Best Flat Iron Picks for Sleek Hair

Celebrity hair stylist Priscilla Valles’s go-to straightner is the classic GHD 1-inch straightener. “I start in the nape and bring down small sections, one row at a time and I use a GHD flat Iron with a comb in the other hand,” says Valles. “I place the comb in front of the iron while ironing at the same time in a slow motion all the way down. Never stopping cause that will cause dents in the hair. At the end a dime size of ouai rose from top to bottom just to add some shine and control any fly aways!”

If you’re looking for super sleek and shiny hair, this straightener rec is for you. Celebrity stylist Aviva Perea, who’s worked with Mandy Moore, Zoe Saldana, and Bella Thore, suggests the Harry Josh straightener. “The irons are super wide so they reach a lot of hair effortlessly and they make the hair super shiny,” says Perea.

According to hair pro Christian Wood, if you want to make sure your hair stays in the place, use the GHD gold mini styler. “I prefer a small straightener that I can get really close to the roots to remove stubborn kinks and cow licks,” says Wood. The small straightener trick is probably how he nails the beauty looks of Tessa Thompson, Emily Ratajkowski, Rosie Huntington, and Olivia Munn.

Creative director of GLAMSQUAD Giovanni Vaccaro prefers this flat iron by Sedu. “The ceramic plates are really key to maintain the integrity and healthiness of the hair,” he says. To get expertly straight hair, Vaccaro recommends using a boar-bristle brush to help mediate frizz, and that “the follow through is key” when moving the iron and comb completely from roots to tips.

“Unite Pro Tools Flat Iron is an easy-to-use, low maintenance iron,” says Chris Dylan. Dylan works with Kylie Jenner so finding an easy-to-use tool is a must when you’re helping someone go from a platinum blonde bob to jet black floor length extensions. in a span of a week. He notes that with a fast-heating iron and beveled edges, it creates soft waves and has a great temperature gauge that keeps you firmly in control of the heat.

Dylan also loves this Karmin iron. “The plates are coated in tourmaline which helps for an easy glide,” he says. Fighting frizz with infrared ions, Dylan suggests that it “makes this iron better for super coarse hair.” Bonus points: it also has different voltage settings for international use. The jetsetter in you will be thankful as you globetrot glamorously.

Brant Mayfield, who styles everyone from Diane von Furstenberg to Nicole Scherzinger, favors this glossy white flat iron. “It has digital single pass technology, which helps for smoothness and contains an eternal microchip that maintains an even temperature,” he says. The angled edges and ceramic plates will keep your hair smooth and without kinks.

“I’m the biggest fan of my Kardashian Beauty Flat Iron,” says hair stylist Justine Marjan. “The plates are small enough for me to create a bend or to get any small flyaway hairs around the hairline.” Plus it can be used as a flat iron, curling iron, and wand.

“The GHD gets the job done if I’m doing super straight hair,” says Kourtney Kardashian’s hair stylist Scotty Cunha. Perfect beach waves—and this is coming from a woman who did six seasons combined of Kourtney and Kim/Khloe Take Miami.

Consider this the perfect flat iron for full hair. “It is great for thicker textures because it distributes heat evenly, allowing for less passes through the hair,” explains stylist Lacy Redway. The plates “make it easier to straighten or curl longer hair lengths.” Redway was responsible for  Tessa Thompson’s sleek ‘do on her past ELLE cover, so you know it’s top-notch.

Derek Yuen, the man responsible for Cole Sprouse’s grown-up new look, recommends the GHD Platinum Professional Performance iron. The flat iron is consistently and evenly heated at 365 degrees, which is safer and less damaging on the strands. “The beveled edges also allow for infinite styling possibilities, not just just for straightening hair,” says Yeun.

Celebrity hair stylist Ryan Randall never travels without this mini iron. “It is great for travel, great for hairlines, and great for short men’s or women’s hair,” he says.

Anthony Turner, the man responsible for all the hair looks at this year’s Victoria Secret Fashion Show, used the Infiniti Pro by Conair 2-in-1 Black Titanium Styler backstage. “It’s perfect for a natural look because it allows you to create smoothness and curls with just one tool,” says Turner. 

NuMe’s Megastar is celebrity hairstylist Jessica Shakir‘s go-to straightening iron because of its pure tourmaline ceramic floating plates. “The iron can smooth and wave up your strands with just one tool,” says Shakir. This technology helps protect your hair from the heat, smoothes the hair follicles, and controls frizz. 

Shakir also recommends the Nume Megastar X if you have thicker hair as the plates allow more hair to pass through, shortening your flat iron time. “I’m obsessed with creating an S-Wave with the Megastar for shoulder-length hair to get that celebrity texture we’re all obsessing over!,” explains Shakir.