2019-09-01_Fairlady

and length. Narrow plates are

best if you have short, fine hair;

medium plates are better for short

or medium-length hair. Smaller

plates offer more versatility and

precision to work in close to the

roots – they’re also great for curling

(less housing to get in the way).

Wide plates work best on long,

thick hair.

• HIGH HEAT SETTINGS
  Straighteners with this feature
  usually perform well, but too
  much heat is damaging to your
  hair. If you have fine or damaged
  hair, opt for a lower heat setting.
  Those with thicker hair can
  turn up the heat – once you’ve
  consulted your hairstylist about the
  appropriate setting, that is.


• BE SURE TO apply a heat
  protectant to the hair before using
  a hair straightener.

00000

GHD PLATINUM+

ABOUT R3 300; GHDHAIR.COM/ZA

ghd is probably the best-known heat

styler – and for good reason, if this hair tool

is anything to go by. It was undoubtedly

the favourite among testers. It distributes

heat effectively and is gentle, making it

compatible with all hair types. It glided

through the hair smoothly, with no

snagging, and reached roots well. At an

optimum heat of 185°C, it didn’t take too

many passes to straighten hair, achieving

long-lasting, smooth and shiny results. The

plates heat up quickly and are wide enough

but not too big to manoeuvre. If not in use

for 30 minutes, the styler switches to sleep

mode, which is a useful safety feature. Some

testers with thick hair would have preferred

an adjustable temperature setting.

VERDICT: Superior performance and

results– thisstylercancopewith just about

anyhairtype.If theheftypricetagis no

objectthisis a

00000

CLOUD NINE

ABOUT R2 900; WWW.

CLOUDNINEHAIR.CO.ZA

The Cloud Nine was one of the quickest

to straighten hair effectively, producing

long-lasting results: smooth, silky hair that

wasn’t stringy. It heats up quickly and

passes through the hair without snagging.

Multiple heat settings mean it can be used

on various hair types. Heat distribution was

even, though testers with thin hair found

the maximum setting scalding, while those

with thick hair found it very effective. The

slim design and lightness of the device

make it comfortable to grip and manoeuvre.

Testers found it to be brilliant at both

straightening and creating rounded curls.

The controls are straightforward to operate.

Also, the ceramic plates don’t open very

widelyandcan'tbelocked.

VERDICT:A versatiletoolthatdelivers

WETEST: HAIR STRAIGHTENERS

BUYERS’ GUIDE

• PLATES are made from a range
  of material, of which ceramic is
  the most common. Tourmaline has
  ionic properties that decrease frizz
  and lock in moisture. Titanium
  distributes heat evenly without
  burning hair and is a good
  conductor of negative ions. This
  enhances hair’s hydration, giving
  you more shine.


• FEATURES: Make sure that
  the cord is long enough to reach
  the power point comfortably.
  Automatic shut-off is useful, and
  a digital display of temperature
  settings offers greater accuracy. The
  more costly models have advanced
  features like ionic technology,
  floating plates, moisture protect
  sensors and more.


• THE SIZE & WIDTH of
  the plates depend on hair type

112 Fairlady/September 2019

Test house

TEST HOUSE EDITOR TASNEEM LARNEY

A HAIR

STRAIGHTENER

IS A VERSATILE

TOOL NO MATTER

WHAT YOUR HAIR’S

TEXTURE. HERE’S

OUR PICK OF

THE BEST.

object, thisisagreatchoice.

anexcellentperformance with a smooth,

frizz-freefinish.