Mane changers: Our definitive round-up of the best hair styling tools to have in your collection
To get the most our of your mane, you need to know the tools of the trade. And with our full guide to the best hair styling tools, you can do just that!
Ask any hair expert and they’ll tell you that great hair is as much about the tools you use than anything else, so having the best hair styling tools in your kit is a real game-changer. Whether you’re a professional or not, having the right tools is key to achieving the looks you love, so it’s worth doing your research before you buy.
But with so many styling tools on the market these days, it’s difficult to know which of them are gimmicks and which will actually help elevate your mane game…
So, if you’re looking to fill a gap in your collection, or you’re a total hair newbie with no idea where to start, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled an essential checklist of things everyone should own.
The 7 best hair styling tools we recommend everyone should have
1. Brushes & combs
With undone, bedhead styles so on trend right now, the humble hairbrush isn’t getting as much attention as it needs. Even if you do like a more casual hairstyle, brushes and combs are essential for so many different reasons.
Whether it’s creating a parting, backcombing for volume or aiding the distribution of hair masks, it’s good to have a variety on hand. If you don’t know your round brush from your paddle brush, get clued up with our guide to the different brush variations.
2. Hair dryer
If you’re the penny pinching type and don’t want to spend you whole pay cheque on different styling tools, the chances are that you already own a hairdryer. You may be wondering how this is suppose to help you with styling your mane, but these tools aren’t just for drying your tresses…
Aside from the obvious benefits of speedy drying time, hair dryers can also be used as styling tools in their own right, able to create sleek, salon-style blow outs, define natural curls and even straighten out any kinks!
On the market for a new hair dryer? We explain everything from ceramic and ionic dryers to diffusers, heat settings and more in or handy hair dryer guide.
Tip: Some people forget that blow-drying your hair is still using heat. So just as you would if you were straightening or curling your hair, you should protect your hair with a heat protectant beforehand.
The VO5 Express Primer Spray is ideal for blow-drying as it offers valuable heat protection, while also acting as detangler for knotty strands, plus preventing flyaways.
3. Straighteners
Straighteners are one of the best hair styling tools to have in your kit, as they’re completely multi-purpose. Of course, they’re perfect for creating sleek and straight locks, but that’s not where their uses end.
From ’90s crimped styles to effortless beach waves, once you know how, the styling possibilities are endless. Not convinced? Here are 4 looks you can create with just a simple hair straightener that might sway you.
Tip: Hate having to straighten your hair every morning? Then you’ll love the TRESemmé 7 Day Smooth Heat Activated Treatment.
This life-changing product (trust us, we don’t say that lightly) contains unique thermal technology, which is activated by the heat from your hairdryer and straighteners. The heat-activated polymers are able to keep your hair sleeker for longer, so you can have a short break from straightening – yippee!
4. Curling wand or tong
As we mentioned earlier, straighteners can absolutely be used to create curls; but if you’re after a specific type of curl, you’ll always have more control using a curling wand or tong.
The difference between a wand and a tong? Essentially, a wand is a clampless, conical device, making it one of the best hair styling tools for creating soft, beachy curls. Meanwhile, a tong is the more traditional clamped curler, which tends to create more defined, ringlet-type curls.
More on the different types and uses of curling wands.
5. Hot rollers
Thought rollers were just something your nan used? Not anymore, as traditional cushion and velcro rollers have had a contemporary techy upgrade. Hot rollers heat up instantly, so you can use them on a night out to create big, glamorous Hollywood waves, without having to wait hours for them to do their thing.
If limp locks are your No.1 hair woe, know they can also help to create more volume around your crown, too. Honestly, they should be called Magic Rollers!
6. Hair ties
If you were ever forced to tie your hair up with an elastic band by a P.E. teacher (we know we’re not the only ones), then you’ll know all too well how horrific they are for your hair. They create too much pull on your tresses, causing breakage and often pulling out some of your strands along with it when you take it out (eek!).
There are so many pretty and practical hair bands out there that are much better for your mane, so there’s really no excuse to sacrifice your strands. Love braids? You can even get clear hair ties which blend in with your hair colour for a neater finish.
7. Clips
Clips, glorious clips! Honestly it’s rare for a day to go by without us using a clip at least once. In fact, they’ve become such a staple of hair styling that we’re not sure how we’d get by without them.
Sectioning clips are a must for dividing your hair into sections pre-styling; jaw clips are the secret to a quick and easy half-updo; and the livelihood of our messy buns relies entirely on bobby pins. So, if you’re currently struggling along with that clip-free life, we’re telling you: it’s time to invest.
We hope you found this guide useful! For more mane advice, skip on over to our Hair Care page pronto and you won’t have to deal with bad hair days ever again.
