Top 5 Hair Styling Essentials

Every hairstyle maven knows that maintaining a great look takes a bit of inspiration, a little personality and some really great products and tools! Keep those bad hair days at bay with these top five essential hairstyling must-haves…who needs a professional stylist?

A Quality, High Voltage Hair Dryer

You think this one would be no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many people are still using sub-par quality hairdryers. With technological advancements and so many great dryers on the market today at every price point, what are you waiting for? Depending on your hair length and thickness, you have such a wide variety to choose from, you’re sure to find one perfect for your hair. My favorite buzzwords: Ceramic/Ionic, Tourmaline, Professional, Negative Ions.

Some of the best-sellers on the market: BaByliss Pro Ceramix Extreme Hair Dryer, CHI Rocket Professional Hair Dryer (pictured), BaByliss Pro Porcelain Thermal Ionic Hair Dryer, Elchim Galaxy, Super Solano X Hair Dryer. See more hot picks in our Hair Dryer section.

A Versatile Ceramic Flat Iron
Also known as a styling iron, this wonder tool is one appliance you should never go without. Available in plate widths from the 3/4” mini though the large 2” width, there is a flat iron for every length of hair. Depending on your hair style and hairstyling needs, some models also come with curved edge plates that will create curls and waves as well as straight styles. There are also wet-to-dry irons that are great for those of you who don’t have the time to blow dry before straightening. Keep in mind that every flat iron needs a safe place for it to rest while in use, or cooling down. So don’t forget a heatproof mat…safety first!

My favorite buzzwords: Ceramic, Ionic, Tourmaline, Professional, Negative Ions, Far-Infrared Heat, Nano, Titanium, Silver.

Best-selling Flat Irons: GHD MK3 Professional 1” Straightener, HAI elite Tong 2″ Tourmaline Flat Iron (pictured), CHI Original Ceramic 1” Flat Iron, FHI Pink Ceramic 1” Flat Iron, CHI Nano Digital 1-1/4” Flat Iron. See more in our Best Flat Irons section.

A Healthy Heat Protectant
You know you would turn your flat iron up to 600° if you could, but have you ever thought about what you are doing to your hair? Relax, now you can protect your hair as you straighten. Most of today’s heat protectants are loaded with good-for-you heat activated ingredients that don’t just protect your hair from the excessive high temperatures of hair dryers and flat irons, they actually increase the health of your hair as you style. The hotter, the better! Go for it.

My Faves: FHI Heat Hot Sauce, Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide Smoother, CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray (pictured), Bain de Terre Shine Serum Anti-Frizz Recovery Complex

See more in our Thermal Protection section.
A Round Barrel Ceramic Ionic Hairbrush
A necessity for every hairstyle, and best friend to your good quality, high voltage hair dryer above is a round barrel brush. You’ll get bonus points here if you have round barrel brush that is ceramic and ionic. The more negative ions you can create while styling the better. With an ionic brush, negative ions are created from the heat of the blow dryer heating the brush. If you are using an ionic hair dryer also, you’ve hit the ionic jackpot. What’s so great about negative ions? They enable the moisture to be sealed into the hair cuticle, and an increased amount of ionic energy allows the brush to slip easily through your hair without pulling or snagging, promising smooth results. Plus a round brush is so versatile, making it easy to straighten or curl. Convinced? I am!

My must-have: HAI Large Round Ceramic Boar Bristle Brush (pictured).

Depending on your styling habits, you can choose a brush with a smaller or larger barrel to suit your hair length and texture, but stick with a round barrel to help you straighten and curl.

See more Hair Brushes.

A Superb Styling….X
Please insert your favorite styler for the X. Whether you choose a styling cream, lotion, mousse, serum, gel or spray, you need something to help you whip your style into shape. From creating carefree curls, to gravity defying spikes, to straight smoothing, a good styling product will help take your hairdo to the next level. Hey, those spikes don’t stay up without a little help! Available in a variety of scents and strengths, I just love to mix and match them together to create my own winning combos! Some top picks are: