Best flat iron for thick, kinky hair

KinkyPJ · 08-31-2009, 12:19 PM

Hi ladies, I was just wondering what you all are using to straighten your hair. I need/want to update my current flat iron (Babyliss Pro) b/c I no longer find it effective. The BP was great when I was transitioning but now that I’m completely natural it’s sort of useless. I’ve heard loads of positive reviews on the Maxiglide, CHI, FHI, Solia, Sedu etc. but I guess it’s all relative unless the reviewer has the same or similar hair texture as your own. Anywho, please weigh-in on your flat ironing experiences.

Thanks a bunch, KPJ

Lynnery · 09-03-2009, 09:31 AM

I've only flat ironed my hair once since going natural but i have a Generic Chi. It works very well. I do think its all about the technique when it comes to straightening natural hair or hair in general.

Just make sure you have a heat protectant and that your flat iron has a temperature setting.

KinkyPJ · 09-04-2009, 09:55 AM

Thanks Lynnery. I agree that technique is key, still working on that.

frau · 09-04-2009, 10:05 AM

my daughter has been asking me this question but i don't (won't) flat iron my hair. hoping for more responses!

jamaica68 · 09-06-2009, 12:07 PM

I have a Maxiglide and a Sedu Ceramic Flat Iron(both were on sale and I couldn't choose lol), I've only used them once(used one on each side; the Sedu is very light and the Maxiglide is a little heavier). I didn't want my hair bone straight but each flat iron worked well for my 4b hair. I used a heat protectant because I was very nervous about heat damage.

Chech youtube there are a lot of reviews for the Sedu, Maxiglide, Chi's and etc. Youtube is another reason why I couldn't make up my mind lololol

Hope this helps.

naturalnat · 09-09-2009, 02:23 PM

This is my third time going natural. And for the most part, I've only flat ironed my hair this time around (until joining this site).

This was my weekly routine:
-Wash & Condition
-Use a light leave in conditioner
-Part my hair about 4 times straight back and grease each part lightly
-KeraCare straightening cream (you have to play with it to figure out how much you need for your hair. a little goes a LONG way)
-sit under the hooded dryer THEN hand blow dry with comb attachment (or just use the hand blow dryer)
-part into 4 sections
-CHI flat iron (very small sections at a time). don't hold the flat iron on your hair. just pull it through from root to end.
-for body i would then roll my hair with satin wrapped sponge rollers overnight. then wrap it at night for the rest of the week.

All in all, it took me about 3 hours. But my hair was bone straight... most people thought it was permed. It wasn't unhealthy and actually looked pretty nice. (I'll try and post a pic or two)

The only downside for me was that my got used to being straight (I did this for about 3 years). So my curl pattern has changed.

I LOVE the CHI. It's ceramic (which is supposedly better for your hair) and it comes in a variety of sizes. I have the 1/2 " which I found to be better for straightening my head of hair.

Hope this helps.

KinkyPJ · 09-17-2009, 10:00 AM

Thanks ladies!

@Jamaica68, natural hair Youtubers have me on the fence about all things hair related. All of those ladies look great and they all swear by something different, lol.

Niayoka · 09-26-2009, 01:50 AM

i have a maxiglide and i love it, depending on what you want you can get your hair bone straight or have a little texture. I love the steam and my hair feels soft and silky after i use it. I think it is worth the money i've had mine for about 5 months and i dont think its as damaging as alot of the other flat irons out there. heres a pic of my hair straightened with the maxiglide.the first one is when i first got my maxiglide my har has grown about two to three inches since then. O and some people complain about the maxiglide pulling your hair out. I dont have that problem and i have very thick 4b hair. as long as you detangle before hand you should be fine.

jamaica68 · 09-26-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KinkyPJ

Thanks ladies!

@Jamaica68, natural hair Youtubers have me on the fence about all things hair related. All of those ladies look great and they all swear by something different, lol.

I know, that's why I had a hard time deciding and ended up with both.

@ Niayoka, I've heard the same thing(maxiglide pulling hair out) but I think they may be using it incorrectly. I didn't have that problem, my hair was detangled well and I did very small sections.

ivyseabreeze · 01-12-2010, 09:44 PM

As long as you have a good flat iron, ceramic plated not coated with two essential products, a good heat protectant and something to block the humidity, you should be good. A technique I use is to use a comb when I am gliding with the flat iron. It helps to glide the hair straight which is especially needed at the ends. A comb with long teeth helps with keeping the hair in the comb while you are gliding; I am uncoordinated and need the extra wiggle room. I have a original chi, maxi glide (old and new one), fhi platform, le angelique turbo and a jilbere de Paris (this one I do not recommend). The 1st five flat irons are ceramic plated and will work just as good as any other as long as you are using the right product and technique.

kikisf · 01-13-2010, 05:47 PM

[QUOTE=KinkyPJ;1086123]Hi ladies, I was just wondering what you all are using to straighten your hair. I need/want to update my current flat iron (Babyliss Pro) b/c I no longer find it effective.

I had a Babyliss and had to upgrade when I went natural.

Blowdrying with a T3 makes a HUGE difference
http://www.t3micro.com/dryers/
I like the T3 domed flatiron because it gives me straight or straight with curled ends or spirally curls.
http://www.discountbeautycenter.com/...Iron-52893.htm
For flat flat straight the wide plate Hai was perfect when my hair was longer.

ajna · 01-17-2010, 04:53 PM

+1 for the maxiglide. The steam feature really sold me, plus I like the fact that I can let me hair air dry in braids flat iron straight.

vicky86 · 01-18-2010, 02:21 AM

I have a Hair Flat Iron which bought from an online Hong Kong shop. There are still have many different kind of Hair Flat Irons.

That versatile styling tool has an ergonomic design and curved edge plates to create any style from straight to curly. So I am not worry about my hair jumbled at all if I need to go out.

MixedUpCurlyChick · 01-26-2010, 01:55 AM

I've never gotten my hair very straight with the Maxiglide. I've used it less than 10 times probably but I've had it about 2 years. I'm sure its possible, but when I was using the HAI, my hair came out much straighter. Some people think the HAI is comparable to the Chi, which a lot of folks think is the best one. I've never tried the Chi but next time I buy an iron, that will probably be the one I get. I will say that I think the Maxiglide is better for your (gy) hair IMO. I'm going to try setting my hair in curlformers before I straighten next time. I think that might help. In the past I've blown it dry without using a comb or brush so I'm basically working with a huge fuzzball when I do this lol.

Stephanie198907 · 01-26-2010, 01:57 AM

Sedu

kenzie! · 02-01-2010, 04:09 AM

I know I definitely don't belong in the 4 boards, but I have a 1.5" CHI Turbo and I love it! One of my very best friends has 4a/b hair, and she comes over to use it all of the time, she says its the best straightener she's ever used on her hair, and it definitely gets her hair pin straight.

She's un-relaxed, but wears her hair straightened most of the time. Is that considered natural?? I'm a wimpy 2c/3a, so I have no clue.

askme · 05-19-2011, 11:04 AM

I use the Karmin G3 salon pro, my hair looks great and very straight! i love it.
it heats up to 450f with temperature control, dual voltage, tourmaline ceramic plates with rounded edges which makes it great for also curling your hair. Also has a 3 year warranty.

5ara8eth · 05-20-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenzie!

I know I definitely don't belong in the 4 boards, but I have a 1.5" CHI Turbo and I love it! One of my very best friends has 4a/b hair, and she comes over to use it all of the time, she says its the best straightener she's ever used on her hair, and it definitely gets her hair pin straight.

She's un-relaxed, but wears her hair straightened most of the time. Is that considered natural?? I'm a wimpy 2c/3a, so I have no clue.

I used to steal my roommate's chi all of the time. It really worked, but I think I would probably have to straighten it everyday just to combat south mississippi humidity.

And as far as I know as long as the hair isn't chemically processed it's still considered natural.

kinkycurlyDT · 05-21-2011, 09:31 PM

I've heard belson irons are good also

Shondadini · 05-23-2011, 12:25 PM

I love my sedu I got it folica.com it had free shipping and came with a 2 year warranty. I haven't had any problems and I've had it for almost 2 years