4 Best Straightener Hairstyles

Of all the styling tools out there, it’s hard to find one more versatile than the flat iron.

Whether your hair is long and layered or short and sleek, a flat iron is the ultimate style accessory for anyone looking to express their creativity through effortlessly beautiful hair.

‌Flat ironed hairstyles can help you achieve looks from the stylishly professional to the haute couture—from impeccably straight locks to laidback waves. Chances are you've probably seen a hairstylist use hair straighteners to create effortless styles, and so can you. Below, we’ll look at four essential straightener hairstyles a flat iron can help you achieve.

No matter the length or cut of your hair, a flat iron can pave the way for a put-together look in minutes. To help you find the perfect fit for your tresses, we’ve categorized these straight hairstyles by cut—but don’t be afraid to mix, match, and try something new. Who knows? You may ultimately invent a style all your own.

#1 Faux Blowout on Layered Cut

The faux blowout look is one of the best-loved flat iron hairstyles—and for good reason.

It’s hard not to love a salon-style blowout, given that the process itself feels so luxurious. But you don't need to be a hairstylist or use a hair dryer and brush combo to get the look, and we could all use a DIY shortcut to achieve the same style (in half the time). Here’s how to use your hair straightener to achieve the faux blowout look on a layered cut:

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The technique – Begin by sectioning off your layers and passing the hair straightener through 1-2 inch sections, one at a time. As you pull the straightener through each section, twist your wrist slightly up and back to give your hair that windswept, blowout bounce.
Style tips – When it comes to blowouts, bigger often equals better. When creating bends in your top layers, angle the flat iron toward the back of your head for extra volume.

#2 The Sleek Bob with Face Framing Waves

The gentle waves in this timeless style provide a picture perfect frame of your face, and the bob is both smart and oh-so-easy to style. Perfect this flat iron look with these pointers:

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The technique – Clamp your flat iron around a one- to two-inch section of hair on each side of your face, turning it away from your face as you glide toward the ends. Then continue straightening the rest of your hair, but this time, flip the ends gently under. Dividing your hair into top and bottom sections can help those with thicker locks.

Style tips – Remember, the aesthetic is gentle waves, not tidal surges. If you accidentally over-curl your face-framing pieces, gently brush through the styled section before it cools to loosen it up.

You’ve probably experienced the hype around using a straightener in lieu of a curling iron to create effortless curls—and the same goes for achieving loose, barely-there waves. This is unquestionably one of our favorite medium length hairstyles, simply because it can be dressed up or down. So if you’re wondering how to wave hair with a flat iron, you can achieve S waves with the following tips:

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The technique – Create an S-wave with your flat iron by pulling a hair section toward your face, creating a bend, and ironing it into shape. Then, do the same in the opposite direction to complete the “S.” Repeat until you reach the end of each section. You're ready to rock your wavy hair whether you're going out to dinner or on a casual grocery run.
‌Style tips – The S wave is easy to master, but first-timers can better navigate the bends with tools like a ‌detangling brush and hair clips to help keep hair sectioned as you work. You can also change up where you place your S Waves. Add S waves to the top for a bit of volume and texture. Then, as you work your way down, straighten it out for a more contemporary look.

Want a style that thrives on smoothness, but still adds interest to the overall shape? Try a straight hairstyle with flipped ends. You’re playing it straight, then providing a pop of 90s era chicness at the shoulders. Here’s how:

The technique – Clamp a 1–2” section of hair and glide down towards the floor, then once you reach 3–4 inches from the bottom of the section, flip your straightener up toward the ceiling. Continue to pull it downward until you reach the end, and voilà—you’ve formed the first flip.
‌Style tips – If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, you might find it helpful to do an all-around pass with your straightener or blow hair out first to achieve that sleekness.

With the right tips, anyone can find their ideal style using a flat iron. But it’s equally important to know how to wield this style accessory without damaging your hair. The good news is you can keep your hair healthy and achieve consistent results by following these tips, whether you’re using a flat iron or a straightening brush:

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Tip 1: Make sure your hair is completely dry before straightening. Applying heat to wet hair can actually cause any lingering water molecules to boil, leading to that dreadful sizzling sound and possible long-term damage. Plus, wet hair simply doesn’t straighten well.

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Tip 2: Always apply heat protectant before straightening. If you’re wondering how to straighten hair without damaging it as much, this product does exactly what it says—it protects your hair from excess heat, safeguarding strands from pesky problems like cracking, split ends, and roughness. Using a heat protectant before styling your strands creates a barrier between your hair and the hot tool you're using which helps avoid heat damage; a leading cause of frizz and dullness.

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Tip 3: It’s best to limit your flat iron usage to every other day, as with any other hot tool. Fortunately, T3 heat technology delivers long-lasting styles.

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Tip 4: Play things safe by finding the right heat setting for your hair type. When it comes to finding that sweet spot, having the right flat iron can help. T3 Micro tools come with a variety of heat settings that can be customized to your hair type. The Smooth ID ceramic flat iron’s unique technology even allows you to input your hair texture and length for a fully personalized heat setting.

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Tip 5: Apply a hair mask once per week. This will rejuvenate and condition your hair, providing much-needed moisture and nourishment, especially if your hair is more prone to breakage or damaged from hair dye.

4 Best Straightener Hairstyles

4 Hairstyles Using a Straightener

#1 Faux Blowout on Layered Cut

#2 The Sleek Bob with Face Framing Waves

#3 Iconic S Waves

#4 Sleek with Flipped Ends

Avoid Hair Damage: 5 Must-Know Tips for Beginners

Create Your Ideal Straightened Hairstyle

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