Hair rollers also perform the same function as hair curlers but they are meant to be set on and cannot be varied as much. Hot rollers save time compared to rolling your hair and sitting under a dryer. While getting ready in the morning your curls can set as you accomplish several tasks at once.

Description: Hot rollers are cylinder-shaped hair rollers for curling hair. They're fitted onto an electric tray containing heating elements. Hot rollers heat up and are applied to the hair and then left to cool down - leaving a curl behind.

Uses: hot rollers are mainly used to add curl, but unlike a curling iron, are clipped into the hair while they work which leaves your hands free to do other things. Hot rollers are especially good for styling the entire head and adding body.

Hot rollers come in five sizes ranging from petite to jumbo.

• Petite rollers, which are ½ inch, create the tightest curls and for short, fine hair.

• Small rollers are ¾ inch, render tight and spiral curls and are typically for shorter hair.

• Medium rollers are 1 inch and used mostly on short to medium to fine hair, producing medium curls.
• Large rollers (1 to 1 ¼ inches) create loose curls with more body and volume are created using large rollers
• Jumbo rollers (1 to 1 ½ inches) are used on thicker, longer hair, making the largest curls.

Tips:

• Use different sizes to create different curls
• Try to use rollers on hair that has been washed the night before to get a better curl and longer hold”

Hair straighteners, also called flat irons, have increasingly become more and more popular as women are looking for no frizz, sleek hairstyles. The increased technological advances in these tools including ceramic plating and better design have boosted the use of hair straighteners. Hair straighteners allow straightening of hair at home without the need to go to the salon for chemical treatments or other expensive methods. Because of different plate sizes, hair straighteners can be used on many different hair types as well. These tools will continually become more popular. Popular brands now include Sedu, Solia, and CHI.

Description: a hair straightener is a tong-like device that has two heated plates which are run down the hair shaft to straighten hair strands temporarily.

Uses: hair straighteners will flatten hair like no other tool can and now even come in wet-to-dry versions which eliminate the need to blow-dry wet hair before styling. A straightener can also be used to add curl to hair (get a professional to show you how) and is the best way to add the flicks in flicked out hairstyles.


Great for: all hair types.


Tips:

• Use a slim line straightener when trying to add curls or flicks

• Apply deep conditioning treatments to your hair if you regularly straighten to balance any damage that may be caused by the heat

• Work in small sections to get a smoother finish and start from the under layers of your hair

Hair dryers have advanced to a point where they are not just meant to dry wet hair anymore but rather add volume and frizz control. Technology advancement have made hair dryers into a great hair tool that we all have to have because we all have to wash our hair. These advanced hair dryers let you control everything from the amount of heat produced, the amount of air flow, and even the production of ions for producing better looking hairstyles.


For thermal styling, look for a model that is lightweight and offers several heat settings and air flow options. A cool shot button is a very nice feature for setting curls or volume styling.


Also be sure the model you choose has a removable lint filter and take the time to clean it regularly. This will greatly extend the life of your appliance. A minimum of 1500 watts, preferably around 1800 watts will work the best.

Uses: blow-driers are mostly used to take the moisture out of wet hair but can also be used to make your hair straight, curly or add a wave by simply using different heat settings, attachments and your hair brush.



Tips:

• To get a professional result, blow-dry working from the roots down and finish with a blast of cool air to boost shine and control fly-away hair

• Blow-drying up the hair shaft will cause the hair to frizz

• Tip your head upside down and blow-dry down the hair shaft to add volume

Diffuser Attachments

This nifty gadget attaches to the nozzle of your hair dryer. Use a diffuser when you want to reduce the intensity of the air stream by spreading it out over the surface of your hair.

A great tool for drying curly or wavy hair or gently drying hair set in rollers. Look for a diffuser with a cup shape (hollow inside rather than flat on the surface), which allows you to pile hair in from ends to roots, or a model with long fingers which will get right inside your curly hair and gently dry it.

Hair styling tools run the gamut from inexpensive to costly, and price alone is not a good determining factor of the quality of the tool.

Flat irons, hair dryers, even combs and brushes range in quality of craftsmanship, effectiveness for your styling needs, and longevity of the product.

Consider your hair styling tools an investment. They're used frequently, and rigorously, and play a major role in both the look and the health of your crowning glory.

Check out the following information on the different kinds of hair tools, what to look for in good hair styling tools and what specific tools to have for all of your needs.