Round, flat, or shaped like a brush. Which hair styler should you buy first?

Round, flat, or shaped like a brush. Which hair styler should you buy first?

Barrel iron, flat iron, heat brush. You know the names, but picking just one is hard. If you choose by looks only, the tool may not fit your hair and end up in a drawer. Here are five simple questions to ask yourself first.

Q1 Barrel iron: You wrap hair around a round rod to make curls. A thick barrel makes big, loose curls. A thin one makes small, tight curls. Use thin sections, about two fingers wide, and curl away from your face.

Q2 Flat iron: Slide hair between two plates to make it smooth. Turn your wrist in at the ends for a soft C-curl. Narrow plates work well for bangs and short hair. Wide plates are easier for long hair.

Q3 Heat brush: Frizz calms down as you brush. There is no wrapping, so it is easy. But it is for smooth texture and a little root volume, not for clear curls.

Q4 Which first: Short hair or bangs, try a narrow flat iron. Waves on long hair, try a barrel iron. Only less frizz, try a heat brush. Like both? Start with a flat iron. It does the most jobs.

Q5 First use: Start at the lowest heat and go up one step at a time. Dry your hair to the roots and add heat protectant first. Holding one spot too long or using it on damp hair can make hair rough.

Stylist tip: At your consultation, tell your stylist how many minutes you spend on your hair each morning and the style you wear most. Then you can talk about the right tool, and also a haircut that saves styling time.

Save this for your next shopping trip, and send it to a friend who needs a first styler. We are at APEAK HAIR Sungshin Women's Univ. and Sinchon. Book via DM.

by APEAK HAIR