Six Flat Iron Mistakes You May Be Making & How to Avoid Them - Calicapelli
We’ve all seen the videos of girls burning entire strands of their hair off with a flat iron. We gasped in shock along with them, closed the video, and briefly considered throwing out our flat iron altogether simply to avoid becoming another viral sensation.
Before you toss the flat iron out of the window, take a breath. The reality is when used correctly, flat irons are a versatile hot tool that can create a wide range of styles: sleek straight hair, beachy waves, spiraled curls, and everything between. The possibilities are endless, but only if you know how to wield your flat iron properly.
Continue reading to learn more about the most common flat iron mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can style safely and achieve salon-worthy tresses.
Mistake #1: Your flat iron has no temperature button.
Having a heat setting on your hot tools is critical to minimize heat damage and protect your hair. The temperature gauge effectively removes the guesswork from the process. You should refrain from setting your flat iron at the highest temperature, which is typically around 450 degrees. Instead, try to stay in the 300 to 400-degree range, which will still deliver smooth results without causing permanent damage.
CaliCapelli specializes in high-quality flat irons that can achieve several styles: flat, wavy, curly – you name it. Each flat iron features a temperature gauge (140-450 degrees), allowing you to control the heat intensity with each use.
Mistake #2: You skip heat protectant.
We get it. When you’re getting ready in a rush, skipping heat protectant is a compelling move to get out of the door quickly. However, doing so may cause irreparable damage. Think about it. You wouldn’t remove a hot baking pan out of the oven without mitts on, right? The same principle applies when it comes to your hair.
To defend your locks from further damage, apply a heat protectant on damp or dry hair, avoiding the scalp, and comb to evenly distribute the product before heat styling.
Mistake #3: Your hair is still wet.
This is an absolute must to maintain the health of your hair.Apart from your heat protectant, you should wait to apply all other products, including serums and oils, until you have finished styling your hair. If you’re running low on time, bust out the blow dryer and run it through your hair, aiming it downwards to encourage it to dry smooth. Pro tip: set your blow dryer to a low temperature to avoid excessive frizz.
Mistake #4: You’re straightening large sections.
We understand that styling your hair can be a time-consuming process, causing patience and sense to wear thin. However, in order to achieve a sleek style, you’ll need to put in the work. (Don’t worry – you’ll get quicker with practice!)
In theory, flat ironing large sections of hair should cut your styling time in half, but it’s counterproductive, unfortunately, as you’ll have to go over the hair repeatedly to ensure every strand is straightened. A good rule of thumb to follow is taking sections as wide as the plate of your flat iron. If you’re using your CaliCapelli flat iron, which features 1-inch plates, opt for 1-inch sections of hair. Trust us – your future self will thank you!
Mistake #5: You straighten the same sections over and over.
If you’re trying to achieve perfectly straight hair, the urge to flat iron the same sections multiple times is all too appealing. That is how you straighten each strand, right?
WRONG! Following this method provides a fast track to permanently damaged hair, making it a big mistake you’ll want to avoid.
If you have to pass through the same sections more than twice, your flat iron isn’t performing or you’re not applying enough tension. Instead, you should take a clean section and close the clamp of the straightener at the root, and slightly twist the iron downward to create tension. This technique will ensure your locks look effortlessly smooth.
Mistake #6: Your flat iron is dirty.
Maintaining your hot tools is essential to successfully style your hair with minimal damage. Think about the amount of heat protectant and styling products that collect along the edges after several uses. After all, a clean flat iron will yield better results, making it a critical step to implement periodically or once a month.
So, how exactly do you clean a flat iron? You’ll want to dampen a cotton swab or soft towel in rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe the residue away. You can also use a damp towel to wipe the plates while the iron is still warm and unplugged.
