The flat iron is an essential hair styling tool. From straight, to wavy, to even natural looks, this tool can handle it all. While we all think we know how to straighten hair, we could all do with a refresher. And while this tool can be a lifesaver, by using it incorrectly you are causing more trouble in the long run. To avoid inadvertently damaging your hair, check out our three simple tips for using flat irons like a pro.

Protect Your Hair

Always start by prepping hair with a heat protectant like Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment. This will make sure hair stays healthy and easy to style.

Use Even Sections

The key for polished flat iron styles is even sectioning. When styling hair, keep sections the same size for a consistent and balanced hairstyle. Generally six even sections, illustrated in the image below, is sufficient. If you have very thick hair you may need to create more, smaller sections to keep things manageable.

Get Your Temperature Right

Finally, make sure you know what flat iron temperatures suit your hair and style. If your flat iron doesn’t have temperature settings, it’s probably time for an upgrade.

• 80°C          Smooth frizz and flyaways
• 105°C        Styling damaged hair
• 130°C        Styling fine hair
• 160°C        Styling loose waves or natural styles
• 185°C        Standard styling and straightening
• 210°C        Coarse, unruly hair