STACK #198 Apr 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Free Stylin’ We chec k out th e best in hair tec h. Words Bec Summ er

I n recent times, we have all been forced to think outside the box when it comes to hair care. For many, a trip to the salon in 2020 was periodically interrupted by lockdowns, and, as some pics across social media revealed, hair got out of hand. The flip side, of course, is that when the chips are down we get resourceful, and consequently, sales of hair care tech for home use went through the roof. Respectable presentation was still important – from the waist up at least – during those incessant working from home virtual meetings. As with every line of consumer tech, whether it’s earbuds or a smartwatch, the question arises: Where do you start when presented with a veritable sea of different products? Searching for the right hair care product can be overwhelming, but the old adage of ‘buy it once, buy it for life’ certainly applies here. You can never go past quality.

There's a hair tool for every job – whether you want to go out, head to the office or just stay at home. But when it comes to styling tools, the two essentials in any discerning home salon are a straightener and a curler. In brief, here’s what you should be looking out for...

Straightener A hair straightener is one of the most expensive tools in your kit, so you'll want one that will last. A good straightener will not only leave your hair looking professionally finished and healthy, it will also prevent it from being

damaged. A straightener works by modifying the hydrogen bonds in your

hair, which determine its natural shape. When you add heat, these bonds are temporarily rearranged and the hair is straightened. Ceramic plates generally work better on fine hair,

Curler A curling iron or brush works in the same way as a straightener, altering the hydrogen bonds through the use of heat and changing the shape and texture of the hair. The size of the barrel will depend on the size of the curl. Smaller barrels will work better with shorter styles, while larger barrels are more suited to longer hair. Choose a curling iron with an adjustable temperature setting, as different hair types require different settings. A ceramic surface is good for all hair types, whereas tourmaline and titanium are excellent options for thicker hair. Cleaning Inevitably, your curling iron and straighteners will pick up residue after prolonged use. Make sure the styling tool is unplugged and cool to touch. Firstly, try to remove the grime with a microfibre cloth. If that doesn’t work, apply some rubbing alcohol to the cloth. For tough, baked-on dirt, use the rubbing alcohol when the styling tool is still warm to touch.

while titanium plates are best suited to hair that’s thicker.

Heated History

Nearly 150 years ago, a Parisian called Francois Marcel Grateau devised a way of curling his customers’ hair by using irons heated in a fire. Not our idea of fun! However in 1895, a woman named Ada Harris patented her idea for a hair straightener. The design consisted of two metal plates attached to a hinge and should therefore be considered the grandmother of the hair straightener we know and love today.

34 APRIL 2021

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