When buying hair styling tools that use heat, you have two main options to select from – straightening brush and flat iron. But these tools do almost the same thing but vary in different ways. This means choosing one means that you forego the benefits the other offers. But which one should you choose between the two?
Both hair straightening brushes and flat iron apply heat to style your hair. Therefore, both can damage your hair if you forget to set the right temperature or get the settings wrong. In this guide, we are going to help you pick the right hair styling tool between the two products. Here are the main things you need to consider:
Hair Styling
When it comes to hairstyling, the flat iron becomes the ultimate winner. These tools are incredibly amazing in many ways. First, you have plenty of styling options you can create with a flat. Whether you want a wavy, curly or straight hairstyle, then a flat iron would be the perfect tool for you. In addition to that, the advanced technology by flat iron companies makes it possible to have long-lasting styling results and lesser damage to the hair.
But with the straightening brushes, you have limited hairstyling options to select from. As the name suggests, these hair straightener hot brushes are purposely designed for hair straightening. If you want to keep straight hair, then this would be the perfect tool for you. But if you would like to change to several styling, then a hairbrush straightener is definitely not the styling tool to buy. Therefore, for hairstyling, flat iron the best tool.
Hair Damage
Hair damage is one of the biggest problems with styling tools. That’s why it is highly recommended that you avoid styling your hair daily. Both the straightening brush and the flat iron will damage your hair, but the latter is the most destructive. It is one of the styling tools that will significantly lessen the volume of your hair after using it for a while.
Unlike the straightening brush, the flat iron applies heat directly to the hair. Therefore, when used excessively or carelessly, it may cause permanent damage to the hair. Excessive use of the flat iron may also cause scalp dryness, which in turn would make it impossible for new hair to grow. So, you can easily become bald.
Hair straightening brushes are less damaging to your hair. These brushes do not heat the hair directly but use a mechanical action through a rotation mechanism. They do not have hot spots, which the most damaging to the hair. In addition to that, you can also use it for damp hair without damaging it. However, you must also observe the safety measures and use the brush properly. Set the right temperature for your hair
Hair Type
When it comes to selecting the styling tools that work for all hair types, then flat iron hair straightener is the best option. Whether you have a very thick, thin, frizzy, coarse or kinky hair, the flat iron is suitable for all hair types. These tools use high temperature to style your hair and heats directly by clamping the strands tightly between two heated plates. Although irons can be used for straightening thin and frizzy hair, they can cause a lot of damages.
But if you have thin and frizzy hair, then a straightening brush would be the ideal styling tool for you. These tools will protect your hair from direct contact with the heated plates. They do not use very high temperature to straighten the hair as it is with the flat iron. However, the brushes cannot work on very thick and kinky hair types. That’s the main limitation that makes inferior to the flat iron.
Ease of Use
The other factor that you need to consider when choosing between flat iron and hairbrush straighteners is the ease of use features. If you want to style your hair fast, which the best tool to use? If you are straightening hair for the first time, which is the best tool for you?
When it comes to the ease of use features, the flat iron is the best tool. If you buy ceramic and tourmaline flat irons, these plates heats very fast. In just a short time, the iron will be hot enough to handle even the thickest hair.
On the other hand, the straightening brush may heat faster but do not produce very high temperatures like the flat iron. Therefore, they will take a longer time to straighten your hair. In addition to that, brushes cannot handle thick or coarse hair types. So, when it comes to ease of use, go for a flat iron.
Heating Time & Efficiency
When it comes to heating time and efficiency, the Dafni hair straightening brush is the winner, for example. See our review for all the reasons why we recommend the Dafni. A flat iron on the other hand, takes a longer time to reach the desired temperature. The plates of the tools are generally narrow, and this means a smaller surface area compared to brushes. You might need to wait for 10 minutes for plates to get heated unless you are using ceramic and ionic technology. This means it will take you longer to straighten your hair, especially when styling thick or long hair.
With the flat iron, you will need to wash the hair, dry, and wear a heat protectant before you can start with the styling. You also need to put your hair in small sections and straighten each of the sections individually. A straightening brush heats up quicker than a flat iron. So, you don’t have to wait for minutes for the brush to reach the desired temperature. With styling brushes, you can work on damp hair without. Therefore, it will take you less time to style your hair with these tools.
If you have been torn between the flat iron and the straightening brush, now you have an idea of what’s convenient for you. The most important thing to know is your hair type, and then you will be able to get the best styling tool for your hair. Whichever tool you choose, ensure that you are getting the best quality in the market. Looking for help on how to clean your straightening brush? Click here for the perfect how-to guide.