Summer can mean days at the pool and wet hair – but it can also mean vacations and nights at the beach bar. In times like these, you need hair tools that work quickly for easy styling that withstands humidity. Some of our favorites, including Dyson’s pricey Airstraight and Airwrap, are currently on sale.
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Hair Straightener Deals
Read our Best Hair Straighteners And Best Hair Dryer See the guide for more recommendations.
Dyson Airstraight (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a favorite of some on the WIRED staff. Using high-velocity downward blades of air, it dries and straightens hair without you having to press hair between hot plates. Like most Dyson appliances, it styles without burning hair so your hair can have more good days and break less. Depending on your hair type, you may need to use the wet mode first until hair dries, and then switch to the dry mode to smooth out any puffiness. You may have to play around to figure out whether your hair needs to be damp or dry — it’s Did Straightened my thick curls quite effectively, but it did take longer than my preferred method.
It’s still pricey, but if you’re looking to buy this blowout tool, it might be worth it. Airwrap Complete (8/10, WIRED recommends) comes with a curling barrel for long hair (and it changes direction so you won’t need two), a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb and two brush attachments, plus the impressive smoothing dryer attachment that actually eliminates flyaway hairs.
If the GHD is more in your budget, it has a similar concept to the Dyson Airstraight, but uses traditional plates. Hot air vents in between the plates dry your hair first. Depending on your hair type and desired style, this may be enough. If not, turn on the plates and straighten your hair as usual.
This is one of the best flat irons I’ve used on my thick, stubborn hair. My curls didn’t stick to it, and it didn’t pull or fry them as it straightened them. The outer stainless steel house also heats up for easy curling if that’s a problem for you. However, I don’t like where the temperature buttons are placed. I was constantly changing settings while styling.
GHD has other hair tools we love, such as the Chronos. This flat iron has a new technology to distribute heat more evenly and keep it at 365 degrees Fahrenheit – GHD tools only have one temperature setting, which is enough to style a lot of hair without damage, but I always need more heat. The Chronos has a round shape which helps create easier curls.
Vibrating iron! It seems like more than enough, but somehow it creates just the right tension, allowing you to straighten your hair in fewer passes without tearing it. Our tester straightened one side of her head with vibration and one without. She said it was noticeably shinier and only went through each section once with vibration, compared to two to three passes with the other side.
A writer for Wired says it’s the best hair dryer she’s ever used, giving her smooth, shiny blowouts without overheating. It’s also not too bulky, which is good if you have a lot of hair. It comes with two air concentrator nozzles, but no diffuser; you’ll have to use it Buy it separatelyBe aware of the speed and heat control buttons, as they are right where your hand goes.
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