Flat Ironing Tips

A flat iron is the fastest and, if used incorrectly, the most damaging way to straighten hair. It allows women who have super curly corkscrew curls or those with just wavy hair to get the stick-straight style that they want. Barbara Abbasi, the founder of the Ferrum Professional Styler and owner of American Beauty Hair Salon in California offers some useful tips for clients before they run to their local drug store and begin straightening away.

The Heat Factor
Flat irons expose the hair to a significant amount of heat . Barbara cautions that, “If flat irons are not used properly, you can severely damage your hair. When you start straightening your hair, especially if you do it everyday, you should switch to a thermal protection shampoo, like Thermasilk. This will help protect your hair from excessive heat damage.”

Flat Ironing Do's & Don'ts

•  DO wash your hair properly. Flat irons are less effective on dirty and oily hair.
•  DON'T not use any hair spray or gel on your hair after washing.
•  DO Dry your hair completely, right from the roots to the tips.
•  DO get some help from a straightening balm to it. This will help eliminate any frizz and also protect your hair.
•  DO use a heat protection spray beforehand.
•  DO remove any tangles before you start.
•  DON'T straighten sections of hair no more than 1 inch wide.
•  DON'T flat iron your hair every day.

New Carol's Daughter Hair Care

Carol's Daugher has two new additions to the Macadamia Nut Line -- the Heat Styling Hairspray and the Heat Setting Foam. Backed by the newest miracle ingredient Macadamia Oil, each product in the new Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Collection is designed to prevent damage caused by the wear and tear of daily heat-styling with tools such as flat irons, pressing combs and curling irons. Macadamia Oil is comprised of a high concentration of the natural compound, oleic acid -- which keeps human eyelids soft and supple, even after opening and closing over 14MM times per year – to promote ultimate protection, moisture and shine. Like all Carol’s Daughter products, they are free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil and artificial color.

Macadamia Heat Styling Hairspray ($17.00): A lightweight heat-protecting formula that delivers lasting hold without residue, this blend of super-ingredient Macadamia Oil and Honey Extract restores hair health.

What’s the recipe?
· Macadamia Oil: Creates a protective barrier against heat styling tools
· Honey Extract: Helps to seal and smooth split ends
· Henna Extract: Smoothes the cuticle to protect against damage and enhance shine

Macadamia Heat Setting Foam ($18.00): Made with heat-protecting, super-ingredient Macadamia Oil and Honey Extract, this lightweight, creamy foam is perfect for roller-setting, curling or wrapping hair.

What’s the recipe?
· Macadamia Oil: Protects against high temperatures from styling tools
· Honey Extract: Prevents and smoothes split ends
· Henna Extract: Smoothes the cuticle to protect against damage and enhance shine

Will you be trying these product?

Conair X John Frieda

Conair just launched John Frieda Styling Tools! John Frieda hair care experts inspired these transformational styling tools and this first ever collection is designed to unveil your most beautiful hair yet.

This is great news for my college girls and divas on a budget because all the tools are under $50.00.  The John Frieda® styling tools offer the perfect marriage of cutting-edge technology, sleek, modern design, and safe, long-lasting results. Each innovative styler features exclusive ionic frizz-fighting technology and true ceramic heat with LCD temperature control and auto-shut off. Made with scratch resistant ceramic titanium plates and barrels, John Frieda’s top of the line tools are the ultimate in professional heat styling.

Keep on reading to see what's available:

John Frieda® Full Volume Dryer ($49.99): This durable, lightweight dryer features 1875 watts of power, three heat and two speed settings as well as two snap-on concentrators for custom targeted airflow. Made with Advanced Ionic Technology and Titanium Ceramic Coating, the Full Volume Dryer defends hair from heat damage and infuses hair with volume bounce and shine as it dries.

John Frieda® Sleek Finish 1” Straightener ($49.99): This premium straightening iron features Advanced Ionic Conditioning, with high heat up to 455°F/235°C, true ceramic technology, and 11 professional digital settings. The multi-use styler heats up in just 15 seconds and features rounded edges and extra long plates for quick easy curls, waves or straight strands. Hair is left sleek, soft and safe from damage.

John Frieda® Tight Curls 1” Curling Iron ($29.99): 30 second heat makes fashion-forward curls
quick and easy to achieve. Featuring Advanced Ionic Conditioning and True Ceramic Technology, this premium curling iron offers 11 digital heat settings offering high heat up to 400°F/205°C for professional results. Simply select your temperature of choice and create shiny, frizz-free curls that last all day.

John Frieda® Loose Curls 1 1/4” Curling Iron ($29.99): Get healthy, voluminous curls in an instant with 30 second heat-up and 11 digital heat settings with temperatures reaching 400°F/205°C. The large Ceramic Titanium coated barrel features Advanced Ionic Conditioning for smooth, healthy waves and long-lasting lift.

John Frieda® Volume Curls 1 1/2” Curling Iron ($32.99): This curling iron is engineered with
Titanium Ceramic Technology and Advanced Ionic Conditioning to seal in moisture and reduce frizz. With 11 digital heat settings offering high heat up to 400°F/205°C, it’s easy to select a safe heat level for your hair type. Designed for quick, easy styling, the Volume Curls curling iron banishes dull, heat damaged locks and ushers in soft, gorgeous hair.

HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer

Using a blowdryer, it's one of those things that I never really look forward to.  For me, blowdrying takes a long time and that's never the last step, unless I just plan on bunning and then why blow dry?  So there's always an additional step after blowdrying whether it be using a flat iron or a curling iron.  So when I choose a blow dryer to use it has to get my hair as ready for the next step so there are a few things I look for in a blow dryer:

1. Must be lightweight
2. Have adjustable heat settings and a cool air button
3. Long Swivel cord
4. Ion Technology 

So when I was invited to try the HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer from Misikko.com, I knew it just might be a good one because it has all four of the things I look for plus more.  So far, I've used this dryer on myself, my mom, and Gram.  Worked like a charm on all three of us, quickly too.  Our hair was dry in no time and didn't smell  like blow dryer, it even had a little bit of a shine to it thanks to the Pure Tourmaline Crystals.  This blow dryer even has Silver Nanotechnology for antibacterial Protection, not that I think you really need antibacterial protection if it's just a family blowdryer but stylists?  Take note.

This blowdryer is available (on sale, I might add) at Misikko, an online hair tool paradise!  They have blowdryers, flat irons, curling irons, and beauty & hair care items.  Shipping is super quick and the customer service is always on point.  Now the retail price of the HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer is $314.99 but at Misikko you can get it for $194.99, still a splurge but totally worth it.  

InGlam MP3 Flat Iron

I love to read and hear about innovative beauty products, don't you?  Well, that's why when I saw this new Flat Iron that play music I just knew I had to share!

Rock out to your favorite tunes as you straighten, curl, flip, and wave your hair with the ONYX Ceramic Digital 1" Hairstyling Iron with built in MP3 player by InGlam.

Holding up to 500 songs for a customizable playlist, this music centric iron not only brings hairstyling to life but features advanced ONYX Ceramic Technology for superior salon results. Effortlessly smooth strands and create a brilliant shine with the tool's Ceramic Floating and Beveled Plates which produce Negative Ions and Far Infra Red, sealing in vital moisture and repelling humidity for a static and frizz free style. Plus, the ONYX Ceramic Digital 1" Flat Iron reaches up to 420°F due to an advanced MCH Heating System which provides instant heat up with immediate heat recovery for a tool that finally remains at the constant temperature of your choice.

Where to find it: $149.98 via Ulta.com, Ulta Stores, JCPenney Salons and Regis Salons

SEDU Pro Ionic Travel Set

This is for the travelnistas or anyone else that loves to take a good trip and still wants to do a little something extra with their hair while traveling. Usually, I just rock a wash and go the whole entire trip because I love going to places where there's sun and sand but every now and then I want to change it up and get "dolled" up for a evening out. Enter the SEDU Pro Ionic Travel Set, it's perfect because it comes with the Pro Shortie Mini Styler Iron and The Pro Ionic Travel Dryer which features moisture-sealing technology for hair that’s instantly healthy and shiny. Plus, Sedu’s Mini Styler Iron is just 6” long, making it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.

The most unique thing about this kit is that the blow dryer folds over to save space and space saved in a suitcase is worth it's weight in gold. Both tools come in the convenient microfiber case, where you can add in the SEDU Anti-Frizz Polishing Treatment with Pure Moroccan Argan Oil.

Folica.com deals to help you save even more!

Get 15% Off plus Free Shipping at Folica.com with code MAYGRADS at checkout. Expires 6/10/11

Folica Bonus Offer! Get a full year of W magazine included with your purchase of $50 or more.

Remington Be You Collection

Express yourself and get ready with Remington Be You - a full line of hair tools and brushes in three fashion-forward prints to fit every fashionista’s unique personality! The bright pops of color will spice up any styling routine for a fun way to get ready. The tools and accessories come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to create your favorite look at home or on-the-go!

BE…ADVENTUROUS
Create your own adventure with the black and pink giraffe prints.
BE…ROCKER
Rock on and bring out your inner wild child with hot pink and black floral prints.
BE…GLAM
Get ready for your close-up with chic gold and silver spots.

Collection & Prices:
· HOT NEW TREND: Mini Crimper $16.99
· Mini Flat Iron: $16.99
· Mini Curling Iron $16.99
· Mini Dryer $16.99
· Flat Iron $19.99
· Curling Iron $19.99
· Dryer $19.99
· Cushion Brushes $5.99
· Round & Paddle Brushes $7.99

The Remington Be You Collection is available exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com

Heat Protectant for Blow Drying

Toque Magico Emergencia Intensive Leave-In Conditioner for Blow is amazing and cheap at just $6.99 at RoundBrushHair! I've only used it once so far, but I just have to share the deets with you guys. Okay, so I've decided that I've had enough for the Dominican Salon for now, every now and then I need a break so I'm doing my hair myself again. Here is what I like to do: wash, condition, deep condition, blow dry, put in bun. Easy right? Here's the thing, I needed a new heat protectant and I wanted one specifically for blowdrying and not for flat ironing, so I selected this one as one of the products I won from RoundBrushHair contest.

Product Description: This spray will help protect your hair from the blow-dryer heat. Emergencia will also tame your frizz and moisturize your dry, chemically processed hair.

How to use: Spray along hair shaft at a distance of 4 inches and comb through to ends. It will also help detangle. Do not rinse out. You will have an exceptional shine and healthier looking hair.

Ingredients: Deionized water, cyclmeticone, propylene glycol, dimethiconol, glycerine, phenythrimeticone, metylparaben, fragrance, propylparaben, cetrimonium chloride, palmitol myristyl serinate, PEG-8, PEG-8 copolymer, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #4.

AHS Thoughts: I LOVED it. It is great to find a product that also conditions and moisturizes, while protecting my hair from the heat of the blowdryer. I only blow dry on low, so I don't really need a heavy duty heat protectant but you can't be too careful, right? It hardly has a scent, so it doesn't compete with the scent from my conditioner. After blow drying my hair felt even more soft than it usually does and blow drying was a cinch!

Nature Inspired Paul Mitchell Tools

With Earth Day right around the corner, it's no huge surprise that companies are launching "Green" products but what I found especially cool was Paul Mitchell's new Nature Inspired blow dryer and flat iron. Both products feature all the features you would expect from Paul Mitchell. The Express Ion Dryer dries hair 60% faster with a gentle airflow helps prevent frizz and is ideal for fine hair. While the Ion Smooth Flat Iron heats up to 400 degrees in 60 seconds, not that you need that much heat.

Not up for a heat tool? There's a Bamboo brush set from Paul Mitchell too!

Check out the products at PaulMitchell.com

Maximum Heat Protectant Spray

Okay, so I know there are tons of ladies out there that just cannot give up their heat tools. Not only do you use heat more than once a week, you turn your products up to the highest possible amount of heat and then proceed to go over each section of your hair over and over. Sound like you? Well, now there's a product to help you reduce heat damage without giving up on your heat tools. Salon Grafix’s 450 Maximum Heat Protect Spray – the FIRST ever 450 degree thermal protection spray in the industry! It’s suitable for all hair types and it’s super easy to use – all you have to do is spray the 450 Maximum Heat Protect Spray evenly throughout your hair and you are free to create all of the styles that you love without the worry. This fabulous new formula is a true necessity when trying to protect your hair from extreme heat. An added plus is the 450 Maximum Heat Protect Spray is also the affordable choice retailing for only $7.49 and is available or purchase at CVS and Rite Aid.

Sedu Revolution Clipless Curing Iron

Thanks to Folica.com I was able to try the brand new Sedu Revolution Clipless Curling Iron before it's launch on the site. Previously, I've shied away from Clipless Curling Irons because I had a bad experience with one particular brand and I just thought all the rest would be the same. Well, the Sedu Revolution Clipless Curling Iron is different. The barrel comes in two sizes (1 inch or 3/4 inch) and it's polished up like nothing else to create smooth long lasting curls. The heat is adjustable and goes up to 350 degrees (which I don't recommend you use). It heats up fast and comes with a heat resistant glove. Now, please keep in mind that just because you have this glove that doesn't mean you won't burn your hand so please use caution.

The end style result after using this product was more wavy than actually curly which I happen to really like right now. Soft wavy hair is so in for Spring 2011! If you've never used a clipless curling iron before it might take a few tries to get it perfect so I recommend you practice swirling your hair around the iron before you turn it on, no need to cause heat damage right?

My favorite feature is the kickstand that's built right in to keep the iron off of the sink, toilet seat, floor, or where ever you put your heat tools when you're styling your hair. Overall, this is a great curling tool and it's far superior over the less expensive brands that don't come with a glove and aren't ceramic.

Available at Folica.com for just $119.99 with free shipping!

Plus use this deal for Free 1 Year Allure Magazine Subscription with $50 Purchase + Free Shipping

Tourmaline + Hair

Look at your flat irons, curling irons, and other high quality heat tools - chances are they have tourmaline in the plates. Well, what exactly does that mean and how does it benefit my hair are common questions.

Tourmaline is a crystal silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gem comes in a wide variety of colors. The most common species of tourmaline is schorl. (as per wikipedia) The word tourmaline has two etymologies, both from the Sinhalese word turamali, meaning "stone attracting ash" (a reference to its pyroelectric properties) or according to other sources "mixed gemstones".

Once tis crystal silicate mineral is ground down and added to the plates of your heat tools it has the ability to do some pretty cool things to your hair. For one, it emits negative ions and negative ions help smooth the cuticle of the hair. The smoother the cuticle the shinier the hair appears, a rough cuticle will give hair a dull look. But the biggest plus for us, is that a smoothed out cuticle actually helps retain moisture! One of our biggest problems solved by a heat tool? Sort of, but don't get it twisted the over use of heat will damage your hair no matter what's ground up and inbedded into those tools.

Babyliss Portofino 6600 Giveaway

Ladies! It's time for yet another awesome giveaway right here on The Anti Hair Slave... up for grabs this week is a BaByliss Pro Portofino 6600 Nano Titanium Blow Dryer. Remember? The blow dryer I loved so much, with the Italian AC Motor, Ionic & Nano technology, and 6 heat settings? Yup, that's the one!

Enter Here:

UPDATE:: Kimberly you are the winner! You've been emailed :-) congrats

Babyliss Portofino 6600 Review

(BabylissPro Nano Titanium Portofino 6600 Hair Dryer, $129.99 Folica.com)

For those of you lovely ladies who are on the market for a great blowdryer for the upcoming cooler weather, the Babyliss Portofino 6600 is a great option. This dryer features 6 different settings, yes SIX! This dryer was made in Italy using a long life AC motor. The dryer only seems pricey at $129.99, but once you factor in the six different speeds, 3 concentrators, a diffuser, and the fact that it has a removable stainless steel filter it's worth every penny. Since the filter is removable you can take it out, clean it or replace it if need be both options extending the life of your dryer. Not to mention, the ionic generator with nano titanium grill provides high concentration of negative items to condition hair and leave hair shiny. My hair loves this dryer and I bet yours will too!

**Disclosure**

Ultimate Curl Tool: T3 Twirl Curling Iron

Starting Today, June 16th for a limited time, buy a T3 Twirl curling iron at Bloomingdale’s and receive a free bottle of T3 + Orlando Pita Elevate Heat Seeking Iron Volumizer!

Watch the T3 Twirl in action! 



Yes, I have one and I LOVE it.  Full review coming soon!

Deep Condition without Over Heating

(Heat Therapy Wrap, Amazon.com $24.95)

As we get deeper and deeper into the summer months, I can't even bear to drag out my bonnet dryer to use heat to condition.  Instead I turn to my trusty Heat Therapy Wrap!  Ever since I got the Heat Therapy Wrap as part of my Beautyfix package, I haven't stop singing it's praises.

I just put the whole entire Heat Therapy Wrap in the microwave in 10 second intervals until the desired heat is achieved and then put it on my hair.  It's super easy and doesn't cause my body to over heat.  The end result is the same as when I use my bonnet to deep condition!  If you don't already have a Heat Therapy Wrap, what are you waiting for?  It's under $25.00 that's perfect for those on a budget and my college bound divas!  

Plus, all your favorite hair bloggers love it too!  Check us out!  

Me! The Anti Hair Slave

Wes from HoneyBrownSugar.com

 Sunshyne from Hairliciousinc.com  

  Fleurzty from TexturePlayground.com

Beauty Story Enzo Milano Sale

Enzo Milano has some of the best clampless curling irons so I hear, but they are a little pricey at about $130.  Well if you've been eyeing one, now is the time to buy because Beauty Story (an invite only, beauty sale site) is currently having an Enzo Milano Sale! 

You can score an Enzo Milano clampless curling iron complete with heat protection glove for just $80.00!  Need an invite to Beauty Story?  Send an email to
antihairslave(at)gmail(dot)com for your personal invite! 

Editor's Note: If you are already a member of the Editor's Closet then you are already a member of Beauty Story, the sites are linked!

Need more info on the Enzo Milano Clampless Curling Iron?  Keep on reading for more info and a video! 


Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Irons use a state of the art ceramic core, surrounded by our exclusive Tribostatic heat sink. The even heat of our exclusive Tribostatic Curling Irons in conjunction with the presence of negative ions will cause proteins within the hair shaft to shift from its original form to create a new bond between the protein chains and re-establish evenly throughout the hair shaft sealing the hair cuticle into its curled state. Includes a 100% Heat Resistant Safety Glove which speeds the curling process without burning.




Check out everyone's favorite Vlogger Andrea's Choice using her's!