Putting the heat on keratin-infused hair straighteners
HAIR STRAIGHTENERS
Tested by Patricia Maunder
According to scholarly monograph Chemical and Physical Behaviour of Human Hair, tresses can be temporarily straightened with the application of heat and tensile force. From 19th century metal tongs heated on fires to modern electric equivalents, hair straighteners operate on this principal to smooth out curls and frizz – for hours if done right using quality appliances (no, not a clothes iron, Bridget Jones!).
I tested VS Sassoon's Keratin Protect Straightener and Remington's Keratin & Argan Oil Nourish Straightener. Both have twin floating ceramic plates, so there's constant contact with hair, even heat distribution and no snagging, as can happen with cheap metal plates. These models are also easy to wield, thanks to long cords that swivel, and lightweight but sturdy plastic bodies. They have rounded designs for creating curls and waves (ironically, but we're talking styled definition), and automatic safety shut-off.
Their most notable shared feature is plates infused with keratin, the fibrous protein that is hair's key structural material. Salon keratin treatments smooth hair by restoring protein to damaged locks, but lately it's been added to everything from shampoos to haircare appliances. The Remington's plates are also infused with argan oil, which is usually applied manually for shiny, nourished hair.
VERDICT
The jury's out about whether the keratin and argan infusions contribute, but both models certainly deliver nice, smooth hair. The VS Sassoon heats up faster, but the Remington's display is easier to read, and it has worldwide voltage and temperature lock, which are arguably worth the extra dollars.
VS SASSOON
$49.95
The plates are an ample 120 by 22 millimetres, and there are six temperature settings, mostly at 20-degree intervals between 140 and 235 Celsius (so more than hot enough). It reaches this top temperature in an impressive 35 seconds, but the back-lit display is difficult to read in bright light, and not merely because the numerals are small. The plates can be locked together, making it safer while cooling down after use.
REMINGTON
$69.95
It has similarly sized plates at 110 by 25 millimetres, but more temperature settings: 11 at 10-degree intervals, from 130 to 230 Celsius. This provides greater control, as does the temperature lock, which prevents accidental changes that could leave hair singed. It takes about 90 seconds to reach top temperature, however. The back-lit LCD display is very clear (even in darkness), and it operates worldwide on any voltage (with appropriate socket adaptor).
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