (such as from conditioners or styling products), add a small amount of baking soda to your shampoo once a week, then rinse as usual. Apple cider vinegar is another effective rinse agent, and there won’t be any leftover aroma once your hair dries.
  • Finally, one of the most common hair mistakes is washing it too often. This leaves your hair brittle and damaged. Unless you have very oily hair, it only needs to be washed every other day at most. If you have to wash frequently due to oily hair, make sure to use a low pH shampoo. 
Buying Guide to Haircare Appliances
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